ISMO LADJO

Practical Travel Guide

Updated March 2025

Route Planner

Renfe

Spain's national rail service. Search AVE high-speed and regional train connections.

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Airport Transfers

MAD
Madrid Barajas Madrid
Metro Line 8 30 min EUR 4.50-6 To Nuevos Ministerios (center). Airport supplement EUR 3.
Airport Express Bus 30-40 min EUR 5 24h service to Atocha station and Cibeles
Taxi (fixed fare) 20-40 min EUR 33 Fixed rate to anywhere within M-30 ring
BCN
Barcelona El Prat Barcelona
Aerobus 35 min EUR 7.75 Every 5 min to Plaça Catalunya. Fastest option.
Metro L9 Sud 45-55 min EUR 5.15 To Zona Universitària, transfer to L3/L5
RENFE train (T2 only) 25 min EUR 4.60 From Terminal 2 to Passeig de Gràcia / Sants
Taxi 25-40 min EUR 39-47 Metered with airport supplement

Public Transport

metro bus tram

Tickets

Madrid: single EUR 1.50-2, 10-trip EUR 12.20. Barcelona: single EUR 2.40, T-casual (10 trips) EUR 11.35.

Tarjeta Multi (Madrid) / T-casual (Barcelona) — tourist transport card for unlimited rides and discounts.

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Taxis & Rideshare

FREE NOW

app

~EUR 8-15 city rides

Works in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville. Hails licensed taxis.

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Uber

rideshare

EUR 7-20 city rides

Available in Madrid and Barcelona. Uses licensed VTC drivers.

Visit website

Cabify

rideshare

EUR 7-18 city rides

Spanish rideshare company. Very popular in Madrid and Barcelona.

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Bolt

app

EUR 6-15 city rides

Growing presence. Often cheapest option.

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Intercity Travel

AVE High-speed train

Renfe

EUR 20-90

Madrid-Barcelona 2.5h, Madrid-Seville 2.5h. Book early for best prices.

Book tickets

Avlo (budget AVE)

Renfe Avlo

EUR 7-35

Low-cost high-speed. Limited luggage and no changes, but great prices.

Book tickets

Iryo

Iryo

EUR 10-60

New private high-speed operator. Madrid-Barcelona, Madrid-Seville routes.

Book tickets

ALSA Bus

ALSA

EUR 10-35

Spain's main bus company. Reaches towns not on the rail network.

Book tickets

FlixBus

FlixBus

EUR 5-25

Budget option for major routes

Book tickets

Where to Stay

Room Mate Oscar

mid-range

Madrid

EUR 90-150/night

Rooftop pool, steps from Gran Vía. Great design.

Book on Booking.com

The Hat Madrid

budget

Madrid

EUR 25-50/night

Boutique hostel on Plaza Mayor, amazing rooftop terrace

Book on Booking.com

Generator Barcelona

budget

Barcelona

EUR 25-55/night

Near Gràcia neighborhood, terrace with Sagrada Família views

Book on Booking.com

Hotel Brummell

mid-range

Barcelona

EUR 100-170/night

Boutique with pool, in trendy Poble-sec neighborhood

Book on Booking.com

We may earn a commission from bookings made through our links, at no extra cost to you.

Useful Apps

Transport

transport
Renfe Ticket

Official Renfe app. Buy train tickets, check schedules, digital passes.

Download
transport
TMB Barcelona

Barcelona metro and bus app. Real-time arrivals and route planning.

Download

Maps & Navigation

maps
Citymapper

Excellent for Madrid and Barcelona transit. Shows all transport options.

Download

Translation

translation
Google Translate

Camera mode for Spanish menus and signs. Download offline pack.

Download

Food & Dining

food
ElTenedor (TheFork)

Restaurant reservations with discounts up to 50%. Very popular in Spain.

Download

Getting Around Spain

Spain has an excellent high-speed rail network. The AVE connects Madrid to Barcelona, Seville, Valencia, and Málaga in under 3 hours. With three competing operators (Renfe, Avlo, Iryo), prices are very competitive — book early for the best deals.

Metro in Madrid and Barcelona

Both cities have extensive metro systems. In Madrid, use the Tarjeta Multi card loaded with 10-trip tickets. In Barcelona, the T-casual card gives you 10 integrated trips on metro, bus, and tram.

Tips

  • Spain has three high-speed train operators competing on price — compare Renfe, Avlo, and Iryo
  • Madrid’s airport taxi has a flat EUR 33 rate to the center — don’t let anyone charge more
  • Cabify is often cheaper and more reliable than Uber in Spain
  • Siestas are real: many shops close 2-5pm, but restaurants serve lunch until 4pm