Renfe: The Best Way To Get Around Spain - Awara Diaries (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to travel around Spain? ›

How do most people get around in Spain? Spain's railways are the fastest ways to cross long distances with most lines converging in Madrid. High-speed trains and slower regional trains provide locals and visitors a quick, comfortable, and convenient way to explore the country.

Furthermore, individual, seat-specific reading lights have been installed and table lamps are located on the tables between the seats facing one another. The toilets on the train, one adapted for people with reduced mobility, are located on the platforms between carriages, where the luggage racks are also located.

AVE and long-distance trains: 50% discount for tickets bought 30 days or more in advance. 40% discount for tickets bought between 15 and 30 days in advance. 30% discount for tickets bought less than 15 days in advance.

Arrive at the station at least 30 minutes before your train departs. This is because there is a security check, with a scanner for your bags and a ticket check, before you can enter the platform. Give yourself time to get to and from the train station.

Traveling by high-speed train in Spain is easy, fast, and stress-free. Spain has an extensive rail network making it perfect for traveling by train. We recently visited Barcelona, Madrid, and Seville and traveled exclusively by train. The high-speed trains link major cities at speeds up to over 180 mph (300 km/h).

You can carry up to 3 pieces of hand luggage onto the train, provided that the sum of the three does not exceed 25 kg or 290 cm. The maximum dimensions allowed are 85x55x35 cm. (height-width-depth).

Nominative ticket

Tickets to travel on Ave and Long Distance trains are nominative. Do not forget to take with you a valid proof of identity with a photograph (DNI, Driving License, Residence Card or Passport). Identity checks can be performed during the check-in process or on board the trains.

Trainline sells train tickets for the same price as the Spanish carriers. It does add a small booking fee. But, honestly, the convenience makes up for the negligible cost. The purchase process on Trainline is much simpler than on Renfe's Avlo's, OUIGO's, and iryo's website.

Of course, you're free to take your own food and even wine or beer onto the train. Add a meal box to your booking in Elige Confort on AVE & EuroMed. You can add a meal box to your booking if you buy an Elige fare for Confort class on AVE, EuroMed or some Alvia trains at Renfe.com.

Do I need to print my Renfe ticket? ›

You must carry a printed copy with you, which you can print using the auto check-in machines found at the stations that are ready for this or request it at the ticket offices.

1. Transcantabrico. Perhaps the most well-known of the Spanish train routes, the Transcantabrico takes you across northwestern Spain, from the pilgrimage town of Santiago de Compostela to the food capital San Sebastian.

In general, public transportation in Spain is very affordable. Trains are more comfortable and faster than buses but will cost you more unless you're traveling in the early morning or book well in advance. An average high-speed train ride from Madrid to Barcelona will cost around €60, whereas a bus will be around €30.

Trains are better if your itinerary covers a wide area. Americans, Canadians and Australians usually believe that Spain is a small country, which is true compared to this specific countries. And while Spain has an excellent road network, the train is a better option if you plan to travel across the country.

It all depends on your choice of other cities within Spain or Florence. In other words, if your next cities in Spain, after Barcelona, will be Valencia, Zaragoza or Madrid, you should definitely take a train because the train on these routes is faster, usually cheaper and also operates center to center.

On average, a budget traveler's cost of visiting Spain for a week is $889. If you're on an ultra-budget, you can get by in Spain for a week with $650 on average. The average cost of a one-week mid-range trip is $1,200, while a luxury Spain trip starts from $2,500 on average.