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More Trains in Spain than Planes

Where: Spain
May 29, 2008 at 9:15 AM | by | Comments (3)

Spain is not the first country that comes to mind when we think of fast and efficient train service. (It's not even the second.) But apparently they've been hard at work developing a comprehensive bullet train network which is going to totally alter the way people are traveling around Spain.

By 2010, the trains zipping around the country will form the most extensive train network in the world, and airlines usually busy with domestic flights around Spain--Iberia, Spanair and Vueling especially--are getting worried.

The completed Spanish bullet train system will be five times bigger than Japan's, and already you can travel between Madrid and Barcelona in two and a half hours. LCC Vueling simply canceled this entire route for the summer. Are we really seeing the demise of European budget airlines? Or perhaps the Spanish are just taking a siesta from flying.

Related Stories:
· Spanish Airlines Feel Pressure [AFP]
· European LCCs Might Be In Trouble [Jaunted]
· Spain Finally Gets up to Speed [Jaunted]

[Photo: Chris Juden]

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We loved the fast train from Sevilla to Madrid

Last October I took the bullet train from Sevilla to Madrid with my husband and two kids.  It was more expensive than flying, but worth it.

The train was clean and spacious.  The dining car had huge floor to ceiling windows that let us take in the beautiful scenery, and the food was decent (plus it was nice to stretch our legs and have a soda and sandwich)

Even though we bought economy tickets, we had plenty of space.  The setup, with four seats facing eachother was perfect with kids and gave them a little bit of space to play (and no seat back to kick).  Add an excursion to the dining car, and they were happy for the entire trip.

Best of all, we arrived at the centrally located train station shortly before departure and brought our bags right on board with us.  No need to arrive several hours early, separate our liquids, take off our shoes, and reclaim our suitcases at the other end.  When we arrived in Madrid, we walked off the train and onto the Madrid subway.  What would have taken almost a whole day by plane (doorstep to doorstep) took little more than the time of the train journey itself.

You can read more about our trip to Barcelona, Madrid and Sevilla with the kids (including the train trip) here: http://www.deliciousbaby.com/travel/spain/barcelona/

Debbie
http://www.deliciousbaby.com

deliciousbaby on May 29, 2008 at 10:23 AM #Permalink

yep

That train looks like a duck.
JetSetCD on May 29, 2008 at 3:07 PM #Permalink

LOL

Looks like a duck, lmao yeah you're right. Spain has some of the best high speed trains in the whole of Europe, beats taking the bus or hiring a car, and it certainly beats the rail travel in this country!
rickyb on May 6, 2010 at 7:01 AM #Permalink

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