How to travel in Spain by bus

20.08.2024 - 16:27 / lonelyplanet.com

Aug 20, 2024 • 7 min read

As the largest country in Southern Europe, Spain is a destination with distinctive cultures, landscapes, and languages – and its extensive bus network can help you explore it all.

High-speed trains connect the country fairly well, converging on its central capital, Madrid, but they can’t get you everywhere. For everywhere wild and rural in between, having a car is the easiest way to get around. However, when you’re on a budget, traveling solo, or aiming for more sustainable travel, the bus is best – and in Spain it can get you pretty far.

From long intercity trips to short seasonal routes, here’s everything you need to know about bus travel in Spain.

With most of the country’s population living in major urban hubs, popular destinations are well connected, and there are frequent departures between big cities like Madrid, Valencia, and Barcelona. Only about two thirds of Spanish residents hold a driver’s license, so there tends to be many alternative ways to reach smaller cities and even very rural regions if you’re willing to do a little digging.

Traveling by bus is not always cheaper – especially on trips longer than four hours – but sometimes it is the only option if there is no train line or airport where you’re going. You will find the best fares on high-traffic routes. For example, you can get from Barcelona to Valencia for €20 with ALSA. Most of the time, these routes are also connected by train services, which are usually better value for a shorter transit time. 

Most companies allow you to book your tickets in advance, but only some routes offer seat selection. There may be a few rare times when it’s not possible to buy ahead of time, especially with a smaller bus company, so you will have to show up early and pay when you get on the bus. Bus drivers will usually accept credit cards but it’s always good to have cash on hand just in case. 

Book your ticket in advance as soon as you’ve decided on your travel plans – this goes double if you’re traveling to a popular day trip destination from a major city. I made this mistake one day in Barcelona when I decided to take a spur-of-the-moment trip up to the medieval beach town of Tossa de Mar on a Thursday morning – I got all the way to the bus station just to find out it was already sold out. Always check online first because some websites will display how many seats are left.

Discounted tickets are generally, but not always, available for seniors and young adults (25 and under), as well as children and infants. While searching for tickets you can look for discounts or bonos (bonuses) that can sometimes save you up to 50% on selected routes. If you plan to ride the same line multiple times, some companies like ALSA offer a “bono