Bus Travel in Spain

If you are planning on travelling economically, then going by bus will meet your needs. The network of roads in Spain allows buses to travel between places efficiently and there are regular and frequent schedules between most areas. The buses are modern and comfortable with the touring buses usually air-conditioned and fully equipped with washroom facilities. The routes will provide rest stops, a chance to stretch your legs and even purchase food and beverages. This is an all round great way to travel as long as you are not in a rush.  The bus drivers must allow for road conditions plus stops and starts, which does make the travel a bit more time consuming than by car or train.

The main bus companies are ALSA and Continental Auto. The basic fare is 8 Euros per 100 kilometers, however some rates do vary. There are bus stations in most cities and towns, both large and small. The inner city buses provide a slightly different service, with different fares and type of tickets than the touring buses. As there are many different companies operating bus services throughout Spain, you should check their connections for best service. The private bus lines allow you to buy your ticket on board the bus. The city buses require a pre-purchased ticket that you get from a machine or newsstand and it needs to be stamped on board the bus. Tourist offices have the necessary bus schedules and other important bus travel information.

Madrid and Barcelona are the main terminals from which most buses pass through to other regions. It is a reliable service but allow for long line-ups and over crowding at peak periods such as holiday times. Bus travel in Spain is one of the best ways to reach remote towns and villages. If you wish to compare prices for different Spanish destinations, contact the local tourist offices and they will be able to help with this information, timetables and ticket prices. Eurolines is the largest network of international buses that operate throughout Spain. They are also connected to the local bus lines called Linebus and Julia Via. If you are under the age of 26 there is a 10% discount off the adult fare. Also, there are many circular explorer routes and passes available. The flexible Euroline pass is the best travel deal as it is cheaper and offers unlimited travel between many destinations. This pass is of great value for summer traveling. The backpacker’s bus service is the Busabout and the Eurohop. The Busabout operates from May to October with destinations to Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, San Sebastian, Granada, Seville and Salamanca. The Eurohop is a hop-on-hop-off service for independent travellers and backpackers travelling the Iberian Peninsula.