Getting There

Most major airlines fly to Spain (Madrid Barajas and Barcelona), including:

British Airways, American Airlines, and Iberia

and from Europe:

EasyJet, British Midland, Flybe, Air Berlin, Aer Lingus, and Ryan Air

Ferries

Several ferry companies offer service to Spain (from both the UK and Morocco):

To/From the UK: Brittany Ferries and P & O Ferries
To/From Morocco: Viamare, Ferrimaroc, FRS

Rail

You can also enter Spain through Europes rail network. Check the RENFE website for timetables and routes.

Entry Requirements

There are no Visa requirements or fees for the majority of countries. However, please check with the Spanish Consulate in your country to ascertain the rules and regulations.

Travelling within Spain:

The best way to see Spain is by car. It offers the flexibility to see the major tourist sites at off-peak hours, as well as to see areas not served by the rail or bus infrastructure. Discovering some of the best hotels, restaurants, beaches and sights is only possible by car. See our Car Hire and Driving Tips page for information on renting a car.

Many people overlook flights within Spain as a means to travel between cities. We highly recommend both Iberia and Spanair as good economical alternatives to long drives.

The excellent Spanish rail network is called RENFE. You can see timetables and routes on their website.

There are several companies which offer bus service within Spain, which can often be faster and as comfortable as train travel. Continental Bus Lines offers a good selection of routes and times.

Driving Times & Distances

Phones & Contact Information:

Spain has an excellent mobile/cellular network. Most everyone will have network access via Orange or Vodaphone through their cellular provider. Calls from mobile phones tend to be quite expensive, and if you plan to use your mobile phone we recommend getting a SIM chip from a kiosk in the airport. SIM chips are typically less than 15 Euros and will provide you with a local telephone number, making both local and long distance calls from your phone significantly less expensive (**you must have an un-locked phone to so this**). There are also websites which will sell you SIM chips for Spain pre-departure, allowing you to distribute your phone number to relatives before you leave.

If you find yourself in an emergency situation (fire/ambulance/police), dial 112. For non-emergencies we suggest you contact your hotel front desk.  You may also want to take the telephone number of your Embassy in Spain.

General Information

Electricity

220 volts (50 cycles) are commonly used in Spain. Round prong plugs are used in all outlets. Standard North American and UK plugs won’t work. Buy an adapter before you leave.

Tipping

In Spain waitpersons are on salary and therefore tipping is not a particularly big issue for them. There is no obligation to tip, but if you receive particularly good service, a 5% gratuity is normal. Using small coins in a café is perfectly acceptable. Sometimes a tip is already included on the bill, and this is indicated.

Taxes

7% VAT is added to hotel rooms.  On purchases made in Spain, you may be able to claim your VAT for a refund, provided you keep all receipts, and the purchases total more than a set minimum (usually 100 Euros). Ask your hotel, and each shop where you make a purchase, for more information.

Personal Safety

Spain is generally a safe country, however, as is the case in most large cities, petty theft does occur. We recommend paying attention to your surroundings and ensuring that your passport, wallet, and valuables are in a money belt.  Also remember to keep luggage out of sight when leaving your car.

Business Hours

In the cities, most shops are open during usual European business hours: from around 9:30 right through to about 6. In the small towns, shop hours may be limited to 9:30 to 12 and 2 to 7.

Health

We don't know of any particular health hazards when travelling in Spain. It can get very hot in the summer  so avoid exertion and exposure during peak sunlight hours and carry a water bottle.  Check the internet for Health Advisories in Spain before travelling. 

Further information about Spain can be found on the official Spanish tourist board website.