Road tripping through Spain and Portugal is our passion, but we are no stranger to trips on the high-speed train. We’ve been onboard the AVE trains (that’s the generic term for high-speed trains in Spain) more than 200 hundred times, fascinated by the sight of the Spanish landscapes going through the window at more than 300 km per hour.
So, in case you need to take a high-speed train as part of your trip to Spain, we want to share with you lots of tips and information on a very convenient means of transportation in the country.
The video we have recorded is divided in six big sections.
- we discuss the company operating the trains and the types of high-speed trains in Spain – there’s more than one!
- we describe what the main high-speed lines are and where they take you, and we have a quick look at the main stations.
- we analyze the different classes onboard the trains.
- it is always essential to know what is the baggage allowance onboard the trains.
- finally, we describe in what a bit of detail what is a trip like on the high-speed train.
We hope you found the information useful. It won’t be the last time we talk about trains here on the site, as there as some great news about to happen.
Spain has now four high-speed train operators, two standard services, and two low-cost services.
The first operator is RENFE, and its low-cost service is known as AVLO. It services reach many destinations throughout Spain.
The second operator is French SCNF, and its low-cost service uses the brand OUIGO (as in France). It also serves many destinations throughout the country.
The third operator is Iryo, providing services in the north and the south of Spain, with modern trains.
If you’d like to know our recommended site to buy high-speed train tickets to travel throughout Spain, you will find out about it on the following video.
Travelling at high speed is great. Doing so at an affordable price, even better!
If you have any questions about the high speed train in Spain, use the commentary box below, we’ll be delighted to help.
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The 20 best road trips in Spain and the 5 best road trips in Portugal.
Hello! I plan to book affordable train tickets from
1. Seville to Madrid
2. Madrid to Barcelona
How can I buy tickets online? I tried accessing thr renfe website but it’s not working so far. Are there other means of ordering tickets online reliably? Thank you!
Hello Risa, we have a video here explaining how to buy tickets on the Trainline, our preferred website for train travel in Spain. All the best.
I plan to travel on high speed train from Barcelona to Valencia, but the website says that there are no trains available on both Trainline and Renfe. Do they open up the space only a month in advance?
There is no high-speed train between Barcelona and Valencia, yet. For what date are you checking out the conventional trains?
For our first time in Europe, we are going to be in Barcelona on May, wondering the best way to get from there to Lagos Portugal via high speed train or should we take a flight?
Thank you for any help that you can provide.
There are no high-speed trains nowhere near Lagos, better take a flight.
Hola Tony,
How are you? We are 2 adults and 2 kids (7 and 10 years old) planning to go from Barcelona to Malaga.
After I watched your video I went to trainline.com and to Renfe website and tried to book.
However I have a few questions and I hope you can help me with:
1. What is the difference between (cheapest & semi flexible) and (Flexible) from benefits point of view?
2. What is the difference between (standard) and premium)? Is it normal and first class? Is First class better chairs and more benefits?
3. What is the (4 o mas) thing? Is it for a group of 4 passengers or more? When I clicked on it for the adults it became cheaper the tickets. Same when I did (child) it became cheaper for my 2 kids. Am I doing the right choices or am I doing something wrong with the choices?
4. The website asks for extras like pets or bikes, but did NOT mention luggage. Does that mean that luggage is automatically accepted? How many piece per passenger and how many Kg per luggage?
5. Do I have to have a Spanish phone to book the tickets?
6. Is there snacks and beverages offered in the train? Is it for extra charge?
7. Is it better to book from Trainline or Renfe website directly?
Thank you so much for helping and clarifying all my questions in advance.
Sincerely,
Razan
Hi Razan, let’s try to answer your questions:
1. the main difference refers to the changes & cancellation policy. You would have to check the details with Renfe.
2. in general, better seats is the main difference. We ceased to try to understand Renfe rules as they keep changing. You would have to read the rules related to the ticket your are buying at the time of purchase.
3. 4 passengers. You might end up being seated around a table.
4. Luggage is accepted. I seem to remember we talk about it on our video.
5. No, you don’t.
6. There are. You pay for them.
7. Much easier and hassle free to book from the Trainline.
All the best.
Muchas gracias Tony… That was sooooooo helpful…
THANKS A MILLION for your website and your help and your great tips….
Sincerely,
Razan
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
How far in advance should we book our tickets from Seville to Madrid and from Madrid to Barcelona?
As far in advance as possible. We share that tip, and many other useful tips, on this video.
Hi again Tony,
Thank you for your help. I have another question. I am looking on the Trainline.com site for trains from Madrid to Toledo but it keeps saying there are no such trains. What site should I go to for this? Is rail ninja a safe site?
Thank you again.
Hi Mary, see this short video. We only recommend the Trainline, cannot vouch for Rail Ninja.
I have looked at the Trainline website to book at train from Seville to Madrid. When I click on the AVE train at 09:36 AM it does not tell me what kind of luggage I can bring aboard or how to pay for a large bag if I have one. I also do not understand the seating. It show a seat reservation is included then asks you to select Coach type: standard, Silent carriage or no preference. What are the differences between them?
We explain’s Renfe’s luggage policy on the video at the beginning of the text. Silent carriage is one where people are encouraged to keep silent (no conversations, no cellphone calls), as opposed to the ordinary coach. No preference means you don’t mind where you seat.
Hi Tony,
Thank you for your well-informed videos. We appreciate your expertise and tips on Spain traveling. We would like to travel the south of Spain via the high-speed train. Which cities do you recommend visiting and which high-speed train?
Hi there, you can see here the reach of the Spanish high-speed network. A here a proposal for a 12-day trip through Andalusia by train. All the best!
Hola Tony,
Thank you for all the videos and tips of Spain travel. We have a group of 3 at the age of 60+ and will travel to Madrid and Andalusia by high speed trains. Should we buy a Tarjeta Dorada Card to enjoy discounts at the time of arrival in Madrid? But we are afraid we can’t book the train of particular dates to Andalusia. Is it worth to hold booking of train tickets now until we have the Tarjeta Dorada Card? Your advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Hello Sonia, the Tarjeta Dorada is an excellent investment but only for residents in Spain. Why? Because you have to purchase it locally. And if you wait till the last minute to obtain your train tickets, all the savings allowed by the card are lost because you end up paying a higher price for the tickets. So, let’s make up and example. Bought four months in advance, the tickets costs 25€, no discounts. Bought a few days before travel, 100€, with the discounts afforded by the Tarjeta Dorada. Not a good deal.
Also, the Tarjeta Dorada is only valid for Renfe trains, not valid for Iryo or Ouigo.
You can buy a Tarjeta Dorada valid for three years, might be a good idea if you are planning to return to Spain during that time. All the best.