Although some areas of Spain are still relatively private and secluded, most of Spain is served by a motorway system which links the main cities, and for long journeys, renting a car may be much cheaper than any other form of travel. British citizens are able to rent cars in Spain in much the same way as in England, using their British driving licenses. If you are an EU non-resident, it is perfectly legal to use your British driving license, although if you become a resident in Spain you must either get your license stamped or apply for a Spanish driver’s license. By law, you are required to carry certain things such as a first aid kit in your car, and you should ask about this when renting one.
The speed limit on Spanish motorways is 120kph, or just under 75mph. On major roads, the speed limit is 90kph, or just over 55mph, and in towns it’s 50kph, or just over 31mph. Road signs will also be in Spanish, and it’s best to familiarise yourself with the commonest. “Modere su velocidad” means “Slow Down” while “Carretera cortada” means “Road Closed”. The motorway itself is the “autopista”.
Spanish trains are the cheapest in Europe, and provide another option for exploring the country. Spain’s national railway operator is the Red Nacional de Ferrocarriles Españoles, otherwise known as Renfe. On Spanish maps, the main train station may be marked with the word ‘renfe’ although it has yet to be documented in any Spanish-English dictionary.
Intercity buses are another option for exploring Spain; they tend to link the major cities of each province, and prices can be very reasonable compared to other modes of transport. Buses also operate within single cities, and the fares are, in general, lower than those charged by English buses.
If you plan to stay within a single city, then occasional taxis may be a more economical choice than renting a car. Fares vary throughout the country, and can be complicated. In general, they are more expensive in the busier cities, and some operate a system which changes fares depending on the time of day. If you’re worried about the price, most airports have taxi information desks, which will be able to give specific details. In most of the larger towns and cities of Spain, English visitors are not uncommon, so a limited knowledge of Spanish need not be a problem.