Spain By Train

RENFE, the Spanish rail company, operates a horrendously complicated variety of train services, divided into three main sections.
Cercanías are local commuter trains in and around the major cities.
Regionales are equivalent to buses in speed and cost, and run between cities - Regional exprés and Delta trains can cover longer distances.
Largo recorrido (long-distance) express trains have a bewildering number of names: in ascending order of speed and luxury, they are known as Diurno, Intercity (IC), Estrella (often just signified by a star *), Talgo, Talgo P(endular), Talgo 200 (T200), and Trenhotel. Anything above Intercity can cost upwards of twice as much as standard second class.

The good news is that trains are getting faster in Spain. AVE (Alta Velocidad Española, or Spanish High Speed) is rapidly decreasing the travel time between Barcelona and Madrid -- from four hours down to three, spring 2008 (and ultimately to two and a half hours, once a new Train Control System is installed).

In December, travel times were shortened between Madrid and Segovia (from a painful two hours to 30 minutes) and between Madrid and Málaga (from four hours to two and a half). The Spanish government is set to upgrade over 4,350 miles of track to high-speed quality by 2010, making all major cities reachable by train from Madrid within four hours, and from Barcelona within six and a half hours.

An even more dramatic time saver is the AVE train from Madrid to Sevilla, taking 2hr 30min compared compared to 6-9 hours on the slower trains. For budget travellers however, it can mean switching between regional trains to find an alternative route, and rail staff can be reluctant to work these out for you. However, you can ring the centralized RENFE information and reservation number on 902 240 202 - though you'll need to speak Spanish.

In recent years many bona fide train services have been phased out in favor of buses operated jointly by RENFE and a private bus company. This is particularly the case when the connection is either indirect or the daily train or trains leave at inconvenient times. On some routes the rail buses outnumber the conventional departures by a ratio of four to one. Prices are the same or lower, as the trains, and these services usually leave and arrive from the bus stations of the towns concerned.

Be aware that the different train types produce their own separate timetables; looking at just one can give the false impression that the overall service is dramatically less than it is.

Most Spanish don't bother with the slower trains anymore, other than on holidays when the highways are congested. The bus system is generally cheaper, more reliable and more frequent and budget airlines now fly to many Spanish cities. The AVE trains offer luxury, speed and comfort. I highly recommend them to any tourist.

Spain By plane