I asked madrid based tpg contributor lori zaino to delve into spanish train travel. With 3,100km of track the spanish highspeed ave trains operate on the longest highspeed network in europe. A beginners guide to train travel in spain how to use. The renfesncf in cooperation service benefits from the extensive renfe and sncf distribution network in more than 120 countries below, you will find details about our sales opening system, as well as about where you can book. Ive checked loco2 and trainline, no trains as well. All the seats recline slightly, so you can adjust your position for greater relaxation. Travel from madrid to barcelona in less than 3 hours. Renfe ave are highspeed trains most commonly used for longdistance routes between major cities in spain. With a network connecting many of its major cities travel by train in spain can offer up a completely different type of.
Thanks to excellent infrastructure, comfortable trains and reliable service, more and more travellers are choosing this relaxing, ecologicallyfriendly form of transport in. The ave train from madrid to barcelona is the most popular highspeed train route in spain. Booking trains in spain and to international destinations such as paris and lisbon as easy as 123. Spains modern, extensive, efficient railway system makes travelling by train in andalucia a delight. Susani agree with the others that the renfe site is the best place to buy the tickets, but it isnt the friendliest to nonspanish speakers. Find out more about ave trains, classes, where these highspeed trains can take you and how to book your ave train tickets with us. I dont know how people in spain book tickets, but they probably dont use renfe. Highspeed ave, map of connections, times, and benefits of getting around by train. Easter or christmas, you may have to wait several hours at the station to get seats on a train. In the last few years it doesnt appear to have changed at all. Children aged between four and 12 years are entitled to a 40% discount. International journeys renfe spain pass opens in a new window tourist trains themed.
Tickets for travel on renfes highspeed ave trains include three different classes turista, turista plus, and preferente with different ticket prices within. Ave highspeed, airconditioned services operated by renfe constitute the topend of spains range of longdistance trains, running at up to 310 kmh. Why cant i book a train from madrid to granada, spain. There are several alternative ticketing agents for the sale of european train tickets but i always believe that buying from the actual national train operator is usually safer and better plus you have more information about the services and other useful ideas. The hop on and ride culture barely exists on spanish trains. For the majority of trains in spain, you have to book a seat reservation ahead of time. Possible stops are tarragona, lleida, zaragoza and guadalajarayebes.
As of august 2017, the spanish ave system is the longest hsr network in europe with 3,240 km 2,010 mi. Book your paradores and train tickets on this web to obtain the best availability and special offers. This system is very practical, as it can be used on all ave longdistance and middistance highspeed trains. Each seat also includes a headrest and footrest, individual reading light, individual power outlet and a work table. All trains offer comfortable accommodatian for a reasonable price. Dec, 2017 i dont know how people in spain book tickets, but they probably dont use renfe. Ave trains reach speeds of up to 300 kmh 186 mph and take you from madrid to barcelona in less than 3 hours. Trains in spain buy train tickets for spain online trainline. In first classpreferente, you will enjoy maximum comfort and space so that your journey becomes a unique travel experience. Ave highspeed train spain fast trains and bullet trains. Or at least that is when you hop onto one of the countrys highspeed trains that reach speeds of up to 193 miles per hour, which gives us all unique opportunities to see more of the country in less time. But it is notorious for rejecting a significant proportion of overseas credit cards. This pass allows nonresidents to travel around spain by train.
Travel between france and spain thanks to the european highspeed alliance renfe and sncf. Ave renfe trains give travelers access to a network of citytocity commuter rail connections throughout spain. Some trains particularly certain highspeed ave trains have a high level of occupancy. Eurail passes work on all renfe trains, including highspeed ave trains, media distancia, regional and cercanias public transport. Spain by train from 148 spain train routes and map of spain. One of the quickest and most convenient ways of getting between cities in spain is by highspeed train, known as ave alta velocidad espanola.
Passes can get you a discount on some international ferries, but not tarifatangier routes. Trains along this route operate every hour or even more frequent. Euromed trains operate on the route barcelona valencia alicante. Our trains are opened for sale an average of 4 months in advance. They are also still running the buses from granada to antequera, but the tickets for these buses can only be purchased locally. Alta velocidad espanola translates to spanish high speed, but the initials are also a play on the word ave, meaning bird.
Ave trains tickets for renfe highspeed trains in spain trainline. You may end up not finding any available seats on the train that fits your travel itinerary. While it may be less expensive to take a regular train, a bus, or a cheap regional flight, if you have limited time on your tripas i. If you are traveling around spain during a popular holiday e. Ave renfe trains give travelers access to a comprehensive network of citytocity commuter rail connections throughout spain. The renfe site is so confusing and doesnt seem to work half of the time. In europe, trains can easily be the best way to get around, especially in spain. Renfes ave train from madrid to barcelona is the most popular highspeed train route in spain. Take the ave from barcelona to madrid in under 3 hours. Many of spains old, slow trains have been replaced with faster. Traveling by train in spain is a fast, convenient and comfortable way to visit major cities and also see the spanish countryside.
Highspeed ave trains alta velocidad espanola link major cities at up to 186mph, and if you book in advance online you can find some great. Rail travellers in spain benefit from a growing network of dedicated highspeed lines, modern ave trains and some daring modern station architecture. Travel between france and spain at high speed renfesncf. Trains to spain destinations rail europe formerly loco2. Highspeed trains in spain operating in spain since 1992, ave trains began as a connection between madrid and seville which has now grown into one of the most extensive highspeed networks in europe. I depart for spain on sept 30th to barcelona, about 4 weeks away. You cant just hop on whichever train you feel like, however. While it may be less expensive to take a regular train, a bus, or a cheap regional flight, if you have limited time on your tripas i didits a huge timesaver and worth the extra cost. This modern train system connects many cities across spain from madrid.
It is exclusively used by the ave highspeed trains and spans a length of 600 km. Generally, trains in spain can booked once within 60 to 90 days of an intended date of departure. Alta velocidad espanola ave is a service of highspeed rail in spain operated by renfe, the spanish national railway company, at speeds of up to 310 kmh 193 mph. Renfe spain pass, a practical and convenient ticket for tourists. Many of spain s old, slow trains have been replaced with faster. Ave highspeed train spain fast trains and bullet trains eurail. How to book train tickets in spain without using renfe. Having spent a month travelling around japan on a similar adventure, the ave train in spain brought back memories of the bullet trains the ease and comfort, the unforgettable whoosh as the trains passed the station and the excitement of arriving in a new city in a matter of a few short hours.
Argentina brasil canada chile china colombia espana france germany greece hungary italy japan korea lithuania mexico peru poland portugal russia usa georgia. Renfe ave trains travel up to 350 kmh and connect madrid with seville, barcelona, valencia, toledo, cordoba, and malaga. Renfe avant is a trademark operator of renfe operadora spain under which provides services for middledistance trains at high speed. The ave spain trains have nine classes if you count the overnight trains with sleeperbed options, but there are two main renfe classes to consider turista a second. Select the departure station, the destination station and the date and you will immediately get the information about ave schedules, departure time, arrival time and journey time.
Altaria trains link madrid with cities in the south of spain. Spacious, modern and airconditioned, ave trains use highspeed routes to connect major spanish cities. The company operates passenger trains on the spanish national rail network. How to purchase renfe train tickets online madrid traveller. Trains in spain the fastest and best value routes omio. Madrid chamartin segovia guiomar valladolid campo grande. A oneway trip in 2nd class from madrid to barcelona on which route only ave trains run could cost as much as 108 it could work out significantly cheaper if you book well in advance. Choose your dates and destinations and well provide you with the most price options and discounts available. Thanks to renfes ave, you can travel at a speed of 186 mph between main spanish cities such as madrid, barcelona, valencia, zaragoza and seville.
Best website to buy ave tickets rick steves travel forum. I have not been able to book ave train tickets for october 6th from barcelona to madrid. Running at speeds of up to 310 kmh this extensive network allows for fast connections between cities in spain. The ave alta velocidad espanola, a high speed train, was lauched in 1992 by renfe, the national railway company of spain. Tips for traveling through spain by train the points guy. Spain is the european country with the most high speed routes. Frequent and comfortable ave and alvia trains link worldfamous cities like madrid, seville and barcelona. Alvia and arco trains operate between madrid and spains nothern cities like bilbao and san sebastian.
The national rail network of spain states that passengers can carry up to 3 pieces of luggage, the sum of which may not exceed 290 cm, and the largest of the 3 items should. Reaching speeds of up to 350 kmh, the ave train covers the distance between madrid and barcelona in. They have an average pricing, timing and frequency adapted to daily trips, so they can be used as a means of transportation to go and return from work. Highspeed ave trains alta velocidad espanola link major cities at up to 186mph, and if you book in advance online you can find some great cheap fares at the official spanish rail website, this page will give you a headsup on how to travel cheaply around spain by train. Cheap train tickets spain buy tickets online happyrail. Aside from the extra reservation fees required for most highspeed trains see above, rail passes for spain cover all travel on trains run by renfe, spains national railway which now includes the slow coastal trains between bilbao and ferrol. First class train tickets in preferential seat with renfesncf.
Trains in spain buy train tickets for spain online. Ave trains tickets for renfe highspeed trains in spain. Among the trains that renfe operates, are the ave trains which are modern and comfortable trains. For all domestic highspeed services there is a checkin with luggage check at all stations. But the easiest thing to do is book your tickets online. Reaching speeds of up to 350 kmh, the ave train covers the distance between madrid and barcelona in just 2 hours and 30 minutes. These trains can travel at speeds of up to 350 kmh, drastically reducing longdistance travel times across the spanish rail network and into france. Travel in spain by train ave guide for a renfe rail. The main domestic high speed route runs from barcelona via madrid to seville and malaga. How to travel by train in spain ave guide for every.
Take a look at the map of main connections in spain for highspeed trains ave and other longdistance lines. Buy your high speed spanish train tickets renfe with up to 70% off. Looking for train tickets from madrid to seville, seville to barcelona, and barcelona to provencenice. Reservations are required for almost all longdistance services and even for many regional routes, so youll need to book in advance. More details renfe is the national rail operator in spain. Most big cities in spain are connected by 3 to 6 daily ave or alviatrains over the everexpanding high speed network. Ave trains are a luxurious and efficient way to get around the country. In addition to buying cheaper ave tickets, offers you the possibility to check all the schedules of ave and ave sncf trains.
How to successfully book train tickets in spain without using renfe. Barcelona to madrid is spains most important train connection. All renfe tickets have to be prebooked since you cant turn up on the day and book at the station. Please note that this website utilizes its own and thirdparty cookies to improve its services, facilitate browsing and display information related to your preferences. Frequent and comfortable ave and alviatrains link worldfamous cities like madrid, seville and barcelona.
The train in spain travels mainly at the breakneck speed of a swift. Ave trains offer a variety of services, including a silent car for those wishing to rest for the duration of their journey. Book your train tickets to europe cities with renfesncf. Barcelona to madrid is spain s most important train connection. Make your booking online, at train stations, in travel agencies or by phone. Renfe operadora renfe the ave elipsos are international high speed trains operating between france and spain via the perpignan. Spains high speed ave trains spanish high speed ave trains alta velocidad espanola are famously known for transporting passengers to the most popular cities in record time.
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