InterRail: starting your train journey in Spain

If you've decided to come and study in Spain why not take the opportunity to travel round the country, or even make it the starting point for a lightning tour of Europe so you can meet some new and interesting people? A good option if you're considering this plan is InterRail: this train ticket is very popular with young people and allows you to hop on board practically all the trains in the area you choose at very affordable prices. We describe the different formats below.

We should start by highlighting a very important point. The InterRail pass can only be used by EU residents who have been in Europe for at least six months. If this is not your case, don't worry, you can use a Eurail pass instead.
 
There are basically two InterRail formats: the InterRail Global Pass (valid for travelling by train in 30 European countries) and the InterRail One Country Pass (if you only want to visit one country).

If this is your plan, the best idea is to buy an InterRail One Country Pass valid for Spain. This ticket is available for travelling on three, four, six or eight days in a one-month period, and allows you to take any type of train you want (regional, high-speed or night trains) on each day of travel.

 
There is no predetermined itinerary -you can organise your trip according to what you want to do.  You want to go on only one trip? In that case, travel on consecutive days. The summer holidays are here and you've got more time? Spread your trip over a month by alternating the days.
 
Just as an example, the InterRail website suggests a one-month tour that takes you around some of Spain's most important cities: Barcelona, Valencia, Granada, Seville, Madrid, Toledo, Salamanca, Santiago de Compostela and San Sebastián. We recommend you check our report "Spain and its regions" for additional information.
 
In any case, when you reach any city you'll find tourist information at the station and at tourist offices. Pick up a free street plan in each one. The stations often have left luggage facilities, cashpoint machines and currency exchange bureaux.

If you do decide to use InterRail, you'll be happy to hear that it entitles you to a series of advantages: discounts on ferry trips (very attractive if you're planning on island-hopping) and bus trips, and on some accommodation, museum tickets, audio guides…

You can reserve your InterRail pass via the Internet on its website (http://es.interrail.eu/), where you'll also find information on the types of trains available in Spain, and the main national and international connections. InterRail passes are always sent by certified mail and postage is free to a number of countries.
 
You can also buy your ticket from the Spanish National Railway Network website (RENFE) (http://www.renfe.com/viajeros/viajes_internacionales/interrail.html).

Check the ticket prices carefully, as you'll find discounts for travellers under 26.
It's very likely you'll have to make a prior reservation on high-speed trains and night trains. This carries an additional cost.

Although many travellers opt to sleep on the night trains, you'll find multiple options to choose from when picking somewhere to stay. One of the best for young people is the Spanish Youth Hostel Network (http://www.reaj.com/es/).

In addition to InterRail and Eurail there are also other interesting options for travelling by train such as Eurail, RailPlus, Renfe Spain Pass and AVE Experience (http://www.renfe.com/viajeros/viajes_internacionales/promospases.html).
 
We recommend checking our reports on Practical Information before you plan your trip (http://www.studyinspain.info/prepara-tu-viaje/datos-practicos/?l=en).

You can also find more information on high-speed trains (AVE) in the following report at www.spain.info.
http://www.spain.info/en/reportajes/viaje_por_espana_en_sus_trenes_de_alta_velocidad.html