Renfe Trains & AVE

Spain's railway network by Renfe is the backbone of long-distance travel — and the high-speed train AVE (Alta Velocidad Española) is among the best in the world. With speeds up to 310 km/h, it connects major cities quickly, comfortably, and often cheaper than flying.

The AVE Network — Spain's Pride

Spain has the second-longest high-speed network in the world after China (over 3,400 km). The AVE is punctual (Renfe refunds the ticket price for delays over 15 minutes!), comfortable, and worth the journey.

Main AVE Connections

Route	Duration	Price (from)	Frequency
Madrid → Barcelona	2h 30	€25	25× daily
Madrid → Seville	2h 20	€25	20× daily
Madrid → Málaga	2h 25	€25	12× daily
Madrid → Valencia	1h 35	€20	18× daily
Madrid → Córdoba	1h 45	€20	20× daily
Madrid → Toledo	0h 33	€13	12× daily
Barcelona → Seville	5h 30	€35	4× daily
Barcelona → Valencia	3h 00	€20	10× daily
Seville → Córdoba	0h 45	€12	15× daily
Madrid → Segovia	0h 27	€12	10× daily

Iryo & Ouigo — the AVE Competition

Since 2022/2023, there is competition on the main routes:

• Iryo: Italian provider (Trenitalia/NTV), runs Madrid–Barcelona, Madrid–Seville, Madrid–Valencia. Modern trains, often cheaper prices than Renfe. From €18.
• Ouigo: French SNCF subsidiary, budget trains Madrid–Barcelona and Madrid–Valencia. Base price from €9 (!), but without luggage and comfort. Perfect for budget travelers.

The competition has significantly lowered prices — Madrid → Barcelona for under €20 is no longer uncommon.

Other Train Types

• Alvia / Avant: Fast trains on non-AVE routes, e.g., to Northern Spain (Madrid → Bilbao 4h 30, from €25; Madrid → San Sebastián 5h, from €25). Comfortable, but slower than AVE.
• Media Distancia: Regional trains for medium distances, e.g., Seville → Cádiz (1h 40, €12), Valencia → Alicante (2h, €10). Cheap, no reservation required.
• Cercanías: Suburban train networks in major cities (Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Málaga, Bilbao). €1–3 per ride. Ideal for airport transfers and suburbs.
• Trenhotel: Night trains, e.g., Barcelona → Galicia. Romantic, but slow — more of an experience than efficient transport.

Booking & Saving Tips

• Early Bird Fare "Promo": Book 60–90 days in advance — AVE tickets often cost only €25–35 instead of €80–110. Non-refundable, but exchangeable.
• Renfe App: The official app ("Renfe Horarios") is the best source. Also bookable via trainline.com or thetrainline.com (small fee).
• Spain Pass: For frequent travelers, there are multi-trip cards (e.g., 4 trips on any AVE routes). Worth it from 3–4 long-distance trips.
• Luggage: On the AVE, 3 pieces of luggage per person are included (no extra charge). More generous than airlines!