The 4 Best Public Transport Apps for Spain in 2026
Getting around by metro, bus or train is easier with the right app: it works out the best route, gives you real-time departures and tells you where to get off. Moovit has the widest coverage, Citymapper is the most polished and Renfe Cercanías is the one to have for commuter rail in Spain. In this guide we compare the 4 best public transport apps in 2026.
Top apps for getting around the city by public transport
Apps for planning metro, bus, commuter rail and tram journeys with real-time departures, stop alerts and alternative routes when there is disruption.
Top pick
Moovit: Horarios de bus y tren
Free · 100M+
Widest coverage
3.4
1.5M reviews
TopApps analysis
Moovit is the public transport app with the widest coverage in the world: it combines metro, bus, rail, tram and bike with door-to-door routes and real-time departures.
Moovit is the public transport app with the widest coverage in the world. In Spain it handles Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, Valencia and many more cities, combining metro, bus, commuter rail, tram and bikes. It works out the best door-to-door route with live timetables and alerts so you get off at the right stop.
Pros
- The widest public transport coverage in the world
- Combines metro, bus, commuter rail, tram and bikes
- Door-to-door routes with live timetables
Cons
- Live information depends on each city
- Shows advertising
- Average rating due to occasional data glitches
Citymapper: Tren, Bus y Metro
Free · 10M+
Best rated
4.9
375K reviews
TopApps analysis
Citymapper is the best rated urban transport app (4.9★): impeccable design, real-time data and alternatives when there is disruption. It covers a selected list of larger cities rather than every town.
Citymapper is the best-rated urban transport app (4.9★). In Spain it covers Madrid and Barcelona with excellent accuracy and design: it combines metro, bus, commuter rail, bike and even walking to give you the best route, with real-time timetables, departures for every line and alternatives when something goes wrong.
Pros
- The best-rated urban transport app (4.9★)
- Combines metro, bus, commuter rail, bike and walking
- Real-time timetables and alternatives during disruptions
Cons
- In Spain it only covers Madrid and Barcelona
- Fewer cities than Moovit
- Some features depend on each network's open data
Google Maps
Google LLC · Free · 10.000M+
Best for combining everything
3.9
19.5M reviews
TopApps analysis
Google Maps brings public transport together with driving, cycling and walking in a single app, with huge coverage and real-time data. The most versatile option.
Google Maps is the most complete GPS navigator available. Real-time voice navigation for driving, walking, cycling and transit, with live traffic, automatic rerouting, Street View and offline maps.
Pros
- Largest map and business coverage worldwide
- Real-time traffic with auto-rerouting
- Driving, walking, cycling and transit in one app
Cons
- High battery and data usage during navigation
- Collects a lot of location data
- Offline maps take space and need updating
Renfe Cercanías
Free · 1M+
Best for commuter rail in Spain
4.2
33K reviews
TopApps analysis
Renfe Cercanías is the official app for Spain's commuter rail network: timetables, arrival times and service status for every regional network. Useful if you travel in Spain.
Renfe Cercanías is the official app for getting around on Spain's commuter train network. Check timetables, arrival times and service status, and plan your journey between stations in the Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville and Bilbao networks and the rest. Essential if you take the cercanías every day.
Pros
- Official app for Renfe's commuter trains
- Timetables and times for every network in Spain
- Journey planner between stations
Cons
- Covers commuter trains only, not medium or long distance
- The information depends on Renfe's official data
- Interface could be better in some sections
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best public transport app?
Moovit is the most complete on coverage: it works in most cities, combining metro, bus, rail and tram. Citymapper is the best rated and the most polished, though it only covers a selection of larger cities. For commuter rail in Spain specifically, the official Renfe Cercanías app is the one to have.
Moovit or Google Maps for public transport?
Google Maps is more versatile because it combines public transport with driving, cycling and walking, and its coverage is huge. Moovit is more specialised, with more line detail, stop alerts and data from more local operators. For daily city travel many people use Moovit or Citymapper; for trips that mix modes, Google Maps.
Do these apps work without an internet connection?
Most need a connection for timetables and real-time service status. Some, like Moovit or Citymapper, let you download maps or lines to check offline, but live information (delays, next arrivals) needs internet. Plan your route on Wi-Fi before leaving if you expect poor signal.
Articles you might like
The 6 Best GPS Navigation and Maps Apps in 2026
We compare the best GPS navigation and maps apps: Google Maps, Waze, Sygic, HERE WeGo, Petal Maps and Organic Maps. For driving, offline travel and avoiding traffic.
The 5 Best Apps for Booking Cheap Hotels in 2026
We compare the best apps for booking hotels and cheap accommodation: Booking, Airbnb, trivago, Hostelworld and Expedia. Find the best price for your stay.
The 4 Best Car Rental Apps in 2026
We compare the best car rental apps: SIXT, DiscoverCars, Goldcar and Europcar, from premium fleets to low cost options for your next trip.
The 4 Best Weather Apps in 2026
We compare the best weather apps: Tiempo & Radar, Windy, AccuWeather and AEMET. Which gets Spain right and which warns you first about rain.
The 4 Best Apps to Find Cheap Petrol Stations in 2026
We compare the best fuel apps in Spain: Gasall, Gasolina Now, Gasolineras España and SocialDrive. Official prices and real savings per fill-up.
The 4 Best Trip Planner Apps in 2026
We compare the best apps to organise a trip: Wanderlog, TripIt, Tripadvisor and Google Maps. Day-by-day itineraries, bookings and maps in one place.