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Public transportation in Spain is relatively easy to use for most travelers. There are several apps that can be downloaded to either iPhone or Android phones. These different apps provide easy access to the different train and bus schedules. Some even include an option to purchase a digital ticket inside the app.
If traveling by train, the Renfe app is excellent. Renfe is Spain’s primary train service between major cities and has several different routes. The app has several features and is usable in different languages as well. You can easily search for train connection between desired cities and select either round trip or one way tickets. The app provides an easy way to purchase tickets with credit card and then holds the electronic tickets in the app for use when preparing to board the trains.
If you want to travel by bus instead of train or to cities that are not accessible by train, the Omio app is one of many bus apps in Spain. It is easy to use and allows quick access to bus routes and prices between a long list of cities. In addition to bus options, this app will also show train options. So it could easily become your goto app for transportation on bus or train.
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Another popular method of traveling around Spain without renting a vehicle is to use popular ride sharing options. Depending on where you are in Spain you may find that popular ride share apps like Uber and Lyft are not available. But on the other hand, some cities do have Uber. So, if you find yourself in an area without one of those two ride share apps, you can try other apps that are pretty popular in Spain. One is Cabifly and another is TaxiClick. These two work very similar to Uber and Lyft and should be relatively easy to use for most travers. All four allow payment via credit card, which makes payment very simple.
Local buses in major cities like Madrid and Santiago de Compostela have published routes as well as different apps. They also may provide the option of purchasing a card that can be ‘loaded’ with multiple rides at a discounted rate. For example the local bus card in Santiago de Compostela costs about 3$ euros and it can be loaded in 10 ride increments for about 3.60$ euro per 10 rides. Without the card, each ride is 1$ euro and using the card reduces each ride to about .36$. This is a really good discounted rate for folks that are going to ride the local buses frequently.
The above are just some of the many options for getting around Spain on trains, buses, taxis, and ride sharing apps. As you travel in Spain it might be worth asking a local resident what they use or prefer to use when they need to travel round the country. They likely have great insight to add to your travel options.
