Journeys vary in length from a few hours to a full nights travel. However, if you like to travel by train for the scenery, there are some truly epic routes across mountains, seaside and the backcountry. Isabella noble highlights five of the best spanish train journeys taken by christopher howse for his new book. Spains railway network is well below average by european standards, particularly regarding punctuality, although its also one of the continents cheapest. Train spain trains map, pass, timetables and fares spain. It gives you extensive travel on the national rail network of spain, with your choice of first or second class travel for 3, 4, 5 or 8 days of rail travel within a onemonth period. The renfe site is so confusing and doesnt seem to work half of the time. If you are unable to book local trains ahead of your journey, it is easy to get a.
Buses in spain find the fastest and best value routes. However, for the highspeed trains youll need to book a seat reservation. We offer direct conections only, visit our routes section to see more. Spain and portugal itinerary 3 weeks fodors travel. Many of spains old, slow trains have been replaced with faster.
However, for the highspeed trains youll need to book a. How to book trains in europe by rail expert the man in seat 61. Trains in spain the fastest and best value routes omio goeuro. Trains in spain, rail network, train standards and. You will get the necessary free infant ticket if you book all your tickets at. Exchange order for the jr pass go to any of the jr exchange. Select an option below to see stepbystep directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in rome2rios travel planner.
It was easy to use, saved me money on the shinkansen, and let me breeze through jr rail stations. There are several alternative ticketing agents for the sale of european train tickets but i always believe that buying from the actual national train operator is usually safer and better plus you have more information about the services and other useful ideas. The total route length in 2012 was 16,026 km 10,182 km electrified. A beginners guide to train travel in spain how to use. This map is intended to be used for travel planning and to get an idea of the extent of spains rail network. You can book it weeks in advance or you can do it the day you depart. Occasional accidents occur on spains rail network, but travelling by train is usually very safe and considerably safer than travelling by car. If youll be taking three or more long train rides in spain, a rail pass can make.
Railways of spain and portugal 2017 st publications. This modern train system connects many cities across spain from madrid and barcelona, to cordoba, seville, malaga and valencia. Created in 1965 feve started absorbing numerous privateowned narrowgauge railways. Trains can get fully booked especially on weekends and routes with infrequent services. Order your jr pass online and you will receive an exchange order which you can swap for a jr pass when you arrive in japan. The journey takes just twoandahalf hours, as opposed to more than six hours by bus. Have fun at the gay pride festival, move your body at music festivals or taking part in the san silvestre race, thrill at big football and tennis. Its as simple as choosing your origin and destination from the most popular spanish cities, seat reservation included. Visit popular destinations like barcelona, madrid, seville and granada. Spain accommodation spain bed and breakfast spain holiday rentals spain holiday packages spain flights spain restaurants spain attractions spain travel forum spain photos spain guide all spain hotels. An affordable environmentallyfriendly alternative to flying. Calendar of events and festivities in madrid, spain. Spain has an extensive highspeed train network, which will get you where you want to go a lot faster compared to the regional train system. Railways books share book recommendations with your.
It is a pass only available for citizens resident in countries outside spain. The first railway in spain opened on 28th october, 1848 between barcelona and mataro. But if youre taking just a couple of train rides and can commit to dates and times in advance, look into frances advancepurchase discounts on pointtopoint train tickets, which may save you. Isabella noble, northern spain expert, replies the narrowgauge feve railway meanders across spains northern coast between bilbao basque country and ferrol galicia. To travel in spain by train, buy your ticket via one of the following booking links or at a station. Compare train journeys in spain and book your ticket at the best price. With everything there is to see in europes third largest country, theres never been a better way to see it than the eurail spain pass. A highspeed train flies through the spanish countryside.
Check out the suggestions below, always up to date, to find the event that most interests you on your trip to spains capital city. Europe spain and portugal itinerary 3 weeks hi everyone, we have started planning an itinerary for a threeweek trip to spain and portugal from dec 2018 to jan 2019 for 23 nights in total. Ave highspeed train spain fast trains and bullet trains eurail. Many choose to head to the coast and soak up the rays in malaga, marbella, or cadiz. Over the past ten years, spains railways have been expanding at a rapid pace, thanks to huge national investments and european grants. The most epic train journeys you can experience in spain. Customers can choose a pass for 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12 journeys, which must be used within one month of your first trip on most ave routes. The search is taking longer than expected, please wait a. There are 7 ways to get from rabat to spain by plane, train, car ferry, bus or car. Most of your journeys will have some flexibility, and. Spain does not have much in the way of heritage railways. Another advantage is longdistance trains and buses in europe are modern, comfortable and wellequipped with wifi, outlets and refreshments. Madrid, its centrallylocated capital city, stands surrounded by a host of regional capitals spread along the mediterranean and atlantic coasts, including barcelona, valencia, seville, and bilbo. Some stay inland and explore the likes of ronda or jerez.
Peter linehan, the tablet christopher howse, in his offbeat book the train in spain, prefers slow trains, and particularly those that meander along single tracks in obscure parts of the country. Spain is a destination that can truthfully claim to deliver all things to all people, and when you join great rail journeys for a holiday in spain by train well show you the very best of this beautiful country. Rail passes can be a good value in france if youll be taking some longdistance rides, or riding mostly on trains that dont require reservations. Traveling by train in spain is a fast, convenient and comfortable way to visit major cities and also see the spanish countryside. Tips for traveling through spain by train the points guy. The original ave highspeed train in spain, this route has been shuttling tourists and businessmen between the capital and andalusias premier city since 1992. When first i travelled through spain by train in 1976, it was along the spectacular narrowgauge railways along the north coast, and the ponderous iberiangauge services elsewhere in the. Eurostar, german and austrian railways open bookings up to 180 days ahead, but most other european trains open for. Take spains most scenic train route from guillarei to.
Rabat to spain 7 ways to travel via train, plane, car. Looking for train tickets from madrid to seville, seville to barcelona, and barcelona to provencenice. We have identified 25 routes in europe from the 100 most popular. Only noneuropean residents can travel with a eurail pass. Economic difficulties and the presence of some of the most mountainous terrain in europe ensured that railways arrived relatively late in spain. A portuguese voyage of discovery, this exhilarating tour combines rail travel up the coast of portugal with a memorable cruise on the.
Although the standard gauge of 1435mm had by then been adopted in several european countries, the new line used a broader gauge of 1674mm 6 castilian feet. This route is 8 days long, involving 6 nights in your accommodation and one spent on a night train. Well explain you more about reservations a bit further down on this page. But if youre on a tight schedule with just enough time to see spain in 2 weeks, the regions capital seville is. Spain by train from 148 spain train routes and map of spain. Spanish railways battle profit loss with more investment. Spainpass allows up to 12 travels per passenger with 1 ticket. The train runs from april to october except july and august and follows the route of the second ever spanish train line, inaugurated over 160 years ago.
Book early to get advance fares that are considerably cheaper than the full fare. A guide to travelling around spain by train, including how to buy cheap. It is strictly personal, non transferable, and is only valid upon presentation of a passport or a residence certificate. Trains in spain buy train tickets for spain online trainline. This guide will show you how to book spanish train tickets, how to find the. His book is essential reading for those following him to those parts, whether they risk doing so by train or not. In spain there is an extensive 1,250 km 780 mi system of 1,000 mm 3 ft 3 3. Highspeed ave trains alta velocidad espanola link major cities at up to 186mph, and if you book in advance online you can find some great cheap fares at the official spanish rail website, this page will give you a headsup on how to travel cheaply around spain by train. Railways of spain and portugal 2017 this book has very recently been updated with all the changes that have occurred to the loco fleets operating in spain and portugal that we have been made aware of since this book was last published in june 20. Passes can get you a discount on some international ferries, but not tarifatangier routes. With the longest fast train network in europe, spain allows for getting about in speedy and economical fashion.
Train spain trains map, pass, timetables and fares spain spain. These days, the official websites of europes main railways sncf in france, trenitalia in italy, renfe in spain, deutsche bahn in germany, among many others are easily searched in english and offer great deals on highspeed and longdistance trains when booked a few months in advance. Spains high speed ave trains spanish high speed ave trains alta velocidad espanola are famously known for transporting passengers to the most popular cities in record time. The eurail spain pass is the best way to experience spains diverse culture, the delicious food and beautiful architecture. Renfe spain rail pass holders can book their seats for free. And thats probably why planes would easily have replaced trains if not for two major rail rejuvenation projects in the eighties. Railways in spain an ave high speed train of renfe passes a spectacular hilltop castle. Many of spain s old, slow trains have been replaced with faster. Currently struggling with feeble passenger demand, the country is trying to reclaim dwindling profits by dedicating millions of euros to. With every domestic destination available for booking, travel aboard spains high speed ave trains to the likes of madrid, barcelona, seville, malaga, valencia. How to travel spain by train tips for buying spanish train tickets. The iberian peninsula is generally quite rugged, especially in spain which is one of the most mountainous countries in europe.
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