Page 252 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Northern Spain

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Getting Around Cities Bicycles, Mopeds
and Motorbikes
as ever more people in spain move from the countryside Bicycles are becoming more
to the towns and cities, they are becoming increasingly common on Spanish streets,
crowded. getting around the cities by car can be challenging, but be very careful if you cycle
with many one-way streets, pedestrianized streets, and heavy in traffic, as many drivers do not
make allowances for cyclists. An
traffic during rush hour. it’s generally far better to use the very increasing number of Spanish
efficient local transport systems, which comprise buses, cities have excel lent cycle lanes.
trams, the metro and taxis. The historic centres of towns and Motorbikes and scooters –
cities in Northern spain are best explored on foot, as they are much loved by the Spanish –
compact enough to see easily. continue to be a fashionable
way to avoid traffic jams and also
reach one’s destination quickly.
On Foot Cycling trips through the
Most of the sights are clustered Spanish countryside are also
together within walking popular. Visitors can easily hire a
distance of each other, so bike from an alquiler de bicicletas.
exploring on foot is the best Bicycles may be carried on
option. Many of the streets local trains (cercanías, after
are closed to traffic (calles 2pm only), on all regional
peatonales), and even if they Signs to a city’s historic sights and trains (regionales) with goods
are not, finding a parking accommodation compartments, and on all
space can be difficult. overnight long-distance trains
taxis, in which case you should (largo recorrido). Sometimes
negotiate the fare before you may have to send your
Taxis setting off. bicycle as luggage and pay
There is no central system for In cities there are taxi ranks a baggage charge.
taxis in Spain. Every city and/or at the airports, the railway and
region has its own operation bus stations and usually in Buses
and tariffs for its taxis. All the main shopping areas.
display a green light if they Visitors with luggage may Local bus routes and timetables
are available. have to pay an additional are posted at bus stops. Single
Taxis are a comfortable charge of approximately €1–2 tickets can be bought from
means of transport. Most taxis per item. You should remember the driver when you board the
are metered, and at the start this, especially when travelling bus (always through the front
of the journey a minimum fare to or from an airport. An doors), but in most cities
will be shown on the meter. average fare from an airport to multi-journey tickets (bonobus
Ask at the hotel reception or a city centre is around €20–30. or tarjeta) valid for 10 journeys
in a nearby shop for the name To travel an average distance on local buses and – where
and number of a local taxi by taxi within a city you should there is one – the Metro system
company. Only in the smallest expect to pay around €7–12. are preferable. You buy these
villages is it possible that Tips of approximately €1 will in advance from bus offices,
you’ll encounter unmetered be acceptable. automatic machines or estancos
(tobacconists). They work out
a lot cheaper, and save a lot of
time whenever you board a bus.
Trams
Tram systems are a rarity in
Spanish cities (Valencia has
one), but one of the most
modern tram services in
Northern Spain is the Basque
EuskoTran, part of the
EuskoTren company, which
operates trains and trams in and
around Bilbao and Vitoria. There
is a fast and elegant service
within and beyond the borders
of the city, for instance, to the
town of Hendaia (Hendaye)
The modern green EuskoTran in Bilbao on the French-Spanish border,

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