My New York pal wants to come to England in March and then go off to Spain.

I don't fancy driving there, and the distances between the main cities are quite long for a 10-day break. Is it feasible to book each leg with Spanish railways or buy a Eurorail pass of some sort - we are both 62? Gillian Kempster, by email

Sunday Times travel expert Richard Green responds: Spanish railways are very good, and an InterRail pass is the perfect way to see lots of the country without marathon drives or endless airport queues.

The passes are available for three, four, six, or eight days of travel in a one-month period, and with a pass you can travel on as many trains as you like on your chosen travel days. The three-day pass for Spain starts at £93pp (and you can treat yourself to First Class, £125). Four day passes are £118 in standard class, six days £161, and eight days £195.

There is a catch here though, in that to qualify for an InterRail pass, you have to be resident in one of 30 European countries that are in the scheme.

However your American friend can buy a Eurail pass. It's similar, but the options are quite different, so your friend needs to contact Rail Europe's US office, or buy their pass from Rail Europe's Travel Centre at 1 Regent Street, London. A three country, five-day pass starts at £299pp, which covers the UK-Spain train.

Fares in a four-berth couchette from London to Madrid or Barcelona, changing in Paris, are from about £200 return.

You have to pay a supplement on all Spanish trains ­ usually about £6 per journey. The new super duper high-speed link between Madrid and Barcelona ­ which takes just 2 hours and 40 minutes - costs £8.50.

Buy your pass through Rail Europe (0844 848 4070).

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