ON THE GO
Traveling by plane
Iberia (IB) (Internet: www.iberia.com) flies to the larger cities of Spain as well as the Canary Islands, the Balearic Islands and the Melilla exclave on the North African coast.
Further connections with Air Europa (UX) (Internet: www.air-europa.com). There are air taxis at almost all airports.
On the way by car / bus
Good motorways and expressways connect the big cities. Tolls have to be paid almost everywhere to use the motorway, except on some city motorways and bypasses. However, there are two-lane expressways that connect the north with the south of Spain and can be used free of charge. The country roads are z. Sometimes in less good condition. In contrast to the toll-free highways Autovias (A), toll motorways are provided with the addition ” P “, eg ” AP-7 “. Information on tolls, the most beautiful routes and everything to do with the motorway is available from ASETA (Internet: www.aseta.es).
The network of gas stations that offer unleaded gasoline is nationwide. There is a well-developed and inexpensive bus network. Even remote villages can be reached by bus. Alsa (Internet: www.alsa.es) is one of the largest bus companies in Spain. There are other companies depending on the region (e.g. in Catalonia: www.sarfa.es). Tickets and departure at the bus station.
Bus stations:
– Barcelona North Train Station (Internet: www.barcelonanord.com/eng/horarios/pantalla1.asp).
– Bilbao Termibus.
– Madrid Estación Sur (Internet: www.estaciondeautobuses.com).
– Málaga (Internet: www.estabus.emtsam.es).
– Valladolid (Internet: www.aytovalladolid.net/modules.php?name=Transporte&file=Bus).
Rental cars: The well-known rental companies have branches in all major cities.
Motorcycles: According to youremailverifier, helmets are mandatory in Spain. People under the age of 18 are not allowed to rent or drive motorcycles over 75 cc.
Documents: National driver’s license or EU driver’s license. For nationals of EU and EFTA countries, the license plate is used as proof of insurance. Nevertheless, EU and EFTA citizens are recommended to use the International Green Insurance Cardtake with you in order to make it easier to record accidents in the event of damage and to enjoy full insurance cover. Otherwise, the statutory minimum liability insurance coverage applies.
Traffic regulations:
– Always drive with low beam in built-up areas at night.
– Spare bulbs and a red warning triangle must be carried.
– The use of a hand-held cell phone or car phone is prohibited while driving, the use of hands-free equipment is permitted.
– It is mandatory for drivers to wear safety vests when they leave their vehicle outside of built-up areas and stay on the road.
– seatbelt compulsory;
Blood alcohol limit: 0.5 ‰. (Anyone caught with more than 0.5 ‰ or with drugs behind the wheel will lose their driving license for at least one year and a maximum of four years and face a prison sentence of up to 2 years.)
Speed limits:
within built-up areas: 50 km /H;
on expressways: 100 km / h;
on the motorway: 110 km / h (100 km / h for buses and trucks);
on all other roads: 90 km / h.
Roadside Assistance
An ADAC international emergency call station (Internet: www.adac.de) has been set up in Barcelona (Tel: (93) 5 08 28 28). It offers ADAC members and holders of ADAC foreign health and accident insurance assistance with hotels, rental cars, vehicle or patient repatriation.
The Spanish police (Tel: 902 102 112) can be reached by tourists in German, English, French and Italian from Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. from the beginning of summer to October. Calls are only accepted in English on Saturdays and Sundays. Only minor offenses can be reported via this hotline.
Traveling in the city
The urban transport system is very good.
In Barcelona (Internet: www.tmb.net),
Valencia (Internet: www.metrovalencia.com),
Bilbao (Internet: www.metrobilbao.net) and
Madrid (Internet: www.metromadrid.es) there
are underground trains (inexpensive Trading cards available).
All holiday resorts and small towns have a good bus network. Taxis can be found in all major cities.
The car rental company Hertz (Internet: www.hertz.de) offers bicycles with electric drives – so-called e-bikes – in Barcelona, Valencia and Alicante as well as on Mallorca and Formentera.
On the go by train
The rail network of the state railway company RENFE (Internet: www.renfe.es) connects cities and regions of the entire Iberian Peninsula. The main trains have air conditioning and dining or buffet cars. Seats must be reserved for InterCity trains.
High-speed trains (AVE) run on the routes, among other things
Madrid – Alicante (travel time: 2 hours 20 minutes),
Madrid – Barcelona (travel time: 2 hours 30 minutes),
Madrid – Seville,
Madrid – Zaragoza – Lleida / Huesca,
Madrid – Cuidad Real -Puertollano,
Madrid – Málaga (Talgo) and
Madrid – Toledo (travel time: 35 minutes) and
Madrid – Valencia (travel time: 1 hour 35 minutes),
Barcelona – Girona – Figueras (journey time: 53 min.) And
Albacete – Alicante.
The following cities are connected to the high-speed AVE network: Alicante, Antequera, Barcelona, Seville, Puente Genil, Córdoba, Puertollano, Ciudad Real, Madrid, Cuenca, Valencia, Segovia, Valladolid, Guadalajara, Calatayud, Zaragoza, Huesca, Lleida and Tarragona.
In Figueras there is a connection to the TGV route to Paris.
Motorail trains are available on the routes
Madrid – Algeciras / Málaga / La Coruña / Vigo / Santander,
Barcelona – Málaga,
Bilbao – Málaga and
Bilbao – Alicante.