MBA Spain

Public Transport in Spain

METRO IN SPAIN

In some of the major cities, an underground Metro system operates with great success. Metro lines offer the fastest way to get around and are naturally crowded during rush hours.
There are metro lines in Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia. Special tickets are available including a cheap day return, a metrocard allowing three / five days unlimited use, and weekly and monthly passes.

A tourist travel card is available in Spanish and English with a tube map, a RENFE map, a map of the city, transports and interest places. Its price depends on the zone where you travel and it’s possible to order it on internet. This card is working from 1 to 7 days and includes a child rate.

The city of Madrid has extensive subway and bus systems. The subway system doubled in size between the early 1960s and the late 1990s and it now reaches the outlying industrial and residential communities. No smoking is permitted on metro trains or in stations, which are clean and safe (crime is rare on Spanish metros).

TRAIN IN SPAIN

The main company that offers rail services in Spain is RENFE and connects all the regions of the peninsula. There are a massive variety of local, short-distance trams. Suburban commuter trains are second class only and stop at all stations.
Spanish trains, one of the cheaper in Europe, have two classes. RENFE has established special prices and discounts that make travelling by rail in Spain that much more convenient.

The Railway Tourist Card allows limitless trips between three and ten days in the period of two months. It’s also possible to use the European railway pass. The seats reservation is recommended for the interurban services. Also tourist trains can be used, like the Transcantábrico and Expreso Andaluz, a good way to discover those regions.

The "Euro- Railpass" is also a discount ticket reserved for visiting guests. It can be purchased in the country of origin and provides unlimited travel rights on any date, on any line, without supplements.

RENFE offers interesting discounts in “Blue Days”, dates that do not coincide with holidays, the eves of holidays or the most common holiday periods. There are many such dates during all the year on which it’s possible to travel by rail with a 50% discount.

Another special offer, is called “The Youth Card” that allows the owner, whose age must be between 12 and 25, to travel with 50% discount on all tickets that traveling dates coincide with the “Blue Days”.

More Info: Railway Companies in Spain

BUSES IN SPAIN

In Spain, the bus companies offer a good service. Usually public buses are of a high standard and inexpensive. The local bus services run from around 06:00 until between 22:00 and midnight. Most towns have a bus terminal, but don't take it for granted that the bus will stop for you, unless you make signals that indicate you wish it to. A lot of buses don’t have enough seats, opting instead for maximum standing room.

Smoking is not allowed on any public transport in Spain. Many of the city buses only accept the correct change. There's usually a 10-minute service on the most popular routes during peak hours and an hourly night service, although on Sundays and public holidays, schedules are considerably reduced. You are best to avoid traveling on these days. For students with an International Student Identity Card, exits discounts of 15 per cent on buses.

TAXIS IN SPAIN

Taxis in Spain are of a high standard and are governed by strict legislation. When a Taxi is free, it displays a green light. Taxis can be flagged down in the street or found at a taxi rank.

The most part of the taxis are metered but they will have set prices for some journeys. The price structures are set by the local government. Tipping of 5-10% is customary. Smoking is not allowed in taxis.

CARS IN SPAIN

In Spain, a EU driver’s license is valid, for non-EU drivers may be allowed to drive in Spain for the first year after arrival to Spain only (they need to pass a Spanish driving test afterward, that can be expensive). It is obligatory to have the driving license in use and is recommendable to contract an insurance company.
Spain has a roads network of more than 150,000 kms. The maximum speed allowed is of 130 km/h in the freeways, 90 km/h in other roads, and descends to 50 km/h in populated areas.

Car hire companies are abundant in Spain, especially around coastal areas. Competition is ferocious and price cutting out of season is usual. To hire a car you’ll need your passport and a full driving license. Most companies have a minimum age of 21 or 25 to hire a car.

Spain has four rush: 08.00-09.30, 12.30-14.30, 15.30-16.00 and 18.30-20.00; the quietest period is usually between 15.00 and 17.00. Traffic jams are particularly bad in Madrid, where the rush "hour" lasts all day.

The wearing of seat belts in Spain is necessary on all roads at all Children under 12 must travel in the back seats of cars unless the front seat is fitted with an approved child seat.

AIRPORTS IN SPAIN

The international Airports in Spain are numerous. The most important is the Barajas Airport in Madrid, from where it is possible to arrive at the city in taxi, bus or subway.

The Spanish airports open to international traffic are: Alicante, Almeria, Aviles, Barcelona, Bilbao, Fuerteventura, Girona, Granada, Ibiza, Jerez de la Frontera, Corunna, Lanzarote, Las Palmas, Madrid-Barajas, Malaga, Melilla, Menorca, Murcia, Palma de Mallorca, Reus (Tarragona), San Sebastian, Santander, Santiago de Compostela (Corunna) Seville, Tenerife-Norte, Tenerife-Sur, Valencia, Vigo, Vitoria and Zaragoza.

Flight times from Madrid to other Spanish cities are: