Everything You Need to Know About Traveling by Train in Spain

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Train travel in Spain

Spanish rail system (Renfe)

The Spanish train system is run by Renfe. It includes both regional trains (Cercanias) and long-distance trains. Tickets can be purchased on the Internet or directly at the train stations. (Some routes are discounted if tickets are purchased online.) If you plan to travel extensively on the Spanish rail system, you may want to purchase a EuRail pass (for non-Europeans) or InterRail pass (for EU citizens). I talk about these below.

The high-speed Spanish trains (AVE – alta velocidad) are more expensive but, obviously, save you a lot of time when traveling by train. The AVE trains are relatively new as well, so they are very modern and very clean. (Though pretty much all of the trains I’ve taken in Spain have been modern and clean!) There are several discounted fares available (for seniors, children, under-26, Internet purchase, and more).

The AVE currently has the following routes:

Madrid – Sevilla (about 2 1/2 hours)

Madrid – Zaragoza – Camp de Tarragona – Barcelona (about 3 hours)

Madrid – Zaragoza – Huesca (about 2 1/4 hours)

Madrid – Málaga (about 3 hours)

Madrid – Segovia – Valladolid (about 1 1/4 hours)

For information on Spanish trains, such as timetables and fares, go to the Renfe Web site.

For information on the high-speed AVE trains, go to the AVE Web site.

EuRail train passes for non-EU citizens

EuRail (also called Eurorail) offers a variety of passes for non-Europeans who want to travel extensively by train in one European country; a group of three, four, or five adjoining European countries (Select Pass); or throughout 20 European countries (Global Pass). Buying a Eurail pass can save you a lot of money on traveling in Europe. Click here for a map of the European train system.

If you have been living in Spain (or another European country) for six months or longer (on the first day you plan to use the pass) you are considered an EU resident in the eyes of the rail system and need to purchase an InterRail pass.

The countries included in EuRail are Austria (including Liechtenstein), Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France (including Monaco), Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

There are different types of passes available, such as the FlexiPass (with which you can choose to travel on any 10 or 15 days within a two-month period) or the normal pass (with which you get unlimited travel for a consecutive period of 15 days, 21 days, one month, two months, or three months). You can choose between first class and second class passes. There are also discounted passes for Youths (under 25) or groups of two to five people traveling together.

Each travel day is counted from 12 midnight to 12 midnight. Regardless of which type of pass you have, you can travel on as many trains as you want during each 24-hour period of validity. If you take an overnight train that leaves after 7 pm, the travel is counted on the day the train arrives. This lets you sneak in an extra day of travel on flexible EuRail passes if you plan it well.

Some trains, such as high-speed trains or overnight trains, require seat reservations – even if you have a European train pass. The best thing to do is to get to the station a little bit ahead of time and ask at the reservation window. If you end up taking a train that does require a reservation, and you don’t have one, you will be fined. If you are taking an overnight train, you should try to reserve a few days ahead (if you want a bed). You have to pay extra for reservations, beds, etc.

Because EuRail passes are intended for non-Europeans, it is difficult to obtain them once you are in Europe. Some of the passes are available in Europe, but the price is about 20% higher. You can purchase the passes online (or through travel agents) up to six months before you plan to travel. Shipping to many countries is free.

InterRail train passes for non-EU citizens

InterRail offers a variety of passes for European residents who want to travel extensively by train in one European country or throughout 30 European countries (Global Pass). Buying an InterRail pass can save you a lot of money on traveling in Europe. Click here for a map of the European train system.

The countries included in InterRail are Austria, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, FYR Macedonia, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Montenegro, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Turkey.

There are different types of passes available, such as the FlexiPass (with which you can choose to travel on any five days in a 10-day period or any 10 days within a 22-day period) or the normal pass (with which you get unlimited travel for a consecutive period of 22 days or one month). You can choose between first class and second class passes. There are also discounted passes for Youths (under 25) or groups of two to five people traveling together.

Each travel day is counted from 12 midnight to 12 midnight. Regardless of which type of pass you have, you can travel on as many trains as you want during each 24-hour period of validity. If you take an overnight train that leaves after 7 pm, the travel is counted on the day the train arrives. This lets you sneak in an extra day of travel on flexible EuRail passes if you plan it well.

The InterRail passes do not include train rides in your home country; however, you can use the InterRail pass to get a discounted train ticket to reach the border of your country.

Some trains, such as high-speed trains or overnight trains, require seat reservations – even if you have a European train pass. The best thing to do is to get to the station a little bit ahead of time and ask at the reservation window. If you end up taking a train that does require a reservation, and you don’t have one, you will be fined. If you are taking an overnight train, you should try to reserve a few days ahead (if you want a bed). You have to pay extra for reservations, beds, etc.

You can purchase the InterRail passes online (or through travel agents) up to three months before you plan to travel. Shipping within Europe is free.

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Guide for Expats in Spain Before Moving to Spain Housing in Spain Jobs in Spain Banking in Spain Health Care in Spain Communications in Spain Legal Issues in Spain Learning the Language in Spain Guide for traveling in Spain Accommodation in Spain Transportation in Spain Safety in Spain Health Care for Tourists in Spain Emergency Numbers in Spain Other Useful Info Where to Buy Spanish Products Books on Spain More on Transportation Air Travel in Spain Bus Travel in Spain Rental Cars in Spain Spanish Travel Agencies Taxis in Spain Subways in Spain See also: Madrid Restaurant Menus	Train travel in Spain Spanish rail system (Renfe) The Spanish train system is run by Renfe. It includes both regional trains (Cercanias) and long-distance trains. Tickets can be purchased on the Internet or directly at the train stations. (Some routes are discounted if tickets are purchased online.) If you plan to travel extensively on the Spanish rail system, you may want to purchase a EuRail pass (for non-Europeans) or InterRail pass (for EU citizens). I talk about these below. The high-speed Spanish trains (AVE – alta velocidad) are more expensive but, obviously, save you a lot of time when traveling by train. The AVE trains are relatively new as well, so they are very modern and very clean. (Though pretty much all of the trains I’ve taken in Spain have been modern and clean!) There are several discounted fares available (for seniors, children, under-26, Internet purchase, and more). The AVE currently has the following routes: Madrid – Sevilla (about 2 1/2 hours) Madrid – Zaragoza – Camp de Tarragona – Barcelona (about 3 hours) Madrid – Zaragoza – Huesca (about 2 1/4 hours) Madrid – Málaga (about 3 hours) Madrid – Segovia – Valladolid (about 1 1/4 hours) For information on Spanish trains, such as timetables and fares, go to the Renfe Web site. For information on the high-speed AVE trains, go to the AVE Web site.

	EuRail train passes for non-EU citizens EuRail (also called Eurorail) offers a variety of passes for non-Europeans who want to travel extensively by train in one European country; a group of three, four, or five adjoining European countries (Select Pass); or throughout 20 European countries (Global Pass). Buying a Eurail pass can save you a lot of money on traveling in Europe. Click here for a map of the European train system. If you have been living in Spain (or another European country) for six months or longer (on the first day you plan to use the pass) you are considered an EU resident in the eyes of the rail system and need to purchase an InterRail pass. The countries included in EuRail are Austria (including Liechtenstein), Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France (including Monaco), Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. There are different types of passes available, such as the FlexiPass (with which you can choose to travel on any 10 or 15 days within a two-month period) or the normal pass (with which you get unlimited travel for a consecutive period of 15 days, 21 days, one month, two months, or three months). You can choose between first class and second class passes. There are also discounted passes for Youths (under 25) or groups of two to five people traveling together. Each travel day is counted from 12 midnight to 12 midnight. Regardless of which type of pass you have, you can travel on as many trains as you want during each 24-hour period of validity. If you take an overnight train that leaves after 7 pm, the travel is counted on the day the train arrives. This lets you sneak in an extra day of travel on flexible EuRail passes if you plan it well. Some trains, such as high-speed trains or overnight trains, require seat reservations – even if you have a European train pass. The best thing to do is to get to the station a little bit ahead of time and ask at the reservation window. If you end up taking a train that does require a reservation, and you don’t have one, you will be fined. If you are taking an overnight train, you should try to reserve a few days ahead (if you want a bed). You have to pay extra for reservations, beds, etc. Because EuRail passes are intended for non-Europeans, it is difficult to obtain them once you are in Europe. Some of the passes are available in Europe, but the price is about 20% higher. You can purchase the passes online (or through travel agents) up to six months before you plan to travel. Shipping to many countries is free. InterRail train passes for non-EU citizens InterRail offers a variety of passes for European residents who want to travel extensively by train in one European country or throughout 30 European countries (Global Pass). Buying an InterRail pass can save you a lot of money on traveling in Europe. Click here for a map of the European train system. The countries included in InterRail are Austria, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, FYR Macedonia, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Montenegro, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Turkey. There are different types of passes available, such as the FlexiPass (with which you can choose to travel on any five days in a 10-day period or any 10 days within a 22-day period) or the normal pass (with which you get unlimited travel for a consecutive period of 22 days or one month). You can choose between first class and second class passes. There are also discounted passes for Youths (under 25) or groups of two to five people traveling together. Each travel day is counted from 12 midnight to 12 midnight. Regardless of which type of pass you have, you can travel on as many trains as you want during each 24-hour period of validity. If you take an overnight train that leaves after 7 pm, the travel is counted on the day the train arrives. This lets you sneak in an extra day of travel on flexible EuRail passes if you plan it well. The InterRail passes do not include train rides in your home country; however, you can use the InterRail pass to get a discounted train ticket to reach the border of your country. Some trains, such as high-speed trains or overnight trains, require seat reservations – even if you have a European train pass. The best thing to do is to get to the station a little bit ahead of time and ask at the reservation window. If you end up taking a train that does require a reservation, and you don’t have one, you will be fined. If you are taking an overnight train, you should try to reserve a few days ahead (if you want a bed). You have to pay extra for reservations, beds, etc. You can purchase the InterRail passes online (or through travel agents) up to three months before you plan to travel. Shipping within Europe is free. Add to del.icio.us \| Digg this planes -- buses -- rental cars -- travel agencies -- taxis -- subway

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