Economize viajando com a Buser
October 3, 2025
Spain is a country built for day trips — medieval towns, whitewashed villages, golden beaches, flamenco nights and world-class museums are all within a couple of hours of the big hubs. If you want to see more without changing hotels every night, a well-planned day trip is the fastest, simplest way to extend your Spain story. And if booking logistics give you decision fatigue, Omio is one of the best one-stop tools to compare and buy trains, buses and short flights across Spain fast.
Below I’ll walk you through the top day trips from Spain’s major cities (Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Valencia and Málaga), explain why Omio makes them easy.
Omio (previously GoEuro) compares trains, buses and flights on one page, shows schedules, and connects to the ticket suppliers so you can book quickly without switching tabs. For typical short hops — Madrid → Toledo, Barcelona → Girona, Seville → Córdoba — Omio surfaces low fares and multiple operators so you can pick the fastest, cheapest or most convenient option. Omio also lists student and worker discounts when available and has an offers page where limited-time deals are published.
Practical perks:
Single search, multiple operators (Renfe, Ouigo, AVE, Alsa, local buses).
Mobile tickets for many routes — no printer required.
Price comparisons and journey durations in one view.
Easy filter to show only trains (or only buses) so you can prioritize comfort or budget.
When you search a route on Omio:
Use the “Sort by” control — choose “Cheapest” or “Fastest” depending on priorities.
Check whether a ticket is refundable or changeable — many low-cost fares are strict.
Look for digital tickets (mobile/print-at-home) to skip the station queues.
Compare early morning and late afternoon trains: off-peak times are often cheaper.
Ticket pricing varies day-to-day, but Omio shows realistic current starting fares for popular short routes — for example, Barcelona → Girona fares can start around €7, Barcelona → Valencia trains from about €30 if booked in advance, and Madrid → Toledo fares often appear from around €6–€15 depending on operator and how early you buy. Use these examples as a planning benchmark; always check live search on Omio for the exact day you’re traveling.
Why go: Medieval walls, Catalan Modernist cafés, an intimate Old Town and quick access to beaches of the Costa Brava.
How long: ~40–90 minutes by train depending on service (Avant/Regional).
Typical starting fares: as low as €7–€12 when booked in advance; buses may be slightly cheaper but slower.
What to do: stroll the Jewish Quarter, climb the cathedral tower, enjoy seafood tapas, or hop a local bus to nearby coastal coves.
Why go: A coastline of hidden coves, crystalline water and charming fishing villages.
How long: 1–2 hours depending on the town (Lloret, Tossa de Mar, Cadaqués require combinations of train + bus or a direct coach).
Booking tip: compare Omio’s train + bus combos; sometimes a direct coach shows the best door-to-door time.
Why go: Dramatic mountain pinnacles, abbey views and a quick cultural escape from the city.
How long: ~1 hour by train + rack railway/cable car.
Why go: A compact UNESCO-listed city with a jaw-dropping Roman aqueduct, Toledo Cathedral, and narrow cobbled streets.
How long: ~30–40 minutes by high-speed or regional train.
Typical fares: you can find cheap Alsa bus tickets from around €6 or train fares from €7–€15 depending on timing and booking.
What to do: Cathedral visit, artisan damascene metal shopping, panoramic views from Mirador del Valle.
Why go: Spectacular Roman aqueduct, Alcázar castle (inspires Disney castle imagery), and one of Spain’s best roast-suckling-pig eateries.
How long: 30 minutes by high-speed train or ~1–1.5 hours by bus depending on service.
Omio tip: check bus vs train on Omio — buses are scenic and often cheaper; trains are fastest.
Why go: Walkable city walls you can circumnavigate; quiet, authentic Old Town vibes.
Why go: Córdoba’s Mosque–Cathedral is one of Spain’s must-see monuments; the old town is compact and beautiful for a day.
How long: ~45 minutes by high-speed AVE or regional services.
Typical fares: good deals on some services from €6–€11 when booked in advance; last-minute fares can be higher.
What to do: Mezquita visit, stroll Calleja de las Flores, Ibn Adabbas mosque ruins, tapas in the Jewish quarter.
Why go: Sherry bodegas, equestrian heritage and Andalusian character.
How long: ~1 hour by train.
Booking tip: look for combo tickets that include bodega tours.
Why go: Boat rides on the lagoon, paella origins, tranquil afternoon outside the city.
How long: ~30 minutes by bus or local train + short bus.
Why go: Hilltop castles, Roman theatre ruins in Sagunto and a quieter, historical side of the Valencian region.
Booking tip: combine train + short taxi for hilltop ruins.
Why go: Spectacular gorge, historic bridges and a very photogenic old town.
How long: ~1.5–2 hours by coach or train.
Why go: The Alhambra is world-class, but keep in mind that Alhambra visits require separate entrance tickets (book early).
How long: ~1.5–2.5 hours by train or bus.
Tip: Omio will show transport but make sure you book Alhambra entrance on the official Patronato de la Alhambra site; transport and monument tickets are separate.
07:30 depart Barcelona Sants (Renfe/Avant) — arrive Girona ~09:00.
09:30–13:00 wander the Old Town & cathedral.
13:30 local lunch — fresh seafood.
15:00 bus or rent a bike to the coast (Tossa de Mar or small cove).
19:00 return to Barcelona.
Booking: use Omio to compare early train options and local bus timetables; buy train tickets in the morning search for best savings.
08:00 depart Madrid Atocha — arrive Toledo ~08:40.
09:00 explore Cathedral and Synagogue of El Transito.
13:00 lunch & local tapas.
15:00 visit Alcázar & city walls viewpoint.
18:00 return to Madrid.
Budget: train fares frequently start low if booked in advance; Omio displays both bus & train so you can pick the cheapest door-to-door option.
Trains: faster, more comfortable, ideal for Madrid–Toledo, Seville–Córdoba, Barcelona–Valencia. Omio shows Renfe’s different classes and fast AVE services.
Buses: usually cheaper and flexible — good for routes where train service is sparse or where direct coaches run to beach towns.
Short flights: sometimes competitive for very long day trips, but for most classic day trips trains/buses are simpler.
Book early: long-distance train fares (AVE/Euromed) drop with advance purchase.
Check bus vs train: buses can be 30–60% cheaper for some routes.
Use the Omio offers page first; then try any valid coupon you have at checkout.
Travel off-peak mid-week if possible — you’ll see the best fares.
Consider multi-leg tickets on Omio to lock in the cheapest component fares.
Validation and platforms: some regional buses/trains require you to validate a paper ticket; read Omio’s provider notes.
Luggage: for short day trips, a small daypack is ideal; check providers if you bring oversized suitcases.
Language: English signage is common on main routes, but learn basic Spanish transit phrases (horario = timetable, billete = ticket).
Accessibility: Omio lists accessibility details for many providers — check the trip card if mobility is a concern.
Refund rules: many budget fares are non-refundable — confirm during Omio checkout.
Last-minute changes: if your train is canceled, Renfe/Alsa/other operators generally offer rebooking or refunds; Omio’s support can help coordinate but follow the operator’s instructions for compensation.
Travel insurance: for peace of mind, especially if you’re booking non-refundable fares across several legs, consider basic travel insurance that covers cancellations.
Below are sample starting fares listed on Omio’s route pages as example planning numbers — great for a realistic budget snapshot. Always run a live Omio search for exact travel days.
Barcelona → Girona: trains from around €7–€12 if booked early.
Barcelona → Valencia: high-speed trains from ~€30 when booked in advance (Euromed/Avlo).
Madrid → Toledo: Alsa buses from around €6; some Renfe regional trains €7–€15.
Seville → Córdoba: fares reported from €6–€11 for budget options; AVE/fast trains more expensive last-minute.
Pick your base city and one realistic destination (aim for 1–2 hours max travel each way for a relaxed day).
Search the route on Omio and compare train & bus options.
Check refund/change rules and whether the ticket is mobile-friendly.
Book early for the best rates; check Omio’s offers/coupons before checkout.
Pack lightly, arrive to the departure station 20–30 minutes early (less for high-speed trains if mobile ticket), and enjoy the day.
Spain rewards curiosity. A single city can feed a thousand different day trips; with Omio you can plan and buy the transport piece in minutes and spend the rest of your time exploring. Whether you want cathedral interiors, cliffside viewpoints, lazy seaside afternoons or tapas trails, the right day trip from a big hub gives you maximum return for minimal hassle — and Omio makes the logistics simple.
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