Whether you are travelling to Spain for leisure or are permanently moving to this picturesque country, one of the first things that you would look into is the public transport in Spain.
Spain has a national airline, Iberia, which can shuttle you from major airports all over the world to the country's realms. Aviaco, a smaller airline, also caters to internal flights in the area.
The public transport in Spain is excellent in most Spanish cities. The bus and railway systems are very efficient and are welcome alternatives to driving in the city. It is definitely more convenient to take public transportation than to figure out which street leads to what, especially if you are still taking in the sights and sounds of the country.
The Red Nacional de los Ferrocarriles Espaoles (RENFE) operates the intercity train that offers different services and rates according to destination. Prices for train transport in Spain are among the most competitive in Europe. While you cannot board the RENFE train if you want to go to smaller towns (as it only travels to major cities), there are other supplementary railways, both public and private, that can take you to your destination.
An alternative to trains are buses. While buses are so much slower than trains, the cost of transport is significantly lowered. Local buses travel from six in the morning to about ten in the evening. Buses also run from midnight onwards but fares are more expensive than regular hours. Comfort is an issue with buses because they do not have enough seats for everyone. If you don't mind standing during peak hours, taking a bus in Spain can prove to be a new experience.
Another way you can get around Spain is by a taxi. When taking a taxi from the airport, be sure to agree beforehand with the driver the amount he will be charging from the trip. This way, you will not be overcharged for your trip. If the taxi driver demands you to pay more than what you have agreed upon, don't hesitate to ask help from local authorities.
To be on the safe side, you should only board taxis that have a special license. These taxis are heavily regulated by the government ensuring a very high standard of comfort and service. You can flag down a taxi when they display a green light which means they are free for you to hire. These government regulated taxis are metered but they also have fixed prices for particular trips. The usual tip for taxi ranges from 5-10% of your total fare.
Exploring the three big cities, specifically Barcelona, Valencia, and Madrid, won't be a problem if you use the metro. The metro is the fastest way you can shuttle to and fro these cities. You don't even have to worry about overcrowding during rush hours because they aren't. Special tickets and passes are available according to your transportation needs.
As you can see, Spain is easily navigable through its wide network of public transport. The language barrier may be a problem so keep a conversational Spanish book handy. Enjoy Spain!
Paolo Matzi - freelance copyrighter, promoting transport services in Europe .
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