Public transport in Spain: trains, buses, and trams

Spain has extensive public transport including Europe's 2nd longest high-speed rail network (after China), 12 commuter rail networks, 3 metro systems (Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid), and 13 tram networks. Renfe is the national railway with trains up to 310km/h. Single bus tickets cost €1.40-€2, metro tickets €1.50-€2.50. Children under 4 travel free on trains, under-14s get 40% discount. Most systems accept contactless payments. Browse our travel and living guides for more Spain information.

Overview of Public Transport in Spain

Spain's public transport has made massive progress in recent decades, building Europe's longest high-speed rail network and light rail through dozens of cities. Madrid is approaching a majority For public transport use versus car commuting.

Safety Considerations

Public transport is generally safe, with low crime levels aboard trains. However, pickpocketing is common at major tourist hubs in Barcelona and Madrid. Be mindful of belongings at busy stations.

Payment Methods

Many Spanish systems now accept:

• Contactless card payments
• Mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay)
• Multi-currency debit cards with mid-market exchange rates
• Local transport cards (vary by city - no national card exists yet)
• Cash (keep some for smaller cities/rural areas)

Essential Transport Apps

Journey Planning

• Citymapper: Available in several Spanish cities (Android, iOS, browser)
• Google Maps: Covers entire country with synced route information

Train Apps (Renfe)

• Renfe Ticket: Search itineraries, book trips, store e-tickets (Android, iOS)
• Cercanías: Regional trains in 12 cities including Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia (Android, iOS)

Bus Apps

• Alsa (Android, iOS)
• Avanza (Android, iOS)
• Hife (Android, iOS)

Trains in Spain

Network Statistics

• 328 million passengers traveled 11 billion km in 2020
• 15,847 km of tracks
• Renfe carries 510+ million passengers annually
• High-speed network: 2nd largest in world (after China), trains up to 310km/h

Three Types of Train Services

1. Larga Distancia (long-distance): High-speed services like AVE, Alvia, Altaria, Intercity
2. Media Distancia (medium-distance): Travel between urban areas, second-fastest option
3. Local services: Regional Express trains stopping at every station

Ticket Classes (Renfe)

• Básico (basic): Standard ticket, added costs for seat selection, pets, changes
• Elige (pick & mix): Standard/comfort with discounts for changes, cancellations
• Prémium (premium): Comfort ticket with free seat selection, meals, Sala Club lounge access

Booking Information

• Tickets open 90 days before (AVE) or 60 days (others)
• Book directly on Renfe website in English, French, or regional Spanish languages
• Seat reservations mandatory for most trains

12 Commuter Rail Networks (Cercanías)

Asturias, Barcelona (Rodalies de Catalunya), Bilbao, Cádiz, Madrid, Málaga, Murcia/Alicante, Santander, San Sebastián, Sevilla, Valencia, Zaragoza

3 Metro Systems

• Barcelona
• Bilbao
• Madrid (oldest, Lines 1, 2, 4 have poor accessibility)

13 Tram Networks

A Coruña, Alicante, Barcelona (3 systems), Bilbao, Madrid, Murcia, Parla, Sevilla, Sóller, Tenerife, València, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Zaragoza

Buses in Spain

Major City Bus Operators

• Barcelona: TMB
• Bilbao: Bilbobus and BizkaiBus
• Madrid: EMT Madrid
• Málaga: CTMAM
• Sevilla: TUSSAM
• València: EMT València

Bus Ticket Prices

• Single ticket: €1.40-€1.60 (Barcelona charges over €2)
• Special tickets: 10-trip cards, 24-hour passes available
• Contactless travel cards: Load subscriptions or multi-trip tickets
• No national travel card - check with local operator

Long-Distance Coaches

Popular for cities without train stations and better prices. Two largest operators:

• Alsa: Routes across Peninsular Spain + neighboring countries
• Avanza: Extensive Spanish network

International connections: Flixbus, Alsa, BlaBlaBus to Portugal, France, Italy

On-board: Modern coaches with toilets, Wi-Fi, beverages for purchase

Taxis and Ride-Sharing

Taxi Fares

• Base fare: €2-€3
• Per kilometer: €1-€2
• Payment: Cash easiest, Madrid requires all taxis accept credit cards

Taxi Apps

• Cabify
• FREE NOW
• TaxiClick
• Uber (available but limited, operates UberBlack/UberLuxe + taxi service in select cities)

Major Airports and Public Transport Access

Madrid-Barajas (Spain's Largest)

• 24 million passengers (2021), normally 62 million (2019)
• Metro: Line 8 from Nuevos Ministerios
• Train: Lines C1, C10 to Terminal 4
• Buses: Airport Express Line 203, lines 101, 200, plus intercity lines

Barcelona-El Prat

• Metro: L9 to both terminals
• Train: R and R2 lines to terminal 2
• Shuttle: Between terminals every 7-20 minutes

Palma de Mallorca

• Buses: A32, A42 (intercity), A1, A2 (city)

Málaga-Costa del Sol

• Train: C1 line from Málaga
• Long-distance, intercity, and local buses

Discounts on Public Transport

Renfe Train Discounts

• Infants under 4: Free (no seat occupied, must reserve free ticket)
• Children under 14: 40% discount with own seat
• Youth 14-25: +Renfe Joven 50 Card (€50/year) - 30-50% off long-distance, 25% off mid-distance
• Seniors 60+: Tarjeta Dorada (€6/year) - 25-40% discount depending on service/day
• Large families: 20-50% discounts
• Disabled travelers: Tarjeta Dorada eligibility

Local Transport Discounts

Vary by city. Common discounts for: young children, young adults, senior citizens, large families, people with disabilities.

International Train Connections

To France

Renfe collaborates with SNCF for high-speed trains from Madrid/Barcelona to Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier, Paris, Toulouse. Barcelona to Paris: ~6.5 hours.

To Portugal

Limited connections. Daytime service: Vigo (Galicia) to Porto. Hendaye and Madrid connections suspended during COVID-19.

Other Neighbors

• Andorra & Gibraltar: No railways, bus or car only
• Morocco: No train connections to Ceuta/Melilla despite having own rail network

Other Transport Options

Ferries

Private ferry companies operate routes to Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Ceuta, Melilla, plus international to France, Morocco, UK. Barcelona to Mallorca: 5-8 hours (slower than flying but more sustainable).

Bike Sharing

• Madrid BiciMAD: Electric bikes - €2 first hour, €4 thereafter
• Barcelona Bicing: Standard and electric bikes - €0.35-€0.55 per half hour

Accessibility for Disabled Travelers

• Most metros/trams from 1990s+ are wheelchair accessible
• Madrid Metro Lines 1, 2, 4 have poor accessibility (older network)
• Train stations vary - larger stations fully accessible, older stations may have limitations
• Renfe Atendo service: In-station guidance and assistance for limited mobility
• For accessible taxis, call directly and request wheelchair-adapted vehicle

Environmental Initiatives

• Barcelona low-emission zone (2020)
• Electric buses gradually integrated in Bilbao, Madrid
• Draft Ley de Movilidad Sostenible (Sustainable Mobility Law) aims to improve transport sustainability

Making Complaints

No central authority - file complaints directly with transport company. Renfe has online contact form. Some train delays eligible for compensation.