A rail pass gives you the freedom to explore all of spains beautiful cities without having to buy separate train tickets. A complete guide to train travel in spain spain traveller. Its also possible to travel from paris to irun in north west spain. Sep 19, 2016 it may be a large and diverse country, but it always feels as if youre a scenic highspeed train ride away from the next big adventure whether youre devouring pintxos in basque country, or marveling at the white villages of andalucia. Maybe for other countries where train travel is more expensive, but here train travel is quite cheap. How far in advance can i book european train tickets. Hit italys cantmiss art, sights, and bites in two weeks or less with rick steves best of italy. Flying into reus airport, it was a short 20minute drive to the centre of tarragona. May 04, 2019 rail travel how to book trains in europe by rail expert the man in seat 61 follow his advice and your trip will not only be more be ecofriendly and enjoyable than flying, it could be. The ultimate guide to travel around spain by train. While our individual city guides have more specific information for each place, here are some general ways to save money when you travel around spain. Starting point of the tour is madrid or bilbao, finishing point is madrid.
Find everything you need to know about travelling around spain by train. However, for the highspeed trains youll need to book a seat reservation. The renfe spain pass is available in first and second class for numerous amount of days. Receive your epass via email within 24 hours of purchase. Renfe is the modern, extensive and efficient railway system that makes train travel in spain delightful. Regardless of age, in the case of children sharing a seat, seats, beds or bunks can only be occupied by a maximum of two people. You sign up for the tarjeta dorado gold card which costs 5 euros. How to book trains in europe by rail expert the man in seat.
Spain offers some of the finest rail travel in europe. Bradshaw minutely recorded all changes and became the standard manual for rail travel well into the 20th century. A guide to travelling around spain by train, including how to buy cheap spanish train tickets at. The route follows along the coast, offering fantastic views of the rias sunken valleys that are reminiscent of norwegian fjords. Between moscow and st petersburg you can take the best night train in russia number 1 and 2, book 1st class to have a meal included. Passes can get you a discount on some international ferries, but not tarifatangier routes. Train times, fares and online tickets within spain. Spanish rail infrastructure has expanded rapidly, with highspeed ave trains linking major cities in spain at velocities of up to 186 mph. Train travel in spain the renfe train spain rail pass. Travel in spain by train ave guide for a renfe rail. Travel from moscow to irkutsk in 4 days or to vladiwostok in 7 or 8 days. Damian corrigan is a travel writer who has traveled extensively throughout spain since moving there in 2003.
So, weve covered a lot already on how to book renfe tickets and the rail pass, but there are a few more tips i want to share about train trips in spain. Choose your dates and destinations and well provide you with the most price options and discounts available. On all trains excluding regional trains it is necessary to make a mandatory seat reservation. I asked madrid based tpg contributor lori zaino to delve into spanish train travel. Your eurail spain pass is your ticket to amazing rail adventures, from the sierra nevada mountain range in. Get the menu of the day most restaurants have a cheap menu of the day during lunch around 79 eur.
With the longest fast train network in europe, spain allows for getting about in speedy and economical fashion. Book early to get advance fares that are considerably cheaper than the full fare. Running at speeds of up to 310 kmh this extensive network allows for fast connections between cities in spain. To save money, buy your tickets online through renfe, the government entity that controls train travel in spain. Travel by comfortable train through beautiful northern spain.
When i booked our tickets for last fall, i booked 23 months in advance for discounted tickets. Find everything you need to know about traveling around spain by train. Trains in spain the fastest and best value routes omio goeuro. In 3 simple steps and with the best customer service. And thats probably why planes would easily have replaced trains if not for two major rail rejuvenation projects in the eighties. Trains in spain buy train tickets for spain online. Get a good nights rest in lovely and centrally located hotels. If you book a mesa fare when theres less than 4 of you, youll still need to fill in 4 names and passport numbers on the booking system, by re. Travel by train in europe with rail europe, your travel planner. Train lines also operate with neighbouring portugal and france, although a train from paris to madrid will take around 10 hours, so this is not always the fastest way to get in to the country.
I dont think its a good deal for portugal if its just for one person. With most services running from madrid and a few going north from barcelona, you can now reach seville, valencia, malaga, and. This modern train system connects many cities across spain from madrid. This has to be done in person at the train station or at a travel agent. Best website to buy ave tickets rick steves travel forum. Along the north coast between san sebastian and bilbao the bus is faster local service around barcelona railpass holders get a 50 percent discount local service around valencia. With great weather and great railway transport systems, its never been easier to explore spain by train and purchase your tickets with trainline. Renfe has a huge rail network and many different trains. Spains rail network is huge, and you can travel to even the smallest of towns by train. With most services running from madrid and a few going north from barcelona, you can now reach seville, valencia, malaga, and cordoba as well as travel between madrid and barcelona quicker than you could fly. You can simply show up a few minutes before the train leaves and hop on the train.
A beginners guide to train travel in spain how to use. The country is filled with lively cities, cultural curiosities, lovely beaches, and great food. Renfe operadora renfe is spain s stateowned major railway operator. Traveling in spain by train spain forum tripadvisor. With 3,100km of track the spanish highspeed ave trains operate on the longest highspeed network in europe. But it is notorious for rejecting a significant proportion of overseas credit cards.
Rail europe rail travel planner europe train travel in. Tips for traveling through spain by train the points guy. Experience the thrill of extensive train travel on the national rail networks of 33 participating countries with this convenient rail. Forget about lengthy checkin procedures for train travel. Train is the best means of transportation to travel around spain. It starts in ferrol, on the north coast of galicia, and ends in oviedo. Trains in spain give you the chance to explore one of the most vibrant and colourful destinations in europe. The rail systems of most countries open for bookings between 60 and 90 days prior to travel. A portuguese voyage of discovery, this exhilarating tour combines rail travel up the coast of portugal with a memorable cruise on the. Money saving tips while our individual city guides have more specific information for each place, here are some general ways to save money when you travel around spain. Train spain trains map, pass, timetables and fares spain.
Portugal rail passes and train tips from rick steves. As a matter of fact, this network covers the main tourist destinations in spain and is used by millions of travellers each year. This guide will show you how to book spanish train tickets, how to find the cheapest advance fares, whether you need an eurail pass, and how to understand your renfe ticket. Rail passes do not, however, cover buses, which offer faster andor more frequent connections between some places in portugal. In europe, trains can easily be the best way to get around, especially in spain. The best way to travel long distances in spain is to book the highspeed train or ave alta velocidad which run between most major cities. And with a eurail pass in hand, train travel in spain can be done with ease and efficiency. How to book trains in europe by rail expert the man in. Ave highspeed train spain fast trains and bullet trains. With you can search for trains to spain, find train times and book a cheap train to spain online avoiding the usual hassles associated with buying train tickets at the station. Trainline, your quick and easy way to book train and bus tickets across europe. Traveling in spain by train is one of the best ways to experience the beauty and variety of the spanish landscape. Learn more about train travel in spain as well as the most popular spanish rail routes and highspeed trains and book your tickets on rail.
Booking trains in spain and to international destinations such as paris and lisbon as easy as 123. Were a trusted partner of renfe, spains national train operating company, meaning every ticket. A single ticket from lisbon to porto costs around 30 but could be as cheap as 16 if you go for the slower train and book. For information on train times, fares and to book online, please contact one of the travel agencies below. Renfe train tickets booking and senior discounts spain. With renfe etickets enjoy the ease of train travel in spain. Ave ticketsrail passes opens in a new window my journeys. All major destinations are connected by longdistance night trains. And while japan holds the title for the fastest highspeed rail, spain still comes in 5th. May 25, 2019 tips on traveling the spain train system. In ave, long distance and avant trains, children under 4 years sharing plaza seat, travel for free, must have the corresponding free child ticket. Heres our pick of the best train journeys you can experience in spain. Trains in spain the fastest and best value routes omio.
Rail europe your best and fastest way to discover and enjoy europe. Book tickets online, look inside a highspeed ave train and find out whether you need. Visit our site and book your renfe eticket to travel aboard spains high speed ave trains. As chris has suggested, the best site to purchase train tickets for travel within spain is renfe its best to pay with paypal when booking your train tickets with renfe. You can buy spanish train tickets on our site and apps via a direct connection to spain s national rail operator, renfe. The renfe spain pass gives you the flexibility of choosing 4, 6, 8 or 10 within a month period. Your eurail spain pass is your ticket to amazing rail adventures, from the sierra. Immerse yourself in small charming towns, go for a nature walk or relax at a tranquil beach. How far in advance can i book my european rail tickets.
You can book your trains as you go or in advance of your trip. I take train not plane within europe because its a better travel experience. Spain has a large and growing rail network, with local and regional lines, coastal train trips with fantastic scenery, plus highspeed ave services between major cities. Even with last minute promotions, you can see from the examples above and below that it pays to book european train tickets well in advance.
Travel from madrid to barcelona in less than 3 hours. Bbc travel top sites for booking european rail tickets. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. To travel in spain by train, buy your ticket via one of the following booking links or at a station. Spain by train from 148 spain train routes and map of spain. One of the most unique things about train travel in northwest spain is the feve narrowgauge railway. Spain rail travel renfe trains international distributors. Looking for train tickets from madrid to seville, seville to barcelona, and barcelona to provencenice. Discover the best spain travel guides in best sellers. It may be a large and diverse country, but it always feels as if youre a scenic highspeed train ride away from the next big adventure whether youre devouring pintxos in basque country, or. The trains in spain go fast across the plain or so one could say today. Aside from the extra reservation fees required for most highspeed trains see above, rail passes for spain cover all travel on trains run by renfe, spains national railway which now includes the slow coastal trains between bilbao and ferrol. Trains in spain buy train tickets for spain online trainline.
Spain alone has built 3,000km of track for trains travelling at speeds up to. Railbookers offers maximum flexibility so you can travel to any destination the train goes and on any date or length of trip. Many of spain s old, slow trains have been replaced with faster. 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. The country benefits from a wide railway network, especially in terms of highspeed trains. When booking train tickets to the spain with omio, you will be able to plan your trips efficiently and smoothly thanks to its journey app planner. And, when strikes threatened to disrupt our travel i was able to easily reach a knowledgable english speaking customer service rep at rail europe. Buy your high speed spanish train tickets renfe with up to 70% off.
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. Your eurail spain pass is your ticket to amazing rail adventures, from the sierra nevada mountain range in andalusia to the unspoilt beaches of the costa brava. It surprises many travellers to learn that spain now has europes most extensive highspeed rail network, with over 2500 km in service and many more under construction. While spains transport infrastructure overall is well established, did you know spain is the second country in the world with the most amount of highspeed tracks after china. It is valid for all trains of renfe on the rail network of spain. Expert advice from rick steves on whats worth your time and money twoday itineraries covering venice, the cinque terre, florence, the hill. Cheap train tickets spain buy tickets online happyrail. With every domestic destination available for booking, travel aboard spains high speed ave trains to the likes of madrid, barcelona, seville, malaga, valencia. Its just that in some theres still only one operator which happens to be the former national operator. The most epic train journeys you can experience in spain. Thats partly the case in spain where renfe serves most of the train services except in catalonia, where railway services are offered by renfe and by fgc, albeit not upon the same train. You can buy tickets for spanish trains using our app and website. This year, more of us will embrace rail travel, not just for environmental reasons, but. Timetables may change due to the current covid19 pandemic, so please check before departure.
The tickets cannot be change in the stations, changes must be change with us directly and some of our offices are closed during the weekends. Traveling by train in spain is a fast, convenient and comfortable way to visit major cities and also see the spanish countryside. Its as simple as choosing your origin and destination from the most popular spanish cities, seat reservation included. Train spain trains map, pass, timetables and fares spain spain. With a spain pass seat reservation can be made without any extra costs. Flying can be your fastest and even cheapest option, as tickets can go for. But switching to rail can also be the single biggest thing an. Were putting control in your hands to help you make stressfree, informed travel decisions. Travel in spain by train ave guide for a renfe rail adventure. Trains can get fully booked especially on weekends and routes with infrequent services. Book your rail passes and tickets online with sta travel, provides access to more rail products than anyone else in the world. The renfe site is so confusing and doesnt seem to work half of the time. Rail passes give you the flexibility to keep your plans open.
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