Trains in Spain| Interrail.eu

Train types in Spain

The majority of trains you'll take on the Spanish rail network are run by RENFE the country's national train company. High-speed and night trains connect Spain to other European countries. You can search for Spanish train times in the Interrail timetable as well as on the RENFE website.

Regional and Intercity trains in Spain

Media Distancia (RE)

Connects larger cities with smaller destinations over medium distances.
Fast trains making frequent stops along their routes.
Reservations are required on most services.

Cercanías (RE)

Suburban trains serving Spain's largest cities such as Barcelona and Valencia.
No reservation required.

Domestic high-speed trains in Spain

Avant (AVN)

High-speed services for short journeys along short to medium routes.
Faster and more comfortable than Media Distancia with similar coverage.
Reservations are required.

AVE (AVE)

Covering Europe's largest high-speed rail network, these trains travel on speeds of up to 310 km/h (193 mph).
Takes you from Madrid to Barcelona in under 3 hours.
Reservations are required.

Altaria (ALT)

Comfortable, long-distance trains connecting Madrid to destinations in the south of Spain.
Reservations are required.

Alvia (IC)

Comfortable, long-distance trains connecting Madrid and Barcelona to destinations throughout Spain.
Reservations are required.

Arco (IC)

Limited long-distance services in the north of Spain.
Reservations are required.

Euromed (EUR)

High-speed, air-conditioned trains running along the Mediterranean coastline of north-eastern Spain.
Connects key cities in the Levante region: Barcelona to Valencia in just over 3 hours then onwards to Alicante.
Reservations are required.

International high-speed trains in Spain

Renfe SNCF Cooperation (RSC)

Trains co-run by the Spanish and French railways.
Routes include Barcelona to Paris and Madrid to Marseille.
Reservations are required.

Celta (IC)

Intercity trains that link Spanish train station Vigo Guixar with Porto in Portugal.
Reservations are required.

Train map Spain | Night train routes in Spain

Night trains in Spain

Trenhotel domestic (HOT)

Connects major cities within Spain.
Operates on several routes including:
- Barcelona to Granada
- A Coruña to Madrid
You need to reserve a seat or bed in advance.

Trenhotel international "Lusitania" (HOT)

Connects Madrid with Lisbon (Portugal).
You need to reserve sleeping accommodation. To ensure you get a place, it's best to do so 2 or 3 months in advance.

Trenhotel international "Sud Expresso" (HOT)

International night train connecting Irún and San Sebastian to Lisbon in Portugal.
Reservations are obligatory. Make you reserve as early as possible to avoid missing out.

InterCités de Nuit (NT)

International night trains connecting Spain to France, Luxembourg, Portugal and Switzerland.
Operate on the following routes:
- Port-bou to Paris (France)
- Port-bou to Luxembourg City (Luxembourg)
- Port-bou to Strasbourg (France)
- Irún to Paris (France)
- Irún to Nice (France)
- Irún to Geneva (Switzerland)
You need to reserve sleeping accommodation prior to taking this train. Places are limited, especially during peak season from May to September, so it's worth making your reservation as soon as possible

Reservations for trains in Spain

How can I make reservations for trains in Spain?

More often than not, you need to make advance reservations for trains in Spain. Fees vary depending on the type of seat or bed you choose. You can make reservations up to 3 months in advance:

Online - through the Interrail Reservation Service

Service available to everyone who has an Interrail Pass.
With an Interrail Spain Premium Pass you can use the Interrail Reservation Service to make FREE e-reservations (you print them yourself), provided you make them at least 3 business days in advance.

At a local railway station

At the ticket desk of a Spanish railway station.
You can make your reservations on the day of travel or days in advance.

By phone - through the Atendo Call Center

Phone number: +34 91 214 05 05
Opening hours: 24/7

The Atendo call center has Spanish speaking staff. However, you can ask to be put through with an English speaking agent. You can pick up your reservations at all Spanish high-speed train stations. Just take your order number to a ticket window within 72 hours after booking the reservation. You can pay for the reservations when collecting them at the station.

RENFE does not deliver reservations to your address.

You can get more detailed information about train reservations in our reservation guide.

Domestic connections in Spain

Here are approximate times between Spain's most popular cities when taking direct high-speed trains.

Route	Duration
Barcelona to Madrid (AVE high-speed train)	2hr 30min
Barcelona to Malaga (AVE high-speed train)	5hr 50min
Madrid to Granada (Altaria high-speed train)	4hr 30min
Madrid to Malaga (AVE high-speed train)	2hr 23min
Madrid to Santiago de Compostela (Alvia high-speed train)	5hr
Madrid to Seville (AVE high-speed train)	2hr 30min

If you wish to take a high-speed train, you have to reserve your seat in advance. By travelling with slower regional trains you do not need to make reservations.

For example, there's a direct regional train ride from Barcelona to Madrid that takes 9 hours 4 minutes. That's 6 and a half hours longer than the high-speed train journey.

International train connections to and from Spain

You can travel to and from Spain from popular cities in the following European countries:

Route	Which train?	Duration	Reservations
Barcelona to Paris (France)	Renfe SNCF Cooperation	6 hours 20 mins	Required
Madrid to Lisbon (Portugal)	Trenhotel	11 hours (overnight)	Required
Vigo to Porto (Portugal)	Celta	2 hours 15 mins	Required

Spain rail passes

Image of Spanish RENFE train attendant standing in the doorway of a high speed train

A rail pass gives you the freedom to explore all of Spain's beautiful cities without having to buy separate train tickets. We offer 3 passes for train travel in Spain!

Interrail Pass options for Spain

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Offers you rail travel in Spain
Allows you to make free advance train reservations
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Extra benefits include free bus routes plus discounted ferry crossings to the Balearic Islands, Italy and Morocco
Premium benefits include free city bus tours and discounted taxi services
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Train stations in Spain

People sitting on a terrace at Atocha Railway Station in Madrid, Spain.

What are the main train stations in Spain?

Spain's 4 main hubs have connections to many domestic cities as well as international destinations. They are:

Madrid Puerta de Atocha
Barcelona Sants
Irun
Port-bou

Railway stations in Spain have a range of useful facilities:

Lockers for storing your stuff
Cash machines and foreign exchange desks
Cafés, restaurants and shops
Tourist information offices
Elevators, escalators and access for disabled passengers

Spelling of cities in Spain

Example train route in Spain

An Interrail Spain Pass allows you to travel all over this diverse country, creating your own story.

Route

Barcelona > Valencia > Granada > Sevilla > Madrid > Toledo > Salamanca > Santiago de Compostela > San Sebastian

Barcelona: Spain’s most cosmopolitan city offers surrealist architecture by Gaudí.
Valencia: A charming old town with pleasant beaches and of course, the best paella!
Granada: Spellbinding thanks to the allure of the Alhambra set before the mountainous backdrop of the Sierra Nevada.
Seville: Wander the winding cobbled streets of the Andalusian capital visit the cathedral and the Alcázar.
Madrid: Get lost at the Rastro flea market, explore the Prado Museum and soak up Chueca's lively atmosphere.
Toledo: A stone’s throw from Madrid with rich history. Churches, synagogues and mosques stand side by side.
Salamanca: Buzzing with a student atmosphere and dressed up in beautiful traditional architecture.
Santiago de Compostela: Medieval charm and the final point for pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago.
San Sebastian: Proudly boasts some of Spain’s most beautiful beaches – ideal for sunbathers and surfers alike.

Pass suggestion

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Travel days needed: 8 days within 1 month
Reservations: FREE with the Premium Pass, when made in advance
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Trains in Spain