Riding the Rail? Don't forget about Spain!!!

Europe just keeps making it easier and easier to ride the rail. For the first time this past month, I rode on Spain's rail system, the Renfe, and I have to give Spain some major props! Those people on Spain's rail system definitely know what they are doing. Here are 5 reasons why the Eurail (particularly Spain's Renfe system) beats flying, any day.

1) Very. Comfortable. Seats.
Forget "Eurotrip" seats of awkward Mi-scuzi's, these seats, more roomy than a plane, are incredibly comfortable and built large enough to avoid any awkward pants-less encounters.

2) Popcorn Anyone?
Every Renfe train I have been on has had a recent movie shown, such as Quantum of Solace, Made of Honor, Marley and Me, and What Happens in Vegas. Of course, since it is Spain, the language is dubbed over in Spanish, but if you are wanting to brush up on your Spanish skills, it can be more entertaining than discovering how many spitwads you can land on the opposite side of the train.

3) Food... YES!
All Renfe trains come equipped with a cafe with reasonable prices, in case you get the mid trip munchies.

4) Time is on your side.
With train travel, you don't have to spend 2 hours after check in waiting or 1 hour passing through the security trying to decipher the 3-1-1 rule. Yes, they scan all baggage, but they do not have the tedious rules that the aviation industry sets about. I reccommend to plan on being at the train station 30 minutes before your train departs if you have a reservation (usually the trains only arrive about 15 minutes before departure anyways). Instead of spending time at the airport waiting, you could be traveling and be there, in the same amount of time.

5) You arrive in the <3 of the city:
How many times have you arrived at an airport only to find out that you have to pay 20 Euros and an hour worth of your time just to get from the airport to your destination city? With the train system, you arrive at a train station in the middle of the city and go on your way. In Europe, many times it just makes sense to travel by rail.

No overweight baggage fees, no credit card fees, no carbon offsetting fees, no check in fees, no lost luggage, no lost time. With a Eurail pass, train travel is super cheap! (Barcelona to Madrid: 10.40 Euros, Valencia to Barcelona 6.75 Euros)

And the best part? You see the country like you have never seen it before.

So grab your Eurail pass before you cross the pond, get out there, and get traveling!

Adios!
Amanda