Getting To Zaragoza

Zaragoza has a comprehensive transport infrastructure and is easy to get to by plane, train, bus and car. Flights arrive from many important European centres and with popular airlines. The airport is not far from the city centre and public transport is available for fast transfers. Getting to Zaragoza by train is also a possibility from within Spain or via the likes of Barcelona or major French cities - high-speed services run to the city throughout the day. Buses also provide direct access from Madrid and Barcelona, and the efficient motorways offer good access for drivers.

Zaragoza is fairly compact and getting about much of the city on foot is easy, while several local bus companies and taxis can offer fast access to the suburbs and hotels.

By car

Zaragoza is easy to reach by car from most major Spanish centres in the north of the country, with efficient motorways providing access. The E-90 (A2) runs direct from the capital, Madrid (southwest), to Zaragoza; a 200-mile, 3 to 4-hour drive. Barcelona, to the east, is also about the same distance away from Zaragoza and is directly linked by the same highway, the A2. For those coming from the UK by ferry, the A68 provides access from the general direction of Bilbao and Santander on the north Spanish coast. Bilbao is 190 miles and 3 to 4 hours away from Zaragoza by car. Pamplona is just over 100 miles to the northwest, with the A12 and A68 running to Zaragoza.

By rail

Zaragoza is served by high-speed trains which arrive regularly from Madrid, a 2-hour journey. Both high-speed and standard trains also come in from towns and cities in the region and from elsewhere including: Barcelona (4 hours 30 minutes); Valencia (5 hours 30 minutes); Huesca (1 hour); and Jaca (3 hours 30 minutes). Zaragozas train station, Estacin Intermodal Delicias, is a fairly new structure and is situated about two miles outside the city centre, near the Augusta Shopping Centre.

By bus

You can get to Zaragoza by bus from Madrid in 4 hours aboard ALSA buses, which operate throughout the day. Buses also arrive at Zaragozas main bus station - Agreda Automovil on Paseo de Maria Agustin - from regional towns and cities including: Huesca (1 hour) and Jaca (2 hours 15 minutes) as well as from Barcelona, Tarragona and Valencia.

By air

Zaragoza Airport is located just six miles to the west of the city centre and receives flights from major cities throughout Europe and Spain including from: Madrid, Barcelona, London, Frankfurt and Amsterdam. Major airlines fly here on a frequent basis including Iberia Air and Ryanair.

Zaragoza Airport has a single, two-level terminal building which caters for domestic and international flights, with Arrivals and Departures on the ground level, where there is also a cash machine and a post office. Services and facilities can also be found on the second floor, with restaurants, duty-free stores, gift shops and a newsagents selling newspapers and magazines.

The options for getting to Zaragoza from the airport include buses, hotel shuttles and taxis. Public buses depart from outside Arrivals and pass through many popular suburbs on the way to the city centre including Plaza de Isabel la Catlica and Plaza de San Francisco. Buses are timed to coincide with flight arrivals and departures, and fares are reasonable; timetables are available from the airport information desk.

If you are staying in a class hotel establishment, there is a good chance they offer a courtesy airport transfer and it is worth checking ahead before you book or fly. The other option for getting to the city from the airport is to take a taxi, which go from outside the terminal building and run to the city, suburbs and hotels.

Those hiring cars have two main options for getting to the city. The N125 runs past the airport and connects with the N232 for Zaragoza, while the longer yet often faster route is the N125 south, which joins with the E90 and the A68 motorways. The journey time is about 15 to 20 minutes.

Alternatively, you can fly to Barcelona or Madrid and make use of bus and train services to get to Zaragoza if, for instance, Zaragoza flights are fully booked or too expensive.

Taxis

Using taxis to get around Zaragoza is a popular option and there are taxi ranks located throughout the city. You can hail taxis directly in the street if they are in service a green libre light on the roof will denote this. Tourist taxis are also popular, with audio commentary in different languages and two routes available. Taxis also run from Zaragoza Airport to the city and back, providing the fastest transfer times; about 15 minutes.