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There has never been a better time to travel Europe by train.
But one European country has focused so heavily on investing in rail travel that it’s now officially the easiest way to navigate the country.
Passenger numbers on Spanish railways have increased by 76% and 4 out of 5 passengers prefer the train over flying on certain routes.
Here are 6 reasons why you should explore Spain by train this fall:
New high-speed train routes
Train travel in Spain is just as popular with tourists as it is with locals.
Now high-speed operators have taken note of this popularity and launched new routes in the coastal areas most popular with foreign visitors.
The busiest route remains the line between Barcelona and Madrid. But thanks to the recently opened Granada-Antequera line, passengers can also easily and quickly reach the popular tourist region of Andalusia.
And a new route from Madrid to Murcia has attracted huge numbers of tourists since its launch late last year.
Whether you want to spend the autumn months soaking up the sun in Cordoba, known as the frying pan of Spain, or enjoying the cultural attractions in Valencia, Spain has high-speed routes to make getting there easy.
Affordable prices
Where there is competition, there are often price drops and that certainly applies to the rail network in Spain.
Renfe is the main operator of trains in Spain. They run the fast AVE service in the country. But private operators such as Ouigo and Iryo are also rapidly expanding the number of routes they operate.
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This means that train prices in the country are becoming more competitive and ticket prices on many routes are lower than ever before.
On the route from Madrid to Barcelona, 78% of passengers said they preferred to travel by train rather than by plane due to the convenience and cheap options available.
Fast and effective
The Spanish authorities have invested heavily in rail travel and many experts believe that Spain now has the best rail system in the world. It is the European country with the largest high-speed network.
You can easily travel to and from virtually any city in Spain by train, and you can do it much more quickly and efficiently than if you chose to fly.
The 480-kilometer train journey from Madrid to Barcelona takes just 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Train stations are usually located in city centers where airports are located outside the city. As a result, you do not have to take a taxi or other means of transport to your final destination.
You also don’t have to wait when you take the train. You do not need to go through security or check in 2 hours before your train departs. Another great time saving benefit.
In most cases, this means that if you take the train you will reach your final destination faster than if you choose to fly in real terms, even if the actual time spent on the plane rather than on the train is shorter .
More space
Not only are train seats wider than plane seats, so you have more space for your journey. Train passengers will also have more space for their luggage.
There are no restrictions on the size or shape of luggage you can take on the train.
While low cost European airlines charge you extra if you want to take a suitcase on your flight, the same does not apply to the Spanish rail network.
This results in a more stress-free and comfortable journey for most passengers.
Beautiful scenery
When you travel by train, you see so much more than when you travel by plane.
With Spain’s rail network spanning over 2,000 miles, you can cover a lot of ground without ever leaving your comfortable train seat. And the views are incredible.
Some of the best tourist train routes are the Transcantábrico, which runs through the northern part of the country known as ‘Green Spain’. During the fall, the green changes to beautiful shades of orange and yellow.
Galicia’s tourist trains are also worth exploring, particularly the wine train which is popular during the autumn wine harvest season.
You are in good company!
If you are traveling alone, traveling by train is a great way to meet new people.
Traveling by train is considered much more social than traveling by plane.
Train travel in Spain has grown in popularity with all foreign travelers in the country, but especially travelers from the US
There has been an 18% increase in the number of Americans traveling by train in Spain this year, making them the foreigners who use the train the most.
This was followed by British, French and Italian tourists.
So if you want to meet other Americans while traveling from place to place in Spain this fall? You are better off on the train!
Traveler warning: Don’t forget travel insurance for your next trip!
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
