Public transport and getting around
You will get around your city and between cities cheaply and confidently without a car.
Getting around Spain without a car is realistic, and it works differently in every city. This topic covers city metros and buses, passes and discounts, trains and coaches between cities, taxis and ride-hailing, ticket etiquette and what to do when a strike hits.
Pick the article that fits your situation
Using Metro, buses and Cercanias (commuter rail) in Madrid
How Madrid's zones, Abono passes and personal transport card work, and how Cercanías commuter trains fit in. For newcomers who want to buy the cheapest pass that covers their trips.
Using metro, buses and Rodalies (commuter rail) in Barcelona
How Barcelona's fare zones work, which pass suits which kind of traveller, and what to expect from Rodalies commuter trains. For newcomers who need to choose and buy a transport pass in Barcelona.
Using Metrovalencia, EMT buses and Cercanias in Valencia
How fares work across Valencia's metro, city buses and suburban trains, and which cards and passes you can use. For newcomers who will ride all three and want to know what is linked and what is not.
Public transport in Seville, Malaga and other Andalusian cities
How public transport works in Seville, Málaga and other Andalusian cities: which cities have a metro or tram, how the regional consortium cards work, and whether you can live without a car. For newcomers choosing where to live in Andalusia.
Public transport in Bilbao and the Basque Country
How to get and use the Barik card, the single travel card for Metro Bilbao, Bizkaibus and Bilbobus. It explains where to buy it, how fares work and which discounts exist. It is for newcomers living in or near Bilbao.
Public transport on the islands and in small towns
Helps you judge whether you can live without a car in a Spanish village, small town or island. It shows what service to expect, where it is thinnest, and what to check before you choose a place.
Transport passes, discounts and free schemes (and whether you need padron)
Shows which transport discounts and free schemes exist in Spain, who qualifies, and when you need padrón or other proof. For newcomers choosing the cheapest eligible pass for their city, age and family situation.
Travelling between Spanish cities by train, coach or plane
How to book trains, coaches and flights between Spanish cities: who runs which routes, when to book, what discounts exist and how changes and cancellations work. For newcomers planning their first trips.
Taxis, Uber, Cabify and Bolt in Spain
How taxis and app-based private hire cars (Uber, Cabify, Bolt) are regulated, priced and available across Spain. For newcomers choosing between a taxi and a ride app in their city.
Validating tickets, etiquette and inspector fines on transit
How to validate your ticket on Spanish metro, bus and commuter trains, what is expected of you as a passenger, and what to do if an inspector fines you. For newcomers using public transport in Spanish cities.
Transport strikes and disruptions: planning a plan B
How strikes affect trains, buses and flights in Spain, what service must still run, where to find strike news, when you can claim money back, and how to build a backup plan. For anyone relying on public transport.
Resident travel discounts for the islands, Ceuta and Melilla
If you live in the Canary Islands, the Balearic Islands, Ceuta or Melilla, you can get a large discount on scheduled flights and ferries. This page explains who qualifies, what the discount is and how to prove you live there.
About this topic
It is for anyone thinking about, planning or carrying out a move to Spain. You will learn how to get around your city and between cities cheaply and confidently.
Start with "Transport passes, discounts and free schemes (and whether you need padron)". It shows how to find the cheapest pass you qualify for, and that choice shapes everything else. Then read the page for your city: Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Andalusia, Bilbao and the Basque Country, or the islands and small towns. If you will live on an island, Ceuta or Melilla, "Resident travel discounts for the islands, Ceuta and Melilla" explains how to claim the resident discount.
Once you are settled, "Travelling between Spanish cities by train, coach or plane" and "Taxis, Uber, Cabify and Bolt in Spain" cover longer trips and rides. "Validating tickets, etiquette and inspector fines on transit" and "Transport strikes and disruptions: planning a plan B" help you avoid fines and keep moving when services fail.
Key rules
- Train delay refund: On Renfe high-speed trains you get 50% of the ticket back for a delay of 15-29 minutes and 100% for 30 minutes or more.
- Resident discount: Residents of the Canary Islands, the Balearic Islands, Ceuta and Melilla get a 75% discount on scheduled flights and ferries on covered routes, applied when you book with proof of residence.
- Age category: Joven (under 26) is the cheapest, Normal is 26 to 64 and Mayor is 65 and over.
- Cercanías: Your Abono works on Cercanías trains only between stations inside the zones on your pass.
- Zones: Barcelona has 6 fare zones, and the price of your pass depends on how many you cross.
- Regular travel: If you travel most days, the T-usual is the pass to look at.
Public transport and getting around: the whole process, step by step
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Get your local transit card (see the article for your city: Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Andalusia or Bilbao): in your first days after arriving. A Madrid card ordered online arrives by post in about 1 to 2 weeks, so order early
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Pick the cheapest eligible pass for your age and zone (see Transport passes, discounts and free schemes): once you have your card and know which zones you travel through
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Learn to validate your ticket and avoid fines (see Validating tickets, etiquette and inspector fines on transit): before your first trips. Fines depend on the system, and paying on the spot or within a few days often halves them
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Book intercity trains early (see Travelling between Spanish cities by train, coach or plane): Renfe opens sales about 2 to 3 months ahead; Iryo and Ouigo about 3 to 6 months ahead.
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Claim a refund if a train or flight is delayed (see Transport strikes and disruptions: planning a plan B): after the delay, within the time limit in the operator's conditions. Flight compensation applies to delays of 3 hours or more at arrival
Documents you may need
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A valid ID
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Padrón certificate — Transport passes, discounts and free schemes (and whether you need padron)
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Certificado de empadronamiento — Resident travel discounts for the islands, Ceuta and Melilla
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A photo of yourself — Using Metro, buses and Cercanias (commuter rail) in Madrid, Using metro, buses and Rodalies (commuter rail) in Barcelona
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Familia numerosa title — Transport passes, discounts and free schemes (and whether you need padron)
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Spanish-issued certificate for senior or disability schemes that ask for one — Transport passes, discounts and free schemes (and whether you need padron)
Public transport and getting around: questions that cross several articles
Do I need a different transport card in each Spanish city?
Yes, each region runs its own card system, so you usually need a separate card in each city. Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Andalusia each have their own rechargeable cards and zones. Read the article for your city, then Transport passes, discounts and free schemes to find the cheapest option.
Can I get a personal transport card with a foreign passport or NIE?
Yes, in both Madrid and Barcelona you can use a passport or NIE (foreigner ID number) as ID, plus a photo. Madrid cards can be ordered online or requested at Metro offices with an appointment. Barcelona cards are issued at Rodalies, FGC or TMB service points. See the Madrid and Barcelona articles for the steps.
Are passes cheaper for young people and seniors?
Yes, Madrid, Valencia and Andalusia all offer discounts for young people and seniors, and Barcelona has a pass for under-30s. Madrid's Joven pass is for under 26s and its Mayor pass is for 65 and over.
What happens if I travel without a valid ticket?
You can be fined, and the amount depends on the system you are using. Paying on the spot or within a few days often halves the fine, while repeat offences cost more. Read Validating tickets, etiquette and inspector fines on transit for the details.
Zones, prices and card details change each year, so confirm the current figures with the transit authority in your city.
Places and figures
How much people use public transport to get to work, by city.
Commute by public transport, by city
| # | Place | Commute by public transport | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MadridComunidad de Madrid | 44% of commuters | 2021 |
| 2 | BarcelonaCataluña | 43% of commuters | 2021 |
| 3 | BilbaoPaís Vasco | 37% of commuters | 2021 |
| 4 | ParlaComunidad de Madrid | 34% of commuters | 2021 |
| 5 | Collado VillalbaComunidad de Madrid | 32% of commuters | 2021 |
| 6 | FuenlabradaComunidad de Madrid | 30% of commuters | 2021 |
| 7 | Sant Cugat del VallèsCataluña | 28% of commuters | 2021 |
| 8 | CosladaComunidad de Madrid | 27% of commuters | 2021 |
| 9 | El Prat de LlobregatCataluña | 26% of commuters | 2021 |
| 10 | San SebastiánPaís Vasco | 25% of commuters | 2021 |
Data as of .
Average commute, one way, by city
| # | Place | Average commute (one way) | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MelillaMelilla | 20 min | 2021 |
| 2 | CeutaCeuta | 22 min | 2021 |
| 3 | ArrecifeCanarias | 30 min | 2021 |
| 4 | BenidormComunitat Valenciana | 30 min | 2021 |
| 5 | Sanlúcar de BarramedaAndalucía | 31 min | 2021 |
| 6 | TorreviejaComunitat Valenciana | 31 min | 2021 |
| 7 | LleidaCataluña | 32 min | 2021 |
| 8 | MéridaExtremadura | 32 min | 2021 |
| 9 | PonferradaCastilla y León | 32 min | 2021 |
| 10 | La Línea de la ConcepciónAndalucía | 32 min | 2021 |
Data as of .
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