The soft hum of the tracks, the countryside rolling past, and hours ahead with nothing but time—Spanish train journeys can be scenic but long. Whether you’re on a five-hour AVE from Madrid to Málaga or a slow regional ride to Galicia, staying entertained is part of the ride. Here’s how frequent travelers make the most of every mile.
1. Create a Personal Audio Bubble
Noise-canceling headphones are the first investment. They block the ambient chatter, crying babies, and clinking food trolleys. But what you listen to matters even more. Podcasts, ambient soundtracks, and language lessons help you tune out and focus in.
Before boarding, download your playlists, podcast episodes, or language files. If you’re pulling audio from video sources to practice Spanish pronunciation, an online audio converter can help you save content as MP3s for offline use.
2. Read Differently
Books are reliable companions, but long rides offer space for reading in new formats.
- E-readers like Kindle reduce weight and let you carry hundreds of books.
- Audiobooks allow you to rest your eyes and still follow a compelling story.
- Pocket articles—save long-reads from news sites and blogs using apps like Pocket or Instapaper.
Reading doesn’t have to mean fiction. Train time is great for catching up on newsletters, deep features, or personal journals.
3. Download Series, Not Just Movies
Watching films helps pass time, but TV series with 20–30 minute episodes create better pacing. You get frequent breaks and less fatigue. Spanish Netflix originals like La Casa de Papel or Valeria offer cultural immersion with entertainment.
Plan downloads ahead of time. Many train routes lose signal through tunnels and remote landscapes. Buffering ruins the rhythm.
Smart picks:
- Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories – short, meaningful, and atmospheric.
- Call My Agent! – easy to follow with subtitles and dialogue-rich.
- Chef’s Table – perfect without sound if you already know the backstories.
4. Play Games That Don’t Feel Like Games
Endless runners and Candy Crush get stale. Try games that sharpen your mind or connect you with people.
- Sudoku, chess, or word games – stimulate without noise.
- Offline trivia apps – test your geography or Spanish vocabulary.
- Card games on-screen – solitaire, rummy, or bridge, solo or multiplayer.
Multiplayer word games like Wordfeud or Lexulous keep things interactive, even across continents. If you’re riding with someone, classic travel-sized board games work too.
5. Train as Your Mobile Office
Some use trains for passive fun; others treat it like a productivity lab.
- Draft emails, finish your newsletter, or outline your blog.
- Edit photos or organize your travel folder.
- Reflect. Journal entries written at 200 km/h feel poetic.
With stable Wi-Fi on some AVE routes and charging ports at your feet, it’s one of the few places where you can get deep work done without distraction.
6. Curate a Visual Memory Dump
Trains offer time to clean your digital life. Delete duplicates, back up photos, or make folders you’ve been avoiding. Use tools like Google Photos or Lightroom Mobile to organize, edit, and rate your best shots from the trip.
You can even create an Instagram post or story draft while offline, then hit publish when back in signal range. Some travelers treat train time as photo curating hour—a reset between destinations.
7. Eat Like You’re Not on a Train
Snacks matter. Train food is overpriced and uninspiring. Regular travelers pack their own meal kits.
Ideas:
- Fresh baguette with cheese and olives
- Dried fruit, dark chocolate, and almonds
- Cold soba noodles with soy dipping sauce
- A thermos of mint tea or lemon water
Bring a compact cloth napkin, a refillable bottle, and something with crunch. Chewing passes time, and eating with intention makes the ride feel like an event.
8. People-Watching as a Sport
Seats on Spanish trains offer excellent sightlines. Families, business travelers, backpackers, and locals all converge. Observe interactions, outfits, or accents. Invent stories for your fellow passengers. It’s free and always fresh.
For the bold, start a quiet conversation. Trains create an atmosphere where strangers often share more than expected.
9. Plan Ahead Without Pressure
Use the time to review your itinerary. Map walking routes, check attraction hours, and jot down cafes or museums nearby. Apps like Rome2Rio or Google Maps offline mode let you plot without needing signal.
Some travelers keep a dedicated “what to do if it rains” note. Trains are where many backup plans are born.
10. Meditate or Do Nothing
Boredom isn’t the enemy. It’s rare and useful. Use part of your ride to stare out the window without expectation. Spain’s landscape—from sunflower fields to olive groves—is its own moving gallery.
You don’t have to fill every minute. The mental pause might be what you needed most.
Train rides across Spain offer more than just transport. They’re chapters between chapters—an invitation to reset, create, consume, or do nothing at all. Whether your goal is to work, relax, or learn, your seat becomes your space. The scenery handles itself.