Using local transport in Spain.

The Public Transport system in Spain is very good and comparable to most European countries. Over the last twenty years Spain has gone through a major campaign of upgrading all aspects of its public transport systems and the infrustucture is growing every year.

The large Cities have efficient bus and rail systems. If you plan to remain within the principal Spanish cities, public transportation will likely prove far more convenient and pleasant than driving.

However, due to the size of the country, even in the Costa Del Sol, traveling from one resort to another, is your in a hurry, is best done by car. Buses link every town but they are irregular.

Buses, the local bus services in Spanish cities run from around 0600 until between 22:00 and midnight, when a more expensive night system comes into operation. Most buses don't have a lot of seats, opting instead for maximum standing room. Urban buses are quite slow although some major cities provide dedicated bus lanes. Most towns have a bus terminal. Keep in mind that when waiting at a bus stop, the bus may not always stop for you unless you indicate you wish it to.

Car hire companies are plentiful in Spain, particularly around coastal areas. They can become heavily booked in the holiday periods. Competition is fierce and price cutting out of season is commonplace. Unlimited public liability insurance is included in the price. To hire a car you wll need your passport and a full driving licence. Most European driving licences are now accepted in Spain. Many companies have a minimum age of 21 or 25 to hire a car. Make sure you use a reputable company and make sure you read the small print on your hire agreement. Petrol is not usually included nor any fines you incur. Make sure there is no restriction on mileage. Many companies offer an airport service where your car is waiting for you on your arrival and when you have finished with it you simply return it to the airport. Off season, a small car can be hired from as little as Euro20.00 per day, this may raise to Euro35.00 per day in high season.

Taxis, only use taxis that display a special licence. Taxis are of a very high standard and are governed by strict legislation. Taxis display a green light when free (libre). You can flag a taxi down in the street or look for a taxi rank. Most taxis are metered but they will have set prices for certain journeys. The price structures are set by the local government. Tipping of 5-10% is customary. Smoking is not allowed in taxis. Ask about surcharges for airport trips and baggage handling. Generally, taxis in Spain are more expensive than in the UK, especially at airports where they have a virtual monopoly. There is no such thing as a private hire company or Chauffeur serivce, they must all be licensed and all will be driven by spanish nationals.

Train, the railway network is directed by the state company called Red Nacional de los Ferrocarriles Españoles (RENFE) and connects all the regions of the peninsula. The trains usually have air conditioning and car restaurant. There are high speed trains (AVE) between Madrid and Seville and Madrid and Malaga. There are also a huge variety of local, short-distance trains called tranvía (also a tram). Suburban commuter trains (cercanías) are second class only and stop at all stations. Tourist trains exist, like the Transcantábrico and Expreso Andaluz, a good way to discover those regions. The Spanish railway service is one of the cheaper in Europe and has discounts like the Railway Tourist Card, that allows limitless trips between three and ten days in the period of two months. It?s also possible to use the European railway pass. The seats reservation is recommended for the interurban services.

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