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- Trains, Trams & Metro
Rail Travel in Spain
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- Useful Contacts
Find out about getting around Spain using the national trains and urban railways...
- RENFE (Red de los Ferrocarriles
Españoles) is the Spanish national rail train service
- Cercanías is the
commuter train network which operates in all major cities in Spain
- Media Distancia is the
regional train network operated by RENFE in each of the autonomous regions
- Rail Europe has all
the information about travelling by train around the continent
Regional trains
In
addition to the national rail network, the north of Spain has its own narrow
gauge rail network, operated by Renfe FEVE. Tickets and information are on the Renfe website.
The
Basque Country also has a small narrow gauge railway formerly operated by FEVE,
called Eusko Tren.
This regional network runs as a commuter and tourist rail service in the area,
and also acts as an international bridge between Spain and France. Further
details on the Eusko Tren website
Long
distances and some shorter distance regional services require a seat
reservation. Advanced bookings are usually cheaper and there may be some
promotional deals on offer.
The
east coast of Spain also has regionalised rail services.
- Catalonia: FGC
- Alicante: FGV runs a
service from Alicante to Denia
- Murcia: A
stretch of narrow gauge track owned by Renfe FEVE runs
from Cartagena to Los Nietos on the Mar Menor
High speed trains
Alta
Velocidad Española (AVE) is
a high-speed train service travelling up to speeds of 300 Km/h. The system
links Madrid to Barcelona, Sevilla, Malaga, Valladolid and Huesca. Further
lines are planned including a link to Valencia and Alicante. The service is
operated by RENFE.
Metros (Underground)
Madrid
has the sixth longest metro system in the world with 13 lines and 301
stations. It services the city and its suburbs. Further information on
the Metro Madrid
website.
Barcelona
has an 11 line metro system called Metro de Barcelona that
runs underground in the city and its suburbs.
Valencia
has a five line metro system, Metro Valencia that
services the city and its suburbs. A portion of its network runs partly
underground.
Bilbao
runs a two line metro system, Metro Bilbao that
serves the city. It runs through 41 stations.
Sevilla
has a light, one line metro system, Metro de Sevilla that services the city.
There are three further lines due for construction in 2022.
Palma de Majorca Metro in
the Balearic Islands has one lines that runs from Plaça d'Espanya to the
university.
There
is also a Metro in
Málaga.
Pets On Trains
Dogs,
cats and domestic animals may travel on RENFE trains, however, the following
restrictions apply for national
RENFE trains (Grandes
Lineas):
- Only one pet
per accompanying passenger is allowed on board
- The person
accompanying the animal is responsible for it and any damage caused by it
on the journey
- Animals must
weigh less than 10 Kg
- Animals must
be kept in a cage (unless seats in a cabin are booked); the cage may be no
larger than 65cm x 35cm x 35cm and must be able to contain any excrement
made by the animal
- Where
applicable, dogs must wear a muzzle
- A ticket must
be purchased for the travelling animal; the fare is usually 25 percent of
the accompanying human fare. The pet ticket is free if their owner is travelling
in First Class
- Guide dogs for
the blind are allowed free of charge on RENFE trains
- For
information from RENFE on travelling with animals on
national RENFE trains
Bicycles on Trains
Bicycles
may be taken on some RENFE trains.
Reductions and Discounts
- Children under
six years of age travel free on RENFE trains
- A reduction of
50 percent is given on the price of a single or return ticket for children
under twelve years of age
- Group
discounts are available, but apply only if the group is making the same
journey at the same time on the same date
- A Tarjeta Dorada (Golden
Ticket) is available for pensioners (over 60 years of age) and people with
a 65 percent or more disability. The ticket qualifies holders for a 40
percent reduction on the price of single or return journeys any day of the
week. Those accompanying a disabled traveller also receive the discount
- Family discounts are also available, but are dependent on family size and circumstance. Inquire at ticket offices.