Route Comparisons (Spain & Portugal)

Door-to-door time, typical cost, and CO₂e — with transparent assumptions.

Updated: 2026 Methodology

Madrid ↔ Barcelona — Train vs Flight

A decision-ready comparison of door-to-door time, cost, and (CO₂e)

Train vs Flight — Spain (core routes)

Compare time, total cost, and CO₂e across Spain’s most-booked city pairs—using real route assumptions and transparent math.

🟢 Live

Train vs Flight — Portugal

See when rail beats flying in Portugal on door-to-door time, total cost, and emissions—route by route.

🟢 Live

Madrid ↔ Seville — Train vs Flight

A comparison of AVE vs flying on one of Spain’s busiest southbound routes.

🟡 Coming later

Lisbon ↔ Porto — Train vs Flight

The definitive comparison of train vs flight for Portugal’s busiest corridor—time, cost, CO₂e, and the most realistic choice.

🟡 Coming later

Spain vs Portugal — Trip cost & carbon (framework)

A decision framework to estimate which country is cheaper and lower-carbon for your trip style—without guesswork.

🟡 Coming later

Car vs Train — short regional routes

Find when driving is actually worse or better than rail on emissions and total time—especially for short regional trips.

🟡 Coming later

Methodology

How these comparisons work:

Comparisons use representative travel times, typical price ranges, and published emission factors.
Assumptions are documented on each page.
Comparisons are updated quarterly

  • Sources
  • Update cadence
  • Assumptions
  • Accuracy

Comming soon …

🚆 ✈️ Travel Decision Tool

Answer a few questions to find your best travel option

1 Is there a direct train under 2.5 hours?

2 Do I need to work or want to relax?

3 Am I going to islands or northern Spain?

4 Booking last minute on a budget?

5 Carrying lots of luggage?

🚆 RECOMMENDATION: Take the TRAIN

Based on your answers, the train is your best option!

Why train wins:
  • Flights are often banned for short distances
  • Better for work or relaxation
  • Train stations are easier with luggage

✈️ RECOMMENDATION: FLY without second-guessing

Based on your destination, flying is the clear choice!

Why flying wins:
  • Islands and northern Spain are better reached by air
  • Often faster for remote destinations

🔍 RECOMMENDATION: Check BOTH options

For last-minute budget bookings, compare train and flight prices.

What to do:
  • Check budget airlines for last-minute sales
  • Compare with train ticket prices
  • Sometimes flight sales beat last-minute train prices

🤔 RECOMMENDATION: Consider both options

Compare train and flight options based on these factors:

Factors to consider:
  • Environmental impact (train is greener)
  • Total door-to-door travel time
  • Current prices for both options
  • Personal preference for comfort

📋 Quick Decision Guide

🚆 TRAIN when:
  • Direct train < 2.5 hours
  • Need to work/relax
  • Carrying lots of luggage
  • Want less stress
✈️ FLY when:
  • Going to islands/northern Spain
  • Long distances
  • Time is critical
🔍 CHECK BOTH when:
  • Booking last minute on budget
  • Prices are fluctuating
  • Flexible on timing