Spain captivates visitors with its vibrant culture, world-class cuisine, and stunning architecture from Barcelona's Sagrada Familia to Granada's Alhambra. From the sunny beaches of Costa del Sol to the artistic treasures of Madrid's museums, Spain offers an unforgettable blend of history, passion, and modern sophistication.
- Public
- Spain has exceptional public transport - Madrid and Barcelona metros are among Europe's best, with AVE high-speed trains connecting cities at up to 310km/h. Regional buses reach smaller towns trains don't serve
- Taxi
- Official taxis readily available in all cities via app or street hail. White with red stripe (Madrid) or yellow-black (Barcelona). Uber, Cabify, and FREE NOW operate in major cities
- Rental
- Car rental useful outside major cities and for rural/coastal exploration. Essential for Andalusian white villages, Galicia, and remote areas. Avoid renting for city-only trips where parking is expensive and unnecessary
- Walking
- City centers are generally very walkable. Barcelona's Eixample grid and Madrid's center are flat and pedestrian-friendly. Seville's old town ideal for walking. Toledo and Granada's old quarters require uphill walking on cobblestones
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Metro Line 8 to city center - €5 (includes €3 airport supplement), 15-20 min
- Shuttle
- Airport Express Bus 203 to Atocha - €5, 40 min
- Bus
- Taxi to center - €30 fixed rate within M-30, 20-30 min
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
{'coverage': 'Extensive networks in all cities. Madrid EMT 200+ routes, Barcelona TMB 100+ routes', 'cost': 'Single ticket €1.50-2.40. Same passes as metro valid. Night buses available in major cities', 'tips': 'Google Maps reliable for routes. Validate tickets on board. Front door entry, all doors exit'}
Alternatives
metro, taxi, rideshare, bike_share, scooter_share
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- €2.50-3 base + €1.10-1.35/km daytime, €1.35-1.55/km nights and weekends
- Apps
- Uber, Cabify, FREE NOW, Bolt
- App Names
- Uber, Cabify, FREE NOW, Bolt
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Routes: Extensive network reaching small towns trains don't serve
Cost: Madrid-Barcelona €25-45 (7-8h), Madrid-Granada €20-35 (5h), cheaper than trains
Flights
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport
From centre: 13 km northeast
Options: Metro Line 8 to city center - €5 (includes €3 airport supplement), 15-20 min; Airport Express Bus 203 to Atocha - €5, 40 min; Taxi to center - €30 fixed rate within M-30, 20-30 min; Uber/Cabify - €25-35, varies by traffic; Cercanías train C1 to Chamartín - €2.60, 25 min
Barcelona-El Prat Airport
From centre: 12 km southwest
Options: Aerobus A1/A2 to Plaça Catalunya - €6.75 one-way, €11.65 return, 35 min; Metro L9 Sud to center - €5.15, 30 min; Renfe train R2 Nord to Passeig de Gràcia - €4.60, 25 min; Taxi to center - €35-40, 25-35 min; Uber/Cabify - €30-38
Seville Airport
From centre: 10 km northeast
Options: Airport bus EA to city center - €4, 35 min; Taxi to center - €22-25, 15-20 min; Uber/Cabify - €18-24; Private transfer - €25-30
Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport
From centre: 8 km southwest
Options: Airport Express Bus to city center - €3, 15 min; Cercanías train C1 to María Zambrano - €1.80, 12 min; Taxi to Málaga center - €15-20, 15 min; Bus to Marbella - €8.30, 45 min; Taxi to Torremolinos - €15-18, 10 min
Valencia Airport
From centre: 8 km west
Options: Metro Lines 3 & 5 to city center - €4.90 (includes supplement), 20 min; Airport bus 150 to center - €1.50, 25 min; Taxi to center - €20-25, 20 min; Uber/Cabify - €18-22
Palma de Mallorca Airport
From centre: 8 km east
Options: Airport bus 1 to Plaça d'Espanya - €5, 20 min; Taxi to Palma center - €20-25, 15 min; Uber/Cabify - €18-23; Bus to other resorts varies €3-8
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Renfe
Official Spanish national railway app for booking AVE high-speed trains, regional trains, and Cercanías commuter services. Best for intercity travel
ALSA
Main national bus operator app covering long-distance routes throughout Spain. Often cheaper than trains for Madrid-Andalusia routes
Cabify
Spain's most popular ride-hailing app with upfront pricing. Better coverage than Uber in Spanish cities outside Madrid and Barcelona
Moovit
Real-time public transport navigation for all Spanish cities covering metro, bus, and tram with live departure information
BlaBlaCar
Intercity carpooling app where drivers share fuel costs - good for routes not well served by trains and significantly cheaper than solo driving
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Book AVE high-speed train tickets 60-90 days in advance online at renfe.com for 50-70% savings on rack rates. Last-minute AVE tickets are expensive
Madrid Metro's Zone A 10-trip T-Casual card (€12.20) gives excellent value for city travel. Tourist travel passes (Zone A/T 1-7 days) worth buying for 3+ day stays
Download apps before arriving: Moovit or Google Maps for public transport navigation, Cabify for taxis, Renfe for trains, ALSA for long-distance buses
Barcelona's Aerobus airport shuttle is reliable and cost-effective at €6.75 each way to Plaça Catalunya. Metro L9 also works but requires a zone supplement ticket
Bicycles are excellent in Valencia (flat city), Seville (flat, great bike paths), and Madrid (BiciMAD e-bikes). Less practical in hilly Barcelona and Granada old towns
Long-distance night buses (ALSA Supra) between Madrid, Barcelona, and Andalusia save a night's accommodation while traveling - comfortable reclining seats with WiFi