Getting Around Spain: Trains, Flights & Car Rentals

I spent three weeks hopping between Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, and Granada, and quickly learned that Spain’s transport options look simple on paper but have hidden pitfalls. High-speed trains save time but cost more than flights if you book late. Rental cars give you freedom but parking in city centers is a nightmare. Here’s what actually worked for me.

Should I take the train or fly between cities?

It depends on the route and how far ahead you book. For Madrid to Barcelona, the AVE high-speed train from Puerta de Atocha station takes about 2 hours 45 minutes. I paid €65 booking two weeks out, but same-day tickets jumped to €120. Flights between Madrid-Barajas and Barcelona-El Prat are cheaper (often under €40 with Vueling or Ryanair), but factor in airport transfer time — at least an hour each way — plus security. For me, the train won because the stations sit in city centers.

Madrid to Seville: AVE train, 2.5 hours, €50-€90. I took the 9 AM and arrived at Santa Justa station by lunch.
Barcelona to Granada: No direct high-speed train. I flew (1.5 hours, €35) because the train option requires a change in Madrid and takes 6+ hours.
Seville to Granada: Train takes 2.5 hours via Renfe regional service, about €25. Buses are cheaper (€15) but slower and less comfortable.

How do I book trains in Spain, and what’s the catch?

Book through Renfe’s website or app. The catch: Renfe’s site sometimes rejects foreign credit cards. I had to use PayPal. Another headache — the app doesn’t always load digital tickets offline. I screenshot my QR code at Barcelona Sants after the app froze. For popular routes like Madrid to Seville, book at least a week ahead for the best “Promo” fares. Last-minute tickets on the AVE can hit €150.

Renfe’s “Mesa” fare (four seats around a table) is often cheaper than two individual seats. I snagged one for €40 total with three strangers.
Cercanías (local commuter trains) are useless for long distances but perfect for day trips. I used them from Madrid to Toledo (€12 round trip).
Avoid AVE’s “Básico” fare — it charges a 70% cancellation fee. I learned that the hard way.

Is renting a car worth it in Spain?

Only for specific regions, not for city-to-city travel. I rented from Sixt at Málaga Airport for a week to explore Andalusia’s white villages. The cost was €280 including full insurance (get it — Spanish drivers are aggressive on mountain roads). Driving into Granada was fine, but parking near the Alhambra cost €22 for a few hours. In Seville, I parked at a lot near Plaza de España for €18/day and walked everywhere else.

Madrid and Barcelona: Do not rent a car. Traffic is brutal, and parking in Salamanca or Gràcia runs €30+ per night.
Andalusia road trip: Rent from Málaga or Seville Airport, not city centers. Toll roads (AP-4 from Seville to Cádiz) cost about €10.
Fuel: Gas stations near highways are cheaper than city ones. I paid €1.65/liter near Ronda versus €1.85 in central Seville.

What about flights — which airlines and airports should I use?

For domestic hops, Iberia and Vueling are reliable. Ryanair is cheaper but uses secondary airports. I flew Vueling from Barcelona to Seville for €45 — landed at Seville Airport (SVQ), which is a 15-minute taxi to the city center (€25). Avoid Ryanair’s Girona airport for Barcelona — it’s 90 minutes by bus. For Madrid, Barajas (MAD) has a direct metro line (Line 8) to Nuevos Ministerios in 20 minutes, costing €5.

Baggage: Vueling’s “Optima” fare includes a carry-on, but Ryanair charges €30 for a wheelie bag. I packed light.
Check-in: I use Trip.com to compare flights, then book direct with the airline to avoid middleman fees.
Best route to fly: Barcelona to Granada (no direct train) or Madrid to Santiago de Compostela (train takes 5+ hours).

How do I get around within each city?

Madrid’s metro is excellent. I bought a 10-trip card for €12 and covered Sol, Gran Vía, and Lavapiés easily. Barcelona’s metro is similar, but the T-Casual card (€11 for 10 rides) works on buses and trams too. Seville is walkable — I never used public transit except the tram from Puerta de Jerez to the Cathedral (€1.40). Granada’s bus system is fine, but the Alhambra is a steep uphill walk from Plaza Nueva; I took the C3 minibus for €1.40.

Madrid: Avoid taxis from the airport — fixed fare is €30, but metro costs €5.
Barcelona: Don’t fall for the Turístic Bus (€30/day). The metro covers everything cheaper.
Seville: Rent a bike from Sevici (€13/week) to cruise along the Guadalquivir River.

What’s the best way to get from the airport to city center?

Each city has a clear winner. In Madrid, the metro (Line 8) from Barajas to Colón took 25 minutes and cost €5. In Barcelona, the Aerobús (€7.25) from El Prat to Plaça de Catalunya runs every 5 minutes and drops you right in the center — faster than the metro. Seville’s airport bus (EA) costs €4 and ends at Santa Justa station. Granada’s airport is tiny; I paid €25 for a taxi to Plaza de la Trinidad because the bus (€3) only runs every hour.

Madrid: Metro is cheapest, but if you have heavy luggage, take the Express Bus (€6) from Terminal 4 to Atocha.
Barcelona: Avoid taxis (€35 flat rate) unless it’s 3 AM.
Granada: The Granada Airport Bus stops at Granada Cathedral — convenient for central hotels.

FAQ

Is it cheaper to book trains or flights in Spain? For routes under 3 hours (Madrid to Seville), trains are often cheaper if booked 2-3 weeks ahead. For longer routes (Barcelona to Granada), flights win by €20-€40. Always check Renfe and Vueling side by side. I saved €30 on Madrid to Barcelona by choosing the train over a last-minute flight.

Do I need an International Driving Permit for Spain? Yes, if your license is from outside the EU. I got mine at a local AAA office for $20. Rental companies in Spain (I used Sixt at Málaga Airport) asked to see it before handing over the keys. Without it, they may refuse the rental, and police fines for driving without one are €200.

Are Spanish trains punctual? Generally yes, especially the AVE high-speed trains. I took six Renfe trains and only one was delayed (15 minutes, Madrid to Seville). Regional trains in Andalusia run on time but less frequently — check the Renfe app for real-time updates. Avoid the last train of the night; I missed mine and had to take a €50 taxi from Antequera to Granada.

Conclusion

Trains win for Madrid to Seville and Madrid to Barcelona — book via Renfe at least two weeks ahead for Promo fares.
Flights are better for Barcelona to Granada or any route over 4 hours — use Vueling and pack light to avoid baggage fees.
Car rentals only make sense in Andalusia for visiting villages like Ronda and Arcos de la Frontera — skip them in Madrid and Barcelona.
City transit is cheap and reliable: metro cards in Madrid and Barcelona, walking in Seville, and the C3 minibus in Granada.
Airport transfers are straightforward: metro in Madrid, Aerobús in Barcelona, bus in Seville, and taxi in Granada.