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You are here: Home Moving to Getting Started Public transport in Spain

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15/12/2009Public transport in Spain

Public transport in Spain Here’s a guide to how the bus, metros, trains, trams, ferries and taxis work in Spain.

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Public transport in Madrid

As a country with over 40 million citizens, Spain’s public transport is comprehensive. You can travel in Spain by car, but there is a network of public services that give a great coverage and would enable you to travel the country to the farthest corner.

As a public service, smoking is strictly forbidden in all forms of public transport in Spain.
There are no timetables for the public transport in Spain. Frequency depends on the route and time of the day. Waiting time for a bus ranges from three to 15 minutes. During public holidays or weekends, buses run less frequently or may be discontinued altogether.
 
Although cities tend to favour one form of public transport more, it is safe to say overall the system works almost the same throughout Spain.

Bus - Autobús

All cities, regardless of their size, have a network of buses. Buses are managed by the city council. Schedule (horarios) might differ depending on the route and need for the service on different days of the week, i.e. routes covering commercial districts would come every few minutes from Monday to Friday but only every hour or even less during weekends.

Bus fare within a city or village is a standing fee but varies from city to city. In Madrid a single ticket (billete sencillo) is EUR 1.00 and a 10-ticket-card EUR 7.40. There are no discounts in single ticket sale. Reduced fees are available in all cities. Depending on the city council, discounts are based on a set number of travels, such as a 10-tickets-card (tarjeta de 10 viajes o metrobús) or a pre-paid ticket. Before boarding a bus at the bus terminal, buy a ticket from the ticket office or machine. You can also purchase single tickets from the driver or conductor when you board the bus.
You enter the bus by the front door of the bus, and you normally exit by either door at the rear of the bus. Most buses are now wheelchair accessible. When the bus stops, the door is lowered to provide a ramp for wheelchairs to come onboard easily. On the bus, there are designated areas where wheelchair users have special belts to lock the wheelchair and enjoy a safe journey. When travelling with a buggy, you can also ask the driver to lower the bus entrance to make it easier to access.

All routes are numbered and the bus displays the route number and final destination.

To get off the bus, you need to press a signal button before the stop (parada).

When purchasing discount cards, be sure to ask the local office if further reductions such as over-65s, student or under-25s discount apply. With the youth card (carnet joven), you can enjoy discounted prices for the bus and entrance fees to museums.

Madrid and Barcelona have a monthly ticket (abono de transportes) that allows you to travel as much as you wish within the purchase calendar month. Some of those tickets need to be validated at the bus ticket machine, while others are a pass that you flash at the bus driver when entering the bus.

In Spain, buses don't have a ticket inspector during the whole route, but at certain times an official might board the bus and ask you to present your validated ticket. Thus, it is recommended that you keep your ticket till the end of the journey.

Most bus services in cities run from 6:00 till 23:00. Large cities such as Madrid and Barcelona have night bus service (búho) that is usually more expensive. There’s usually a 10-minute service on the most popular routes during peak hours and an hourly night service although services are considerably reduced on Sundays and public holidays.

Long distance buses

Buses running between cities are privately-owned. As such you may have different companies providing the same route. You should check prior to departure if fares differ, ask about travel times and the different designated stops.

Private bus services are often confusing and uncoordinated, and buses may leave from different locations rather than a central bus station.

Before boarding a bus at a bus terminal you must usually buy a ticket from the ticket office or a machine. Otherwise you can buy a single ticket from the driver or conductor as you enter the bus (they usually give change for small banknotes).

Fares for long distance travels will differ according to where you step on the bus and where you aim to leave. If you don't tell the bus driver your destination when you board  the bus, it will be assumed that you want to arrive at the final destination of the planned route, and thus you will be charged accordingly.

When planning your travel by bus, it is recommended that you call the local bus station (estación de autobuses) to ask for companies and timetables. While most bus stations have route maps, printed copies are usually scarce and it is very difficult to get hold of one.

There are left luggage offices (consignas) at central bus stations.

As a reference, a single ticket Madrid – Barcelona (eight-hour bus ride) costs EUR 28.18 and return EUR 50.72 with Alsa.

 Tourist buses

Private tourist buses are available in most cities and more rural villages. They offer unlimited rides for a day where you can step in and out as many times as you wish during that period. The route is usually circular and they have an intercom introducing the place the buses drive by.

Fees vary depending on the private company offering the service and route offered. Some agents would also include museum tickets with the daily pass. You should ask at the local tourist office for a comprehensive updated service providers list and check with those schedules, fees, conditions and departure points.

 Madrid

www.emtmadrid.es for general information or www.metromadrid.es/es/viaja_en_metro/tarifas/index.html for information on the fares.

Barcelona
www.tmb.cat/ for general information and fares.

 http://www.veoliabilbao.com/ for information on routes and http://www.bilbao.net/castella/residentes/aytoinforma/normativamunicipal/crut0001.pdf to check the fares.

Tube - Metro

Big cities in Spain have a very good tube network and Madrid is known to have one of the best metro systems in Europe.

There are free up-to-date maps (plano de metro) available at the ticket desk at the metro stations. Maps show the different routes with coloured lines and mark connections names (correspondencias) and where the metro would connect with trains (enlaces con tren / cercanías). If construction works are carried out for a long period of time, this will also be shown as dotted lines on the map.

While trains run underground, it is usually easy to spot the stations as they are marked with an M diamond-shaped sign boards on ground level.

It is also relatively safe to use the metro at all times as there is video surveillance in all stations.
 
Metro is one of the quickest ways to travel in large cities as you skip traffic and long queues. To travel by metro, purchase single tickets or multiple ones. Again, discounts may apply and you should check locally.

Tickets have to be purchased at the station stand or the designated machines. Payments accepted are cash (pago en efectivo) or card (pago con tarjeta). Most international cards will also work.

When entering the metro zone, you will come across a barrier or automatic door that will only be released open when you insert your ticket or tap your purchased magnetic card to it.

To enter or exit the wagons you have to open the doors manually in most of the cases. Most doors will need to be released by pressing a button or lifting a lever. Only new trains open automatically when stopping at the stations.

Stops are announced over intercom. Announcements are in Spanish; additionally the routes towards airport will announce stops in English.

When arriving at your destination and exiting the metro, you may have to manually release doorways by entering your validated tickets although some turnstiles are automated.

Security guards are present to ensure that trespassers don't jump over the door either at the entry or at exit. It is therefore rare for someone to check your ticket within the tube network.

The metro in Madrid closes from 2:00 till 6:00 but certain stations might have more restrictive times. Look out for stations’ closing times at the exits.

Madrid

Single ticket is EUR 1.00 and 10-ticket-card EUR 7.40. Check www.emtmadrid.es for general information or www.metromadrid.es/es/viaja_en_metro/tarifas/index.html for information on the fares.

Barcelona

Fare for 2009 for single ticket is EUR 1.20 and 10-ticket-card EUR 6.65. Check www.tmb.cat/ for general information and fares.

Valencia

Single ticket for one zone is EUR 1.40 and EUR 323 for the annual ticket. Metro information and fares on http://www.metrovalencia.es/.

Bilbao

Single ticket price for one zone is EUR 1.40 and for the monthly card EUR 29.40. Metro information on www.metrobilbao.net and information on the fares at http://www.metrobilbao.net/accesible/cas/usuario/billetesabonos.jsp .

Trams - Tranvía

Whilst trams were very frequent in most Spanish cities till the early fifties, those were completely removed when roads were expanded for cars and buses. However some cities are restoring traditions and have started to build a tram system.

Bilbao is one such city and information on the route is available on www.euskotren.es/euskotran/html/castellano/index2.htm or smaller places as Santa Cruz de Tenerife with information at www.tranviatenerife.com/

A general guide on tram services available in Spain can be found on http://www.tramvia.org/tranvias-spain/
Barcelona tram service is available in English language on http://www.trambcn.com/?idioma=ing.
Tenerife tram service information at http://www.tranviatenerife.com/

Tram service in Alicante can be accessed on http://www.fgvalicante.com/page.php  


 Short distance trains – Cercanías

When travelling to the outskirts of the bigger cities, check out the trains that run less frequently than the tube but more often than long distance trains. The cercanías circulates generally above ground and functions the same way as the tube. Fares differ according to the distance travelled. Distance is separated in sections and prices apply to every section (zona). You would need to specify which section or sections you want to travel when purchasing your ticket.

Information on fares and zones covered by this services is available on www.renfe.es/cercanias/index.html

Trains – Tren

Train network in Spain is comprehensive. It runs through most of Spanish mainland and all the main cities are connected through it. The trains are run by RENFE (REd Nacional de Ferrocarriles Españoles) and information can be accessed through their webpage www.renfe.es/ where you can book your tickets as if it was a flight.

High speed railway - AVE (Alta Velocidad Española)

Madrid is connected to Seville, Malaga, Valladolid (through Segovia) and Barcelona (which passes through Zaragoza, Tarragona and Huesca) with a high speed train.

Malaga and Seville are both directly connected to Zaragoza and Barcelona.

Standard single way fee for train between Madrid and Barcelona starts at EUR 110 and varies depending on the time of the day. Special prices are available at ticket offices or web services.

Go to http://www.renfe.es/ave for details about prices and timetables of your planned route. Currently, works are being carried out to connect Madrid to Bilbao.

Taxi

Taxis in Spain are available in all cities and villages. Taxis work under a cooperative network, i.e. they are not owned by private companies but work as one entity. Taxis in most cities wait for customers at a 'taxi stand' where they queue. The guest should approach the first taxi in the row.

Fare is charged according to speed and distance and is measured through a device installed at the dashboard where it can be easily monitored by the customer. Standing charges when entering airport and stations may apply in some cities. If so, the fees are normally stated on a label on the taxi’s window in English and Spanish.
Taxis can be booked in advance by calling the taxi providers and arranging to get a lift at a designated location. You can also request special dimensions for the taxi for extra luggage or indicate your preference for a male or female driver.

For more information on Madrid taxi services, go to www.fptaximadrid.com/antbuspre.asp?nombre=2194&cod=2194&sesion=1

Bicycles – Bicicletas

This novel form of transport  is a new trend that is hitting Spanish cities.

Bicycles are picked up from special designated areas. At the end of your route you have to locate another drop point to lock it back. You are charged the moment you unlock the bicycle from its collection point till it is locked again. Fees are pre- or post-paid. Either way, you need to register with the company and give your credit cards details and follow their terms and conditions. Some companies have established a maximum of two hours use per journey.

Cyclists may find themselves in the predicament where they want a bicycle but all have been taken or they are unable to find a drop point for the bicycles they want to drop off as they are all utilised.

In which case, one would have to walk or pedal to the next bicycle stand to get or leave their bicycles respectively.

Barcelona

Charges of renting a bicycle and the location of the bicycle stands are on www.bicing.com.

Zaragoza

Service in Zaragoza is provided by Bizi and more information is available on www.bizizaragoza.com.
Seville

Information on service and passes for Sevici can be obtained on http://en.sevici.es/.
Ferries

Consider taking a ferry while travelling between coastal cities. Ships offer additional services such as cafeteria, leisure rooms, on-board cinema and solarium. These services might be available for the entire duration of the tripor not at all if the travelling time is considered short.

As a reference, a travelling ticket Cadiz to Tenerife costs about EUR 700 and Barcelona to Palma de Mallorca EUR 70. Prices vary according to the time of the year, advance booking and cabin of choice (sited, luxury cabin, interior, exterior are some choices). Ferries give you the possibility to bring your car along and not charge you for it if you book in advance.

Transmediterranea is the local service provider and their website is www.trasmediterranea.es/

15 December 2009

Daura Carballo / Expatica





 


1 reaction to this article

Frank posted: 2010-05-14 00:35:24

You can also check out the web page www.taxi-valencia.com that gives complete information about the taxi in Valencia.

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1 reaction to this article

Frank posted: 2010-05-14 00:35:24

You can also check out the web page www.taxi-valencia.com that gives complete information about the taxi in Valencia.

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