The Spanish state-operated railway network consists of a total of 14,582 kilometres of tracks, covering the entire country.

The state-run company RENFE (RED NACIONAL DE FERROCARRILES ESPANOLES) covers an ample number of domestic lines that connect all the regions on the Iberian Peninsula.

Spanish trains, the most inexpensive in Europe, have two classes. RENFE has established a series of special prices and discounts that make traveling by rail in Spain much more convenient. The most interesting offers are the following: the so-called "Dias Azules" (Blue Days) are dates that do not generally coincide with holidays, the eves of holidays or the most common holiday periods. There are many such dates throughout the year on which it is possible to travel by rail with a 50% discount.

The "Tarjeta Joven" (Youth Card) allows the bearer, whose age must be between 12 and 25, to travel with a 50% discount on all tickets providing that traveling dates coincide with the "Blue Days". The "Tarjeta Turistica" (Tourist Card), reserved for non-residents of Spain, independent of their nationality, allows unrestricted circulation, without any kilometer limitation, on any RENFE line, without having to pay supplements. This card may be for first or second class traveq and its price varies depending on the duration of travel time requested, which may be 8, 15 or 22 days. The "Euro-rail pass" (Eurail Pass) is also a discount ticket reserved for visiting guests. It can be purchased in the country of origin and provides unlimited travel rights on any date, on any line, without supplements. Its price also varies according to duration, which can be 15, 25, 30, 60 or 90 days.

Besides the regular trains and sleeper cars, RENFE inaugurated in 1992, the AVE train (ALTA VELOCIDAD ESPANOLA), a high speed train linking Madrid and Seville in a time of three hours, as well as a series of special trains, including the high speed TALGO trains, of particular interest to the tourists.

Outstanding tourist trains are the "Expreso Al-Andalus" (Al-Andalus Express) and the "Transcantabrico". The former departs from Seville each week and for 5 days tours the beautiful cities of Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Malaga and Jerez de la Frontera; the prices of the ticket includes the visits to these cities, meals at the finest restaurants in each one, "fiestas" and typical shows plus dinner and lodging on a truly special train that includes a discotheque, video room, bars and a luxury and confort of the finest hotel. The latter, with similar characteristics, tours the north of Spain.

    (If you need additional information, please call RENFE in Madrid:
     Phone Number: 011 34 1 530-0202
     Or in Barcelona:
     Phone Number: 011 34 3 490-0202)