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Take advantage of student discounts
Museums, theaters, and even public transport offer discounts with a student ID or International Student Card (ISIC). Museums are also free after 6 P.M. or 18:00
Expect late meal times – Lunch around 2–3 p.m., dinner after 9 p.m.
Learn basic Spanish phrases – While many locals know English, being polite in Spanish goes a long way.
Don’t rush – The pace is more relaxed, and showing patience (especially with bureaucratic processes) is key.
Stay aware of pickpockets in touristy areas like Gran Vía or Sol. This picture in Sol shows how packed it can get.
Keep a copy of your passport and visa on your phone and in your email—just in case.
Travel on weekends – Use Renfe trains or budget airlines (like Ryanair) to explore other parts of Spain or Europe cheaply.
Being Cashless is Common
Most places accept card or contactless payments. If you do bring cash, make sure you have loose change. Some establishments, bus and taxi drivers, especially on morning shifts, usually do not have change for bigger bills. So if you prefer paying cash, it’s a good idea to be stocked up on smaller bills (€5 and €10) and coins.
Tipping is Not Expected
In Spain, tipping is not expected at all, but if the service is good, tipping is always appreciated.
Do not eat food on the move
Eating is an age-old pleasure that must be savored unhurriedly, so it’s very uncommon to see Spaniards biting sandwiches or munching on fries while walking down the street or riding public transportation.
You can drink tap water!
Spanish tap water is some of the best and they take pride in their water!
There's one number for Emergency!
Call 112 for any emergency. You can contact this number for any kind of emergency in Spain, even without a Spanish SIM card on your mobile phone. You’ll be connected to the right emergency service through multilingual operators. To contact the Spanish National Police, dial 091.
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