Madrid/Barcelona Itinerary Questions

I wouldn't bother renting a car -- public transportation in Spain is easy and efficient. Train is the best option as far as getting between the two cities (in my opinion), and I'd suggest Zaragoza as a lovely place to stop for a day if you're interested in breaking up the journey. I think Barcelona and Madrid are both great cities (I'm partial to Barcelona, myself) and have lots of day trip potential just outside their borders. You're going to have a blast -- enjoy!

I'm an absolute drive-eveywhere nut. Skip the car for either city -- or anything close to them.

I think you've got a good plan - having a base in Madrid and Barcelona and going from there. If it were me, I'd rent a car for the whole time you're there. If your plan is to do day trips to the surrounding towns, that might be your best bet. Gives you a chance to really see the countryside and stop wherever you want. I did this in Ireland years ago - went around the whole country (which is relatively small). Next week I'm actually going to Madrid and driving from there to Lourdes, France and then making the way to Barcelona - stopping at little towns in between. Picking up at the Madrid airport and leaving it at Barcelona airport.
Time is a big factor with something like that though.

You could always sign up for day trip tours (www.viator.com is good) and forget the car. If you do that, I would consider taking a train between the two cities, if not just for the experience. If a flight is cheaper, sure - but the train is always fun. I'd skip the bus on a 6 hr trip.

Really, it all depends on how much spontaneity and freedom you want; and if you want to learn on your own or be taught and shown the best things by an expert.

We spent a month in Spain in 2008 and loved both cities. As others have stated you certainly don't need a car to see the sights. In Madrid we visited Avila, Salamanca, Segovia, Toledo and El Escorial by bus and train.

Check Veuling airlines for discount farea between the two cities.

Enjoy

If you only have a week, those two cities are a good choice.

A car would be a burden in either. Day trips can more easily be done by train or bus.

The train is only three to three and one-half hours between Barcelona and Madrid, so train is the choice hands down for traveling between the two cities.

I have visited both cities and did not have an automobile....and if I had one, I would be scared to drive it in the city!!! Feet, metro, bus, taxi ~ in that order, with feet being the main transportation for sure..

I don't know about Barcelona, but Madrid is very doable by public transportation. And you don't want to drive in Madrid-trust me!

1) Don't need a car in either city.
2) Fly or train from Barcelona to Madrid, not that scenic between them.
3)Great choice with the time you have, lots to see in and around BOTH cities. You will enjoy yourself and have lots of options for day trips from either.

Just reiterating the consensus that both cities are fantastic, don't bother with a car for that short a time, definitely don't try to drive in either city (if you do wind up renting a car for a day trip), take the train between the two cities and have a great time!

Can't imagine driving in either city. We did not visit both cities on the same trip. Very easy getting into Barcelona from AP and we walked most everywhere except metro to Sagrada Familia and bus to Parc Guell. RS book said PG was walkable but i do not agree. We are jsut back from Madrid and walked to all the big sights, restuarants, etc. I am also partial to Barcelona--loved it!

We were were in Spain last year and took the fast train from Madrid to Barcelona. I don't remember it taking more than two hours and it may have taken a little less time than two hours.

I spent three weeks in Barcelona in May and a car would ahve been a near total waste of time and money. Parking is simply impossible; what street parking there is is usually reserved for residents who have a little tag that they keep in an envelope on the inside of their windshield. There are public parking lots (nearly all below street level) but 20 Euros a day and up are the usual rates and the price per hour is even worse! Public transport in Barcelona is some of the best I've seen anywhere in Europe. Buy a T-10 Card (ten rides on public transport) and you can travel around the city with ease. The only place in the Barcelona area that we visited where I feel a car might have been an advantage was our trip to Montserrat.

Thank you to everybody for the advice. We certainly won't be getting a rental car and will be taking the train between the two cities. (Although my wife was very intrigued by the thought of renting a Porsche from sixto.com for the transit between the two cities.)

Thanks again!