Home Random Page


CATEGORIES:

BiologyChemistryConstructionCultureEcologyEconomyElectronicsFinanceGeographyHistoryInformaticsLawMathematicsMechanicsMedicineOtherPedagogyPhilosophyPhysicsPolicyPsychologySociologySportTourism






International Trains

Spain also has many international services, although they’re slow and expensive compared with air travel. There are direct trains to many western European cities (e.g. Geneva, Milan, Montpellier, Paris and Zurich) and there’s even a train from Madrid to Moscow taking around three days. International trains usually have two classes, first ( gran clase) and second/tourist ( turista), plus sleeping cars ( coches camas) with a choice of individual compartments or couchettes.

At border stops it may be necessary to change trains due to Spain’s wider gauge than the rest of Europe, except for Talgo and TEE trains which have adjustable axles. RENFE also operate a Train-hotel ( Trenhotel) service running from Madrid to Paris ( Francisco de Goya) and from Barcelona to Milan ( Salvador Dalí), to Paris ( Joan Miró) and to Zurich ( Pau Casals). Beware of thieves on overnight international trains, as there have been robberies in recent years, particularly those travelling between France and Spain.

Further information is available from the RENFE website (http://www.renfe.es) or from the telephone helpline for international enquiries (902-243 402), open from 7am to 11pm.

Tourist Trains

· Spain has a number of ‘tourist’ trains, many of which run on narrow-gauge lines. The Al-Andalus Express ( http://www.alandalusexpreso.com) is a unique travel experience on a luxurious converted ’20s train and a wonderful introduction to Spain, with the round trip commencing in Seville and taking in Cordoba, Granada and Jerez. El Transcantábrico (http://www.transcantabrico.feve.es) is another ’20s train operating between Santiago de Compostela and León in the north of Spain along the longest stretch of narrow-gauge railway in Europe.

· It takes in stunning mountain scenery and offers excursions to a number of enchanting villages and towns during its eight day journey. Although it isn’t a tourist train, one of the most spectacular train journeys in southern Spain is on the RENFE line from Ronda to Jimena de la Frontera (British built in the 1890s).

· Other trains include the independent Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana ( FGV) narrow-gauge line operating the Costa Blanca Exprés running along the Costa Blanca from Denia to Alicante and the Limón Exprés operating between Benidorm and Gata de Gorgos. A coal-burning steam train ( Tren de la Fresa) with wooden seats runs from Madrid to Aranjuez on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from May to October. In Majorca, railway enthusiasts can enjoy a trip on the vintage train running from Palma to Sóller (the only other train in the Balearics runs from Palma to Inca).

It travels through tunnels and mountains and provides some of the best views on the island. From Sóller an equally ancient tramcar runs through orange and lemon groves to Puerto de Sóller. RENFE organise many day and weekend excursion trains, including ‘theme park trains’ and ‘tourist trains’ to Spain’s most historic cities – train tickets usually include entrance to the main tourist attractions or theme park and one-night’s hotel accommodation. An interesting book is Spain and Portugal by Rail by Norman Renouf (Bradt Travel Guides).



 


Date: 2016-01-14; view: 720


<== previous page | next page ==>
Rail fares in Spain | General Information
doclecture.net - lectures - 2014-2024 year. Copyright infringement or personal data (0.006 sec.)