In just shy of four months, I have visited eleven of Spain’s autonomous communities and well over thirty towns. I feel like I am at least starting to get to grips with getting around the place, mainly by coach and train, although there are still the inevitable Kafka-esque set pieces such as I encountered in Zaragoza train station the other week.
Having decided not to walk to my AirBnB place, due to the forty-plus degree heat and the fact I was carrying all of my stuff, I duly purchased my local train ticket and tried to get through the barrier. Billete defectuoso! it cried. Faulty ticket. So I walked the length of the airport-like station in search of someone to ask. Not a soul. I reached the ticket windows and waited for my turn. A woman ran over asking if she could go next; she was in a terrible hurry. Me da igual, I replied. I don’t mind. Pasa. Next, they decided to open up a couple of other windows due to the rapidly-growing queue. Of course, the people behind me sprinted over to the other windows. Nice, I thought, but keep calm and stick to your guns here. Eventually I got to the window and explained to the guy that my ticket didn’t work in the barriers. Could I get a replacement? The look of puzzlement on his face was astonishing. After a bit of back and forth, he told me he couldn’t help me but I could go back to the barriers and press a button, then someone would come and help me. Qué botón? I said, incredulous. I thought he was having me on. I certainly hadn’t seen any button on the barrier! He said yes, if you look on the first one round the corner it will be there. So I traipsed back. Nothing, of course.
I had a look around, feeling ridiculous as usual. There was a suspicious button on the ticket machine. Ah ha! As I walked over, a guy in hi-vis was coming out from the barriers. Other customers asked him something, and I thought I would do the same. Surely it’s easier than faffing about pressing this button of doom. He seemed very confused by my predicament. Pero, están abiertas! They’re open. Cómo? I replied. The barriers were all clearly closed. No, he said, if you try to go through they will open. Vale. I gave it a go and the thing parted like the Red Sea, no ticket required.
Now I’m sure these sorts of things happen in every country: Spain just happens to have a slightly unfair reputation for bureaucracy. In reality, its transport system is excellent. Buses and trains are extremely punctual, generally quick and clean, and a bit more affordable than in the UK. A bit of basic vocabulary therefore will get you quite far!
Vocabulary for getting around
Necesito coger el tren/autobús/vuelo (“I need to catch my train/bus/flight”)
Dónde está…? (“where is…?”)
La estación (“the station”)
Cercanías (these are the local or commuter trains in each region – basically the step between the metro and medium/long distance.)
Qué autobús/bus es para…? (“which bus goes to…?”)
Destino (“destination”)
Horario (“timetable”)
Cuánto dura el viaje? (“how long does the journey take?”)
Cuándo llega a Madrid? (“when does it arrive in Madrid?”)
Billete de ida (“single/one-way ticket”)
Billete de ida y vuelta (“return ticket”)
La taquilla (“the ticket window/office”; not the delicious beverage)
La máquina (“the machine”)
A la una (“at one o’clock”)
A las dos (“at two o’clock”)
A las ocho y media (“at half past eight”)
A las tres menos cuarto (“at quarter to three”)
A las diez y cuarto (“at quarter past ten”)
Subir (“to get on”)
Bajar (“to get off”)
Plaza o asiento (both mean “seat”)
Ventanilla (“window”)
Pasillo (“walkway”)
Abróchese el cinturón (“fasten your seatbelt”)
Próxima parada (“next stop”)
Alquiler coche (“car hire”)
Tomar un taxi (“take a taxi”)
General advice
I have found online information to be almost always hard to find or outdated. Likewise any posters or flyers. It’s invariably better to go into the station and ask about/buy your tickets there. You will also save an online purchase fee in many cases, although it’s worth checking in case there are discounts on trains for buying in advance.
If you are travelling a lot on long-distance trains in particular, you can buy tickets in bulk for a set number of trips. It’s not guaranteed to be cheaper than the individual journeys, so work this out beforehand or ask in the station, but could save you a lot of money if you’re covering a lot of ground. Also worth looking into is Interrail for intense travel.
[Usual disclaimer: any suggestions for improvement or corrections most welcome :) ]
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