Air Transport
Almost 30% of all international travellers
to Spain arrive by air. The figure of over fifty million passengers
arriving or leaving Spanish airports, with nearly 70% travelling
on non-scheduled flights, ranks Spain as the world's leading user
of charter flights.
Spain's strategic geographical situation, taken together with
its tourist industry, explains the importance of international
passenger travel, especially vis Europe which accounts for roughly
75% of the total. The number to call for complete information
and bookings on domestic and international flights is Infor Iberia,
Phone: 913.29.57.67.
Domestic air traffic tends to concentrate on Madrid-Barajas Airport
which, linked via a shuttle service to Barcelona, handles some
2,500,000 passengers per year. The busiest routes, apart from
the shuttle, are the Madrid-Balearic and Madrid-Canary Island
runs.
Maritime Transport
Seaborne passenger transport is of relevance in ports, such
as Algeciras (3.8 million), Ceuta (2.2 million) and Santa Cruz
de Tenerife (2.6 million). The Trasmediterránea company
runs a regular ferry service between the mainland and: North Africa,
(from Almería and Malaga to Melilla; and from Algeciras
to Ceuta and Tangiers, with daily sailings); the Balearic Isles
(from Barcelona and Valencia, with daily sailings); and the Canary
Islands (from Cadiz, with weekly sailings). Bookings to all these
destinations can be made by calling the following number: 913.22.91.00.
Buses
The public coach service is comfortable and efficient, with
different lines covering long-distance routes on a regular timetable.
There is also a good network of bus and coach companies catering
for short-distance travel and sightseeing trips.
Railways
The Spanish rail network has some 15,000 kilometres of track,
with 471 kilometres corresponding to the high-speed Madrid-Seville
(AVE) link, a distance covered in 21¼4 hours. Another high-speed
train is the Talgo 200, which covers the Madrid-Malaga, and Madrid-Cadiz
and Huelva routes. As in the case of the road grid, the rail network
run by Spanish Rail (RENFE), Spain's state-owned rail operator,
takes the shape of a spider web centred on Madrid, with the main
lines radiating out to cover the country and a series of interconnecting
transversal lines (the most important being the Mediterranean
and River Ebro corridors). Depending on the season,
RENFE sets a series of special fares, thanks to which rail travel
becomes a far more attractive proposition.
A tourist card exists, exclusively available to non-residents,
giving unlimited travel on all routes, with the possibility of
reserving a seat, at a price set on a sliding scale according
to the length of the period of validity. The Euro rail system
is similar, giving the tourist the right to travel from the country
of origin, with no limit as to mileage.
Among the special rail itineraries for tourists, mention must
be made of the Al-Andalus Express, which operates from April to
December (excluding July and August) and, over a five-day period,
takes passengers on an attractive tour of Andalusia, complete
with classic, luxuriously appointed carriages and the full complement
of services, side-trips and meals; the Strawberry Train (Tren
de la Fresa), from April to October, linking Madrid with Aranjuez;
and, lastly, the narrow-gauge Transcantábrico (FEVE), from
June to October, with its scenic run along the North of Spain
from San Sebastián across to Santiago de Compostela. For
ticket bookings and information, kindly call RENFE at 913.28.90.20.
Roads
Spain has an extensive road grid covering close on 340,000
kilometres, and of this total 7,000 kilometres represent highways
(toll motorways, freeways and dual-carriageways). This highway
network, a great part of which is toll-free, makes it possible
for the visitor to drive in comfort from the Pyrenees all the
way down to Andalusia, either along the Mediterranean coast or,
alternatively, inland via Madrid, the nation's communications
node by virtue of its central position. A comprehensive network
of petrol stations and roadside rest areas offer the widest possible
range of en-route services. |
