RACING from Barcelona to Madrid | PLANE (Iberia) vs high-speed TRAIN (Renfe)
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- Опубликовано: 15 дек 2022
- We raced between Spain’s two famed cities of Barcelona and Madrid, from the Sagrada Familia to Plaza Mayor in the Spanish Capital.
Nicky took the Iberia Puente Aereo “Air Bridge” plane service with a taxi to the airport in Barcelona and the Metro from Madrid Airport to Plaza Mayor.
Total cost: £120
Liam took the high speed RENFE rail service with a Metro to the station in Barcelona and a taxi at the other end in Madrid.
Total cost: £92
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Nowadays almost everybody uses the high speed trains between BCN and MAD. They're usually on time, and at the center of both cities
yeah you see the difference between the airport lack of crowd and the mass of people at the Ave station
It's quite cheap too, the low cost Ouigo trains have quite a few 9€ tickets
@@Jobother except that the airports are crowded with a ton of people with other destinations
I would take the plane if is cheapper
@@_MrAyOuB it won't be, and it's a much bigger hassle
Even in the UK, sometimes you can find a cheap flight from Manchester to London, but the train is just so much less hassle and it ends up being quicker overall
Plus the trains take you closer to the inner city!
On the Barcelona Madrid line (also on the Madrid Valencia line and others will join in 2023) there are a few operators. Renfe's AVE service can be more expensive but tjeir low cost Avlo brand starts at 7€ (if you buy in advance), tjeir low cost rival, SNCF's low cost baran OuiGo starts at 9€ and on both the averahe is around 20€. Iryo (the newest operator owned by Spanish airline Air Nostrom, Spanish infraestructura company Globalvia and TrenItalia) that uses the amazong and brand new Frecciarossa 1000 trains competes with the AVe's full service and their prices starts at 18€ for 2nd class.
depends on the distance. Newcastle to London otherwise would be quicker by plane.
Always fun and excitingly to watch. You are really good at building anticipation and knuckle biting!!
Yeah, but the Manchester to Heathrow flights are not really meant for passengers going from city centre to city centre. The vast majority of passengers will be travelling to Heathrow to connect onto another flight out of the country.
The fact that people have to ask why is Nicky is running in video are the same people who didn’t watch ‘The Amazing Race’ with dedication. It’s thrilling and there’s something being ahead of schedule.
Whenever I'm running late to catch a plane, I pretend I'm on The Amazing Race, and then remember why I never applied, because I suck at running
@@hollybrown4696 HAHA high five! I suck at running too!
I think this high speed rail line is the best in the world, cause it actually makes sense with the 2,5 hour travel time, travelling at 300km/h along the 650km route, which means a high average speed. Most other high speed lines have terrible average speeds, like Copenhagen to Hamburg in 4,5 hours, 450km with a 200km/h train, that’s an average speed of only 100km/h, so bad, even with a handfull of intermediate stops.
Actually all the seats of the AVE trains are of the reserved type, you can not pass the control without a ticket or seat number
Greatings from Spain!
You probably could have increased your win even more by taking the metro from Atocha to Tirso de Molina (3 stops on line 1) and then a quick walk from there. The metro is almost always faster than a taxi in Madrid.
Si, muy verdad.
Or taking one of the Cercanias from Atocha to Sol (1 stop) and a quick walk from there.
@@attt5635, or the line 1 of the underground also from Atocha to Sol.
@@robert111k Isn't it under construction right now?
@@tsevra2437, not really. It's there since 1919, I think.
You got it just right. If you're in Spain and you have the chance to take an AVE, it's always the way to go. It's simpler, more reliable, it leaves you at the center of the city and it's more enjoyable.
Except for the AVE from Madrid to Valencia lol.
Before that AVE high-speed train line went live in 2008, the Madrid-Barcelona air bridge used to be the busiest around the world for decades.
Milan-Rome route was much busier ..with almost 40 flights per day !
@@Hkg81 Nope!!!
"The Madrid-Barcelona Air Shuttle is an air connection service that offers 50 daily flights, 25 in each direction, between the two capitals" ...//... "a figure that represents 56% more flights than those of the second busiest European itinerary, that of the Rome-Milan air corridor"... 🤷🏼♂️
The busiest route in the world, at least before COVID, is Seoul to Jeju Island, with over 200 flights per day.
@@brianblood9691 Yes good point. The pandemic changed the order of "best route." Nowadays SIN-KUL has crept up the scale.
@@brianblood9691 200 flights a day? That means a plane every less than 15 minutes in each direction, assuming they run 24/7 which they most likely don't.
Great stuff, but Liam wouldn't have had to run if he had just hopped on the metro in Madrid! Atocha to Plaza Mayor (Sol) is 15 minutes with no changes and no traffic!
In Spain high speed trains are awesome. And now we have foreign companies operating which means more offer and lower prices. They go 300km/h and are always on time. If they are late the company returns part of the money or the entire amount if they are super late. Plus train is more sustainable than plane
Yes lest go .Next you need to compare the 4 Train brands and 3 operators :) that do the Madrid to Barcelona wich are the following brands
Renfe Ave (Spanish)
Renfe Avlo(Spanish)
Ouigo (french)
Iryo (Italian and Spanish)
The holy grail! Finally, a video that includes Spanish Public Transport, because it's amazing. Just the best. Keep up the work though.
You are probably the only one calling RENFE amazing haha. As a Dutchy i have to agree i really miss the cheap prices in Spain though. And the AVE is good. Outside that public transport in Spain trully sucks, but i guess thats why the price is so low.
I can confirm. I live in Madrid and I do not even consider the option of taking the plane when going to Barcelona. Flying will take me longer, especially with the waiting times. For longer routes or routes that would require switching trains, the plane would probably be an option again, but for this specific route there is really no alternative. Also you sometimes have the chance to get a really cheap ticket, so that you can go back and forth for almost nothing.
Within Spain its the better option, as long as you live right in downtown Madrid. And for any longer train rides that becomes way too slow and way too annoying to do.
Great video! But you both should have taken the Cercanias commuter train to Sol! It’s just one stop from Atocha (and it is included in the AVE ticket) and 5 stops between the airport and Sol with a change of train in Chamartin or Nuevos Ministerios.
Came here to say this
Sí. Muy verdad
The inflight-on train call was pretty cool 😉 And yes, nobody in Spain nowadays takes the plane for a Barcelona-Madrid trip, unless you’re going to the exhibition grounds (Ifema, which is not too far from the airport), or for a connecting flight. The high speed train beats the plane in every way, even if it gets you to the city centre at the same time as the bloody plane. Nice video!
Luego del AVE en Atocha podría haber tomado el Metro a Puerta del sol (5 minutos) y caminado a Plaza mayor (unos 4 minutos). Incluso se puede caminar desde Atocha a la plaza en media hora app.
As always, great video! Personally I really would like to see a race between Munich and Frankfurt plane vs. train or between Stuttgart and Cologne.
Last summer I had the most bizarre flight of my life: a Lufthansa connecting flight from Frankfurt to Stuttgard, 20 min total, the plane literally took off, did 3 min of cruising and landed. And the crew still managed to hand water and chocolate to all the passengers. I love Lufthansa, they’re so brilliant. If I wasn’t coming from Venice I would have travelled by ICE between the two cities, but this flight was so surreal that I’d do it again just for the fun
What an excellent watch. I love the banter and feel for Nicky on this one, definitely the train is the way to go.
Thanks for proving what I've always known. The train is the superior form of transport in Spain. Great video guys. Muchas gracias.
Tokyo-Osaka seems like an interesting idea for a future race
What another great video! Keep up the great work!
Love you both!!!
Yay! A new TPG video! 😃
Congrats, Liam, on your win! If I have a choice, I generally prefer the train over flying as it's usually less stressful. I'm sorry, Nicky, that it just wasn't Iberia's day, as far as timing.
Love your videos! Hope you both have a very Happy Christmas!🎄🎄🎅
Merry Christmas Liam & Nicky! Great video as always! Happy New New Year’s too!
Thanks guys, that was great. I do have one complaint - I wish your videos were longer.
Music was amazing as always and a shoutout to whomever does the editing - awesome work.
As long as you are in places like Tel Aviv and Barcelona/Madrid it would be great to see some hotel room and eating/entertainment follow up videos. #ThePointsGuyUK
the train seats on Siemens Velaro have two buttons, one on the side and one under the seat.first class,premier,business! Standard,Seconds class only one , mostly✌️
The AVE is a nice train to catch and for inside of Spain if you live downtown works good.
Im suprised it was that expensive though. I travelled first class (or whatever most expensive is called) recently from Madrid to Valencia and that was only 30 euro.
For a short ride downtown it works.
Bit lame that Liam acts like its a close call while he just had a phone call and knew Nicky was still in the air and had a huge delay.
Nicky,
Your fate was sealed after that rough intro/opening! Lol 😮. You and Liam certainly enjoy doing these don’t you? They are very informative and extremely entertaining to say the least. Brilliant as you boys say!
It was a nice Video. I am sorry for Nicky that he was stuck so long in Barcelona. Please more train vs. Airplane Videos
I studied abroad in Madrid in the first half of the year and only used AVE for solo travel outside of Madrid and only had two flights whilst over there (MAD-FRA, NCE-MAD; taking DB and SNCF trains plus a bus from Marseille-Cannes, and Cannes-Nice
I live in madrid and I love the trains here!!
I really enjoy you guys every single video, u guys need to do city tour videos too!
Finally you come to Spain! You have to come more!
I just took the same renfe a few days back, what a coincidence! Wish we had high speed rail in the states ;(
What station in Barcelona do you catch the Renfe? And which station does it arrive in Madrid. I am looking to visit next year.
@@heythave Dont you know what Google Maps is? And they also mention it in the video. Barcelona the main station is Sans Estacia, right downtown. In Madrid it is Atocha.
@@murderboytje Gosh, I’ve never been to that part of Europe and so names just fly over my head. Thanks for the info. I have to do some serious research if we are going there.
@@heythave You dont have to worry lol. Google Maps knows it all.
Pretty cool video guys ! I did the same trip a few weeks ago but Iberia did its job properly, arriving 15min ahead of scheduled.
I think the key for this trip relies more on the companies (Renfe and Iberia) than in the possibility that train is faster than plane and viceversa.
Cheers !
Another great video and great to see the high speed train leading the way. Have you guys thought about doing a similar comparison video of train vs plane between Milan & Rome?
Just a couple of fun observations
1. Nicky usually has a look on his face like he is trying to cook up some mischief to get into...=).
2. Liam is what, 19? Seriously, he looks like everyone's kid brother...=).
3. Thanks for reminding us that travel is supposed to be FUN!!!
From Madrid airport Terminal 4, to get you to Puerta del Sol (plaza Mayor) , you would have done better with the "cercanias" (commuter train)
Love the video!!! I'm in the train team, of course!!!! 🥳🥳🥳🥳
How about race from Helsinki to Tallinn? Flight, ferry and any other vehicle you find?
AVE it’s one of the best things that happened in Spain since the last 20 years I think
30 years (1992).
It's a gigantic waste of time to take a taxi between Atocha and Plaza Mayor instead of taking a 1 stop commuter rail to Sol (single ticket included in your AVE ticket) and then walking a couple of blocks to Plaza Mayor
I live in BCN and had no idea about the air bridge to MAD. I always take the train.
People take the plane only when they've got an onward connection.
Had the same thing re food in priority class on Renfe AVE. Apparently if you book through third parties, e.g. Omio, it’s not included. If you book direct it is.
Flying between Barcelona and Madrid would never even cross my mind unless I had a connecting flight, and even then I could just do Atocha Cercanías to T4. AVE all the way.
Also, as others have said, you should have just got Cercanías (urban train, essentially Spanish Elizabeth Line but many of them), especially as it's included in your ticket.
Also if your AVE is 15 mins or more late you get a 50% refund.
Thanks guys! Fun!
The nuevos ministerios exchange is longer than the train and Airplane combined
Yes.If you have to go from/to MAD/BCN cities, I mean no area around, i mean city dontown is better HS because you don't have to go to/from airport and you take advantage of not to be in a rush, if not, plane,
Love these chaps and their sense of humor abound. Keep it up guys.
public vs private transport should also be consistent. ie. f you start with public transport you should end with public transport.
AVE services are usually very punctual because if there is a delay of more than 15min you get 50% refund and if it is more than 30min you get a 100% refund
Aww poor Nikki 🥺
It's that day when everything would go wrong 😔
Still it was nice you kept a positive attitude and polite behaviour for everyone else 👍👏
12:25 Liam out here looking like a 2000s Pop Icon.
An everything went wrong trip. I'm sorry for your pain lads (Nicky) but entertaining as always and so realistic. Hehe
I was just at the sagarda Familia last month I love Barcelona il be back in March I was staying in les corts not far from camp nou
Bienvenidos a España 🇪🇸 even watching the video makes me feel nervous 😂
I want to say you can take the train tickets with lowcost trains :Oiugo and Avlo. The travel is very cheap and confortable!!
love the introoo
You should give it another chance but running with Iryo's first class instead of renfe classic service!
Next we want to see a Milan-Rome race
If you are using the Puente Aereo between Barcelona and Madrid, you aren't going to Madrid. You use it for a connection to go somewhere else. If you are going to Madrid then you go train, every day of the week. It is by far more reliable and the train stations are in the centre of the cities.
great video, but the conclusion is somehow missing or I missed it, what was the time difference in the end?
Nicks bro your a star. You look wrecked but still on it as per much love
I love this channel
You guys should do Zurich to Milan with train and airplane 🇨🇭/🇮🇹
From Nuevos Ministerios, better not to take the cercanias, but line 10 to Tribunal and the 1 to Tirso de Molina
last year i took the Ouigo train from madrid to barca. so easy and the madrid station is a few blocks from the prado museum. the madrid airport is gigantic and the train is always the better choice, unless you're flying from barca to madrid and then flying out of madrid.
guys please mention time required through journey as well along with fare
i love that nicky always goes all in, sweaty and running and all, while liam is calm cool and collected, yet nicky usually loses lol. it's cute. i also run hot.
What was the difference in time?
NICKY AND LIAM, my favourite Chaotic Travellers. The Frodo and Sam of RUclips, if you will. The camera is Gollum.
:)
what were the times? I saw the prices but not the times?
Did you subtract an hour from the flight experience
Pity you never tried Iryo which has a splendid first class and deploys Frecciarossa trains.
Quote of the Day: “Tapas? Tapas. Let’s go!”
Nicky took the commuting train instead of the Metro, which is why he got confused and didn't end up close to Plaza Mayor.
Nice video, well if the plane had not been delayed who would have won?
You should do Lisbon to Oporto too.
I was in Madrid last week 👍🏻
Please do westjet 787 from Calgary to London
can you guys do a video on airfrance
I'm offedned you went to Plaza Mayor and didn't get a bocata de calamares
From where?
Can you guys do a flight review on Qantas
ahah the first part is so funny
and the best part about this is that the train ticket he took was 93€ but you can find other rail operators with prices starting at 7 or 8€.
Munich Berlin race would be nice too
The guy that took the plane should have taken a taxi to the city center and the one that took the train should have gotten to sol by metro, way faster than taxi
I love planes!
Same
Do more travel races
next video you should make is train vs taxi from Times Square to JFK
Nowadays, this type of internal flight is no longer allowed in France if there's a TGV service that takes less than 2H30 - the 'equivalent' Barcelona to Madrid being the Paris to Lyon route (admittedly shorter). As the train takes 2 hours, you can only fly domestically if you have a connecting flight elsewhere, outside of France. That being said, the new ruling hasn't changed much because just about everyone travelling between Paris and Lyon had switched to rail already. It's a nice 'theory', anyway...
You guys should do a plane vs train from vienna to hungary.
FYI, you could just ask the driver for "Terminal domestico" :)
Very cool mobiles connect! 👍
Can you do Swiss Airline
Guys when are you uploading your next video? I miss your videos?
"Trains are more reliable"
Laughs in Deutsche Bahn
(German rail provider, terribly unreliable)
Most Renfe services that aren't high speed are pretty unreliable as well, not so much in terms of suspended trains (which as far as I know seems to be pretty common with DB), but in terms of delays. I sometimes have to take a 9 hour train ride and it's usually slightly under an hour late. The good thing about Renfe is that they offer partial and full refunds for delays over 30 and 60 minutes, so at least I get to travel for cheap :)
Can you have Oslo Trondheim or Oslo stavanger
If the AVE is more than 20 minutes late it will give you a refund. Try that with an airline.
The delay at Barcelona airport proved hugely significant in this race.
Nicky was beaten early on through no real fault of his own, just bad luck.
Hope that the person who was in need of medical attention was ok on the flight.
Random question/query, but anyone know what liams bag brand/ model is. Looks like a nice bag and I need a new one
Sandqvist!
@@ThePointsGuyDepartures omg you actually replied. Thx guys love the vids
It was very nice of Nicky to give up his victory to let the passengers who were in an actual rush out first