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Getting Around by Air
Domestic flights are run by Iberia (IB) (website: www.iberia.com), Air Europa (website: www.air-europa.com), Binter (website: www.binternet.com) and Spanair (website: www.spanair.com). Scheduled flights connect all main towns as well as the Balearic and Canary Islands and enclaves in North Africa. Air taxis are available at most airports. Reservations should be made well in advance.
Getting Around by Water
There are regular hydrofoil and car and passenger ferry sailings from Algeciras to Tangier and Ceuta (North African enclave); Málaga and Almeria to Melilla (North African enclave); Barcelona, Valencia and Alicante to the Balearic Islands; and Cádiz to the Canary Islands. There are also inter-island services, including a catamaran service linking Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca. For further information, contact Acciona Trasmediterránea (tel: 9024 54645; website: www.trasmediterranea.es).
Getting Around by Rail
The state-owned company RENFE (tel: 9022 43402; website: www.renfe.es) operates a railway network connecting all the regions on the Iberian Peninsula. It is mainly a radial network, with connections between Madrid and all the major cities. There are also some transversal services connecting the northwest coast with the Mediterranean coast, as well as services from France to the Mediterranean coast. Reservations for passenger services in Spain may be made in the UK through the Spanish Rail service (see above), European Rail Travel (tel: (020) 7619 1083, in the UK; website: www.europeanrail.com), or The Association of European Rail Agents (AERA) (tel: (020) 7398 5137; website: www.aera.co.uk).
High-speed trains: The AVE service connects Madrid and Seville in 2 hours 15 minutes, with several services each way via Córdoba. Some services also stop at Ciudad Real and Puerto Llano (La Mancha). A new Madrid to Barcelona leg is now open, and the high-speed border connection with France is due in 2010. A new line from Córdoba to Málaga is also now open. Madrid to Valencia and Madrid to Valladolid should follow by 2010. The Talgo 200 connects Madrid and Málaga in 4 hours 35 minutes.
Tourist trains: The Andalus Express and Transcantábrico offer a pleasant way of discovering their respective regions. There are also a number of privately run narrow-gauge railways in Spain, mainly in the north, the Mediterranean coast and the Balearic Islands, which run at a leisurely pace through picturesque scenery. For more information, contact the Spanish National Tourist Office (see Contact Addresses).
Rail Passes
High-speed trains: The AVE service connects Madrid and Seville in 2 hours 15 minutes, with several services each way via Córdoba. Some services also stop at Ciudad Real and Puerto Llano (La Mancha). A new Madrid to Barcelona leg is now open, and the high-speed border connection with France is due in 2010. A new line from Córdoba to Málaga is also now open. Madrid to Valencia and Madrid to Valladolid should follow by 2010. The Talgo 200 connects Madrid and Málaga in 4 hours 35 minutes.
Tourist trains: The Andalus Express and Transcantábrico offer a pleasant way of discovering their respective regions. There are also a number of privately run narrow-gauge railways in Spain, mainly in the north, the Mediterranean coast and the Balearic Islands, which run at a leisurely pace through picturesque scenery. For more information, contact the Spanish National Tourist Office (see Contact Addresses).
InterRail's One-Country Pass: offers travel for three, four, six or eight days in one month within Spain. Travel is not allowed in the passenger's country of residence. Travellers under 26 years receive a reduction. Children's tickets are reduced by about 50%. Supplements are required for some high-speed services, seat reservations and couchettes. Discounts are offered on Eurostar and some ferry routes. Available from Rail Europe (tel: 0844 848 4064, in the UK; website: www.raileurope.co.uk/inter-rail).
Note: Seat reservations are required on all intercity trains. This ruling applies to the passes and cards mentioned above.
Note: Seat reservations are required on all intercity trains. This ruling applies to the passes and cards mentioned above.
Getting Around by Road
Traffic drives on the right. Motorways are well-maintained and connect Spain north-south. Tolls are in operation on some sections and have to be paid in Euros. Trunk roads between major cities are generally fast and well-maintained. Rural roads are of differing quality.
Bus: There are bus lines which are efficient and cheap, operating between cities and towns. Departures are generally from a central terminal at which the operators will have individual booths selling tickets. Most places have a bus link of some kind, even the more remote villages.
Car hire: All major car hire companies are represented in major cities, resorts and airports. Drivers must be over 21 to hire a car.
Motorcycles: No person under 18 may hire or ride a vehicle over 75cc. Crash helmets must be worn.
Regulations: Side lights must be used at night in built-up areas. Spare bulbs, red hazard triangles and a reflective vest or jacket must be kept in all vehicles. Traffic lights: two red lights mean ‘No Entry'. Parking laws are rigorously enforced. The speed limit for motorways is 120kph (80mph) in general, but for buses and lorries the limit is 100kph (60mph); in built-up areas the limit is 50kph (30mph); for other roads it is 90kph (56mph).
Emergency breakdown service: Real Automóvil Club de España (RACE) (tel: 9023 00505; website: www.race.es).
Documentation: Most foreign licences including Canadian, EU and US are accepted. Minimum third Party insurance is compulsory; carry a copy of your policy and registration document if bringing your own car.
Bus: There are bus lines which are efficient and cheap, operating between cities and towns. Departures are generally from a central terminal at which the operators will have individual booths selling tickets. Most places have a bus link of some kind, even the more remote villages.
Car hire: All major car hire companies are represented in major cities, resorts and airports. Drivers must be over 21 to hire a car.
Motorcycles: No person under 18 may hire or ride a vehicle over 75cc. Crash helmets must be worn.
Regulations: Side lights must be used at night in built-up areas. Spare bulbs, red hazard triangles and a reflective vest or jacket must be kept in all vehicles. Traffic lights: two red lights mean ‘No Entry'. Parking laws are rigorously enforced. The speed limit for motorways is 120kph (80mph) in general, but for buses and lorries the limit is 100kph (60mph); in built-up areas the limit is 50kph (30mph); for other roads it is 90kph (56mph).
Emergency breakdown service: Real Automóvil Club de España (RACE) (tel: 9023 00505; website: www.race.es).
Documentation: Most foreign licences including Canadian, EU and US are accepted. Minimum third Party insurance is compulsory; carry a copy of your policy and registration document if bringing your own car.
Getting Around Towns and Cities
Traffic in Spanish cities is normally heavy, and urban driving takes some time to adjust to. City public transport facilities are generally good. Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid and Valencia have metros as well as buses; the Seville metro and tram system is scheduled for completion in late 2008; work on the first two lines of the Málaga metro is well underway. Other towns and resorts are well served by local buses. Metered taxis are available in most major cities and a 2 to 3% tip is customary.
Journey Times
The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Madrid to other major cities and towns in Spain.
* Plus nine hours by boat (three hours by catamaran).
| Air | Road | Rail | |
| Barcelona | 1.00 | 8.00 | 8.00 |
| Canary Is. | 2.30 | - | - |
| Mallorca | 1.00 | - | - |
| Palma | 1.10 | 6.00* | 5.00* |
* Plus nine hours by boat (three hours by catamaran).