A new train connects Madrid and Valencia in 95 minutes

By Kate Appleton
October 3, 2012
blog_101119_valencia_pano_original.jpg
(Courtesy <a href="http://mybt.budgettravel.com/_Valencia/photo/9307350/21864.html">apeakin/myBudgetTravel</a>

Spain's enviable, high-speed AVE train network is introducing a Madrid-Valencia route on December 19. The train, which speeds as fast as 205 mph, will cut the journey from three hours and 50 minutes to 95 minutes, while only raising the ticket price about $16—from $107 (€78) to $123 (€90), raileurope.com. (The current Alaris train will still be available at the cheaper price.)

Even so, high-speed trains can't beat European low-cost carriers when it comes to pricing. Ryanair has a 55-minute flight available from Madrid to Valencia for $40 on December 19, according to Kayak. But consider whether you really want to subject yourself to Ryanair's no-frills service and notorious fees—and the added hassle of checking in and clearing airport security.

For more comparison pricing of train and flight routes in Europe and Asia, check out The Fastest Trains on the Track.

RELATED Madrid: 4 Easy Day Trips by Train

Plan Your Next Getaway
Keep reading
Inspiration

On your next NYC visit, are you Brooklyn-bound?

A few months ago, we asked if you'd sightsee in NYC, but sleep in Jersey City, just a river's train ride west of Manhattan. Your overwhelmingly positive responses got me thinking: Would BT readers be interested in not only staying overnight, but also spending their days outside of Manhattan? What about Brooklyn, a river east? As many creative types, the arts, and immigrant communities get further priced out of Manhattan, Brooklyn seems more and more like the go-to borough for a true-blue New York experience. A new book of photos and art, Brooklyn Diary: Walk, Shop, Home, and Studio ($32, Lines &amp; Shapes 2010), illustrates Brooklyn as the truly beautiful mishmash of cultures and personalities that it is, and provides the perfect pre-trip guide to what many consider to be New York's greatest borough. Curator Lena Corwin chose 21 Brooklyn-based artists to open up their homes and studios, and share their favorite shops, restaurants, and neighborhood spots through their own artwork and the collective lens(es) of 10 different photographers. Divided into five sections: Walk, Eat, Shop, Home, and Studio, Brooklyn Diary is an excellent guide to the lesser-known pearls of a less-frequented, but no-less-electrifying, borough. Of course, the book outlines the daily lives of those 21 artists in a very personal, neighborly way, but the greatest value for travelers are the places to shop and eat. Without further adieu, here are my favorites: Immediately east of the mid-to-lower section of Manhattan is the trendy neighborhood of Williamsburg, a straight shot from 14th St. across the river on the L train, or a quick, southern hook over the Williamsburg Bridge on the J or M. In this traditionally Hasidic, Italian, Hispanic, and African American neighborhood, you can sip coffee and watch hip 20-somethings stroll by at Verb Caf&eacute; (218 Bedford Ave.; Bedford L), take a private booth at the beautiful Japanese brasserie, Zenkichi (77 N. 6th St.; Bedford L), or browse the great collection of books (especially art books) at Spoonbill and Sugartown (218 Bedford Ave.; Bedford L), among other things. Also, nothing, and I mean nothing, beats a $5 chicken biscuit slathered in honey butter and hot sauce from Pies 'n' Thighs (166 S. 4th St.; Marcy J or Bedford L). Just north of Williamsburg is Greenpoint, a traditionally Polish enclave. I prefer the Pierogi platter at Lomzynianka Restauracja (646 Manhattan Ave.; Nassau G) and the fresh donuts at Peter Pan (727 Manhattan Ave.; Nassau G) simply for their unbelievably cheap, home-cooked goodness. And of course, no New York experience would be complete without pizza, right? Closer to where I live in Bushwick, there's a little hole in the wall called Roberta's (261 Moore St.; Morgan L), which serves up some of the tastiest slices in the city, complete with fresh, artisanal ingredients and unusual toppings. If you're willing to go down to Carroll Gardens, try Lucali (575 Henry St.; Carroll F or G). Besides being the rumored favorite date spot of Beyonce and Jay-Z, it's quite possibly the freshest pizza I've ever had. Toppings are brought in and vary by day, and it's BYOB, so take your own bottle of wine&mdash;from the jumbled, bulbous neighborhoods bursting with swagger to the independent galleries, shops, and shows, it's all about doing it yourself, in Brooklyn.

Inspiration

Readers' best Caribbean Sea photos

Nothing inspires a beach escape quite like a dreamy photo. These 25 sun-drenched images show off the variety and appeal of destinations like Cozumel, Vieques, and even Cuba, and are guaranteed to get you thinking about your next sand-and-sea getaway. See the slide show. RECENT READER SLIDE SHOWS Skylines | Mexico | Wildlife | Australia STILL IN SEARCH OF... We're collecting your photos of Japan. Upload them through myBudgetTravel, tag them, and check back in the coming weeks for a slide show of the best submissions.

Inspiration

Ask Trip Coach: Safaris

The next Trip Coach topic is a biggie&mdash;big in terms of complications and expense, and big in terms of an amazing experience like none other. On a trip as epic as an African safari, you really want to get all the details right. And to do that, you need to be well-informed about every part of the experience, from booking your trip to tipping your guides and everything in between. With that in mind, please send us all of your safari-related questions, and we'll answer the best, most pertinent and pressing ones in an upcoming Trip Coach column. You might be wondering about topics such as: Which are the easiest safari destinations to reach? How about the best overall spots to go on safari? Which destinations offer the most scenery and animal sightings for the money? Are tour packages the way to go? If so, what are the best options? Is a DIY safari even possible? If so, how does one even get started? How much should one expect to pay, and are there any good strategies for saving money? What are the pros and cons of various lodging options in Africa's national parks and reserves? What should one expect in terms of shots, paperwork, and other prep work in advance of a safari? What are the big mistakes commonly made by first-timers that I should be sure to avoid? Now it's your turn: Voice your concerns and ask whatever questions you have regarding safaris. (To get in the safari frame of mind, it might help to browse some of BT's safari stories in the links below.) We'll do our best to provide answers and guide you every step of the way in an upcoming issue of Budget Travel. MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL Dream Trips: Take an Affordable African Safari The No-Frills African Safari 10 Questions: Get the Most Out of Your African Safari

Inspiration

Sneak peek: Aloft's first NYC hotel will open in Harlem

Finally New York is getting its own Aloft hotel. You know, that chic, affordable brand from the folks behind W. Not only it is the fastest hotel roll out in history, with more than 40 properties opened in two years, but Aloft also gotten attention for its modern design sensibility and cutting-edge technology. Nearly a century has passed since Harlem got a new hotel, which makes this opening especially noteworthy. Aloft Harlem has high hopes to fill a need for visitors while also winning over residents. The hotel held a casting call over the summer at the Apollo Theater to recruit employees with personality. And earlier this week I stopped by for a media preview&mdash;catered by nearby soul-food institution Sylvia's and held in the slick lobby bar and lounge. Aloft Harlem will be easily recognizable to fans of the brand. The 124 rooms, with either a king or two queen platform beds, have striped pillows and window shades, cork headboards, nine-foot ceilings, 42" flatscreen TVs, free Wi-Fi, numerous outlets, and Bliss Spa products. Bathrooms are equipped with refillable dispensers instead of throwaway plastic bottles, and a mini-fridge replaces the traditional mini-bar. The ability to choose your own room when checking in at lobby kiosks has also set Aloft hotels apart. Lately, the brand has been working to streamline the arrival process further. Guests can choose to participate in a pilot program&mdash;already underway at the Aloft Lexington and available next in Harlem&mdash;for keyless check-in. Here's how it works. You join the free Starwood Preferred Guest program and receive a special card with radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. On the day of arrival, you get a text message with your room number, and then you can head straight to your room and unlock the door using your Starwood card. When Brian McGuinness, the SVP of Specialty Select Brands, took me up to see a room at Aloft Harlem, he demonstrated the RFID technology by opening the door with his card. No need to wait in line or keep track of disposable hotel keycards. Room rates start at $239 for December, and McGuinness told me they will then drop to around the $175 to $200 range (Aloft rooms generally average $125 a night). From now through March 31, 2011, guests who book a stay at Aloft Harlem will earn double Starwood Preferred Guest points and a $20 voucher redeemable at the hotel's bar or grab-and-go pantry. The hotel is part of a 12-story, mixed-use building with condos and retail at 2296 Frederick Douglass Blvd. It's just south of bustling 125th St., where you can catch many subway and bus lines. The Apollo and the Studio Museum are within a few minutes' walk. Our profile of Harlem Hotspots includes Ethiopian restaurant Zoma, just down the boulevard. While the phrase "up-and-coming" hasn't been tossed around as much to describe Harlem since the recession hit, Aloft is clearly betting on a neighborhood renaissance. Chef Marcus Samuelsson is also embracing Harlem; his soon-to-open Red Rooster at 310 Lenox Ave., near 125th St., has been getting at least as much buzz as Aloft. In addition to serving his unique spin on American comfort food, the 3,400-sq.-ft. space will include a grocery store and a basement level for live music and cooking demos. Samuelsson now lives in the area, and in a video clip for Black Atlas, he stops in to chat with locals including the chief curator of the Studio Museum and the owner of 67 Orange Street, one of a few sophisticated cocktail and wine bars along Frederick Douglass Boulevard. Check out Samuelsson's video after the jump&mdash;it makes a nice introduction to the look and feel of Harlem. RELATED Looking to stay elsewhere in the New York area? Aloft Brooklyn is slated to open in January 2011. And find out why Jersey City can be an appealing option.