Spain & Portugal
Approximate point-to-point one-way 2nd class rail fares in $US. Add up fares for your itinerary to see whether a railpass will save you money. Dashed lines are buses; dotted line is ferry. For 1st class rail fares, add 50%. Sources: www.renfe.es and www.cp.pt.
The best public transportation strategy in Iberia is to mix it up. Buses, taxis, and even flights are cheap and efficient for short hops and where train service can be sparse (such as along north and south coasts or between Spain and Portugal). Consider a railpasses if you need three or more long train rides. Passholder reservations are required for all trains ($11 - 35 per seat in addition to your pass). First class includes a meal on some fast trains (covered by higher reservation fee).
Spain's network of fast trains is expanding and most point-to-point tickets are sold for a reserved date and time (no extra reservation fee), though some regional trains don't require reservations for ticket-buyers. Roundtrip tickets in Spain are about 20% cheaper than two one-ways. Faster daytime service means fares going up and the loss of some overnight trains (such as Madrid-Barcelona).
Railpasses do not cover private trains between San Sebastian and Ferrol on the north coast (see www.feve.es, www.euskotren.es , or www.eurolines.com for info) or some local service around Barcelona (run by FCG) and Valencia (FGV). Passes without France not valid on Talgo Day trains to/from Montpellier, France (but other trains on the Spanish portion of that route are OK).
The France-Spain Pass is a good choice for travelers visiting both countries. See also the Italy-Spain Pass if you plan to fly or take a ferry to Italy (does not cover France).
| Portugal - Spain Pass | ||
| Type of Pass | 1st Class Individual | 1st Class Saverpass |
| 3 days in 2 months | $285 | $243 |
| Extra rail days (max 7) | $40 | $33 |
| Saverpass prices are per person based on two or more traveling together. Kids 4-11 half of individual or saver fare, under 4 free. Prices subject to change. | ||
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| Spain Pass | ||
| Type of Pass | 1st Class | 2nd Class |
| 3 days in 2 months | $248 | $193 |
| Extra rail days (max 7) | $37-39 | $31-33 |
| Kids 4-11 half fare, under 4 free. Prices subject to change. | ||
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| Portugal Pass | |
| Type of Pass | 1st Class |
| 3 days in 1 month | $130 |
| 4 days in 1 month | $165 |
| 5 days in 1 month | $221 |
| Kids 4-11 half fare, under 4 free. Not valid on Hotel Train to Madrid. Prices subject to change. | |
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| Comparing Train and Bus Travel in Iberia | ||
| From - To | By Train | By Bus |
| Madrid - Segovia | 11/day, now only 30 minutes, $13 - $30 | 2/hour, 1.25 hrs, $9 |
| Sevilla - Lisbon | AVE to Madrid + night train, $190 + more for bed | 1-2/day, 7-10 hrs, $58 |
| Sevilla - Algeciras | 4/day, 5 hrs w/change, $30 | 11/day, 2.5 hrs , $22 |
| Sevilla - Lagos | No through train, must connect train-bus-train | 2/day, 6 hrs direct, $28 |
| Malaga - Gibraltar | Not possible | 5/day, 2.5 hrs direct, $15 |
International Hotel Trains
Spain's fancy overnight Hotel Trains (known collectively as Elipsos or Talgo Night) all have fancy names: Francisco de Goya (Madrid-Paris), Joan Miro (Barcelona-Paris), Pau Casals (Barcelona-Zurich), and Salvador Dali (Barcelona-Milan). Fast and direct, the trains make just a few stops. Travelers with any railpass that covers at least one country on the route of travel (including Swiss Passes but not Swiss Cards) can use a railpass travel day and pay sleeper fares ranging from €45 for a reclining seat, to €70 for a quad couchette to €200 for a posh Gran Class single compartment. All doubles and singles (but not quads) include breakfast and your own toilet and washbasin. Gran Class adds dinner and a shower in your compartment. See more reservation prices in Using Your Pass.
To avoid this expensive luxury to/from Paris, change trains at the Spanish border (at Irun/Hendaye on the west, at Cerbere/Port Bou on the eastern side). You'll connect to a normal night train with €25 couchettes on one leg of the trip. This plan takes more time, and may use two days of a flexipass.