What’s the best way to travel within Spain for Canadians?

Plane

Flying is the fastest way to travel in Spain and to reach its archipelagos. It also makes it the most convenient to visit the Balearic Islands east or Canary Islands in the Atlantic. Spain has over 60 domestic airports. The main ones are Madrid’s Adolfo Suarez Madrid Barajas Airport and Barcelona’s El Prat Airport. Many of these have both internal and external flights. Madrid Barajas, Barcelona El Prat and Madrid Barajas have the largest number of flights into and out of the country.
Daily internal flights by low-cost airlines are usually less than two hours depending upon the distance traveled (except for flights to and the Canary Islands). is the low-cost branch Iberia Airlines that often offers great value on internal flights.
Flying is often the quickest and most economical way to get to the Balearic Islands and Melilla. The flight from Barcelona to Ibiza takes just over an hour. A flight from Madrid to Canary Islands will take approximately three hours. Remember that the time zone in the Canary Islands changes from GMT+1 on mainland Spain to GMT+0.

Train

RENFE Spain’s national train system operates regular services throughout the country using high-speed, regular and suburban trains. Modernizations to the train system have made it more efficient and reliable in recent years. The train lines are also used to connect with France and Portugal. However, a train ride from Paris to Madrid can take approximately 10 hours so it is not the fastest way to enter the country.
Book the AVE (Alta Velocidad), a high-speed train that runs between major Spanish cities. It is the best way to travel long distances. The train between Barcelona and Madrid covers approximately 500 km (311 miles), while the train takes about the same amount of time from Madrid to Seville.
There are many regional train companies that work with RENFE in order to provide local and suburban lines. FGC in Catalonia and Euskotren are two well-known examples. The first provides services to Barcelona and nearby attractions, while the second provides services from the Basque Country to the border with France, between San Sebastian and Bilbao.
It is important to book your train tickets well in advance. This is especially true for long distances and AVE trains. You can also save money by booking your tickets in advance online or at the station. Regular services may be affected by bank holidays so make sure you check the calendar.

Bus

If you are looking for a cost-effective way to travel around Spain, the bus is the best option. Locals prefer it because of its ease, low ticket prices, and connections to smaller towns that are not accessible by trains.
Many bus companies offer services in Spanish cities. They provide comfortable rides with wifi and reclining seats to make long trips more enjoyable.
Although tickets can be purchased directly from bus drivers, it is better to reserve them and purchase them in advance. Be aware that bus drivers often sell out quickly on the most popular routes.
The bus is one of most cost-effective ways to travel around Spain, although it can be uncomfortable for longer distances. It is also one of the most convenient ways to reach remote areas and places where there are no trains.
Many routes connect to small towns in the countryside and depart from major cities. These routes are very popular with workers, so there is often more service on weekdays than weekends. Many cities and towns have a bus station. Look for the Estacion de Autobuses’ to see where buses depart from and where tickets can be purchased in advance for specific routes. Tickets can be purchased at the bus driver for most routes.
Many bus companies operate in Spain. There may be more than one operator in a given area. A website like movlia.es is a great way to locate the right provider. It offers services from most of Spain’s bus companies.

Car

Renting a car in Spain is another way to travel. It allows you to choose your route and go at your own pace. The vast network of motorways called ‘autovias’ can be identified with an A letter at each end of the road number. Some roads are toll roads, called ‘Autopistas’. In this case, the letters AP are used to identify them. You will need cash or a card to pay for your trip.
The normal roads are a cheaper, but slower alternative to motorways. They often run parallel to motorways, but don’t allow cars to drive as fast or aren’t always in the same condition. A roads and AP roads have a speed limit of 120km/h (75 mi/h), while standard roads are limited to 90km/h/h (56 mi/h), unless otherwise noted. In towns, the speed limit for normal roads is 50km/h/31 miles/h.
You should be aware that parking your car in a hotel in a city or town can cost you as much as EUR25 per night. Depending on your location, public parking lots can be cheaper, but they can still cost you up to EUR15 per day.
Another popular form of travel via car in Spain is car-sharing. Car-sharing services are a popular and environmentally-friendly mode of transport for getting around Spain’s cities or regional towns. This is a cost-effective and economical way to travel long distances. It’s also a great way for locals to meet you (and to practice your Spanish!

Boat

Some of Spain’s most important cities and islands include Barcelona, Cadiz (Canary Islands), Valencia, Palma de Mallorca and Ibiza. Travelling by ferry or boat from the Peninsula to the Atlantic or Mediterranean is an enjoyable, but slow-paced, way to travel. If you want to bring your motorbike, car, or bicycle along with you, this is the best option.
The main Spanish shipping lines Balearia, and Trasmediterranea, offer regular trips from major cities throughout the peninsula. They also provide hourly connections to the Balearic Islands (between Ibiza and Mallorca, Formentera, Menorca, and Menorca), and eight main Canaries islands. Passengers can book seats and cabins with beds.