travel from the uk to spain

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What do I need to travel to Spain? Latest documents and entry requirements explained for your holiday

Everything you need to know to make sure your trip goes smoothly, article bookmarked.

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Whether discovering the capital in Madrid or relaxing on a sun lounger in the Balearics, Spain has long been a favourite holiday destination for Brits.

Before the pandemic, over 18 million Britons visited Spain each year. In 2017, the number of UK tourists flocking to the Iberian country hit a 10-year high of 18.81 million.

Spain was hit particularly hard by the pandemic, with the seventh-highest number of confirmed cases on the Continent.

Since Covid, the number of British holidaymakers has steadily climbed, from 4.3 million in 2021 to 15.1 million last year. With arrivals in 2023 likely to climb closer to – if not above – pre-Covid levels, potential visitors to Spain should be aware of any entry restrictions that the Spanish government has in place.

We’ve rounded up all the necessary information for anyone travelling to the country, so that you can make sure your next trip goes as smoothly as possible.

• Independent Traveller guide to best hotels and short breaks
• Best UK hotels 2022
• Best hotels in Paris for 2023

Can you travel to Spain unvaccinated?

Despite stringent rules in 2021 and throughout much of last year, Spain has lifted all Covid-related travel restrictions, according to the UK government website. This means you can enter the country even if you haven’t received a single dose of the vaccine. Spain does not require a negative PCR test result or proof of recovery.

The rules are the same for those transiting through Spain and entering through a land border.

Read more on Spain travel :

• The ultimate Spain travel guide: Everything you need to know
• Why Spain makes for the perfect flight-free destination
• Spain’s best holiday destinations to visit in 2023

Do you need a booster to travel to Spain?

While boosters were originally needed towards the end of the pandemic, the lifting of restrictions means that you do not require proof of a vaccine or a booster when entering Spain. There are also no specific requirements for children and young people.

What documents do I need to travel to Spain?

While Covid restrictions may have been removed, Brexit-related issues means there are several other important things to know before your trip abroad.

As alwasy, you need a passport to visit Spain, but the validity rules have changed post-Brexit. Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the date on which you are entering Spain, so check the ‘date of issue’ before travel.

In addition, your passport must be valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave the EU. Check the expiry date before travel.

You can stay in Spain – and any other country within the Schengen Zone – without a visa for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. To stay longer, for example for work or study reasons, you need to meet the Spanish government’s entry requirements. Check with the Spanish Consulate in London .

When entering and exiting the Schengen Zone through Spain, make sure that your passport is stamped by border guards, as these stamps are used to keep track of the time you’ve spent in the country. Relevant evidence for proving when you entered and exited the country includes boarding passes or flight tickets.

Additional documents you may need for travel to Spain

Sometimes, visitors to Spain will need to provide other documents at the border. Most commonly, guards may ask you for your reasons for entering the country and how long you plan on staying (and if relevant, what your plans are for an onward journey). You may need to show a valid onward ticket or a return ticket.

You may also be asked to prove that you have enough money for your stay. The required amount is roughly €108 per person per day with a minimum of €900 in total. Anyone asked can use cash, cheques, traveller’s cheques or bank account statements as proof of funds.

The Spanish border force might also ask to see proof of the accommodation for your stay. This could be a confirmation of your hotel booking, or proof of address if visiting a property that belongs to you or a friend or relative.

Read more of our reviews of the  best Spanish hotels

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• Consular services

Conditions for entry into Spain

​Please read our FAQs  here​

Nationals of third States who travel to Spain for stays of up to 90 days (during any period of 180 days) for tourism, business, family visits, medical treatment, study, non-work internships or volunteer activities with a duration not exceeding 3 months, or for other non-gainful activities, must meet the entry conditions established in the Schengen Borders Code.

Entry requirements​​ 

• Enter via an authorised border-crossing point.
• Present proof of identity and a valid travel document.
• Present the corresponding visa if required, according to nationality.
• Provide evidence of meeting the conditions for the proposed stay and of possessing sufficient financial resources.
• Not be subject to a ban on entering Spain.  

Documents to present at the border​​  

1. Valid passport or travel document : The document must be valid until three months after the planned date of departure from the Schengen territory, and must have been issued during the ten years immediately before the date of entry. 

2. Visa : For certain nationalities, a valid visa is required. This visa will not be necessary if the interested party has a valid residence permit or a valid long-term visa issued by a Schengen State. 

3. Documents accrediting the purpose and conditions of the planned stay : At the request of the competent authorities, the reasons and conditions of the planned stay must be accredited by documentary proof or other means. To this end, the presentation, among others, of the following documents may be required: 

• Return or tourist circuit ticket, in all cases. 
• For professional trips, the invitation from a company or authority to participate in a meeting, or documents that prove the existence of a relationship associated with professional activity, or access cards to a trade fair or congress. 
• For tourist or private visits, the confirmed reservation of an organized trip, or proof of accommodation, or letter of invitation from a private individual (such a letter only proves the availability of accommodation and does not release the traveller from the obligation to meet the other requirements for entry). The proof of accommodation may indicate whether it includes all or part of the traveller's living expenses. 
• For study trips, training programmes, non-work internships or volunteer work with a duration of less than three months, enrolment documentation or proof of admission to an educational establishment or internship contract or proof of admission to a volunteer programme.  
• For travel for other reasons, an invitation, reservation, programme or certificate of participation in related activities, entrance card/ticket, or receipt. 

Accreditation of financial means​​​  

At the request of the competent authorities, the traveller must present proof of having sufficient financial means for the proposed stay or of the ability to legally obtain such means. 

In 2020, the minimum amount required is 90 euros per person per day. In any case, and regardless of the length of stay, the traveller must have at least 810 euros or its equivalent in foreign currency. 

Economic means may be accredited by presenting cash, traveller's cheques, a credit card accompanied by a bank account statement, an up-to-date bank book, or any other resource that accredits the amount available, such as a credit statement regarding the card or bank account. Bank letters or online bank statements will not be accepted.

Entry authorization​​​  

Authorization to enter Spain may be granted to nationals of third States who have the necessary documentation, including, where appropriate, a visa, and sufficient financial means, and who are not subject to an entry ban and do not pose a danger to public order, the internal or external security of the State, or public health.

Denial of entry​ 

The competent authorities will deny entry to nationals of third States who do not meet the entry requirements or who are subject to an entry ban. Entry may also be denied if, in the previous 180 days, the traveller has exhausted the 90-day period for authorized stay in the Schengen area. 

The denial of entry will be notified by means of a reasoned decision, together with information on the procedure for appealing against this decision, in accordance with Spanish regulations. However, filing an appeal does not suspend the effects of the denial of entry.

Citizens of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, and their family members​​ 

Citizens of the Member States of the European Union, and citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, may enter Spain with their national identity card or with a valid passport. Minors who travel with an identity document and are not accompanied by a parent will need the authorization of one of their parents. 

Family members who are not nationals of a Member State of the European Union or of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland may enter with a valid passport. Depending on their nationality, they may need an entry visa, unless they have a valid residence card as the relative of a European Union citizen.

Relevant legislation 

Fri 3 May 2024

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Spain entry requirements explained: The latest travel restrictions on Covid tests and vaccination

Unvaccinated uk tourists can visit spain, but covid requirements still apply.

Spain eased entry rules for UK travellers in May by lifting its ban on unvaccinated arrivals. However, it is yet to scrap all Covid-related rules for visitors from the UK as it has for arrivals from the European Union or Schengen countries.

It is possible that the Spanish authorities will change the requirements for Britons arriving in the country to match the rules for those travelling from the EU and drop all Covid requirements.

For now, all UK travellers aged 12 must either be fully vaccinated (with a 270 limit on the last jab), have recovered from Covid-19 in the previous six months or have tested negative for Covid before travel. Over-12s who cannot show proof of vaccination must also complete a health control form for entry.

What you need for entry to Spain

UK travellers aged 18 or over arriving in Spain by air must either be fully vaccinated, have recently tested negative for Covid or have recovered from Covid-19 in the past six months and have a recovery certificate to prove this.

By Spain’s definition, fully vaccinated means that adults need to have received a booster if 270 days or more has passed since their final dose of an initial vaccination course. The latest updates to Spain’s entry rules are published on the tourism board’s Travel Safe website .

Over-12s arriving from the UK on a flight will require one of the following:

• Proof of full vaccination, with an EU Digital Covid Certificate, or equivalent, such as an NHS Covid Pass 
• A negative Covid-19 test result: either a PCR test taken 72 hours prior to departure or an antigen test result taken 24 hours prior to departure (you will need an official documentation of the test result, from a professional tester) 
• Proof of recovery from Covid-19 in the past six months with an official medical certificate or recovery record

The entry rules for children

Children aged 12 and over are subject to the same rules as adults when travelling from the UK to Spain by air. However, children under 12 do not need to present proof of vaccination, a negative or recovery for entry to Spain.

More from Travel

Spain’s travel form and who needs to complete it

Travellers aged 12 or over who cannot show proof of full vaccination (which will include a booster for most Britons) or having recovered from Covid-19 in the previous six months must complete Spain’s Travel Health Control Form no more than 48 hours prior to travel.

Children under 12 do not need to complete an online Health Control Form before travel to Spain. Travellers aged 12 and over who do have proof of full vaccination (likely to include a booster) or recovery from prior Covid-19 infection in the last six months are not required to complete Spain’s Travel Health Control Form.

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The Man in Seat 61

Train times, fares & tickets from

London to spain by train.

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Train travel UK & Ireland...

Train travel in europe..., train travel in asia..., train travel in africa..., train travel in america..., train travel in australasia, breakfast in london, lunch in paris, dinner in barcelona.

It's easy to travel from the UK to Spain by train.  Take a morning Eurostar to Paris in 2h20 from £52 one-way or £78 return, have lunch at the remarkable Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon, then take the afternoon double-deck TGV Duplex from Paris to Figueres (for the Salvador Dali museum ), Girona & Barcelona with cafe-bar & free WiFi from €39 each way.  Relax with a glass of wine and watch the pretty French villages of the Rhône Valley pass by, catch up on your reading or watch a movie on your phone.  Compared to the stress of airports & flights, it's a revelation and far more environmentally-friendly .  This page explains the best routes & trains between the UK & Spain and how to buy tickets.

Select your destination:     London to... A Coruna Alcudia Algeciras Alicante Almeria Antequera Barcelona Benidorm Bilbao (by ferry) Bilbao (by train) Cadiz Canary Islands Cartagena Cordoba Costa del Sol Estepona Figueres Fuengirola Girona Gran Canaria Granada Ibiza Jerez Las Palmas Madrid Malaga Mallorca (Majorca) Marbella Minorca Murcia Palma de Majorca Pamplona Ronda Salamanca Salou San Sebastian Santander (by sea) Santiago de Compostella Segovia Seville Tarragona Tenerife Toledo Torremolinos Valencia Vigo Zaragoza

Uk to spain by train.

Train travel in Spain

International trains to & from spain, other useful information, interactive map:   click on a destination for train times & fares, country information, london to barcelona.

Breakfast in London, lunch in Paris, dinner in Spain.  You can travel from London to Figueres, Girona or Barcelona by train in a single day with great scenery, a glass of wine to hand and not an airport security queue in sight.

Impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex trains link Paris with Barcelona in around 6h30, 667 miles centre to centre with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, past some great scenery.  There are two Paris-Barcelona TGV trains every day in each direction, with a third in summer.

Stay overnight in Barcelona ( I suggest some good hotels near the station ) and continue next day to Madrid in 2h30 by AVE , Alicante in 4h45 by EuroMed or to Seville or Malaga by AVE in around 5h30.

Avoiding Paris:   If you have lots of luggage, small kids or mobility problems and want to avoid crossing Paris, you can go London-Lille-Nîmes, overnight stop, then Nîmes-Barcelona by AVE or TGV see option 2 .

Sleeper trains:  The Elipsos sleeper trains from Paris to Barcelona & Madrid were sadly discontinued in 2013, but it's still possible to travel by sleeper train between Paris & the Spanish border, see option 3 using the Paris to Latour de Carol sleeper train then a scenic local train to Barcelona through the Pyrenees or option 4 using the Paris-Perpignan/Cerbère overnight train .

Which route to choose?

    Train times London to Barcelona

    Train times Barcelona to London

    How much does it cost ?

    How to buy tickets

    What are the trains like?

    What is the journey like?

Option 1, London-Barcelona by high-speed train

This is the fastest & easiest option, by Eurostar from London to Paris and 320 km/h (199 mph) TGV Duplex from Paris to Barcelona.  You can do the trip in a day or break it up with an overnight stop in Paris.

London ► Barcelona (morning departure)

London ► barcelona (evening departure, overnight in paris).

The last Eurostar usually leaves London St Pancras at 20.01 arriving Paris Gare du Nord 23:18, by all means book an earlier one and spend a pleasant evening in Paris.

Eurostar has two cafe-bars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Standard Premier & Business Premier fares include a meal with wine, served at your seat.

Barcelona ► London (morning departure)

Barcelona ► london (afternoon departure, overnight in paris).

Eurostar has two cafe-bars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Standard Premier & Business Premier fares include breakfast.

How much does it cost ?

London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in standard class, £97 one-way, £168 return standard premier (1st class).

Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex starts at €39 each way in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.

How to buy tickets

Book at www.raileurope.com

Raileurope.com connects to the British, French & Spanish ticketing systems so you can buy all your tickets from the UK to Spain in one place, in plain English, in €, £ or $.  There's a small booking fee.  You print your own tickets or can show them on your phone.  Who are Raileurope.com?

When does booking open?

Eurostar opens up to 11 months ahead, Paris-Barcelona TGVs up to 6 months ahead.

However, it's often less than this and data may be incomplete more than 3-6 months ahead.  I recommend waiting until both trains are open for sale so you can confirm times & prices before buying a non-refundable Eurostar ticket.  On Paris-Barcelona, dates after the mid-December timetable change (including Christmas & New Year) usually open in mid-October.

Spanish trains open anything from 15 days to 6 months ahead, Renfe loads trains when they feel like it, only weeks ahead on some routes, months ahead on routes where they have competition.  Feel free to book Eurostar & TGV first, onward Spanish trains later.

More about when train bookings open .  You can book hotels before booking your trains risk-free if you use www.booking.com with free cancellation.

Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead

Fares for Eurostar and for French & Spanish long-distance trains are dynamic like air fares, so book early and search for the cheapest departures.  The cheapest tickets mean no refunds, no changes.

Out one way, back another?

You can go out one way & back another if you like.  Almost all European trains are priced as one-way, where a return is simply two one-ways.  I usually find it easier to book one way at a time.

How to book

First, a reality check.  You can't just put London to Malaga into a journey planner and expect it to book you from London to Barcelona, arrange an overnight hotel with an 8am wake-up call, then book you from Barcelona to Malaga after breakfast next day.  Systems aren't that clever! 

You can book from London to Barcelona as one seamless transaction, but if you're going further into Spain, or want to stop overnight in Paris, you need to split the booking.

Method 1 is the easiest.  Use this if you are travelling from London to Barcelona in a single day, one-way or return, with or without an onward train further into Spain the following day.

Method 2 can cope with more complex journeys, including ones involving an overnight stop in Paris on the way out or the way back, or using different routes out & back.

Incidentally, there are no through tickets from London to Spain, however you book you get a Eurostar ticket to Paris, a French ticket from Paris to Barcelona and separate onward Renfe tickets.  But connections across Paris are protected by the Railteam/HOTNAT and AJC .

1.  Go to www.raileurope.com

2.  Enter London to Barcelona , number of passengers, date of travel, set departure time 07:00.

3.  If you're coming back and will also be going Barcelona to London in a single day, enter your return date with departure time set to 10:00.

On French & Spanish trains a return is two one ways, but on Eurostar, return fares are significantly cheaper than two one ways so a round trip involving Eurostar should always be booked as a return.

4.  Now the science bit.  Click More options and enter Paris Nord as a via station with stopover duration set to 1 hour (to guarantee a minimum acceptable 1 hour between trains in Paris) or 2 hours (a more robust connection, recommended) or 3 hours (for lunch in Paris at the famous Train Bleu restaurant ).  If you don't do this, the system sometimes offers risky cross-Paris connections as tight as 42 minutes.  Advice on crossing Paris .

5.  Run the enquiry.  Look in the search results for journeys with 1 change.  Add to basket.

6.  If you are staying overnight in Barcelona and travelling on to Madrid, Seville, Malaga, Alicante or wherever next day, book a suitable onward train as a second separate booking and add to basket.

7.  If you're making a round trip, book from Seville, Malaga, Alicante (or wherever) to Barcelona for the day before your return journey from Barcelona to London, as a third separate booking, and add to your basket.

First, read the relevant destination section on this page and find a train service that suits you, out & back.  By all means go out one way and back another, or go outward with an overnight stop in Paris, back with an overnight stop in Barcelona, whatever.  Note down each individual train you want to book, on what specific date.  Then go to www.raileurope.com .

Step 1, book your chosen train from Paris to Barcelona, one-way, add to basket.  This is the crucial train so do this first & confirm times.

Step 2, book your chosen train from Barcelona to Paris, one-way, and add to basket.  Confirm times.

Step 3, book the Eurostar from London to Paris & back as a round trip and add to basket.

Eurostar return fares are significantly cheaper than two one ways, so a round trip on Eurostar should always be booked as a return.

Use the suggested Eurostar times on this page as a guide, but by all means book an earlier Eurostar than the one I suggest going out, or a later one coming back, if you'd prefer a more robust connection (as I do), if the fare is cheaper, or if you want to have lunch in Paris (also me!).

Just remember that with this method, it's up to you to make sure there's at least 60 minutes between trains in Paris southbound, 90 minutes northbound (to include the Eurostar check-in), ideally 2 hours.  So engage brain!  Advice on crossing Paris .

Step 4, if you are travelling beyond Barcelona, book a suitable train from Barcelona to Seville, Malaga, Alicante (or wherever), add to basket.  If you're making a same-day connection in Barcelona, look for a train leaving Barcelona at least 1 hour after the TGV from Paris arrives.

Step 5, if you're coming back, book your train from Seville, Malaga, Alicante (or wherever) to Barcelona & add to basket.  If you're making a same-day connection in Barcelona, book a train which arrives in Barcelona at least 1 hour before the TGV to Paris leaves.

Travelling from the UK regions

Raileurope can book journeys starting from any British station, not just London.  It allows about an hour for Eurostar check-in.

However, consider booking from London to Spain first, then buying a separate ticket from your local station to London.  There are 2 reasons to do this:  First, you might want a more robust connection between trains in London, say 2 hours.  Second, Raileurope doesn't sell the special tickets to London International CIV which can sometimes save you money in the weekday morning peak, learn about these here .

Children & infants

Children under 12 qualify for the child rate on Eurostar, the TGV and trains in Spain.

On Eurostar & TGV, infants under 4 travel free, no need to buy them a ticket, just bring them along.  But they don't get their own seat.

Tip:   You can give an infant their own seat on the Paris-Barcelona TGV for €9 with a Billet Bambin .  Add the infant to your booking with their age.

Important:   On Spanish long-distance trains, infants under 4 travel free, but need a ticket.  When booking Spanish domestic trains you should add your infant to the booking to get a €0 infant ticket.  If you forget, ask for one at a Renfe ticket office before boarding, see advice here .

Choose an upper deck seat on a TGV Duplex

An upstairs seat gives the best views on the double-deck TGV Duplex .  www.raileurope.com allows you to choose upper or lower deck when you book.  Seats 11-58 are lower deck, 61-128 are upper deck, see TGV Duplex seating plan, Euroduplex type .

TGV fare expensive?

After booking, you can view & change your Eurostar seats

After you have booked trains between London & Spain using www.raileurope.com , you can go to www.eurostar.com and use the Manage booking feature to view and change your Eurostar seats, see instructions & tips for choosing seats here .

Train seat numbering plans :  Find Eurostar, TGV & Spanish train seat numbering plans here .

When two TGV units run coupled together, the first unit's cars are numbered 1-8, the second unit's cars 11-18, so if your seat is in car 12 you'd look at car 2 on the seating plan.

Or book at Thetrainline.com

You can also book trains from London to Spain at www.thetrainline.com .

Like Raileurope, it connects to the Eurostar, SNCF (French Railways) and Renfe (Spanish Railways) ticketing systems so you can easily book all your tickets in one place, in plain English, in €, £ or $ with overseas credit cards no problem.  Who are Thetrainline.com?

Most of the Raileurope booking tips above also apply to booking on www.thetrainline.com .

However, Raileurope.com has a killer advantage, you can specify a via station with a stopover duration.  This is really useful for a London-Barcelona journey where you want to allow sufficient time in Paris.

When using Thetrainline.com you can specify a via , but not the duration, so I recommend using method 2.

Or book at eurostar.com + sncf-connect.com + renfe.com

Most of the Raileurope booking tips above also apply to booking this way.

Use the Eurostar times on this page as a guide, but by all means choose an earlier Eurostar from London or a later Eurostar back from Paris if these have cheaper seats available or if you'd like to stop off in Paris.

Alternatively, you can stay with www.sncf-connect.com to book the Eurostar, also with no booking fee.  In fact, www.sncf-connect.com can book you from London to Barcelona as one seamless transaction, just make sure that the time between trains in Paris is at least 60 minutes, if it's less than this, or if you want longer than an hour, you'll have to split the booking.

Or use an Interrail pass

Pass or point to point?

Let's be clear, a pass will usually not save money over the cheapest point-to-point advance-purchase fares you might see if you book a few months ahead.  But when point-to-point fares are expensive (for example, at short notice) OR you want flexibility, for example the ability to change your mind, re-route or reschedule as necessary, you can travel from the UK to Spain & back using an Interrail pass.

If flexibility is what you want, buy the pass.  If it's about saving money, you'll have to check point-to-point prices and do the maths.

It's worth doing the maths if you are under 28, if you have kids (kids get a free pass when accompanying an adult but still need to pay reservation fees) or if you live a long way from London (as a pass covers you from your home station to London). Passes are available in 1st & 2nd class.

Be aware that Spain is not the most pass-friendly country because every long-distance train (even some regional ones) requires a reservation at extra cost in addition to the pass, some reservations can be difficult to make outside Spain.  Point-to-point tickets can be easier to book!

How to use a pass for a trip to Spain

Step 1, buy a 4-days in 1-month Interrail pass from www.raileurope.com (click Rail passes and select Europe ) or www.interrail.eu for €283 adult, €212 youth or €255 senior.  You load the pass into the Railplanner app on your phone.  See pass prices on the Interrail page .

A 4-day pass is sufficient to get from almost anywhere in mainland Britain to Barcelona, Valencia or Alicante & back, or from London to almost anywhere in Spain & back, but you might need a longer pass to get from Inverness to Santiago de Compostela!

A 4-day pass gives you unlimited train travel on any 4 dates you choose in an overall 1 month period.  The first travel day can be any date you select in the 11 months after buying it, the 1 month period starts from that date.  Learn about how Interrail passes work here .

Step 2, you need a Eurostar passholder ticket from London to Paris & back, €30 each way.  See prices & how to make Eurostar passholder reservations .  Tip:  Eurostar passholder availability is limited, so check availability before buying a pass .

Step 3, if you're using a Paris-Barcelona TGV you need a passholder reservation, €35 each way, see cost of reservations & how to make them .

By all means go out one way, back another, with Interrail you can use almost any of the trains & routes to/from Spain shown on this page including the overnight trains to Latour de Carol or Cerbère, find out how to reserve each train using the Interrail reservations guide .

Step 4, you need a €10 passholder reservation for each high-speed train you take in Spain, see cost of reservations & how to make them .

Or have your trip arranged as a package

Byway ( Byway.travel ) is a new UK-based eco-holiday firm with a 5-star TrustPilot rating .  If you're nervous about booking train travel yourself, they'll book a London-Spain journey for you as a package, including overnight hotels, starting from any British station you like.

To see pre-configured packages UK to Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Granada or San Sebastian, use the journey planner on their website .

Tip:   First book a one-way outward journey to your destination city on your outward date.  Then change the direction of the arrow and book an inward journey on your return date.  The journey back to the UK can be from a different location if you like, if you plan to travel around a bit between outward & return journeys.

Alternatively they can build a trip to your requirements, email them or use the contact form .  Please say you heard about them from Seat 61.

Byway includes package protection, a 100% Covid refund guarantee, free disruption & re-planning and on-demand WhatsApp support while you're away.

Railbookers are a train travel specialist who can put together a holiday or short break to Spain by train as a package, with trains, hotels & transfers.  Their website offers a range of tours, holidays & breaks which can be customised to your requirements.  As you're booking a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens to one part of the itinerary such as a strike or delay.

Tailor Made Rail also offers packages from the UK to Spain by train which can be customised your own requirements, one-way or round trip, with any stopovers you want.  Indeed, they can organise a trip for you entirely based on your own requirements, they welcome complex itineraries!  As it's a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens on one part of the trip, for example, a national strike.  They're TTA-protected - like ATOL, but not only for agencies that sell air travel.

Call their dedicated seat61 phone line 020 3778 1461 and quote seat 61 when booking.  From outside the UK call +44 20 3778 1461.  Lines open 09:00-17:30 Monday-Friday.  Their website is www.tailormaderail.com/destinations/spain .

Escorted tours:   If you'd prefer to go to Spain on an escorted tour with a convivial group of travellers rather than travelling solo, here are the two UK companies which arrange escorted tours by train from the UK to destinations all over Europe on various dates through the year.  Both companies are part of the same group.

How to buy tickets by phone

What's the journey like .

1. London to Paris by Eurostar

Eurostar trains link London & Paris in 2h20, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More about Eurostar & check-in procedure .  St Pancras station guide .  Paris Gare du Nord station guide .  How to change trains & stations in Paris by metro or taxi .

2. Paris to Barcelona by TGV  See video guide

Video guide:  Barcelona-Paris by TGV

The video takes you on a journey by TGV Duplex from Barcelona to Paris, showing the train & scenery.

Back to top

Option 2, London to Barcelona with overnight stop in N î mes

If you want to avoid having to cross Paris, this is the option for you.  London to Barcelona with one easy same-station change in Lille and another in Nimes.  I think Nîmes makes the best stopover given the timings, but the direct AVE from Nimes to Madrid also calls at Avignon TGV, Montpelier and Perpignan, so you could stop overnight at any of those places instead.

London ► Barcelona

Day 1, travel from London to Lille by Eurostar , leaving London St Pancras at 13:01 & arriving Lille Europe at 15:27.

The Eurostar has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

At Lille Europe it's an easy same-station change, with time for a coffee or beer between trains.

Day 1, travel from Lille to Nimes by TGV , leaving Lille Europe at 17:01 and arriving Nîmes Centre 21:39.

The TGV has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Exact times may vary.

Stay overnight in Nîmes .  The very inexpensive Ibis Budget Nimes Gare is just 50m from the station and gets good reviews.  The Ibis Styles Nimes Gare next door is a more upmarket option, but also inexpensive with good reviews.

Day 2, travel from Nîmes to Barcelona by AVE S100 high-speed train , leaving Nîmes Centre at 09:01, arriving Figueres Vilafant 11:39, Girona 11:56 & Barcelona Sants 12:38.

Barcelona ► London

Day 2, travel from Nîmes to Lille Europe by high-speed TGV with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

On Mondays-Fridays you leave Nimes Pont du Gard at 09:33 and arrive Lille Europe at 14:24.

On Saturdays & Sundays you leave Nimes Centre at 09:27 and arrive Lille Europe at 14:18.

Nimes Centre is the original station in the city centre.  Nimes Pont du Gard is a new out-of-town station several kilometres outside the city, so you'll need a taxi or bus to reach it, or there's a regional train leaving Nîmes' city centre station at 08:50 which connects with the TGV, check times when you book.

At Lille Europe it's an easy same-station change onto Eurostar.

Day 2, travel from Lille to London by Eurostar , leaving Lille Europe at 15:30 arriving London St Pancras at 15:57.

Alternatively, spend a morning in Nimes and leave Nîmes' city centre station at 15:19, change at Lille and arrive London St Pancras 21:57 (21:27 Saturdays).  See the UK to France page for details of Nimes-London train service .

How much does it cost?

London to Lille by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way, £78 return standard class or £97 one-way, £168 return in standard premier (1st class).

Step 1, book London to Nîmes at www.raileurope.com and add it to your basket.

If you're returning, you should book Eurostar as a round trip because with Eurostar a return fare is cheaper than two one-way fares.  With the onward French & Spanish trains it doesn't matter, a return is simply two one-ways.

If you have any problems getting it to offer a journey via Lille, book London to Lille & back, add to basket, book Lille to Nîmes, add to basket, book Nîmes to Lille, add to basket & check out.  It makes no difference to the price and it's separate tickets either side of Lille in any case.

Step 2, still on www.raileurope.com , now book from Nimes to Barcelona, add to basket and check out.

Booking for Eurostar opens 6 months ahead , for TGVs up to 4 months ahead .  You print your own tickets or can show them on your phone.

Alternatively, you can book Eurostar & TGV with no booking fee at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com and book the Spanish AVE at Renfe's website www.renfe.com ( see my advice on using it )

See the advice here .

What's the journey like?

1. London to Lille by Eurostar

Eurostar trains link London & Lille in 1h22, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More about Eurostar & check-in procedure .  St Pancras station guide .  Lille station guide & tips on changing trains .

2. Lille to Nimes by TGV

TGV or Train á Grande Vitesse is French Railways high-speed train, with 1st & 2nd class and a cafe-bar.  They come in various types, some single-deck, some double-deck TGV Duplex, you could get either on cross-France routes from Lille.  Most have power sockets at seats, most now have free WiFi.  The photos below show a single-deck TGV with the Christian Lacroix designer interior.  The direct TGVs from Lille to Lyon by-pass Paris on a high-speed avoiding line via Charles de Gaulle Airport station.  More about TGV .

3. Nimes to Barcelona by AVE

These AVE type S100 have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  They are now run entirely by Renfe (Spanish Railways) with no SNCF (French Railways) involvement.  More about AVE S100 trains .  Barcelona Sants station guide .

Option 3, London to Barcelona overnight via Latour de Carol & the Pyrenees

The scenic route!  The Elipsos sleeper trains from Paris to Barcelona & Madrid were sadly discontinued in December 2013, but it's still possible to leave London in the late afternoon by Eurostar, sleep in a couchette on an overnight train from Paris to the Pyrenees, then take a scenic local train into Barcelona.  It's an interesting alternative to the high-speed option with great scenery through the Pyrenees, watch the video here .  See route map .

The last hour into the Pyrenees is wonderfully scenic, past the castle at Foix (on the right hand side just after the station) and up into the mountains - at Porté-Puymorens (the last station just before Latour) the train reaches the highest point on any normal standard-gauge railway in Europe , 1,562m (5,125 feet) above sea level.  The railway from Toulouse to Foix opened in 1862, but the difficult line beyond Foix through the Pyrenees to Latour de Carol only opened in 1929.

You can also check times at www.renfe.com , but it will not be shown in the main Renfe journey planner, you have to do it like this :  Click the globe symbol top right & select Ingles for English.  Ignore the main journey planner , hover over Cercanias (Commuter) top left and click on Rodalies Catalunya.  Search from La Tor de Querol-Enveig to Barcelona Sants.  Easy when you know.

You can easily check times for the Barcelona Sants to La Tor de Querol train for your date of travel at the special Barcelona suburban trains website rodalies.gencat.cat/en , as this route is classed as a Barcelona suburban train in spite of being very rural.

You can also check times at www.renfe.com , but it will not be shown in the main Renfe journey planner, you have to do it like this :  Click the globe symbol top right & select Ingles for English.  Ignore the main journey planner , hover over Cercanias (Commuter) top left and click on Rodalies Catalunya.  Search from Barcelona Sants to La Tor de Querol-Enveig.  Easy when you know how.

You can book from London to Latour all in one go, but it's better to split the booking like this:  First book from London (or any station in Britain) to Paris and back, add to basket, then book the overnight train from Paris to Latour de Carol one-way and add to basket, then book Latour de Carol to Paris one-way and add to basket, then check out.

This way you can mix & match a 2nd class seat on Eurostar with a 1st class 4-berth couchette on the overnight train, and you can book an earlier Eurostar if it has cheaper seats available or if you'd like more time in Paris.  Southbound when catching a sleeper, I'd allow at least 2h between trains across Paris.  Northbound, I'd allow at least 2h between trains to include the Eurostar check-in.

Southbound, simply get on the train and pay the conductor on board in cash, no reservation is necessary or possible, it cannot sell out. This ticket can't even be bought from the French SNCF-run ticket office at Latour de Carol.  I repeat, simply get on the train and pay on board!  It's a good idea to have cash on you in case their card machine doesn't work, but conductors on this route can now take credit cards.

2. Paris to Latour de Carol by French overnight train

The intercité de nuit overnight train from Paris to Latour de Carol has 1st class couchettes in 4-berth compartments & 2nd class couchettes in 6-berth compartments, each bunk supplied with lightweight sleeping-bag & mineral water.  More about intercités de nuit .  Watch the video guide .  Paris Austerlitz station guide .

This is a simple local train, technically classified suburban ( Cercanias in Spanish, Rodalies in Catalan) even though this is a very rural route.  2nd class only, no catering so have some supplies with you.

Watch the video here - By slow train across the Pyrenees

Option 4, london to barcelona overnight via perpignan/cerbère.

This runs daily in summer, Fridays & Sundays the rest of the year.  It's similar to option 3, but instead of going straight through the Pyrenees using the overnight train from Paris to Latour de Carol, you use the Paris-Perpignan-Cerbère night train and go around the southern end of the Pyrenees.  The sleeper runs along the scenic Côte Vermeille coastline through Collioure & Port-Vendres to Cerbère, you then take a local train from Cerbère to Figueres, Girona & Barcelona.  Or you can get off the sleeper at Perpignan and take a high-speed train to Barcelona, which is faster but more expensive.  The Paris-Cerbère sleeper is a useful alternative to the Paris-Latour de Carol train, as sometimes the Paris-Cerbère train runs when the one to Latour de Carol is affected by engineering work.  However, the Paris-Cerbère sleeper isn't daily all year, it's daily in summer, only on Fridays & Sundays at other times.  See route map .

The cheapest option is to stay on the sleeper to Cerbère and use the slower classic route along the coast.  A local train leaves Cerbère 12:04 on weekdays, arriving Barcelona Sants 15:10.  On Saturdays & Sundays, leave Cerbère 11:46, arriving Barcelona Sants 15:10.

It's best to split the booking like this:  First book from London to Paris & back and add to basket.  Then book the overnight train from Paris to Perpignan or Cerbère & back and add to basket, then check out.

Alternatively, you can book from London to Paris at www.eurostar.com , then book the sleeper train at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com , more work but no booking fee.

2. Paris to Perpignan or Cerbère by French overnight train

The intercité de nuit overnight train from Paris to Perpignan & Cerbère has 1st class couchettes in 4-berth compartments & 2nd class couchettes in 6-berth compartments, each bunk supplied with lightweight sleeping-bag & mineral water.  More about intercités de nuit .  Watch the video guide .  Paris Austerlitz station guide .

This is a simple local train, technically classified suburban ( Cercanias in Spanish, Rodalies in Catalan).  2nd class only, no catering so have some supplies with you.

London to Madrid & Zaragoza

The Elipsos sleeper train from Paris to Madrid was discontinued in 2013 and is sadly missed, but it's still easy to travel from London or Paris to Madrid by train, with an overnight stop in Paris or Barcelona.  If you want to avoid crossing Paris, option 2 takes you London-Lille-Nîmes on day 1, overnight stop, then Nîmes to Madrid by direct high-speed AVE on day 2.  Also worth considering is the northern route in option 3 with an overnight stop in San Sebastian, this can often be cheaper.

For Zaragoza, use either option 1 or 2, simply book from Barcelona or Nîmes to Zaragoza instead of Madrid.

Option 1, London to Madrid via Barcelona

London ► madrid (morning departure, overnight in barcelona), london ► madrid (evening departure, overnight in paris).

The last Eurostar leaves London St Pancras at 20.01 arriving Paris Gare du Nord 23:18, but by all means book an earlier one.

Madrid ► London (in a single day)

Madrid ► london (with overnight stop in paris).

Eurostar trains link London & Paris in 2h20, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in at London St Pancras as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More about Eurostar & check-in procedure .  St Pancras station guide .  Paris Gare du Nord station guide .  How to change trains & stations in Paris by metro or taxi .

2. Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex

Sit back with a glass of red and enjoy the ride - book an upper deck seat for the best views.  The train is equipped with power sockets for laptops & mobiles at all seats in both classes, and a cafe-bar serves drinks, snacks & microwaved hot dishes.  More about Paris-Barcelona TGVs .  Paris Gare de Lyon station guide .  Barcelona Sants station guide .

3. Barcelona to Madrid by AVE

AVEs have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats, and they're now being fitted with free WiFi.  Madrid Atocha station guide .

Option 2, London to Madrid with overnight stop in Nîmes

If you want to avoid having to cross Paris, this is the option for you.  London to Madrid with just one easy same-station change in Lille and another in Nimes.  I reckon Nîmes makes the best stopover given the timings, but the direct AVE from Nimes to Madrid also calls at Avignon TGV, Montpelier and Perpignan, so you could stop overnight at any of those places instead.

London ► Madrid

The Eurostar has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. 

Day 1, travel from Lille to Nimes by TGV , leaving Lille Europe at 17:01 & arriving Nîmes Centre at 21:39.

The TGV has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  This train by-passes Paris to the east.

Stay overnight in Nîmes .  The inexpensive Ibis Budget Nimes Gare is just 50m from the station and gets good reviews.  The Ibis Styles Nimes Gare next door is a more upmarket option, but also inexpensive with good reviews.

Madrid ► London

Nimes Centre is the original station in the city centre.  Nimes Pont du Gard is a new out-of-town station several kilometres outside the city, so you'll need a taxi or bus to reach it, or there's a regional train leaving Nîmes' city centre station at 08:45 which connects with the TGV, check times when you book.

Step 2, still on www.raileurope.com , book from Nimes to Madrid one-way and add to basket.  If returning, now book Madrid to Nimes one-way, add to basket and check out.

Alternatively, you can book Eurostar & TGV with no booking fee at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com and book the Spanish AVE between Nîmes & Madrid using Renfe's website www.renfe.com ( see my advice on using it ).

2. Lille to Nîmes by TGV

3. Nîmes to Madrid by AVE

These AVE type S100 have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  They are now run entirely by Renfe (Spanish Railways) with no SNCF (French Railways) involvement.  More about AVE S100 trains .  Madrid Atocha station guide .

Option 3, London to Madrid with overnight stop in San Sebastian

This is slower than options 1 or 2, but often cheaper.  And what's not to like about a stopover in San Sebastian?

Stay overnight in San Sebastian, a lovely city, well worth a longer stop.  The Pension San Ignacio Centro is just 10 minutes walk from San Sebastian Renfe station and gets great reviews.  If you want somewhere in the old town try the Pension Garibai or Pension Alameda .

Day 2, travel from San Sebastian to Madrid by Alvia train, leaving San Sebastian Renfe station at 09:02 arriving Madrid Chamartin at 13:56.

If you need to be in Madrid earlier, on Mondays-Fridays an Intercity train leaves San Sebastian at 05:02 arriving Madrid Chamartin at 09:57.

If you'd like a day in San Sebastian, there are afternoon trains too, check at www.thetrainline.com , www.raileurope.com or www.renfe.com .

These smart Alvia & Intercity trains have a cafe-bar and power sockets at all seats, a pleasure to travel in.  There's great scenery winding down out of the Pyrenees after leaving San Sebastian.  These trains also have an interesting party trick:  Half way through the journey they pass slowly through a shed, and axles adjust from Iberian gauge (5'6") to standard gauge (4'8½") before joining the modern high-speed line the rest of the way to Madrid.

Day 1, travel from Madrid to San Sebastian by Alvia train, leaving Madrid Chamartin at 17:38 & arriving San Sebastian Renfe station at 22:40.

Alternatively, an earlier Intercity train leaves Madrid Chamartin at 14:46 daily except Saturdays, arriving San Sebastian Renfe station at 19:33.

If you'd like an afternoon in San Sebastian, an Intercity train leaves Madrid Chamartin at 08:43 and arriving San Sebastian at 13:37.

These smart Alvia & Intercity trains have a cafe-bar and power sockets at all seats.  They've an interesting party trick:  After travelling at up to 250km/h on the standard gauge high-speed line from Madrid, they slow right down and pass through a shed where axles adjust from standard gauge (4'8½") to Iberian gauge (5'6").  They then complete the second half of the journey over classic lines, with great scenery winding up into the Pyrenees approaching San Sebastian.

Day 2, transfer from San Sebastian to Hendaye on the French border by Euskotren ( www.euskotren.eus ), leaving San Sebastian Amara station (10 minutes walk from the Renfe station) every 30 minutes all day, journey time 37 minutes, fare around €2.75, buy at the station and hop on the next train.  In Hendaye the Euskotren station is in the station forecourt of the mainline SNCF French Railways station, but obviously make sure you get to Hendaye in plenty of time for your train to Paris.  See the Euskotren photos & information on the Paris to San Sebastian page .

Book from London to Paris at www.eurostar.com with print-at-home tickets and no booking fee.

Book from Paris to Hendaye and (and back, if returning) at www.sncf-connect.com , with print-your-own, show-on-phone or collect-at-station tickets and no booking fee.  Make sure you allow at least 60 minutes to change trains & stations in Paris southbound, 90 minutes northbound as this needs to include the 30-minute Eurostar check-in.

1. London to Paris by Eurostar:   See the Eurostar page

2. Paris to Hendaye by TGV Duplex:   See TGV Duplex Océane information

3. Hendaye to San Sebastian by Euskotren:   See the photos in the San Sebastian section below

4. San Sebastian to Madrid by fast Alvia train:  See the AVE S100 page

These smart Alvia trains have a cafe-bar and power sockets at all seats.  There's great scenery winding down out of the Pyrenees after leaving San Sebastian.  Alvia trains have adjustable axles so they can leave San Sebastian on the classic Iberian-gauge line, then run on the standard-gauge high-speed line at up to 250km/h the rest of the way to Madrid Chamartin .

London to Malaga, Cordoba, Seville

Here are three good options for travel from the UK to Andalusia & the Costa del Sol, with a fourth in summer.  Option 1 is fastest, simplest and usually cheapest, if you don't mind changing trains & stations in Paris.  It's too far to do in a day, so an overnight stop is necessary in Barcelona.  Option 2 takes a little longer, but involves a same-station connection in Lille so avoids having to cross Paris, with an overnight stop in Nimes in the south of France.  Option 3 uses a French couchette train so avoids having to stop overnight in a hotel and involves some nice scenery.  You can of course go out one way and back another.

For Torremolinos, Fuengirola, Marbella & Estepona, travel to Malaga and use local trains as explained here .

Option 1, London to Seville & Malaga with overnight stop in Barcelona

London ► malaga, cordoba, seville, malaga, seville, cordoba ► london.

Both these AVE-S112 trains have Standard & Comfort class, a cafe-bar, power sockets & free WiFi, see the photos & information here .

Or ask Byway to arrange it as a package

Byway ( Byway.travel ) is a new UK-based eco-holiday firm, with a 5-star TrustPilot rating .  If you're nervous about booking train travel yourself, they'll book a trip from the UK to Spain for you as a package, including hotels and starting from any British station you like.  Byway also includes package protection, a 100% Covid refund guarantee, free disruption and re-planning and on-demand WhatsApp support while you're away.

They can build a trip to your requirements if you email them or use this contact form .  Please say you heard about them from Seat 61.

Or ask Railbookers to arrange it as a package

If you need hotels as well, the easy option is to get specialist agency Railbookers to arrange your whole trip as a package, with trains, hotels & transfers sorted in one phone call.  As they are selling you a package they'll look after you if anything happens such as a strike or major delay.  Tell them when and where you want to go and they'll advise you on the best trains, routes & hotels and sort it out for you.  They get positive reviews.

Torremolinos & Fuengirola

Local suburban ( Cercanias ) trains link Malaga's main Maria Zambrano station with Torremolinos (journey time 23 minutes, fare €2.05) and Fuengirola (journey 47 minutes, fare €3.60).  They run every 20 minutes from 05:30 to 22:30.

You won't need to pay for a suburban train ticket if you have a Spanish long-distance train ticket, see the advice here about Renfe's CombinadoCercanias offer .

For further information see www.renfe.com , click the globe and 'Ingles' for English, click 'Commuter trains' then select 'Malaga'.

Marbella & Estepona

Option 1 is to take a frequent suburban train from Malaga to Fuengirola (see above) then a frequent connecting bus to Marbella or Estepona.  You won't need to pay for the suburban train if you have a Spanish long-distance train ticket, learn about Renfe's CombinadoCercanias offer .

Option 2 is to take a direct bus from Malaga to Marbella or Estepona.  Buses to Marbella leave from Malaga bus station (right next door to the railway station) every hour or so, fast buses take 45 minutes, slow buses 75 minutes, fare around €8, see www.avanzabus.com .  Buses also run from Malaga to Estepona, journey time 2 hours, fare around €10, see www.avanzabus.com .

3. Barcelona to Malaga, Cordoba or Seville by AVE

These superb-quality AVE high speed trains are amongst the classiest trains in Europe.  They have three classes, Comfort for Premium ticket holders (true 1st class with real leather seats), Comfort (1st class seating) and Standard (2nd class).  AVE trains run at up to 310 km/h (193 mph) over the new high-speed lines from Barcelona to Malaga & Seville.  Most trains on this route are the S112 type shown below, little articulated single-axle Talgo carriages sandwiched between strange-looking duck-billed power cars, hence the nickname pato , Spanish for duck.  AVEs are now being fitted with free WiFi.

Option 2, London to Seville & Malaga with overnight stop in Nîmes

If you want to avoid having to cross Paris, this is the option for you.  London to Spain with one easy same-station change in Lille and another in Nimes.  I think Nîmes makes the best stopover given the timings, but the direct AVE from Nimes to Madrid also calls at Avignon TGV, Montpelier and Perpignan, so you could stop overnight at any of those places instead.

London ► Cordoba, Seville, Malaga

At Lille Europe it's an easy same-station change, with time for a coffee or a beer between trains.

The TGV has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

Or travel from Malaga or Cordoba to Madrid by AVE high-speed train , leaving Malaga Maria Zambrano 08:58 or Cordoba 10:02 daily except Saturdays arriving Madrid Atocha 12:03.  On Saturdays, leave Malaga Maria Zambrano at 08:05 arriving Madrid Atocha 10:43 or leave Cordoba 09:21 arriving Madrid Atocha 11:16.

Alternatively, you could spend a morning in Nimes and leave Nîmes' city centre station at 15:19 arriving London St Pancras 21:57 (21:27 Saturdays).  See the UK to France page for full details of Nîmes-London train service .

Step 2, still on www.raileurope.com , book from Nimes to Cordoba, Malaga or Seville one-way and add to basket.  If returning, now book Seville, Malaga or Cordoba to Nimes one-way, add to basket and check out.

If you have any problems, book Nimes to Madrid, add to basket, then book Madrid onwards, add to basket, and check out.

3. Nîmes to Madrid by direct AVE

Option 3, London to Cordoba & Seville via sleeper train

The Paris-Barcelona trainhotel was sadly discontinued in 2013, but you can still use a French sleeper train between Paris and the Spanish border, then onward trains.  This can be a useful alternative to using daytime TGV service, which requires an overnight stop along the way.  You can of course go one way by TGV, the other way using a sleeper train, just remember to book the Eurostar as a round trip, because Eurostar return fares are significantly less than two one-ways.

Step 2, travel overnight from Paris to Latour de Carol in the Pyrenees or from Paris to Cerbère on the Spanish border by French sleeper train, leaving Paris Gare d'Austerlitz around 21:40.  Then take a local train from Latour or Cerbère to Barcelona Sants arriving at 13:45.

See the Paris to Barcelona by sleeper train page for full details, train times, tips & photos .

Step 3, travel from Barcelona to Cordoba, Seville or Malaga by AVE-S112 train leaving Barcelona Sants at 15:15 arriving Cordoba 20:32, Seville Santa Justa at 21:25 and Malaga Maria Zambrano at 21:42.

The AVE-S112 has Standard & Comfort class seats, a cafe-bar, power sockets & free WiFi, see the photos & information here .

Seville, Cordoba ► London

Barcelona to Cordoba or Seville starts at around €45.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

Although you can book from London to Latour all in one go, it's better to split the booking like this:  First book from London (or any station in Britain) to Paris and back, add to basket, then book the overnight train from Paris to Latour de Carol one-way and add to basket, then book Latour de Carol to Paris one-way and add to basket.

This way you can mix & match a 2nd class seat on Eurostar with a 1st class 4-berth couchette on the overnight train, and you can book an earlier Eurostar if it has cheaper seats available or if you'd like more time in Paris.  Always allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Paris, when catching a sleeper I'd allow more than this, say 2 hours.

Option 4, London to Seville & Malaga with overnight stop in Paris

This option runs in summer from 6 July to 1 September 2024 , when an additional early-morning Paris-Barcelona TGV allows a same-day connection with the onward afternoon train from Barcelona to Malaga, Cordoba & Seville.  This is a useful option:  An evening departure means you have all day to travel from anywhere in Britain up to London, and/or you have the freedom to book whichever Eurostar departure offers the cheapest tickets.

London ► Seville & Malaga

The AVE has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

Malaga & Seville ► London

London to granada, london ► granada, granada ► london.

If you need hotels booked for you as well, the easy option is to get specialist agency Railbookers to arrange your whole trip as a package, with train bookings, hotels & transfers all sorted in one phone call.  Tell them when and where you want to go and they'll advise you on the best trains, routes & hotels and sort it all out.  They get very positive reviews.

Other routes & options

You can of course use any of the routes & options between London & Barcelona suggested in the London to Barcelona section above , including options using the overnight couchette train between Paris & Latour de Carol or Paris & Perpignan/Cerbère .  Then use onward trains between Barcelona and Granada, booked at www.raileurope.com .

3. Barcelona to Granada by AVE

These superb-quality AVE high speed trains are amongst the classiest trains in Europe.  They have three classes, Comfort class for Premium ticket holders (true 1st class with real leather seats), Comfort (1st class) and Standard (2nd class).  AVE trains run at up to 310 km/h (193 mph) over the new high-speed lines from Barcelona to Malaga & Seville.  Most trains on this route are the S112 type shown below, little articulated single-axle Talgo carriages sandwiched between strange-looking duck-billed power cars, hence the nickname pato , Spanish for duck.  AVEs are now being fitted with free WiFi.

London to Valencia & Alicante

Here are three good options for travel from the UK to Valencia, Alicante, Benidorm and the Costa Blanca.  Option 1 is fastest and simplest, if you don't mind changing trains & stations in Paris.  It's too far to do in a day, so you need to stay overnight in either in Paris or Barcelona.  Option 2 takes only a little longer, but involves a same-station connection in Lille so avoids having to cross Paris, with an overnight stop in Nîmes.  Option 3 uses a French couchette train so avoids having to stop overnight in a hotel and involves some nice scenery.  You can of course go out one way and back another.

Option 1, London to the Costa Blanca by high-speed train

This is the fastest and most comfortable option, by high-speed train with an overnight stop in either Paris or Barcelona.

London ► Valencia, Alicante (morning departure)

London ► valencia, alicante (evening departure), alicante, valencia ► london (morning departure), alicante, valencia ► london (afternoon departure), the benidorm connection.

To reach Benidorm, travel to Alicante by train as shown above.  On arrival at Alicante Terminal station, walk 6 minutes along the Avenida de La Estacion to the Luceros tram station in the Plaza de los Luceros, see walking map .

Trams leave Luceros tram station every 30 minutes or so throughout the day for Benidorm, journey time 1h12, fare €2.80 one-way.

For tram timetables & fares see www.fgvalicante.com .  Alternatively, buses are available to Benidorm from just outside Alicante station. 

Money-saving tip :  The tram to Benidorm is included in the Renfe Combinado Cercanias arrangement explained on the Train Travel in Spain page .  So if you bought your Barcelona-Alicante ticket from Thetrainline.com, Raileurope.com, Petrabax.com or renfe.com, there will be a code printed on it which you can tap into the tram ticket machine at any tram station or on board the tram to get a free ticket on the Alicante-Benidorm tram within 4 hours of arrival in (or departure from) Alicante.  When you arrive at Alicante Luceros tram station you need to tap the code into a tram ticket machine to get a free ticket to exit through the barriers.

See the London to Spain by high-speed train section for fares between London & Barcelona.

Barcelona to Alicante by EuroMed train starts at around €23 in Standard class or €47 in Comfort class.

Barcelona to Valencia by EuroMed starts at around €18 in Standard class or €37 in Comfort class.

Fares vary like air fares, rising as the cheaper tickets are sold, so book early for the best prices.  Children under 4 free.

If you need hotels as well, the easy option is to get specialist agency Railbookers to arrange your whole trip, with trains, hotels & transfers sorted in one phone call.  As they are selling you a package they'll look after you if anything happens such as a strike or major delay.  Tell them when and where you want to go and they'll advise you on the best trains, routes & hotels and sort it all out for you.

Byway ( Byway.travel ) is a new UK-based eco-holiday firm, with a 5-star TrustPilot rating .  If you're nervous about booking train travel yourself, they'll book a trip from the UK to Spain for you as a package, including hotels and starting from any British station you like.  Byway includes package protection, a 100% Covid refund guarantee, free disruption and re-planning and on-demand WhatsApp support while you're away.

3. Barcelona to Valencia & Alicante by EuroMed train

Option 2, London to Valencia & Alicante with overnight stop in Nîmes

This is well worth considering as it runs daily all year and avoids having to cross Paris.  I think Nîmes makes the best stopover point, but you could equally well stop for the night at Montpellier.

London ► Valencia, Alicante

The Eurostar has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  At Lille Europe it's an easy same-station change.

Day 1, travel from Lille to Nimes by TGV , leaving Lille Europe at 17:01 & arriving Nimes at 21:39.

Day 2, travel from Nîmes to Barcelona by AVE S100 high-speed train , leaving Nîmes Centre at 09:01 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 12:38.

Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Valencia or Alicante by EuroMed train , leaving Barcelona Sants at 16:10 & arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 18:57 & Alicante 21:05.  The EuroMed train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

Alicante, Valencia ► London

Day 2, on any day or date:  Travel from Nîmes to Lille Europe by high-speed TGV with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

Step 2, still on www.raileurope.com , now book from Nimes to Valencia or Alicante, add to basket and check out.

If you have any problems, book Nîmes to Barcelona, add to basket, book Barcelona to Valencia or Alicante, add to basket & check out.

Booking for Eurostar opens 6 months ahead , booking for TGVs opens up to 4 months ahead .  Booking for Spanish trains typically opens 60 days ahead , but this varies.  You print your own tickets, Eurostar & TGV tickets can also be shown on your phone.

Alternatively, you can book Eurostar & TGV with no booking fee at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com and book the Spanish trains between Nimes & Barcelona, Barcelona & Alicante using Renfe's website www.renfe.com ( see my advice on using it ).

Eurostar trains link London & Lille in 1h22, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in at London St Pancras as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More about Eurostar & check-in procedure .  St Pancras station guide .  Lille station guide & tips on changing trains .

Option 3, London to Valencia & Alicante via sleeper train

Step 2, travel overnight from Paris to Latour de Carol in the Pyrenees or to Cerbère on the Spanish border by French sleeper train, leaving Paris Gare d'Austerlitz in the evening.  Then take a local train from Latour or Cerbère to Barcelona Sants arriving 13:46.

Step 3, travel from Barcelona to Valencia or Alicante by EuroMed train , leaving Barcelona Sants at 16:10, arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 19:02 & Alicante at 21:34.

Step 1, travel from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona by EuroMed train , leaving Alicante at 06:55 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 09:05 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 12:16.  Have lunch in Barcelona.

Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris overnight, taking a local train at around 14:30 from Barcelona Sants to either Latour de Carol in the Pyrenees or to Cerbère on the French border, then a French sleeper train overnight to Paris Gare d'Austerlitz .

Barcelona to Valencia or Alicante starts at around €23.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

Although you can book from London to Latour or Cerbère all in one go, it's better to split the booking like this:  First book from London (or any station in Britain) to Paris and back, add to basket, then book the overnight train from Paris to Latour de Carol or Cerbère one-way and add to basket, then book Latour de Carol or Cerbère to Paris one-way and add to basket.

London to Cadiz , Algeciras etc.

London ► cadiz, jerez, almeria, murcia, cartagena, ronda, algeciras.

For Algeciras & Ronda :  Travel from Barcelona to Madrid by AVE S-103 high-speed train leaving Barcelona Sants at 11:00 and arriving Madrid Atocha at 13:45, then travel from  Madrid to Algeciras by Intercity train, leaving Madrid Atocha at 15:16 and arriving Ronda at 19:42 & Algeciras at 21:13.

For Murcia :  Travel by direct Intercity train leaving Barcelona Sants at 12:00 arriving at Murcia at 19:42.

For Cartagena :  Travel by direct Intercity train leaving Barcelona Sants at 15:00 arriving Cartagena at 23:49.  Earlier departures are available with a change of train.

For Almeria :  Travel from Barcelona to Almeria leaving Barcelona Sants by AVE S-112 high-speed train at 06:45, change at Granada, arriving Almeria at 17:52.

Algeciras, Ronda, Almeria, Cartagena, Murcia, Cadiz, Jerez ► London

From Algeciras or Ronda :  Travel from Algeciras to Antequera-Santa Ana, leaving Algeciras at 10:30 & Ronda at 12:24 by Media Distancia train, change at Antequera Santa Ana (arrive 13:25, depart 16:44) arriving Barcelona Sants at 22:35.

From Cartagena or Murcia :  Take the direct Intercity train leaving Cartagena at 12:00 or Murcia at 13:07 arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:07.

From Almeria :  Leave Almeria at 07:32 by Intercity train, change at Madrid Atocha onto a high-speed AVE , arriving Barcelona Sants at 17:20.

Or let Railbookers arrange it

If you need hotels as well, the easy option is to get specialist agency Railbookers to arrange your whole trip as a package, with trains, hotels & transfers sorted in one phone call.  As they are selling you a package they'll look after you if anything happens such as a strike or major delay.  Tell them when and where you want to go and they'll advise you on the best trains, routes & hotels.  They get very positive reviews.

You can of course use any of the routes & options between London & Barcelona listed in the London to Barcelona section above , including options using the overnight couchette train between Paris & Latour de Carol or Paris & Perpignan/Cerbère .  Then use any suitable train between Barcelona and your final Spanish destination, booked at www.raileurope.com .

London to San Sebastian

San Sebastian is a popular destination, rightly so as it's a wonderful place.  It can help to know that it's Basque name is Donostia , you'll often see it shown as Donostia not San Sebastian.  If your budget allows, look no further than the wonderful Hotel de Londres y Inglaterra , located right on the seafront.  Paris to Hendaye on the Spanish border takes as little as 4h36 by high-speed TGV , the half-hourly metro train from Hendaye to San Sebastian then takes just 37 minutes.  You can also take a ferry from Portsmouth to Bilbao then a local train to San Sebastian, see the ferry to Spain page .

London ► San Sebastian in a day, 07:01 departure

London ► san sebastian in a day, 08:01 departure on saturdays, london ► san sebastian in a day, 10:24 departure, daily except saturdays, london ► san sebastian evening departure, overnight stop in paris, san sebastian ► london in a day by 09:34 tgv.

The impressive double-deck TGV Duplex Océane has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the TGV photos below .  I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck.  Times may vary so check for your date at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com .  Hendaye is on the French side of the Spanish border.

San Sebastian ► London in a day by 13:06 TGV

The impressive double-deck TGV Duplex Océane has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the TGV photos below .  I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck.  Times vary so check for your date at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com .  Hendaye is on the French side of the Spanish border.

San Sebastian ► London by 18:07 TGV with overnight in Paris

Tip:   I recommend clicking More options , entering Paris and at least 1h15 stopover duration.  This ensures a robust connection in  Paris.

Tip:   After booking you can use the Manage booking facility at www.eurostar.com to choose an exact seat from a seating plan, see tips on choosing a seat on Eurostar .

You can also book using the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com , only in €, more fiddly then www.raileurope.com , but no booking fee.

Eurostar trains link London & Paris in 2h20, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in at London St Pancras as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More about Eurostar & check-in procedure .  St Pancras station guide .  Paris Gare du Nord station guide .  How to cross Paris by metro or taxi .

2. Paris to Hendaye by TGV

3. Hendaye to San Sebastian by Euskotren

London to Pamplona & Bilbao

This is a fast and comfortable option, with all-daytime travel by Eurostar & TGV high-speed train and an overnight stop in wonderful San Sebastian on the Basque coast.  The times below show the new faster TGV service from Paris to the Spanish border starting on 2 July 2017, made possible by the new Tour-Bordeaux high-speed line.

London ► Pamplona, Bilbao

Stay overnight in San Sebastian, a lovely city, worth a longer stop.  The Pension San Ignacio Centro is just 10 minutes walk from San Sebastian Renfe station and gets great reviews.  If you want somewhere in the old town try the Pension Garibai or Pension Alameda .

Alternatively, there are buses from San Sebastian to Bilbao run by www.alsa.es .  The buses run every hour or two, journey time 1h30, fare €8 one way, €16 return.

Pamplona, Bilbao ► London

Travel from Pamplona to San Sebastian by smart modern air-conditioned Alvia train, leaving Pamplona at 19:30 and arriving San Sebastian-Donostia Renfe station at 21:16.

Hop on one of the hourly narrow gauge trains run by Euskotren from Bilbao Matiko station to San Sebastian Amara station, journey time 2 hours 35 minutes, fare €6.50, buy a ticket at the station and hop on the next train.

Stay overnight in San Sebastian - a lovely city, worth a longer stop.  The Pension San Ignacio Centro is just 10 minutes walk from San Sebastian Renfe station and gets great reviews.  If you want somewhere in the old town try the Pension Garibai or Pension Alameda .

The impressive double-deck TGV Duplex Océane has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the TGV photos above .  I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck.  Times vary so check for your date at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com .  Hendaye is on the French side of the Spanish border.

Anyone can use www.raileurope.com , in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, you usually print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.  It'll sell tickets to Hendaye from any station in Britain, not just London.  There's a small booking fee.

Booking for Eurostar opens 6 months ahead , booking for TGVs opens up to 4 months ahead .  Booking for Spanish trains typically opens 60 days ahead , but this varies.

Book from London to Paris at www.eurostar.com with print-at-home or show-on-phone tickets.

Book from Paris to Hendaye at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com .  Make sure you allow at least 60 minutes to change trains & stations in Paris southbound, 90 minutes northbound (as northbound you have to include the 30 minute Eurostar check-in)

London to Segovia, Toledo, Avila & Salamanca

London to santiago de compostela, vigo & a coruña.

Option 1 is to go via San Sebastian, a lovely city for a stopover and it's the quickest and usually cheapest route.  However, if you'd like a simpler journey with fewer changes, option 2 is to go via Barcelona.  Why not go out one way and back another?  Apart from the London-Paris Eurostar (which should always be booked as a round trip as return fares are significantly cheaper than two one-ways), all these trains are one-way ticketed, so there is no cost penalty in going out one way and back the other.

Option 1, London to Galicia via San Sebastian

This is a comfortable all-daytime journey through interesting scenery with an overnight stop in a hotel in lovely San Sebastian. 

London ► Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Vigo

Day 2, travel from San Sebastian to Madrid by air-conditioned Alvia train, leaving San Sebastian (Renfe station) at 09:02 arriving Madrid Chamartin at 13:56.

The high-speed Alvia trains have a cafe-bar and standard & comfort class seats.  It's a lovely run down out of the Pyrenees onto the plains.  For the first part of the journey the train uses classic lines, then it passes slowly through a shed and automatically changes track gauge from Spanish 5'6" broad gauge to standard gauge 4' 8½".  It then joins the high-speed line for a final dash at up to 250 km/h (155 mph) to Madrid.

Day 2, travel from Madrid to Galicia by air-conditioned Alvia train.

An Alvia train leaves Madrid Chamartin at 16:00 and arrives Vigo Urzaiz at 20:12.

Another leaves Madrid Chamartin at 17:45 & arrives Santiago de Compostela at 21:28 & A Coruna at 21:59.

The high-speed Alvia trains have a cafe-bar and standard & comfort class seats.

Vigo, A Coruña, Santiago de Compostela ► London

The impressive double-deck TGV Duplex Océane has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the TGV photos below .  Times vary so check for your date at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com .  I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck.  Hendaye is on the French side of the Spanish border.

How to buy tickets, advanced

Step 1, book from London to Paris at www.eurostar.com .

Step 2, book from Paris to Hendaye and (and back, if returning) at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com .  Make sure you allow at least 60 minutes to change trains & stations in Paris southbound, 90 minutes northbound as this needs to include the 30-minute Eurostar check-in.  Ideally more.

2. Paris to Hendaye by TGV Duplex Océane

3. Hendaye to San Sebastian by Euskotren:   See the photos in the San Sebastian section above

4. San Sebastian to Santiago de Compostela, Coruna, Vigo .  If you get any more photos of these trains or the journey, please let me know!

Option 2, London to Galicia via Barcelona

This takes a couple of hours longer overall compared to option 1 and usually costs a few euros more, but it's a simpler journey using a direct train from Paris to Barcelona and a direct train from Barcelona to Galicia, with no need to walk across San Sebastian!

Day 1, travel from Galicia to Barcelona by high-speed air-conditioned Alvia-S130 train .

Step 2, book from Paris to Barcelona at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com .  Make sure you allow at least 60 minutes to change trains & stations in Paris southbound, 90 minutes northbound as this needs to include the 30-minute Eurostar check-in.  Ideally more.

London to Ibiza

It's easy to travel from London to Ibiza by train & ferry, no airports, no flights.  You take a Eurostar to Paris, a high-speed double-deck TGV to Barcelona, then sail overnight on a comfortable ferry from Barcelona to Ibiza.  Here, I explain how.

London ► Ibiza

The last Eurostar usually leaves London St Pancras at 20.01 arriving Paris Gare du Nord 23:18, but by all means book an earlier one.

Day 2, sail from Barcelona to Ibiza by overnight ferry.

There are two ferry companies, both with lounges, bar, restaurant, reclining seats & cosy private cabins with shower & toilet:

Trasmed operate an overnight ferry to Ibiza on most nights of the week, times vary but it typically sails at 22:00, arriving in Ibiza town (Ibiza Ciudad) at 07:00.  Check sailing dates & times at the Direct Ferries website (in English) or www.trasmed.com (only in Spanish or Catalan).

Balearia also operate an overnight ferry to Ibiza on most nights of the week, sailing times vary but it typically sails at 22:00, arriving in Ibiza town (Ibiza Ciudad) at 06:00.  Check sailing dates & times at the Direct Ferries website or www.balearia.com .

Ibiza ► London

Day 1, sail from Ibiza to Barcelona by ferry.

In this direction sailings are usually daytime ones.  There are two ferry companies, both with lounges, bar, restaurant, reclining seats & cosy private cabins with shower & toilet:

Trasmed operate a ferry from Ibiza to Barcelona on most days of the week, sailing times vary but it typically sails from Ibiza town (Ibiza Ciudad) around 11:00, arriving in Barcelona at 19:30.  It occasionally sails overnight.  Check sailing dates and times at the Direct Ferries website or www.trasmed.com .

Barcelona to Ibiza by ferry starts at €32.20 in a seat with Trasmed or €26.50 with Balearia. 

Step 1, book the ferry from Barcelona to Ibiza using the Direct Ferries website .  This can book tickets for both ferry operators.

Byway ( Byway.travel ) is a UK-based eco-holiday firm with a 5-star TrustPilot rating .  If you're nervous about booking yourself, they'll book a trip from the UK to Ibiza for you as a package, including hotels and starting from any British station you like.  Byway also includes package protection, a 100% Covid refund guarantee, free disruption and re-planning and on-demand WhatsApp support while you're away.

The ferry to Ibiza...

Balearia ferry in Ibiza harbour.  Courtesy of Discoverbyrail.com .

Useful alternatives

London to mallorca & minorca.

It's easy to travel from London to Mallorca or Menorca without flying.  You take a Eurostar to Paris & TGV to Barcelona, then take the daily overnight ferry from Barcelona to Palma de Mallorca.  Alternatively, there's an even easier route from the UK to Menorca & Alcudia on Mallorca using an overnight ferry from Toulon in the south of France which runs several times a week in summer.

The larger island is Mallorca in Spanish, but often written Majorca in English.  Similarly the smaller island is Menorca in Spanish, often written Minorca in English.

Option 1, via Barcelona

London ► palma de mallorca.

Day 2, sail from Barcelona to Palma de Mallorca by overnight ferry.

Trasmed operate an overnight ferry to Palma on most nights of the week, times vary but it typically sails at 22:45, arriving in Palma at 06:00.  Check sailing dates & times at the Direct Ferries website (in English) or www.trasmed.com (only in Spanish or Catalan).

Balearia also operate an overnight ferry to Palma on most nights of the week, sailing times vary but it typically sails at 22:15, arriving in Palma at 05:30.  Check sailing dates & times at the Direct Ferries website or www.balearia.com .

Or stay overnight in Barcelona & take a daytime fast ferry to Alcudia.

On many days in summer Balearia operate a daytime fast ferry (SeaCat) from Barcelona to Alcudia on the northeast corner of Mallorca near Pollensa, calling at Menorca on the way.  This leaves from directly alongside the Balearia terminal in central Barcelona around 16:30, arriving Menorca at 20:00 & Alcudia on Mallorca at 22:00.

See www.balearia.com or use the Direct Ferries website to check whether it is running on your dates of travel.  There will be plenty of taxis waiting at Alcudia ferry terminal, it's a 10 minute taxi ride to Pollensa.

Palma de Mallorca ► London

Day 1, sail from Palma de Mallorca to Barcelona by ferry.

In this direction sailings are usually daytime.  There are two ferry companies, both with lounges, bar, restaurant, reclining seats & cosy private cabins with shower & toilet.

Trasmed operate a ferry from Palma de Mallorca to Barcelona on most days of the week, sailing times vary but it typically sails from Palma around 11:30, arriving in Barcelona at 19:00.  It occasionally sails overnight.  Check sailing dates and times at the Direct Ferries website or www.trasmed.com .

Or take a daytime fast ferry from Alcudia to Barcelona.

Alternatively, on many days in summer Balearia operate a fast ferry (SeaCat) from Alcudia to Barcelona, calling at Menorca on the way.  It typically leaves Alcudia at 08:30 and Menorca at 10:30, arriving Barcelona at 14:30, but times vary.  See www.balearia.com or use the Direct Ferries website to check sailing dates & times.  Alcudia is just 10 minutes by taxi from Pollensa.

Barcelona to Palma de Mallorca by ferry starts at €40 in a seat with Trasmed or €24.50 with Balearia. 

Step 1, book the ferry from Barcelona to Palma de Mallorca using the Direct Ferries website .  This can book tickets for both ferry operators.

Trains on Mallorca:   There are two train lines on Majorca, from Palma to Inca & Soller, see www.tib.org & (for Soller) trendesoller.com .

Hotels on Mallorca:   There are of course many hotels and resorts on Mallorca, but I can recommend the Pollentia Club Resort near Pollensa.

Byway ( Byway.travel ) is a UK-based eco-holiday firm with a 5-star TrustPilot rating .  If you're nervous about booking yourself, they'll book a trip from the UK to Palma de Mallorca for you as a package, including hotels and starting from any British station you like.  Byway also includes package protection, a 100% Covid refund guarantee, free disruption and re-planning and on-demand WhatsApp support while you're away.

Barcelona ferry terminal

This shows the summer fast ferry from Barcelona to Alcudia, near Pollensa on Mallorca

Blue arrow = Balearia ferry terminal, white arrow = Trasmed terminal.  Above right, the Balearia terminal.  See map of Barcelona showing ferry terminals

Ferry to Palma

Grimaldi Trasmed's ferry Ciudad de Barcelona , at Barcelona port.  Photo courtesy of Luke Sibieta.

Balearia ferry.  Photo courtesy of Luke Sibieta.

Fast ferry to Alcudia

Balearia's fast ferry from Barcelona to Alcudia.  That's the Columbus Monument at the foot of La Rambla in the background - it's that central!

Sailing out of Barcelona

No easyJet, no Ryanair.   We left London in the morning and spent the following day exploring Barcelona.  Now on board the late afternoon fast ferry to Alcudia on Mallorca, the sun sets as we speed across the Med.  We spotted some dolphins earlier.

Option 2, via Toulon

This is in many ways the most convenient option if you're travelling between April & October, using a comfortable overnight ferry which sails several times a week from Toulon in the south of France.  Some sailings go to both Menorca and Alcudia (on Mallorca, near Pollensa), some just go to Alcudia.

London ► Menorca, Mallorca

The TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

This comfortable overnight ferry has a lounge, bar, restaurant and private cabins with en suite toilet & shower.

Mallorca, Menorca ► London

Do not risk any tight connections with the ferry, in case of delay.  I have deliberately allowed plenty of time here.

Day 3, travel from Paris to London to Paris by any morning Eurostar you like.

The first Eurostar usually leaves Paris Gare du Nord at 07.12 arriving London St Pancras 08:30, but by all means book a later one.

Step 2, book the Eurostar and the Paris-Toulon TGV at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com .

The ferry from Toulon to Mallorca

The Mega Express Two (on the right) is one of the ferries used from Toulon to Mallorca & Menorca.  Photographed in Nice.

London to the Canary islands

From the UK to Lanzarote, Las Palmas & Tenerife without flying?  It's perfectly possible!  Two ferry companies now link Spain with the Canary islands, Trasmediterranea and Naviera Armas.  Here's how to travel from the UK to the Canary Islands without flying:

Option 1, via Huelva with Naviera Armas

www.navieraarmas.com started a weekly ferry from Huelva in Spain to Tenerife and Gran Canaria in 2011. It's reportedly higher quality than the Trasmediterranea ferry, but feedback is welcome!

London  ► Canaries

Day 1, Thursday:  Travel from London to Seville with an overnight stop in Barcelona. as shown in the London to Seville section .

Day 2, Friday:  You arrive in Seville in the afternoon.  Take any suitable local train from Seville Santa Justa to Huelva.  Stay overnight in Huelva.

Day 3, Saturday:  Huelva ferry terminal is some 17km from Huelva town, so take a taxi and allow time for check-in.

 The Naviera Armas ferry sails from Huelva weekly, usually at 13:00 every Saturday, arriving at Gran Canaria at 17:00 and 22:00 at Tenerife on the Sunday.  Check times, sailing dates & fares at www.navieraarmas.com .

In 2024, Naviera Armas plan to switch ports and will sail from Cadiz instead of Huelva, check their website.

Canaries  ► London

Day 1, Thursday:  The ferry sails every Thursday from Gran Canaria at 08:00 or Tenerife at 12:00 arriving Huelva at 18:00 on Friday (day 2). 

In 2024, Naviera Armas plan to switch ports and will arrive in Cadiz instead of Huelva, check their website.

Day 2, after arriving early evening, take a taxi from Huelva port into town and spend the night in Huelva.

Day 3, Saturday:  Take any suitable morning local train from Huelva to Seville Santa Justa.  Then take the afternoon AVE from Seville to Barcelona, stay overnight in Barcelona and catch a TGV & Eurostar back to London on Sunday, as shown above in the Seville to London section .

Fares & how to buy tickets

Buy tickets from London to Seville as shown above .  Add a Seville to Huelva ticket at www.raileurope.com .

Check ferry fares, sailing dates and book the ferry tickets online at www.navieraarmas.com .  Fares start at €80 each way with a reclining seat, or €200 each way per person for two passengers travelling together sharing a 2-bed cabin.

Option 2, via Cadiz with Trasmediterranea

A weekly Trasmediterranea Line cruise ferry links Cadiz in mainland Spain with Arrecife (Lanzarote), Las Palmas and Tenerife in the Canary Islands, a 2-night voyage.  The whole journey from London to Tenerife will take 3 or 4 nights.

Day 1, travel from London to Cadiz with an overnight stop in Barcelona, as shown in the London to Cadiz section above .  You arrive in Cadiz on day 2.  You need to leave London on Sunday morning if your ferry sails from Cadiz on Tuesday, or on Thursday morning if it sails on Saturday.

Day 3, the ferry to the Canaries sails from Cadiz weekly, usually on a Tuesday or Saturday evening, taking 2 days 1 night or 2 nights 1 day, depending on the sailing.  Check times, sailing dates & fares at either the Direct Ferries website or www.trasmediterranea.es .

Option 3, via Huelva with Fred Olsen

Fred Olsen Ferries sails twice a week all year round from Huelva in southern Spain to Tenerife & Gran Canaria.  It's a joint service with Balearia Ferries, which started in 2018.  The service uses a comfortable modern ship.

Day 1, travel from London to Barcelona as shown above , possible in a day when the afternoon TGV operates.  Stay overnight in Barcelona.

Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Huelva with a change in Madrid, check times and buy a ticket at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com .  Stay overnight in Huelva.

Day 3, Huelva ferry terminal is some 17 km from Huelva town, so take a taxi and allow time for check-in.

Sail from Huelva in the afternoon for Tenerife or Gran Canaria, arriving the following evening (day 4).  Check ferry sailing dates and times at the Direct Ferries website or www.fredolsen.es .  One-way fares range from €110 in a seat to €330 with private cabin, meals included.

Buy your London to Cadiz train tickets online or by phone as explained above .  Using www.raileurope.com you'd book London to Barcelona on day 1, add to basket, then Barcelona to Cadiz on day 2, and check out.

Book the ferry tickets using the Direct Ferries website or at www.trasmediterranea.es , or by phone with Trasmediterranea's UK agent, Southern Ferries on 0844 815 7785.  It's not cheap!  £550 return for two people travelling in a 2-berth cabin, £720 in a single-berth cabin.  Check fares with Southern Ferries on  0844 815 7785

UK to Spain by ferry

Cruise to spain with www.brittany-ferries.co.uk, holidays to spain by train, railbookers, railbookers.co.uk.

Railbookers can custom-make a flight-free holiday or city break to Spain for you, with train travel, transfers & hotels, leaving on any date you like.  For example, they can do a 2-night short break to Barcelona or an 8-night trip to Madrid, Valencia & Barcelona with standard class Eurostar and first class on the TGV to Barcelona.  If you tell them what you want, they'll advise you on the best trains, routes & hotels and sort it all out for you.  They get a lot of repeat business!

Byway, byway.travel

Byway ( Byway.travel ) is a new UK-based eco-holiday firm with a 5-star TrustPilot rating .  If you're nervous about booking train travel yourself, they'll book a holiday to Spain for you as a package, including train travel from the UK and hotels, starting from any British station you like.

They can build a trip to your requirements, email them or use the contact form .  Please say you heard about them from Seat 61.

Great Rail Journeys, greatrail.com

Rail discoveries raildiscoveries.com.

Rail Discoveries offers train-based escorted tours to Spain, with 3* hotels and travel from London by Eurostar and high-speed TGV.  Check details & prices online at www.raildiscoveries.com , then book online or call 01904 730 727.

European Rail Timetable & maps

Rail Map Europe is the map I recommend, covering all of Europe from Portugal in the west to Moscow & Istanbul in the east, Finland in the north to Sicily & Athens in the south.  Scenic routes & high-speed lines are highlighted.  See an extract from the map .  Buy online at www.europeanrailtimetable.eu (shipping worldwide) or at www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses).

Click the images to buy online at Amazon.co.uk

Alternatively, download just the chapters or areas you need in .PDF format from the Lonely Planet Website , from around £2.99 or US$4.95 a chapter.

Hotels & accommodation

Hotels close to barcelona sants station.

If you're just staying overnight between trains, here are some good hotels near Barcelona Sants with good or great reviews:

Hotel Barcelo Sants , 4-star, situated directly above Barcelona Sants station itself, great reviews, recommended.

AC Hotel Sants by Marriott , 4-star, just 50m from the station.

Hotel Catalonia Roma , 3-star.

Hostal Baler , 2-star.

Hotel Transit , 1-star.

On a tight budget, a bed in a dorm at the highly-rated Ten-To-Go Hostel or Meeting Point Hostel both a stone's throw from Barcelona Sants starts at just €20 or so.

Hotels in Barcelona for a longer stay

If you're staying longer, find a hotel in the old quarter, perhaps on La Rambla itself.  Here are some hotels with good or great reviews:

Hotel DO Plaça Reial (5-star, fabulous, around £200+).

Hotel Espana (4-star, around £190, one of Barcelona's most historic & well-known hotels in a quiet location just off La Rambla).

Hotel MonteCarlo (4-star), Hotel Jazz (3-star with roof-top pool, from around £160 per night).

Hotel Catalonia Portal de l'Angel (3-star with outdoor swimming pool, Gothic quarter, around £130 for a double).

Hotel Curious (2-star, 50m from Las Ramblas, from around £90 for a double).

Hotels close to Paris Gare de Lyon

If you need to stop overnight in Paris on your way to or from Spain, these hotels near the Gare de Lyon get good reviews: 

Mercure Paris Gare de Lyon (on the station forecourt itself next to the station's famous clock tower, 4-star);

Citizen M Hotel (just along the road from the station, 4-star, great reviews);

Hotel Terminus Lyon (right in front of the station, 3-star);

Novotel Paris Gare de Lyon (opposite the station, 4-star);

Mistral Hotel (800m from Gare de Lyon, 1-star);

Hotel 26 Faubourg (5 min walk from Gare de Lyon, 2-star);  More Paris hotels .

Entrance to the Mercure Hotel at the Gare De Lyon , right next to the station's famous clock tower.  Handy for early trains!

AirBnB:  www.airbnb.com

www.airbnb.com began in 2008 when two designers who had space to share hosted three travellers looking for a place to stay.  AirBnB is a platform which connects hosts with guests, so you can now book a room in people's homes, or an apartment, flat or house which people want to rent out.  It can be nicer than a hostel, cheaper than many hotels.

Backpacker hostels: www.hostelworld.com

www.hostelworld.com :  If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels.  Hostelworld offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in Paris and most other European cities at rock-bottom prices.

Environmentally aware, actively ethical adventures in Spain:  www.wildsideholidays.com .

For environmentally-aware guesthouses offering walking, hiking, riding or nature-watching in the Spanish countryside and national parks, try www.wildsideholidays.com , a new site listing independent, environmentally-aware properties across Spain.  It was started by British ex-pats Clive Muir and Sue Eatock, when they found nowhere to advertise their own wonderful property deep in the heart of the Sierra de Grazelema near Ronda in Southern Spain.

Car hire comparison:  www.carrentals.co.uk

The award-winning website www.carrentals.co.uk compares many different car hire companies including Holiday Autos, meaning not only a cheapest price comparison but a wider choice of hire and drop off location.

Travel insurance & other tips

Always take out travel insurance.

You should take out travel insurance with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover from a reliable insurer.  It should cover trip cancellation and loss of cash & belongings up to a reasonable limit.  These days, check you're covered for covid-19-related issues, and use an insurer whose cover isn't invalidated by well-meant but excessive Foreign Office travel advice against non-essential travel. An annual policy is usually cheapest even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself.  Don't expect travel insurance to bail you out of every missed connection, see the advice on missed connections here .  Here are some suggested insurers, I get a little commission if you buy through these links, feedback always welcome.

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a European mobile data package and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list .  There's no need to buy a physical SIM card!  Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data .

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate then add a foreign transaction fee on top.  A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month as I write this.  The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.  And you can get a Curve card for free.

How it works:   1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android .  2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses.  3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card.  4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app.  You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader.  The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than getting a card out).  I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card , they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  Why you need a VPN

When travelling you may use free public WiFi which is often insecure.  A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi.  It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply.  See VPNs & why you need one explained .  ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using this link you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription.  I also get some commission to help support this site.

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, hotel bookings and Interrail or Eurail passes are often now held on your mobile phone.  You daren't let it run out of power, and you can't always rely on the phone's internal battery or on being near a power outlet.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or Buy from Amazon.com .

Touring cities?  Use hill walking shoes!

One of the best things I've done is swap my normal shoes for hill-walking shoes, in my case from Scarpa.  They're intended for hiking across the Pennines not wandering around Florence, but the support and cushioning for hiking works equally well when you're on your feet all day exploring foreign cities.  My feet used to give out first and limit my day, now the rest of me gives up before they do!

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Driving to Spain from UK: Best Routes & Driving Tips

This post may contain affiliate links, from which we earn an income.

The Best Routes to Spain from the United Kingdom

Are you desperate for some Spanish sun but don’t want to fly? With great routes across Europe, it’s easy to drive to Spain from UK by car, arriving refreshed and unstressed from the comfort of your own vehicle.

As Brits travelling in Europe, we’ve driven to Spain numerous times; in a car, motorhome and on a motorbike. We’re sharing the best routes with costs and comparisons plus tips about driving once you’re there. Our Spain from UK guide will help you decide which is the best route for your driving trip to Spain, so you can get there relaxed and ready to go!

Summary of the best routes to Spain from UK

• The quickest route is Calais – Rouen – Le Mans – Tours – Bordeaux – Irun
• The most scenic route is Calais – Paris – Orleans – Clermont-Ferrand – Millau – Beziers – Perpignan – Barcelona
• The cheapest route is Calais – Rouen – Chartres – Poitiers – Angouleme – Bordeaux – Irun . Don’t forget to set your sat nav to avoid tolls .
• The alternative route is Calais – Rouen – Le Mans – Tours – Bordeaux – Somport Tunnel – Zaragoza
• The ferry route is Portsmouth – Santander Book it here!

Crossing the Channel

Eurotunnel le shuttle.

The fastest channel crossing route is using the  Eurotunnel Le Shuttle  from Folkstone to Calais. The crossing under the channel takes 35 minutes, and with a slick check-in and loading/unloading process, you can be in France proper in an hour.

This crossing is ideal if you are driving to Spain from UK with a dog or just want to get to the other side as quickly as possible. 

Dover to Calais

The quickest way by ferry is undoubtedly the Dover-Calais route, on which both P&O and DFDS operate up to 40 crossings between them a day in July and August. Taking just an hour and a half, you’ll have time on board for a meal or drink and perhaps a quick snooze.

Getting on and off can take a while though, as they have to piece all the vehicles together like a jigsaw puzzle.  Not as quick as the shuttle, but very possibly a bit cheaper, especially if you can be flexible with crossing times.

Portsmouth to Caen / Cherbourg

More expensive and quite a bit longer than the Dover-Calais route, the Brittany Ferries crossings from Portsmouth may prove to be cost-effective in fuel and toll costs if you don’t live in the southeast of England.

The Caen route operates three crossings a day, one of them overnight, meaning you’ll arrive in France refreshed (but will have to book a cabin or reclining seat) and ready for a full day’s driving.

The Cherbourg route crosses at least 12 times a week and uses a fast catamaran service, taking just three hours port to port.  

Other Popular Crossings

There are a handful of other routes out of Newhaven, Folkestone and Poole which are also worth exploring. You could also consider sailing to Le Havre or St Malo from Portsmouth or Dunkirk from Dover.

The key here is to be flexible with dates and times to get the best deals…this is where you may just find a bargain.

England to Spain

One of the simplest ways of getting to Spain is to miss France altogether and get a ferry crossing to Spain from UK, sailing from Portsmouth or Plymouth to Santander or Bilbao in northern Spain.

The catch is that the UK to Spain ferry crossings take a long 33 hours and you’ll need to spend a night (or two in winter) onboard. The boat gets booked up quickly and can be expensive, even taking into account the costs of tolls and fuel prices in France.

The long journey is also notoriously rough in the winter months, so you may want to find ways of avoiding seasickness if you choose this route!

However, if you don’t enjoy driving in Europe , have a pet with you or just want to take things a little more slowly, then taking a boat from UK to Spain may well be the best option.

Is this your first time visiting France and Spain? Get all the information you need in our France Travel Guide and Spain Travel Guide including what to pack, the best time of year to go, getting there and practical tips to help you have the best trip!

The Best Routes Through France to Spain

Uk to spain driving routes map.

The Quickest Route

All routes assume travel from Calais to Spain in a 2.5l diesel car. Costs updated November 2023. Find your car’s toll costs and fuel consumption  here .

Calais – Rouen – Le Mans – Tours – Bordeaux – Irun

• Distance: 1059km
• Driving Time: 10 hours 40 minutes
• Toll Costs: €94
• Fuel Costs: €113

Whether you cross into Calais, Caen or Cherbourg, the quickest road to Spain is down the western side of the country via the A28 and A10. You’ll miss the major high ground in the middle of France and be able to travel on autoroutes pretty much all the way.  

From Calais, head for Rouen, then Le Mans, Tour, Bordeaux and down to the border at Irun. For those arriving in Caen or Cherbourg, head for Le Mans and pick up the remainder of the route there.  

You could barrel all the way down to the Spanish border in a day if you were sharing the driving, but we would suggest an overnight stay in Tours if coming from Calais before a second stop in San Sebastian in Spain. If coming from Caen or Cherbourg, Bordeaux makes a perfect stopover. If coming from Caen or Cherbourg, Bordeaux makes a perfect stopover.

Be aware that if you take the route shown on our Google Map, you will need a Crit’ Air sticker, as the whole of Rouen is covered by a low-emission zone. There are also several low underpasses on the route which will decapitate a motorhome or car with bikes on the roof. You can avoid these by taking the street-level side road next to them, just be aware!

RELATED POST: 19 Helpful Long Distance Driving Tips

Make sure you have travel insurance you can trust when visiting France and Spain . We recommend True Traveller for their 5-star TrustPilot reviews, variety of cover options, best activities cover as standard, great prices, and excellent service.

The Most Scenic Route

Calais – paris – orleans – clermont-ferrand – millau – beziers – perpignan – barcelona.

• Distance: 1321km
• Driving Time: 12 hours 40 minutes
• Toll Costs: €91
• Fuel Costs: €142

Driving from UK to Spain by car doesn’t have to be boring. This great route will take you through some of France’s most spectacular scenery and across the Massif Central via the A71 and A75 roads.

From all the ports, head for the Paris ring road and follow your sat nav judiciously…you really don’t want to end up in inner-city Paris! Perhaps stop off, find a good hotel and take in one of the most beautiful cities in the world before heading south.

Next up is Orleans on the banks of the Loire River and home to Joan of Arc. From here, head south Clermond-Ferrand, surrounded by dramatic extinct volcanoes and authentic French countryside villages, perfect for a few days hiking before you hit the road again.

Make for Millau and cross the highest road bridge in the world en route, the incredible Millau Viaduct. 

Your next stop is Beziers, home to the Canal Du Midi and its’ famous nine locks. This often-overlooked city makes a great pit stop.

Finally, you’ll reach pretty Perpignan where you can enjoy the last of France before crossing the border into the north of Spain and driving to  Barcelona, the perfect city in which to stop for a day. 

You will be able to find great hotels in all these destinations, allowing you to enjoy a slower pace and see some  off-the-beaten-track France . 

Perhaps take the scenic route to Spain and take the fast route for the return journey, when you’ll be looking forward to getting home.

The Cheapest Route

Calais – rouen – chartres – poitiers – angouleme – bordeaux – irun.

• Distance: 1060km
• Driving Time: 15 hours 10 minutes
• Toll Costs: €0
• Fuel Costs: €122

Driving to Spain from UK avoiding tolls is very possible. You will still travel down the western side of the country, with the route relying heavily on the A28, N10 and A63 toll free roads. Make sure to set your sat nav to avoid tolls .

Although this is a good route for those travelling on a budget, not all stretches are dual carriageways and you risk slow-moving vehicles, and traffic jams, especially on the approach to larger cities. This choice of route is likely to take longer than the stated 15 hours.

Be aware that if you take the route shown on our Google Map, you will need a Crit’ Air sticker , as the whole of Rouen is covered by a low-emission zone. There are also several low underpasses on the route which will decapitate a motorhome or car with bikes on the roof. You can avoid these by taking the street-level side road next to them, just be aware!

RELATED POST: Road Trip on a Budget: 36 Tips to Save Money in Europe

The Alternative Route

Calais – Rouen – Le Mans – Tours – Bordeaux – Somport Tunnel – Zaragoza

• Distance: 1261km
• Driving Time: 17 hours 30 minutes
• Fuel Costs: €145

Using the fast A28, N10 routes south before veering east at Bayonne for the Túnel de Somport cuts out the border at Irun and the long drive down to Zaragoza. This alternative route works well if you’re heading for Spain’s east coast, the capital city of Madrid or the south of Spain.

Unbelievably, the 5.3km of the tunnel is toll free, although this route can be affected by bad weather in winter and carrying snow chains is a must.

Looking for the best SIM card deals in Europe for your trip? Check out our guide to the best data SIMs in Europe and get the best deal for your trip to France and Spain.

Visiting France & Spain

Thankfully, there are some common laws and regulations across most European countries for visitors from the UK and elsewhere. Make sure to carry the correct documentation and understand EU driving rules.

• You must have at least three months remaining on your passport (issued in the past ten years) at your intended date of departure.
• You must have at least 3rd party insurance for your vehicle. Update August 2021 – you no longer require a green card to prove you have vehicle insurance cover when travelling in Europe.
• From 28th September 2021, you will have to display a UK sticker on the rear of your vehicle, instead of a GB sticker, unless you have a new style UK numberplate which displays the Union Jack flag.
• You must have a valid UK licence. This allows you to drive in all EU countries for up to six months. If you only have a paper driving licence or a licence issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man then you will need an  International Driving Permit .
• Headlight beam converters must be in use unless you can adjust your headlights automatically.
• Seat belts must be worn by the driver and all passengers in all the countries of the EU.
• It is illegal in all countries of the EU to use a mobile phone when driving. In addition, in France, you are not even allowed to use a mobile phone using a hands-free device, which you are permitted to do in Spain and the UK. On the spot fines are applicable in all countries if you are caught using a phone at the wheel.
• Every EU country apart from Ireland  drives on the right-hand side of the road. This means that when you’re at a junction or roundabout, the vehicle approaching from the right has priority over the one coming from the left unless other signage is in place.
• Both France and Spain are members of the Schengen Area, meaning borders between both countries are open. However, you may find that random roadside checks are in place at border crossings due to the number of undocumented migrants travelling through Europe. Make sure to have your passports to hand when approaching country borders.
• If you have an accident you’ll need to complete the EU Accident Statement, which you can find to download in English in our free resource library if your insurer hasn’t provided one. Stop safely and use your hazard lights and warning triangle to alert other drivers. Exchange details (a  translate app  comes in handy here) and take lots of photos to add to your form when you submit it to the insurers. If the other party won’t give details or there has been an injury, you should call the police on 112.

RELATED POST: Driving in Europe – Everything You Need to Know

Driving in France

Driving from UK to France and through the country is easy, with well-maintained roads and generally considerate and well-mannered drivers.

On the downside, France is one of the most expensive countries in which to drive and travel in Europe due to the high fuel costs and expensive tolls, especially if you’re travelling in a larger vehicle like a motorhome .

There are also regular disruptions and fuel blockades due to political tensions, so make sure you check the current situation when you leave home. 

Follow these tips for a safe and easy transit through France on your road trip to Spain from England.

• In recent years there has been a significant increase in speeding fines issued by French authorities to British citizens. Many get home from a holiday or road trip to a nasty surprise in the post. Be aware and stick to the speed limit when driving in France.
• You must carry at least one reflective jacket within the passenger compartment of your vehicle and must put it on before you get out in an emergency or breakdown situation You must also carry a warning triangle.
• France has very strict drink driving laws compared to the UK. The UK maximum legal limit is 0.8 mg/ml and the French maximum is 0.5 mg/ml of alcohol per litre in your blood. If you are tested and found to be over the limit, you may face up to 4,500 euro fine and have to appear in court, and possibly even be given a prison sentence.
• From 1st January 2021, all vehicles over 3,500kg are required to display infographic ‘angles morts’ or  blind spot stickers . Stickers must be visible on both sides and at the back of the vehicle and must be placed between 0.90m and 1.50m above the ground. Stickers must be placed in such a way that they don’t cover the vehicle’s regulatory plates and inscriptions, or any of the lights or signals, and don’t hinder the driver’s field of view. Find out more about motorhome driving in France here .
• As of January 2013 the French government announced that the introduction of an €11 fine for not carrying a breathalyser/alcohol test had been postponed indefinitely. However, the law still states that drivers must have an alcotest ready for use in their vehicle even though no penalty will be imposed if they cannot present one during a police road check.

Mountain Law in France

On 1 November 2021 the Loi Montage II or ‘mountain law II’ came into force in 48 French mountainous departments within the Alpes, Massif Central, Jura, Pyrenees, and Vosges regions.

Anyone travelling in a vehicle through one of these areas between 1 November and 31 March will be obliged to fit four approved winter tyres or carry at least two snow chains or socks in the vehicle. You can find out more about France’s mountain law here .

Motorway Breakdowns in France

French motorways are privately managed and you’re not allowed to request your own assistance company to attend to you if you break down.

If you do break down, you should use the orange emergency telephones that are situated every 2km along French motorways to call the police or the official breakdown service operating in that area. Alternatively, if no orange telephone is available, you should call the emergency services by dialling 112.

You will be towed to a safe designated area where you can make onward arrangements for your own breakdown insurer to assist if you have it. Otherwise, the towing company will be able to provide support or signpost you.

Charges for assistance on a motorway are fixed by the government and are reviewed and revised each year. Many of the government-appointed towing services allow large insurers to pay them directly, but this is at their discretion and will depend on who your European breakdown cover is with. 

If this is not the case, you should pay directly and then seek recompense from your insurer.

Motorway Tolls in France

Driving through France can be hideously expensive if you only use toll roads, but they do allow you to travel through the country to your destination quickly. 

You may want to consider carrying an electronic toll tag, like EMovis or Bip&Drive (both of which cover you in Spain and Portugal as well as France) that deducts the fees from a credit card automatically, meaning you don’t have to stop at a booth or barrier.

Crit’Air Vignettes

France has introduced ‘clean air’ windscreen stickers as a legal requirement in many of its cities, towns and their peripheries, to identify a vehicle’s emissions levels and to restrict access in order to improve air quality. 

This six-category sticker system is designed to identify what emissions vehicles produce, and are categorised based on your vehicle’s Euro emissions standard. These are known as Crit’Air stickers and you may need one for your vehicle, depending on where you visit or stop as you transit through.

If you intend to travel close to a city or use its ring road, it’s worth getting the sticker, which costs €4.61 from the official website. The transitional period during which violations will not be fined ends on 31st December 2023. Find out more and purchase Crit’Air stickers from the official certificat-air.gouv.fr website.  

Don’t forget your road trip essentials! Our free road trip checklists help you remember everything, including road trip snacks , podcasts , and road trip songs for the journey!

Onward Travel in Spain

You’ve arrived! Spanish motorways and roads are typically well-maintained, and the drivers are considerate and relaxed.

Some of the best roads in Spain are in the interior, where you will have long stretches of sweeping Autopista (motorway) and Autovía (dual carriageway) to yourself. The trade-off is the Costas where traffic ramps up and tailbacks are frequent.

Depending on where you are heading, you’ll find a good network of Autopistas, with the AP7 from Barcelona enabling driving through Spain from north to south before heading west to Malaga, one of the warmest places in winter in Europe . From this road, you can head inland to Madrid or across to Portugal.

Alternatively, take one of the western routes from Irun or Santander and explore beautiful green Spain before dropping down into Portugal.

Spain Travel Inspiration

Spain Road Trip: 8 Amazing Routes for an Epic Trip

The Perfect Andalucia Road Trip: Itinerary, Map & Tips

Madrid in One Day: The Best Itinerary, Map, Tips & Guide

A Seven Day Pyrenees Hiking Tour

One Day in Barcelona – Itinerary, Map, Tips & Guide

Motorhoming in Spain: Your Complete Guide for 2024

Cordoba in One Day: Itinerary, Map, Tips & Guide

One Day in Seville – Itinerary, Map, Tips & Guide

North Spain Road Trip: Itinerary, Route & Tips

Tarifa to Tangier: Tips & Tricks for a Day Trip to Morocco

Driving in spain.

Follow our guide for safe driving in Spain and enjoy your holiday!

• You must carry two warning triangles for the front and rear. These warning triangles are now being phased out and from 1st July 2021, a new law requires that a V16 flashing emergency light is used, although both means of advising other traffic will be legal until the end of 2024.
• You must also carry reflective jackets for the driver and all passengers, a spare wheel and the tools to change a wheel or a tyre repair kit.  
• You must carry a spare pair of spectacles if you wear glasses.
• The use of winter tyres in Spain is regional. Look out for traffic signs indicating that winter tyres or snow chains are compulsory where you are.
• Anything with a screen (television, video, DVD etc.) which could distract you when driving should be positioned where you can’t see it. This doesn’t apply to a sat nav but you must not touch or program your sat nav unless parked in a safe place.
• Using radar detection equipment is prohibited under Spanish law and new regulations from January 2021 mean that it will also be illegal to be in possession of such equipment.
• On roads with single carriageways in built-up areas the speed limit established may not be exceeded by more than 20 km/h when overtaking.

Toll Roads in Spain

Toll roads are pay-as-you-go and are very reasonably priced, with some charges being abolished by the Spanish Government in early 2020 and more in September 2021. These free motorways cover the eastern route south from Perpignan as far as Alicante. You can pay with cash or a credit card or use an electronic toll tag like Emovis or Bip&Drive .

Due to the huge swathes of nothingness in the interior, the toll roads are definitely worth taking if you are trekking from one side of Spain to the other. The AP7 on the Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol retains some charges, but they are minimal. 

Low Emission Zones in Spain

At the start of 2023, there were 16 low emission zones in Spain and municipalities with more than 50,000 inhabitants have to implement a LEZ by the end of 2023.

Spanish registered cars will be registered and receive a sticker, but currently, foreign vehicles can’t buy stickers although they have to meet the required standards.

If you are stopped, you may be able to do this with your V5C, Certificate of Conformity or LEZ sticker from another country. The only exception is in Barcelona, where you will need to register your vehicle in order to drive within the LEZ  here .

Driving to Spain FAQs

How long does it take to drive to spain.

It can take anywhere from around 11 hours to 17 hours to drive to Spain depending on which route you choose, the traffic conditions and your driving style.

Can you take your car from UK to Spain?

Yes, you can drive your own car from UK to Spain. You must have a driving license, and a minimum of third-party insurance and your car must be legally registered and taxed in the UK with a valid MOT.

How much does it cost to drive to Spain from UK?

You need to take into account the cost of the ferry or Eurotunnel, the cost of fuel, tolls and any additional cost for EU insurance for your vehicle. You may also want to factor in EU breakdown cover, overnight stops and food to eat along the way, as well as wear and tear on the car.

With the cheapest channel crossing and the most cost-effective route, plan to spend at least £300/€343 for a one-way road trip to Spain.

Is it cheaper to fly or drive to Spain?

If you can get a bargain low-season flight at 5am, don’t mind a seat at the back and don’t need to carry much more than a toothbrush, it might be cheaper to fly than drive to Spain. But we’ve noticed in this post-pandemic era that those flights are becoming less and less and often, driving seems a better option.

Can UK tourists drive in Spain?

Yes, UK tourists can drive in Spain for up to 6 months on their UK license. As you can only stay in Spain for 90 days before applying for residency, and only stay in the entire Schengen Area for up to 90 days in every rolling 180 days, it’s unlikely that you’ll reach the limit.

Are you looking for more road trip inspiration? Check out these top posts…

Stelvio Pass: The Best Mountain Road in Italy?

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Travel Advisory July 26, 2023

Spain - level 2: exercise increased caution.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise increased caution in Spain due to  terrorism  and  civil unrest .

Country Summary:  Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Spain. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas.

Demonstrations are common. They may take place in response to political or economic issues, on politically significant holidays, and during international events.

Read the  country information page for additional information on travel in Spain.

If you decide to travel to Spain:

• Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
• Be aware of your surroundings when traveling to tourist locations and crowded public venues.
• Follow the instructions of local authorities.
• Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on new information.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP ) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Spain.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

Embassy Messages

View Alerts and Messages Archive

Quick Facts

6 months recommended, 3 months beyond your date of departure is required

1 page per stamp

None required for less than 90 days

Embassies and Consulates

U.S. Embassy Madrid Calle Serrano, 75 28006 Madrid, Spain Telephone: (34) 91-587-2200 Emergency after-hours telephone: (34) 91-587-2200  Fax: (34) 91-587-2303 E-mail: [email protected]

U.S. Consulate General Barcelona Paseo Reina Elisenda de Montcada, 23 08034 Barcelona, Spain Telephone: (34) 93-280-2227 Emergency after-hours telephone: (34) 91-587-2200  Fax: (34) 93-280-6175 E-mail: [email protected]

U.S. Consular Agency Fuengirola (Málaga) Avenida Juan Gómez "Juanito", 8 Edificio Lucía 1º-C 29640 Fuengirola (Málaga), Spain Telephone: (34) 95-247-4891 Fax: (34) 95-246-5189 E-mail: [email protected]

U.S. Consular Agency Las Palmas Edificio Arca Calle Los Martinez de Escobar 3, Oficina 7 35007 Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain Telephone: (34) 92-827-1259 Fax: (34) 92-822-5863 E-mail:   [email protected]

U.S. Consular Agency Palma de Mallorca Edificio Reina Constanza Porto Pi, 8, 9-D 07015 Palma, Islas Baleares, Spain Telephone: (34) 97-140-3707  Fax: (34) 97-140-3971 E-mail: [email protected]

U.S. Consular Agency Seville Plaza Nueva 8-8 duplicado 2nd Floor, Office E-2 No.4 41101 Sevilla, Spain Telephone: (34) 95-421-8751 Fax: (34) 95-422-0791 E-mail:   [email protected]

U.S. Consular Agency Valencia Doctor Romagosa 1, 2-J 46002 Valencia, Spain Telephone: (34) 96-351-6973 Fax: (34) 96-352-9565 E-mail:   [email protected]

Destination Description

See the Department of State’s Fact Sheet on Spain for information on U.S.-Spain relations.  

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

U.S. citizens traveling to Spain are not subject to any COVID-19 entry restrictions.

Spain is a party to the  Schengen Agreement . This means that U.S. citizens may enter Spain for up to 90 days for tourism or business without a visa. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay. You must have sufficient funds and a return airline ticket. Visit the  Embassy of Spain  website for the most current visa information.

Traveling Through Europe : If you are planning to visit, transit and/or travel through European countries, you should be familiar with the requirements of the Schengen Agreement. 

• Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay. If you plan on transiting a Schengen country, review our U.S. Travelers in Europe page .    
• You will need sufficient proof of funds and a return plane ticket .  
• For additional information about visas for the Schengen area, see the Schengen Visa page.

Students and athletes:  Students, prospective students, and athletes should visit the  Embassy of Spain  website for additional information on entry requirements. You should not travel to Spain as a student or for an athletic/study program without the appropriate Spanish visa. U.S. citizen students and athletes have been denied entry and held in immigration detention at Spanish airports awaiting return flights to the United States because they lacked the appropriate visa. If your coach or sponsoring program says that you do not require a visa to study, play for a sports team, or participate in a sports training program in Spain, you should confirm this information with the nearest Spanish consulate in the United States before you travel.

U.S. citizen minors living in Spain:  Spanish law mandates that all Spanish minors traveling internationally without their parents or legal guardians must have written notarized permission from a parent or guardian. The law also applies to foreign, minor residents if their country of nationality also requires parental permission. While U.S. law does not require minors traveling without a parent/guardian to have the parents’/guardians’ written permission, Spanish authorities and airlines have occasionally misinterpreted the law and stopped U.S. citizens minors from departing the country. Therefore, parents/legal guardians should consider preparing a notarized, written permission for their U.S. citizen minor children to travel abroad unaccompanied or with a third party.

HIV/AIDS restrictions: The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Spain.  

Find information on dual nationality , prevention of international child abduction , and customs regulations on our websites.

Safety and Security

Terrorism:  Terrorist groups and those inspired by such organizations are intent on encouraging or conducting attacks worldwide, including within Europe. Terrorists are increasingly using less sophisticated methods of attack – including knives, firearms, and vehicles – to target crowds more effectively. Frequently, their aim is unprotected or vulnerable targets, such as: 

• High-profile public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, etc.)
• Hotels, clubs, and restaurants frequented by tourists 
• Places of worship 
• Schools 
• Parks 
• Shopping malls and markets 
• Public transportation systems (including subways, buses, trains, and scheduled commercial flights)  

Spain’s open borders with its Western European neighbors allow the possibility for terrorists to enter and exit the country anonymously. Additionally, Spain’s enclaves in Melilla and Ceuta on the North African coast allow for entry into Spain from the African continent. Spain has taken robust actions to guard against terrorist attacks, including arrests of suspected extremists allegedly involved in terrorist plots. Credible information indicates terrorist groups continue to plot potential attacks in Europe, including Spain.

For more information, see our Terrorism page.  

Crime:  Pickpocketing and other minor crimes, such as theft, are very common in Spain including instances where the victim is purposefully distracted to facilitate the theft. Street crimes against U.S. citizens usually occur in  tourist areas, including airports, train stations, and both urban and beach destinations .

Violent crimes, including robberies, have also been reported. Some instances have required the victim to seek medical attention. Car break-ins are also frequent in Spain.

Use common sense, awareness and the same personal security measures you would normally use in any large city or tourist destination.

Keep track of your passport at all times, including on flights and other modes of transportation. There have been reports of passports being stolen on planes en route to Spain. Do not leave bags unattended. Keep them in sight and avoid placing passports, cash, cell phones, or other valuables in the outer pockets of backpacks or purses on tables or floors, grounds in public places. Do not leave bags slung over the backs of chairs, on hotel or store counters, on top of your suitcase or travel bag, or out of your physical control in hotel lobbies, car rental locations, train stations, restaurants, and other public places. Avoid carrying your passport unless needed for travel, especially in tourist areas. Instead, carry a photocopy or photo of your passport’s biographical information page and consider leaving your passport in a secure location, such as a hotel safe. Your passport will be required to check in into any hotel in Spain and may be required for trains or tourist sites.

Sexual Assault:  The U.S. Mission in Spain has received numerous reports of sexual assaults affecting U.S. citizens, especially younger travelers, students, and exchange teachers.

Navigating the Spanish criminal justice system after surviving a sexual assault has been difficult for many U.S. citizen victims, who report feeling judged and re-victimized throughout the very lengthy process.

Although it is not required, many U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault in Spain have found it helpful to hire a local attorney to be their advocate and defend their rights during any judicial process or use the help of the local Office of Victim’s Assistance. Information about the local victim’s assistance program is given out at the police station when the report is filed.

There have been numerous reports alleging sexual assaults against U.S. citizen students by Manuel Blanco Vela, a representative of a tour operator based in Seville, Spain. Conduct research online to determine who owns and operates tour companies to make informed choices.

Many sexual assaults occur at night or during the early morning hours. In most cases, assailants take advantage of alcohol or drugs to make victims more vulnerable.

Domestic Violence:  U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence should call the toll-free emergency number in Spain, 016, for assistance, and the U.S. Embassy in Madrid at (34) 91-587-2200 or U.S. Consulate General Barcelona at (+34) 93-280-2227. Note that the local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes.

Victims of Crime:  U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or other violent crimes are encouraged to report crimes to the local emergency services at 112 and contact the U.S. Embassy, Consulate, or consular agency for assistance . Note that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime.

See our webpage on  help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

• Help you find appropriate medical care  
• Assist you in reporting a crime to the police 
• Contact relatives or friends with your written consent 
• Provide general information regarding the victim’s role during the local investigation and following its conclusion 
• Provide a list of local attorneys  
• Provide information on  victim’s compensation programs in the United States
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution 
• Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home 
• Replace a stolen or lost passport 

Demonstrations  occur frequently. They may take place in response to political or economic issues, on politically significant holidays, and during international events. 

• Demonstrations can be unpredictable, avoid areas around protests  and demonstrations .  
• Past demonstrations have turned violent.   
• Check local media for updates and traffic advisories. 

International Financial Scams:  See the  Department of State  and the  FBI  pages for information.

Financial scams are prevalent in Spain. Beware of anyone asking for money, particularly people who establish a “romantic” relationship online or anyone who claims the Spanish authorities are asking them for money. Scams are often initiated through Internet postings/profiles or by unsolicited emails and letters. Scammers almost always pose as U.S. citizens who have no one else to turn to for help. Common scams include:   

• People claiming to be U.S. military personnel
• Romance/Online dating 
• Money transfers 
• Grandparent/Relative targeting 
• Free Trip/Luggage 
• Lotteries 
• Inheritance notices 
• Work permits/Job offers 

Tourism: The tourism industry is generally regulated, and rules [with regards to best practices and safety inspections] are regularly enforced. Hazardous areas/activities are identified with appropriate signage, and professional staff is typically on hand in support of organized activities. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is widely available throughout the country. Outside of a major metropolitan center, it may take more time for first responders and medical professionals to stabilize a patient and provide life-saving assistance. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance . 

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties:  You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Individuals establishing a business or practicing a profession that requires additional permits or licensing should seek information from the competent local authorities prior to practicing or operating a business. 

Furthermore, some violations of laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on  crimes against minors abroad  and the  Department of Justice  website.

Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking illegal drugs in Spain are severe and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

Most cities in Spain have banned the consumption of alcohol in the street, other than in registered street cafes and bars. You could be arrested or fined if you break the law.

Local police, sometimes dressed in plain clothes, can require you to produce identification to establish your identity upon request and detain you for further questioning. Carry a photocopy of your passport with you as proof of your identity. If you are stopped by someone who claims to be a plainclothes police officer, ask to see their law enforcement identification.

Arrest Notification:  If you are arrested or detained, ask police to notify the U.S. Embassy Madrid or U.S. Consulate General Barcelona immediately. See our webpage for further information.

Counterfeit and Pirated Goods: Although counterfeit and pirated goods are prevalent in many countries, they may still be illegal according to local laws. You may also have to pay fines or have to give them up if you bring them back to the United States. See the U.S. Department of Justice website for more information. 

Faith-Based Travelers:  See the following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report – see country reports
• Human Rights Report – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTQI+ Travelers:  There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTQI+ events in Spain. 

See our LGBTQI+ Travel Information page and section 6 of our Human Rights report for further details.  

Travelers with Disabilities: The law in Spain prohibits discrimination against persons with physical, sensory, intellectual or mental disabilities, and the law is enforced. Social acceptance of persons with disabilities in public is as prevalent as in the United States. In general, public transportation, lodging, communication/information, and general infrastructure are accessible. Taxis that can accommodate wheelchairs are available, but usually must be booked in advance.

In historic areas and older areas, sidewalks can be narrow and have uneven surfaces. Take this into account when planning your visit.  There may be differences in small towns and villages, where accessibility may be more limited.

Rental, repair, replacement parts for aids/equipment/devices, or service providers, such as sign language interpreters or personal assistants are widely available in Spain.

Students:  Follow the tips below and exercise caution and good judgment to make your study-abroad experience a positive and safe one. If you are coming to Spain to participate in a sports program, please check with the  Embassy of Spain  that you have the correct visa.

Do your research before contracting a tour operator or other service provider, including coaches and organizers of sports camps, schools, and training centers.

Exercise caution when agreeing to an internship or to serve as a recruiter for a specific organization or company. Most arrests, accidents, and violent crimes U.S. citizens suffer in Spain involve excessive alcohol. Drink in moderation and stay in a group of friends when in clubs, bars, or traveling.

See our  Students Abroad  page and  FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers : The U.S. Mission in Spain has received numerous reports of sexual assaults affecting U.S. citizens, especially younger travelers, students, and exchange teachers. Please see more information under Safety and Security.  See our travel tips for  Women Travelers .

Good medical care is available in Spain. However, regulations regarding medications vary from those in the United States. Spanish regulations do not permit the international shipment of medication . Do not ship medication from the United States to Spain . Spanish customs authorities will reject and return to the shipper medication mailed from the United States. This may cause a significant delay in receiving your medications. The U.S. Embassy cannot help you retrieve medications stopped by Spanish customs.

Medications requiring prescriptions in the United States also require a local doctor’s prescription in Spain. In some instances, a medicine prescribed in the United States will not have a local equivalent. It is important that travelers research this on the  European Agency for Medication  website prior to travel.

For emergency services in Spain, dial 112. You may ask for an English-speaking attendant.

Ambulance services are widely available. 

We do not pay medical bills . Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance. Medical care is not free in Spain. If you require medical attention, you will incur expenses, even if you are treated in a public healthcare facility. Lack of payment may bar future travel to Spain.

Medical Insurance:  Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See  our webpage  for more information on insurance overseas. Visit the  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas. We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation. 

Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. Check with the embassy to ensure the medication is legal in Spain. 

Vaccinations:  Be up-to-date on all  vaccinations  recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  (CDC)  

Air Quality:  Visit  AirNow Department of State  for information on air quality at U.S. Embassies and Consulates.

The U.S. Embassy maintains  a list of doctors and hospitals . We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic. 

Health facilities in general:

• Adequate health facilities are available throughout the country. Private hospitals usually require advance payment or proof of adequate insurance or funds before admitting a patient.  Medical staff may speak little or no English. Patients may be asked to bear costs for transfer to or between hospitals. 
• Patients have to pay their medical treatment in public hospitals.

Medical Tourism and Elective Surgery:

• U.S. citizens have suffered serious complications or died during or after having cosmetic or other elective surgery.
• Medical tourism is a rapidly growing industry. People seeking health care overseas should understand that medical systems operate differently from those in the United States and are not subject to the same rules and regulations. Anyone interested in traveling for medical purposes should consult with their local physician before traveling and visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information on Medical Tourism.

Pharmaceuticals: U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Food and Drug Administration are responsible for rules governing the transport of medication back to the United States. Medication purchased abroad must meet their requirements to be legally brought back into the United States. Medication should be for personal use and must be approved for usage in the United States. Please visit the  U.S. Customs and Border Protection  and the  Food and Drug Administration  websites for more information.

Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy: If you are considering traveling to Spain to have a child through use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) or surrogacy, please see our  ART and Surrogacy Abroad page . 

Surrogacy is illegal in Spain and subject to complex local regulation. 

Adventure Travel: Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about  Adventure Travel .

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety : Road conditions in Spain can differ significantly from those in the United States. Drivers and pedestrians should exercise increased caution as traffic in Madrid and Barcelona is often faster-paced than in the United States and can be unnerving because of unfamiliar signs and traffic lights and different driving habits, including motorbikes weaving between traffic lanes.

Obey the traffic light located at your stop line, as there are separate traffic lights for each side of the intersection. Be alert when driving at night in urban areas; you may encounter drivers or pedestrians under the influence of alcohol.

Night driving in isolated rural areas can be dangerous because of farm animals and poorly marked roads.

Rural traffic is generally heavier in July and August as well as during the Christmas and Easter seasons.

Emergency services, including roadside assistance, are plentiful, competent, and can be easily accessed by dialing 112 from any phone.

Traffic Laws: You must obtain an International Driving Permit prior to your arrival if you plan to drive in Spain. The permits are only valid for one year.

It is illegal to rent a vehicle if you don’t have an International Driving Permit. Your rental car may be impounded, and you will be required to pay a fine if stopped by the police.

It is against the law to use a mobile phone without a hands-free device while driving. There is a €300 fine for violating this regulation, and you may also lose your license.

All drivers and passengers are required to buckle up (even in taxis and in the backseat) and wear a reflective vest if they need to stop on the roadside. A reflective triangle warning sign is also mandatory if you stop on the roadside.

You must have liability insurance to operate any car or motorcycle.

If you are stopped by the Spanish National Police or the Guardia Civil, they may levy fines on the spot and issue a receipt for payment. This ensures that foreigners pay their fines while still in Spain.

Public Transportation:  Public transportation in large Spanish cities is generally excellent.

Only use clearly identified cabs, ensure that taxi drivers always switch on the meter (except for fixed-fare trips originating to and from the Madrid airport), and ask for a receipt.

Private transportation companies (such as Uberor Cabify) are often used in Madrid and Barcelona but check private transportation websites for operating status before arrival.

Official taxis to and from the Madrid airport to the city center charge a €30 flat rate.  Official taxis to and from the Barcelona airport to the cruise ship terminal charge a €39 flat rate.

Rail service is comfortable and reliable but varies in quality and speed. Intercity buses are usually comfortable and inexpensive.

See our  Road Safety page  for more information. 

Aviation Safety Oversight:  The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Spain’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Spain’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the  FAA’s safety assessment page . 

Maritime Travel:  Mariners planning travel to Spain should also check for  U.S. maritime advisories and alerts . Information may also be posted to the   U.S. Coast Guard homeport website  and the  NGA broadcast warnings .

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in Spain . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA ) report.

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Spanish government sends message to British tourists over £97 tourist rule to enter country

Finally some clarity with confusion rife over the so-called £97 rule to visit spain.

Tom Earnshaw

This article contains affiliate links and LADbible Group might make a commission on anything purchased

Clarity has been provided over the so-called £97 rule that has left Brits heading to Spain for a holiday with a right royal headache.

It's been a bit of a migraine-inducer for weeks on end, with Brits trying to get their head around a new set of rules if you are jetting off this summer.

Sure, rules already exist when it comes to travelling to Spain, with some having hefty fines of up to €30,000 (£24,070) .

And then there's Benidorm-specific rules with £1,000 fines . Don't get caught out, basically.

The £97 rule is a bit more complicated than the rest and is to do with life after Brexit for people living in the United Kingdom.

But it's one that you've got to listen to, given more than 15 million Brits jetted off to Spain last year alone; that's almost a quarter of all UK residents .

The rule is related to something called the Schengen Area, which guarantees free movement to more than 425 million EU citizens.

There's already new rules already regarding this region that means you could get banned from Europe for three years if you don't pay close attention .

All the countries in the Schengen Area are as follows: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

As a result of Brexit, the UK is no longer part of the EU and therefore is now a part of the Schengen Area - meaning the country is now treated as the rest of the world is.

It's therefore see the country's Foreign Office issue advice to UK residents for anyone jetting off to anywhere in Spain; mainland or islands.

Guidance states that Brits will have to show proof that they have at least €113.40 (£97) per person per day during their holiday stay in Spain.

For a family of four staying in Spain for two weeks, that's a requirement to show you've £5,432 to hand. Eek.

The Foreign Office says: “If you enter the Schengen area as a tourist, you may need to provide additional documents at the border. As well as a valid return or onward ticket, when travelling to Spain you could be asked to show you have enough money for your stay."

LADbible approached the Spanish government over the issue for clarity as we head into the summer months where millions of Brits will jet off to Espana.

Previously, the Spanish government has said that 'foreigners must prove, if required to do so'.

A spokesperson for the government's Ministry of the Interior spoke to us, where they laid out the basics of what the law's background and its history.

And more importantly, what it means in reality for the normal Brit heading to the Iberian Peninsula.

The message is clear too, with the spokesperson going as far as labelling the entire process as a 'hoax'.

They told LADbible : "The requirements are common for all citizens from outside the Schengen territory and are not specific to Spanish legislation, but are included in the Schengen Borders Code and are applicable in all EU countries.

"Also clarify that these are not systematic controls for tourists and that there has been no denial of entry for this reason.

"It is a hoax spread from time to time by English media, devoid of rigor and without any basis."

So there we have it, the Spanish government saying on the record that no tourist has been turned away due to not providing proof of funds to stay.

Looks like Brits can enjoy their Spanish holiday with a bit less anxiety now.

Topics:  UK News , Travel , Holiday , World News , Viral , Brexit , Money

Tom joined LADbible in 2024, specialising in SEO and trending content. He moved to the company from Reach plc where he enjoyed spells as a content editor and senior reporter for one of the country's most-read local news brands, LancsLive. When he's not in work, Tom spends his adult life as a suffering Manchester United supporter after a childhood filled with trebles and Premier League titles. You can't have it all forever, I suppose.

@ TREarnshaw

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Spain warning for UK tourists as beach bars could be banned at popular resorts

The Ministry of Ecological Transition in Madrid, Spain is currently looking at a law which would affect homes, bars and hotels located within the "at-risk boundary" of a beach

• 15:46, 2 May 2024

Beach bars in popular parts of Spain could become a thing of the past if a new controversial law is approved.

The proposed legislation would allow the authorities to seize properties that are either on or close to beaches , whether they be homes, shops, bars or restaurants.

The law is designed to protect areas of the coastline that are particularly at risk from climate change and rising sea levels. It is currently being reviewed by the Ministry of Ecological Transition in Madrid and would affect homes, bars and hotels located within the "at-risk boundary" of a beach.

These areas are described as coastal spots where rocks, promenades, sandy beaches, water and waves converge, and would likely include large parts of the most popular resorts in the country.

Under the proposal, these properties would be "taken" by the government, with some leased back to the owners for 30 years at a time. Reports suggest the 30-year lease could be extended on a case-by-case basis, and there would also be 'concessions' for a maximum of 75 years.

However, once the "concession" ends, the Spanish government will have the power to do what it wants with the properties, including knocking them down if they are judged to pose a threat to the coast.

The new law has been met with criticism from some quarters amid concerns that it will lead to displacement of parts of coastal communities and the loss of family homes. The Olive Press reports that people could find themselves without anywhere to live as they reach retirement age or be unable to leave their children their family property.

The proposed legislation could result in individuals who own property in the designated at-risk zones being stripped of their deeds, as these areas would be reclassified as "public domain". Once the draft of the new law is complete, it will undergo a public consultation before Spain's congress makes a final decision.

Back in November, British expats were among the 100 people in Denia protesting against the 'Coastal Law', which they argue is effectively confiscating their properties. An estimated 3,600 buildings on the northern coast of Denia alone are believed to be at risk due to this legislation.

The Association for People Affected by the Coastal Law, a campaign group, contends that once properties reach the end of their "useful life", they will be considered as lacking planning permission and are expected to "disappear" , a claim that the Coastal Authority refutes.

The sun drenched communities of Spain are in the midst of a high profile balancing act between the tourism sector and locals who are concerned about the impact of too many visitors. Last year 17.3 million travellers from the UK headed to Spain - just a touch below the 18 million recorded five years ago, but still the biggest chunk of the 85million tourists who visited in 2023, bringing €108 billion into the country as they did.

Over the past 12 months more and more noise has been emerging from certain parts of Spain where tourism is a particularly significant part of the economy. In certain areas issues over housing have become higher profile as more holiday lets pop up, while some communities are becoming sick of the unruly, drunken behaviour that blights their towns in the summer season.

The bubbling discontent has led some local authorities to pass laws in a bid to control the nuisance visitors, while grass-roots movements attempting to push governmental officials into acting have sprung up in other places. Although Spain remains a very friendly, welcoming country that is ideal for a sunny holiday, it is worth knowing what the issues are in specific places before you travel there so you can be as considerate and responsible a tourist as possible.

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Gibraltar could be forced to bow down to EU rules under new Brexit deal, UK ministers admit

WATCH NOW: 'Gibraltar is Spanish' claims EU commissioner

By Holly Bishop

Published: 02/05/2024

The Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron is leading the negotiations to agree on common travel between Gibraltar and the Schengen zone

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European judges could be allowed to rule on disputes involving Gibraltar under a new Brexit deal, UK ministers have admitted.

Under the agreement, the territory will also have to follow some EU rules in order to secure a more open border with Spain, the Foreign Office said.

The Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron is leading negotiations with the EU in regards to a new deal to end a four-year political impasse.

A deal including Gibraltar is required as it was not included in the wider EU-UK trade pact struck in 2019.

Gibraltar could be forced to bow down to EU rules, UK ministers admit, as they hand power to European judges

Last month, officials announced that they had agreed on the "core elements" of a potential deal and Madrid is understood to be pushing for the treaty to be signed before the European Parliament elections on June 6.

Conservative MPs are alarmed over the concessions, with the UK minister for Gibraltar David Rutley stating that defending the sovereignty of the British Overseas Territory was a "red line".

He said: "The UK will only reach an agreement with the EU on Gibraltar which the Government of Gibraltar is content with, which safeguards Gibraltar's sovereignty and which fully protects the operations and independence of the UK's military facilities in Gibraltar."

Robbie Bulloch, the Foreign Office mandarin leading the negotiations, said that the European Court of Justice (ECJ) would have more influence on the territory under the proposed deal.

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A deal including Gibraltar is required as it was not included in the wider EU-UK trade pact struck in 2019

He said that whilst he would not enforce the "direct application" of EU rules, some cases may require a "referral".

A key element of the Brexit campaign back in 2016 was to end the powers of the ECJ over the UK.

Sir Bill Cash, the chairman of the committee, warned ministers that the UK's role in Gibraltar was "a fundamental question and it relates directly to sovereignty".

David Jones, a former Brexit minister, said: "We're talking about, it seems to me, a significant diminution of British sovereignty that the Government is quite happy, apparently, to play along with."

Gibraltar is technically out of the EU’s customs union, however, Madrid has granted a temporary exemption for workers and holidaymakers - leaving the headland in a state of limbo since Brexit.

Spain could retract the deal at any point, so the current negotiations are aiming towards agreeing common travel between Gibraltar and the Schengen zone.

The European Union and Spain have recently resumed their longstanding plans to make Gibraltar’s airport a point of access for travellers into southern Spain , which would see it join the Schengen Zone.

Some also believe that joint ownership of the airport would negatively impact the UK’s military, as the airstrip is shared between the commercial airport and the RAF base.

Margaritis Schinas, a Vice-President of the European Commission, caused controversy when last month he claimed that Gibraltar "is Spanish".

José Manuel Albares, Spain's Foreign Minister however dismissed the comments as "incomprehensible".

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Huge £5.1billion underwater tunnel set to connect Spain to Africa by train – in time for the countries hosting World Cup

• Kara Godfrey , Deputy Travel Editor
• Published : 11:48, 29 Apr 2024
• Updated : 9:28, 30 Apr 2024
• Published : Invalid Date,

A HUGE 17-mile underwater tunnel could soon connect Spain to Morocco - 40 years after it was first discussed.

First put forward in 1979, the tunnel would travel between Casablanca in Morocco , and Madrid in Spain .

The tunnel, which would have a train service between the two countries, would link up to Spain 's high-speed train lines and the high-speed rail between Casablanca and Tangier which opened last year.

The route would depart from Madrid's main station, with stops in Algeciras, before crossing the Strait of Gibraltar via the tunnel.

It would then stop in Tangier in Morocco , before ending in Casablanca.

If it goes ahead, it could take just 5hr30 to travel between the two cities.

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While flights take around two hours, the current driving route takes around 12 hours, including a ferry ride between.

Similar terminals to the Eurotunnel's in Folkestone and Calais could also be constructed.

Official costs are to be revealed, it is thought it will cost around €6billion (£5.1billion).

Despite being announced decades ago, a new report has reveals plans put together by Morocco’s National Company for the Studies of the Strait of Gibraltar (SNED) and its Spanish counterpart, SECEGSA, who are undertaking surveys in the area.

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It hopes to open by 2030, when Spain, Portugal and Morocco host the World Cup.

Raquel Sánchez, the predecessor to Spain's Transport Minister Óscar Puente, previously said: "We are going to give impetus to the studies of the Fixed Link Project for the Strait of Gibraltar, which was initiated by both countries forty years ago.

"A strategic project for Spain and Morocco, and also for Europe and Africa."

However, a large issue the tunnel could face is trying to find the best route to take.

The shortest distance between the two continents is also the deepest, with water depths up to 900m.

Another issue is the seismic activity in the area, due to the meeting of Eurasian and African plates.

It's not the only train route hoping to launch in the next few years.

A £2.1billion train route along the coast of Spain hopes to connect Malaga and Marbella.

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Easyjet rolls out 'brilliant' change for UK tourists in Spain and France

E asyjet has issued an important notice to passengers who fly to Spain or France from the UK. Easyjet has added brand new packages from the UK to some "stunning and lively" holiday hotspots in Spain and France in Europe.

Easyjet has rolled out flights to the Spanish town of Sitges and the French island Corsica. Easyjet says: "For keen hikers wanting to enjoy impressive mountains and pine forests, sun-seekers looking to relax on stunning beaches, or foodies wanting to indulge in incredible local delicacies, Corsica offers a diverse range of high-quality holidays."

"The Spanish destination of Sitges is a lively hotspot for those who love beach parties and clubs, with a taste of Spanish culture and sunshine," easyJet added. "As well as its famous nightlife, Sitges offers a fantastic beach, great food, shopping and is one of Spain’s major LGBTQ+ destinations."

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Chief commercial officer at easyJet holidays Paul Bixby added: “We’re always looking to expand our offering and meet holidaymakers’ demands for Europe’s most loved destinations. So, we’re delighted to have added Corsica and Sitges to our collection.

"Both destinations are increasing in popularity, due to them both being fantastic holiday destinations with so much to offer for a wide range of holidays. I’m looking forward to continuing to build our offering in Corsica and Sitges, and see our customers enjoy our brilliant holidays at unbeatable value.”

Passengers can jet off from Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds and Newcastle for a break in Bergen, Norway. The airline said in a statement: "The busy flights mark the first time that Jet2 has operated to Bergen in over 15 years, and it means that the airline and city break specialist are giving customers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience Norway’s famous fjords."

Easyjet continues to operate from Birmingham Airport and is rivalled by Jet2, TUI, Ryanair and more.