I recommend using buses rather than trains for getting between towns and cities in Spain. They are both cheaper and quicker than the trains which tend to take indirect routes and are unreliable. The best routes to use the train for is between Barcelona to Madrid (2 hours) and Madrid to Seville (2 hours). These routes are covered by the AVE - an express train which covers the large distances between both points in a couple of hours rather than the usual 6-7 hours which the much slower regional 'express' trains take.
Updates
I agree about the buses- pretty good and cheap. The AVE to Seville is good (2:30 hours, not 2)- although pricey at peak times- but the Barcelona to Madrid line isn't finished yet so 2 hours is very optimistic (nearer 4 and a half).
Send your feedback or queries to been.there@guardian.co.uk
Search Been there
