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Spain is very well connected internationally, making it an accessible holiday spot from various parts of the world. Here is how to reach Spain based on your preference of mode of transportation:
You can take a flight to major international airports such as Madrid, Barajas, Adolfo Suarez Airport, Barcelona El Prat Airport, and Malaga Costa del Sol Airport. Numerous airlines operate direct flights from major cities in India and upon landing, you can find Spain travel guides to take you to your destination.
If you want to know how to reach Spain on a budget, a high-speed train network is your safest bet. Renfe’s AVE Connects Spain to neighboring European nations. Purchase a Schengen visa and set out on a European adventure. You can avail of train transportation To and from Spain via high-speed routes such as Paris to Barcelona. Not only does it offer budget travel, but also a comfortable journey with scenic routes. You can also avail of local rails to places to visit Spain for intra-city travel.
Another means of how to reach Spain on a budget is through the roadways. Spain is well connected via highways to Portugal and France. If you're on your European adventure, you can avail of international bus services that operate across routes connecting Spanish cities to other European destinations during your Spain tourism. It also connects places to visit Spain on a budget.
The country has an extensive coastline which makes it easier to determine how to reach Spain. You can opt for cruise ships that offer connectivity to major ports including Barcelona, Valencia and Bilbao. Now, these ports also accommodate ferries from Mediterranean destinations and serve as popular stops for cruise liners.
You can speak to expert travel advisors at Thomas Cook to also identify the best Spain tour guides to take you on an unforgettable journey.
Eurail is a great option to reach Spain from other European countries. Spain is best connected to France and Italy by Eurail. There are various other railway networks as well in the European Union which are connected to Spain. The high-speed train from France takes six hours to reach Spain. While there are cross-border connections with San Sebastian and Bayonne, the other ways to reach Spain by train is from Portugal but these are not very frequent, so check in advance for availability.
Since Spain shares land borders with Portugal and France, you can drive to Spain in a hired car if you have an international driving license. The roads are excellent and driving can be quite enjoyable. Do note that you will need to show proof of insurance and charges for fuel and toll rates are also quite high. The other alternative would be to hire a cab.
You can also travel to Spain by sea as Gibraltar is connected with North African countries such as Tangiers, Canary Islands and Morocco by ferry services. It’s also possible to travel to Spain from England. Brittany Ferries operates services from Portsmouth and Plymouth to Santander and Bilbao.
By Air
There are numerous internal flights available in Spain, operated by both Spanish airlines as well as other low-cost carriers. Travelling within Spain’s different cities is made easy thanks to these. Air Europa operates from Madrid to various other cities such as Bilbao, Barcelona and Vigo while Spain’s national airline, Iberia has a wide domestic network. Other airlines like Ryanair and Vueling fly various domestic routes while Volotea flies domestic routes connecting Alicante, Seville, Valencia and various other cities but not Madrid or Barcelona.
By Bus
Buses can take you anywhere in Spain. There are bus links from villages to cities to towns although you have to remember that these are not often comfortable for tourists. Many people opt to travel by bus because it’s cheaper but you have to remember that frequent services during the week lessen during the weekend and many places might have just one bus operating on Saturdays. Some places don’t have buses on Sundays at all. You don’t need reservations; just make sure you get hold of a seat.
During holiday season, do make sure that you buy tickets in advance or you will not be able to travel by bus at all. Some cities and towns have stations where buses depart but in smaller towns, there’s often an unmarked place from where buses begin their services. It’s best to ask a local if they know where this place is or where one needs to buy tickets. There are hundreds of bus companies that operate in Spain and the most well-known among them are Alsa, Avanza and Socibus.
By Car
You can rent a car to drive around in Spain but to be able to be able to do that, you need to be over 21 years of age and have a license. Most major car rental companies also require a credit card. If you have a national license from Australia, Canada, US or New Zealand, you’ll find it easier to hire a car. If you are opting for a low-cost company, you might end up paying some extra charges, so be careful about that. A third-party insurance is a minimum requirement in Spain and while rental companies provide this, be very careful to understand the various clauses etc. Do ensure to follow traffic rules as they are enforced diligently here.
By Boat
It’s possible to travel from Spain’s mainland to Ibiza or Palma de Mallorca through ferries and hydrofoils. Some ferry companies even offer overnight services and you can even opt for sleeping accommodation in a cabin.
By Train
Spain has an excellent train system that connects most of its cities. The national train system is Renfe and it runs most of the train services in Spain. However, there are other smaller private railway lines as well. Spain has long distance trains as well as high-speed trains that link several cities and overnight trains with sleeper berths too. Long distance trains come with first and second class seating and the former is obviously more expensive than the latter. Children between the ages of four to twelve years get a discount of 40% and children younger than that can travel for free. There are various concessions on buying return tickets or if you’re a student. If you’re planning a long-distance trip on the train, it’s best to make reservations. One of the ways to save money on tickets is by buying return tickets as these tend to cost much less than one-way tickets. You can even change the return date later.
Spain has several slow moving train journeys that can be quite romantic and even luxurious. There are trains that slowly travel across Andalucía or follow a stunning narrow-gauge rail route. These trains don’t travel at night, so you can stay out at night and explore the various cities.
Local Transport
Most cities are well-equipped with buses, while Madrid and Barcelona have extensive Metro systems. Within cities, you can also opt to use taxis and some cities like Valencia have trams which run to the beach.
