When thinking of rail travel, images of the networks in Japan, Germany or Switzerland may spring to mind. But one of the most underrated destinations for travelling by rail is in fact Spain – and exploring the country by train is about to get even easier (and cheaper).
Renfe, Spain’s national railway company, has launched its Spain Rail Pass exclusively for visitors. Valid for one month from your first journey, you can select the number of trips you want to make – either four, six, eight or ten – as well as whether you want to travel in Standard or Comfort seats.
Standard seat prices start from €215 (£180) for four journeys, rising up to €450 (£380) for ten journeys. Comfort Seat passes are priced between €295 (£250) for four journeys and €615 (£520) for ten journeys. Children aged between four and 13 can avail reduced fairs starting from €145 (£120), while children under four travel free.
The pass is valid on long distance trains, including AVE, as well as mid-distance regional trains and Avant, mid-distance high-speed trains.
Passes can be purchased up to six months in advance of your first journey. You will need to make a seat reservation on your chosen train, which you can do on the Renfe website ahead of your travel date.
When using the pass, you’ll need to make sure you have your ID with you.
Spain’s extensive railway network connects major tourist destinations like Barcelona, Madrid, Málaga and Valencia, as well as UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Toledo, Cuenca, Segovia or Avila. You can also use the pass to explore Andalusian cities like Granada and Cordoba and discover the Islamic influence on the region.
For more information on the Spain Rail Pass, head to the Renfe website here.
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