Going on an Interrail trip in Spain
If you're thinking of travelling to Spain, but you are on a budget, read this article and consider Interrail.
Interrail is a very flexible and affordable way to get to know any country. With Spain's fast, modern and comfortable trains, travelling between all the Spanish major cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Sevilla and many more has never been so easy!
From the beautiful Andalusian mountains to the tasty cuisine of the Basque Country in the blink of an eye, travelling has never been so enjoyable and affordable! Travelling around Spain by train is definitely the best way to experience Spain's vibrant culture.
Do you want to try this experience? Read this article and find out how to do interrail in Spain.
- Spanish rail network
- Coronavirus measures
- General conditions to do Interrail
- The best routes to do the Interrail in Spain
Spanish rail network
The Spanish territory is extremely well connected. Most of the trains you will take on the Spanish rail network are operated by Renfe, which is the national railway company. Indeed Spain is very well connected by trains, in fact there are different types of trains you can take during your Interrail trip.
Regional and Intercity railway companies in Spain include Media Distancia (RE) which connects major cities to smaller towns, the trains are fast and includes frequent stops on the route. Additionally reservations are required.
For shorter distances you can also take a Cercanías train, which is a commuter train that operates in major cities and does not require reservations.
National high-speed trains include Avant (AVN), these trains travel short to medium journeys and require reservations.
AVE is the largest high-speed rail network in Europe. If you take an AVE train you will be able to travel from Madrid to Barcelona or to Valencia in less than 3 hours. Reservations are required.
Alvia trains also require reservations and complete long-distance journeys from Madrid and Barcelona to the rest of Spain.
Intercity trains are long-distance trains connecting Madrid to the South of Spain.
Not to mention Spain is connected to other European countries by high-speed and night trains. Euromed trains are high-speed trains that connect the North-eastern Spain with the Mediterranean coast, reservations are also required.
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Coronavirus measures
Although most restrictions and measures have been lifted, passengers are still required to wear a mask when travelling, whichever the means of transportation. These vary from country to country so we recommend you check online before you travel.
General conditions to do Interrail
Obtaining an Interrail Pass is only possible for those residing in Europe, otherwise, non-residents may try such an experience by acquiring the Eurail Pass.
If you have an Interrail Global Pass, you can use one travel day to leave your country of residence and one to return. You can make these inbound and outbound journeys in your country during your travel days at any time during the validity period of your pass.
Interrail One Country Passes are only valid on trains within the country indicated on the Pass. You cannot buy an Interrail One Country Pass for your own country of residence.
Reservations are required on most night trains and high-speed trains.
What's most important when planning your Interrail trip is to create a clear schedule and stick to it. Make sure you travel to places included in your Interrail One Country Pass and you respect your schedule. Pack light and go with great company!
The best routes to do the Interrail in Spain
If it is your first time in Spain and you want to hit the major Spanish cities, you can do so in only two weeks.
Start off with 2 days in Barcelona and go to Valencia on the third day. Travel to Madrid and spend two days there so you have enough time to see the main tourist attractions as well as spend some quality time with the locals. From Madrid travel to Sevilla and spend 2 days there as well. From Sevilla travel back to Madrid and spend the day in the surroundings of Madrid in cities such as Segovia, Toledo or Ávila. Finally, from Madrid go to Bilbao and end your travel with a beautiful field trip in San Sebastián.
If you want your breath to be taken away during your Interrail journey in Spain, you should try the Cantabrian route. You start in Asturias and finish all the way in Bilbao. First, on your trip from Gijón, Asturias to Oviedo, you will see the Cantabrian Sea. In Oviedo, you will see some beautiful villages that are so characteristic of the area, such as some of the villages on the Camino del Norte.
Then we recommend you travel to Cantabria and to Santander. In Santander you can go see some of its beautiful beaches and also the Palacio de la Magdalena. Finally, end your trip in Bilbao and take some time to savour the atmosphere of the region and visit the Guggenheim Museum.
If you're thinking of enjoying the sun and warm beaches, we recommend the Mediterranean Route from Cartagena, Murcia to Barcelona. On your way to Barcelona we recommend stops in the Valencian Community, where you will enjoy the sun, the beach, and delicious Paella. In the Valencian Community, you should take a few days to discover its many coastal cities such as Alicante, Elche, the village of Peñiscola and many more! Then, once arrived in Catalonia, aside from discovering Barcelona, you can also travel to Tarragona and its Roman past. Additionally, once in Barcelona, you can also take a ferry to Palma de Mallorca, or to Ibiza and Formentera from Valencia or Denia.
Whichever journey you decide to go on in Spain, we assure you you will experience the Spanish vibrant culture and its gastronomy.
If you wish to know more about the Spanish gastronomy and how it variates according to the region, click here.
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