Transportation in Spain

Spain's transport backbone is the high-speed AVE network, fast, punctual, and surprisingly cheap if booked early. Between cities, it's usually quicker than flying once you factor in airport time. Inside towns, metros in Madrid and Barcelona run late and accept the same contactless card you tap straight from the street to the platform. Buses fill the gaps everywhere else. For short hops or coast runs, regional trains (Media Distancia) and ALSA coaches are reliable and cost a fraction of a taxi. Ride-shares like Cabify work in bigger cities. But the metro is almost always faster during rush hour. First-timers: skip the "Tourist Travel Pass" sold at airports, buy a rechargeable T-Casual or Tarjeta Multi at any metro machine instead. It covers buses, trams, and suburban trains and you only pay for what you use. Don't queue for airport taxis on the curb. Follow the signs to the official rank and insist on the meter. If you land late, the Aeropuerto Express bus runs all night and drops you downtown for the price of a coffee.