Travel Around Spain By Train

Comparison of different modes of transportation

Although probably one of the best modes of transportation around, the train is most certainly not the only option around. Taking a bus, car or airplane are other ways to get around that also present their own sets of pros and cons.

Due to the speed of air travel, it is usually the fastest way of getting around. However, this excludes the time taken for passengers to get to the airport, check in and go through security checks which are likely to negate the time saved during the actual journey.

Driving a car around Spain is probably the option that is the most attractive for those who value flexibility above other factors. Renting a car would allow you to travel off the beaten track and truly explore the country. It is also relatively cheap especially for those who are 25 - 69 and is a great option for those adventurers out there (with a valid driving permit). This option, though, is more for those who have the luxury of time to drive from place to place and who have to patience for long drives.

Taking the train could be the most expensive option, often slightly pricier than an airfare, but it takes passengers directly from city to city (and often right in the city centre). Trains are also the most eco-friendly option. In addition, trains have much more baggage allowance as compared to cheaper flights, and offer seats that are a lot more comfortable.

RENFE train

Established in 1941, RENFE, which is an acronym for Red Nacional de los Ferrocarriles Españoles, runs all of Spain’s passenger trains with a vast network of railways covering much of the nation. They offer different types of trains for different distances and speeds.

High speed trains are used for the longest distances and can cut travelling time into half or less (as compared to driving). The Larga distancia trains are: AVE (Alta Velocidad Española), Alvia and Altaria. These trains run up to 310 km/h (193 mi/h). The next fastest trains are the Media Distancia (Regional trains) and Avant trains which run at a moderate speed. In addition, you can also take the Trenhotel for long distances on these trains as they offer bunks for overnight hauls allowing you to wake up, well-rested, at your destination! The last and slowest type of trains is the Cercanías (Commuter Rail Service) which cover the shortest distances such as within big cities like Barcelona or small local regions.They are an absolute necessity of the public transport system within regions.

One of the most important thing to note, however, is whether the type of train is even servicing the route you wish to take. The AVE operates in major cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Cuenca, Valencia and Seville but they do not run between every major city and it is safer to do a check here for the availability of the route before planning the journey. The moderate speed Avant trains cover pretty much the whole country, but it is also wiser to give the destination a quick search to find the most direct train route there. Another essential thing to prepare for is the timetable of the trains. Although most of the AVE train routes are covered over 20 times a day, checking the timetable beforehand is always a wise choice to avoid missing the train.

For different levels comfort and people who are comfortable with different price points, the high-speed trains offer various classes to choose from. Passengers taking the high-speed trains can choose from three classes of rising comfort levels with an increasing amount of personal space: Turista (which all moderate-speed trains are in), Turista Plus and Preferente. The first two categories are quite similar while Preferente, the business class, offers complimentary newspapers, a meal service (except on Saturdays) and VIP lounge access at the train stations. Fortunately, all passengers, regardless of the class of their seats have access to 220V sockets. Another special option on the high-speed train is the Coche en silencio (Quiet Car) which has restrictions like not allowing those under 14, having the phones on silent mode and not allowing pets, making the the quiet car the ideal choice for those who want a lovely, uninterrupted quiet journey. Lastly, the Renfe Trenhotel offers even more options with its five different classes each with certain privileges.

RENFE train ticket

After knowing about the variety of different train types and a plethora of classes to select from, the next thing is to know how to obtain those train tickets. The way to purchase those tickets is from the RENFE website. However, according to various online sources, the website is not easy to navigate for those who do not speak Spanish due to poor English translations (so grab someone who understands or speaks Spanish for help if possible). Regardless, this article is here to offer some guidance through that confusing process.

Booking Online
Each row on the fare list contains the train type followed by the departure time, arrival time and the duration of travel. On the column to the right of the duration would be the list of fares for the Turista class, followed by that for the Turista, Preferente and Club class; an empty column would indicate that the option is not available for that particular ride.

Within each column, there would be tiny boxes of different colours next to the different fares. The blue box with the 4m written on it represent Cuatro Mesa for four seats which face each other and are separated two by two by a table. This option is only available if four tickets are purchased, offering a money-saving deal for four people who travel together. The green box with a P represents a promotional price on the ticket which cannot be cancelled or changed and the seat cannot be chosen. This ticket is sold on the website at around 70% of the promo plus price, which makes it a good option for those who are sure of their travel times, especially for solo travelers, However, since it’s such a steal, it is likely to sell out quickly. The orange box with P+ represents the Promo Plus tickets which are slightly more flexible than the Promo tickets - any cancellation of tickets will only incur 30% or the cost, a change of tickets would cost 20% of the original fare plus the increase in cost of the new ticket (if any), and taking the next train instead is possible (if seats are available) by spending an additional 20% of what was already paid. The last purple box represents the Flexible tickets where a change in ticket is completely free and 95% of the fare would be refunded should the passenger choose to cancel the ticket.

As mentioned, the cheapest train tickets with the best deals are likely to be sold out quickly. Thus, it is a good idea to grab them right when they become available around two to three months before the journey. They can be purchased online through RENFE’s website or from The Trainline which may be a simpler option for non-Spanish speakers, as it offers an easy to navigate way (in English) of buying tickets at the same price as RENFE. Make sure to print each ticket on a separate piece of paper to show the train staff before boarding.

Purchasing tickets at the train station
The other option for purchasing the tickets would be directly at the train stations. However, this option may be far from ideal as there is always the risk of the ticket being sold out in addition to the trend of last-minute tickets being much more expensive than those purchased in advance. Unfortunately, RENFE also charges a service fee of 5.5% when the tickets are purchased from the ticketing counters which makes this option not as popular for budget-conscious travelers.

Spain rail pass

There are two main rail passes available for purchase for those who wish to travel in Spain: the RENFE train pass and the Eurail pass (for tourists from outside Europe). Depending on the amount of time you want to spend in Spain and the number of train trips taken, buying a pass instead of purchasing the individual tickets may have its advantages.

The RENFE rail passes are a set of documents specially for non-residents of Spain that allows them to take any number of trains for a specific number of days. These passes are linked with the commuters identity, thus, the passport must always be shown together with the pass before the train. Bookings are mandatory for tickets purchased from this pass, but on the bright side, bookings are free and can be cancelled for free on the RENFE website, train stations, or authorised travel agencies. The most obvious advantage that the RENFE rail passes have over the Eurail passes is the reservations - Eurail users have to pay additionally for any reservations they make.

The other popular option for tourists is the Eurail pass which can easily be purchased online (with discounts for youths). This pass also offers (pricier) options that covers trains that travel through a range of countries in Europe instead of just Spain, which may make it more economical for travelling across the continent.

Train travel in Spain: Tips & Tricks

Now that you know a little more about train travel in Spain, here are some small tips and tricks that will hopefully make your journey a smoother one.

1. Know the luggage restrictions. Although the rules for the luggage are rarely enforced, it is always safer to stick within the guidelines to make sure the trips do not have any unnecessary hiccups. Each passenger is allowed to carry up to three pieces of luggage with a total weight of 25 kg (55 lbs) and a total size of 290 cm (114 inches) which should be ample for most travelers. The carrier does not offer the option of buying extra baggage allowance - so the best choices would be to keep the total luggage within limits or find someone to share the luggage with or, if time allows, book the door-to-door luggage service to transport the luggage separately.

2. Book in advance. In order to ensure you get your desired tickets, it is always wiser to try to purchase them earlier on or risk them being sold out when everything else has been planned.

3. Choose the right class for your comfort. For long distance trips like those with AVE, the time spent on the train is often not insignificant and who wouldn’t want to enjoy the time there as well? It is best to choose a ticket that both suits your comfort level and matches your budget.

4. Pack travel essentials. Although it goes without saying that this should be done for every trip, a reminder doesn’t hurt. Try to wear the most comfortable clothes especially on longer journeys and pack essentials like earphones for those who like to spend the journey accompanied by music.

5. Find out about special services (and if you are eligible for them). RENFE offers special services for children and for those with disabilities: children below the age of four can share a seat with a paying passenger which allows them to travel free although they are also required to obtain their special train ticket too, children below the age of 14 can obtain tickets at 60% of their original price, there is a free assistance service provided for people with disabilities (eg. those who require a wheelchair).

Train rides through Spain

Thanks to advancements in technology, the world is becoming more and more connected and travelling to different parts of the world is easier than ever. That said, there are always difficulties associated with foreign, unfamiliar transport systems but hopefully, this article offers you more information that allows for a smooth journey.