A good geographical location is irrelevant unless the proper physical means are used to connect with the rest of the world. The infrastructure network of Castilla-León consists of a modern and comprehensive network of free highways, multiple railway hubs for both freight and passengers, four international airports and several dry ports. Additionally, the network includes significant international ports (Oporto, Vigo, Bilbao and Santander) all within a 400 km radius.
Roads
Castilla- León has a modern and efficient network of highways and freeways spanning over 2,440 km, which enables smooth traffic with the rest of the Iberian Peninsula and Europe (the French border is 150 km away from Castilla-León). As a result, the majority of provincial capital cities are interconnected through this high-capacity network. Most of the road network consists of toll-free kilometers and is maintained regularly, ensuring optimal conditions.
Among the main community routes, the following should be highlighted:
A-1, from the north of Burgos to Madrid. This highway connects with France and Bilbao in the north, and in the south with the main Spanish highways through Madrid. This highway is mostly toll-fee in Castilla-León.
A-6, which runs through Castilla y León from Madrid and reaches Galicia (Port of Vigo). This highway is toll-free.
A-62 (Trans European Axis), it connects the borders of Portugal and France. This highway is mostly toll-free in Castilla-León.
A-66, also known as the Silver Route, stretches from the north of León to the south of Salamanca. This highway connects with Asturias in the north and with Seville in the south, providing convenient access to the ports in Avilés and Algeciras, respectively. It is a toll-free highway.
A-67, from Valladolid to Santander (Port). It is a toll-free highway.
Airports
Castilla y León has 4 airports: Villanubla in Valladolid, Matacán in Salamanca, Virgen del Camino in León and Villafría in Burgos. All four provide companies established in Castilla-León with the necessary services for air communication both for freight and passengers. All four are within 15 km from their respective cities, ensuring easy and efficient access.
This airport network provides regular domestic flights to various destinations, and through Barcelona’s airport, they offer connections to a wide range of international destinations. Adolfo Suárez International Airport in Madrid has the highest air traffic and is located 55 minutes away from the center of the region.
Railway
The main provinces in Castilla-León are interconnected by a railway system that also connects the region with neighboring regions and Portugal. The extensive railway network in Castilla-León spans over 3,000 km and handles a significant portion of rail traffic for half of Spain.
Regarding freight transportation, the rail system moves over 3,200 tons a day, taking advantage of its strategic position as a logistics hub in several regional towns. In this sense, the design of the Spanish railway map grants Castilla-León the role of articulating and connecting freight traffic between the southern and northern regions, particularly through its branches to the northwest (Galicia) and northeast (Basque Country, Catalonia, and France). This also facilitates the access of these goods to the country’s main seaports.
Regarding passenger transportation, it is worth highlighting the presence of various High-Speed Rail services in the region. Specifically, the High-Speed train that connects Madrid to Valladolid in 55 minutes and Segovia in only minutes with multiple daily trips. As well, it connects the capital city with the northern region of Spain and, with future plans to extend its reach to the Atlantic Coast and the Northeast of the Iberian Peninsula. The infrastructure plan includes expanding some stretches within the region as well as establishing direct connections with other regions and indirect connections with the French high-speech rail service.