can you travel around spain by train

Taking the train in Spain - all you need to know

Apr 3, 2024 • 15 min read

The vintage train from Sóller to Palma de Mallorca is one of the most scenic rail routes in Spain © Shutterstock

Spain boasts Europe’s longest high-speed rail network, second only to China globally, and its trains are exceptional and far-reaching. In one day, you could gawp at Gaudí’s architectural genius in Barcelona , be whisked by rail to Madrid ’s museums, and still arrive in Seville for a sunset flamenco show.

Not that it’s all A to B whirlwind rail routes. There are some outstanding scenic train journeys to slow down and enjoy the Spanish pace of life, whether trundling along the northern coast’s narrow-gauge tracks or meandering into the mountains. And with some new low-cost operators now on the scene, exploring Spain by train has never been more affordable.

With over a thousand stations and thousands more daily departures, getting around Spain by train is a straightforward joy rather than a stressful necessity. Seat reservations on most services guarantee uncrowded carriages, Rioja-serving cafe cars provide perfectly wine-paired panoramic views, and electric-powered trains make journeys even more sustainable. What’s not to love? Here’s everything you need to know to plan a train trip in Spain like a pro.

Train services are generally excellent in mainland Spain

You can traverse all four corners of Spain by train, usually on swift, reliable, well-maintained carriages. Few areas aren’t covered by at least a regional service. And where there are coverage gaps, buses will usually take you the final stretch to that pretty medieval village. While strikes can occur, they are rare, and minimum service levels are generally guaranteed. Compensation payments are offered for delays over one hour, which helps keep timetables on track. 

Renfe is Spain’s national railway company, operating everything from non-stop regional capital connections to short-hop commuter services. Iryo and Ouigo provide low-cost competition on the main high-speed intercity lines, with the latter’s double-decker trains being a welcome addition.

While the numerous names for differing service and train types can be confusing, the trains in Spain can generally be divided into three categories:

• High-speed, mainly long-distance (larga distancia) services link many major cities, mainly via Madrid. These full-service trains can reach 310km/h (193mph) and include Renfe’s AVE (Alta Velocidad Española), its new no-frills Avlo counterpart, and Iryo and Ouigo. There’s an ever-growing network of high-speed routes , including the popular Barcelona–Madrid, Madrid–Seville, and Madrid–Valencia lines.
• Mid-distance services – although they can sometimes cover long distances and reach speeds of 250km/h (155mph) – make up the majority of other major routes. Renfe services these under names including Media Distancia, Avant and Alvia. Intercity and Regional Exprés services are somewhat slower but only call at major stations. Popular routes include Madrid– Toledo , Granada–Seville, and the Euromed coastal service between Barcelona and Alicante . Nearly all long and mid-distance services use sleek, modern carriages.
• Slower trains , including Regional, Proximidad, and Cercanías commuter services (Rodalies in Catalonia), complete the network. The older Cercanías AM trains, previously FEVE, mainly operate on the northern coast’s picturesque narrow-gauge tracks.

Nearly all large and medium-sized train stations are staffed and contain shops or cafes. High-speed train stations operate similarly to airports, with luggage security scanners and boarding gates. It’s advisable to arrive 20–30 minutes early, especially as boarding can close five minutes before departure. The bonus is you’ll have time to admire the stations. Some, like Toledo’s Mudejar-style ticket hall and art nouveau Bilbao Concordia , are attractions in their own right.

There are tourist trains and unique rail services too

In addition to standard train services, Spain has an exceptional selection of specialist rail routes known as “ tourist trains .” These range from seasonal, short routes, such as the scenic Tren dels Llacs in the Pre-Pyrenees, to indulgent, multiday sojourns like the luxury Transcantábrico train hotel. There are currently no standard domestic night trains.

International and island rail routes are limited

Away from the mainland, the rail situation is starkly different. The Canary Islands have no train services, and only Mallorca in the Balearic Islands has limited rail connections . These consist of three short, modern lines and the vintage Sóller train. 

Traveling to and from France by train is possible on France’s TGVs (from Paris) and Renfe’s International AVE services to Marseille and Lyon . Fares start from €29. You can also cross via Hendaye in the Basque Country or take the slower, scenic sleeper service via the Pyrenees . The Trenhotel (night service) between Madrid and Lisbon has been discontinued, leaving the Tren Celta between Vigo and Porto and the slow route to Lisbon via Badajoz as the only connections with Portugal . Work continues on improving the tracks to accommodate a direct, high-speed link between the two Iberian capitals.

Book ahead to save money and guarantee your seat

Spain’s rail operators all use dynamic pricing for high-speed and long-distance services. Therefore, early booking is advised, especially as seat reservations are mandatory. Advanced Avlo tickets between Madrid and Barcelona start from €7, with Ouigo and Iryo also offering competitive pricing on primary routes. A same-day ticket can sometimes cost more than 10 times more than booking in advance. Prices are less competitive on routes solely operated by Renfe. 

When booking tickets online to or from major cities, use the dropdown city name followed by todos (all) to check for direct and affordable tickets from all stations. Provide the Passport or ID number of the photo document you’ll be traveling with, as tickets are personal. The second surname can be left blank – Spanish people take both their father's and mother’s surnames. Tickets can be printed, collected at self-service machines, or displayed as QR codes on mobile devices. Overall, Ouigo and Iryo's websites are easier to navigate than Renfe's, which can be glitchy. While most people would recommend using a third-party booking service – handy for comparing prices between all operators – direct reservations avoid booking fees.

Even short-distance, popular services with fixed fares (some mid-distance and regional trains) can fill up. I’ve previously struggled to get last-minute weekend tickets on the Madrid to Toledo route. Secure all tickets ahead if your vacation coincides with a major holiday such as Easter (Semana Santa) or Christmas, including around Three Kings Day on January 6.

Iryo and Ouigo release tickets many months ahead. Renfe’s tickets should be available at least 60 days ahead, but this isn’t always true. Check regularly in the months leading up to your departure and sign up for newsletters on the three websites to receive ticket availability and discount updates.

Occasionally, two single fares (ida) can be cheaper than a return (vuelta) . Reservations can also be made at station ticket machines (in English) or staffed desks. Larger stations may have separate sales points for particular types of tickets. 

You’ll always be assigned a mandatory seat reservation. However, if you’d prefer to select your own to guarantee a window, you can change it for a nominal fee. Confusingly, Renfe’s website has this step after choosing a payment method. 

Cercanías and Cercanías AM tickets can’t be purchased in advance and should be purchased at the ticket office, self-service machine, or onboard from the conductor when traveling from the tiniest unstaffed stations. This is the only time you’re allowed to board a train without a ticket. 

If you wish to upgrade from basic class (básico) on high-speed routes, you can choose from Elige, Elige Confort and Prêmium on Renfe, or similar options on Iryo. Upgrades can include access to premium station lounges, at-seat food service, and more spacious seats. Solo travelers may want to upgrade to enjoy an individual seat in the 2+1 configured carriages. Ouigo allows these seats as a paid add-on without upgrading.

Discounts and offers: know your benefits and bring ID

Much noise was made about the launch of Spain’s fixed-price travel pass . Yet this system, established to offer discounted fares on repeat return trips, is primarily aimed at locals and commuters.

Renfe does offer a Spain Rail Pass for travelers , covering between four and ten journeys. However, depending on the routes you plan to take, pre-booking discounted, advanced fares can be cheaper. Some region-specific options exist, such as the better value three-day Galica Rail Pass .

Other discounts available on Renfe include:

• Small group discount when booking four or more travelers together.
• Seniors discount, up to 40%, for over 60s. However, this requires purchasing a card ( La Tarjeta Dorada ) in person before making the reservation. Advanced, discounted fares can be better value.
• Youth Discounts for under 25s with a European Youth Card or suitable International Student Card. A digital card can be purchased online by citizens of most countries.  
• Babies travel for free, as do children, although the age cap varies between operators.

Considering an Interrail or Eurail pass? Check on any savings first. All high-speed trains in Spain require seat reservations, an additional cost not included in these passes. Avlo, Iryo, and Ouigo are likewise excluded, and these cheaper advanced tickets may be better value than using the pass, though there is less flexibility.

Money-saving tip: high-speed trains include a free local ticket

If you’re traveling on a high-speed AVE or long-distance service operated by Renfe or Iryo, Combinado Cercanías is included. This allows for free use of local Cercanías trains to reach your departure station and again on arrival. Scan the QR code at barriers, or use the PDF code to get a zero-priced ticket at Cercanías’ self-service machines.

Seat reservations ensure most train journeys don’t feel crowded

Traveling by train in Spain is so enjoyable because all long and mid-distance services require a seat reservation. With no congested corridors or jostling vestibules, these trains never feel crowded, even when full. However, some regional and Cercanías services can be packed, particularly around commuter hours and Friday and Sunday evenings. You might want to avoid peak times or, when available, pay for a regional service seat reservation.

Plan around major events and regional holidays during your trip, such as Semana Santa, when ticket demand and crammed suburban trains are common. Trains in Spain operate every day of the year, though some services may finish earlier on public holidays. If you’re traveling on weekends or during holidays, check onward public transport in advance as small, rural stations may have a reduced weekend bus service.

Train can be the fastest, most affordable transport method

Using the train in Spain can be quicker and cheaper than flying. For example, a flight from Madrid to Barcelona takes 1¼ hours compared with 2½ hours by high-speed rail. But once you factor in security checks, out-of-city airport transfers, and runway taxi times, the overall journey length by plane becomes longer.

Driving distances are considerable. The same journey by car will take closer to seven hours. It’s unquestionably worth renting a car if you’re planning a road trip , but generally, long-distance jaunts are best by rail. 

Most train terminuses are connected to city buses and, in larger metropolises, commuter rail or metro systems. Barcelona-El Prat Airport and Madrid–Barajas Airport are on the train network. If you wish to visit smaller towns or villages that are not on the train network, consider other ways to get around Spain .

Onboard facilities differ between service types

All of Spain’s high-speed train services are spacious, comfortable, clean and well cared for. Carry-on luggage can be placed in overhead racks, while storage areas at either end of the carriage accommodate bulkier luggage. Popular services (especially on Friday and Sunday evenings) can quickly fill, and train staff will usually assist in rearranging suitcases to fit. Cercanías services can be more dated and crowded and often lack enough dedicated luggage space.

If you’re traveling by bicycle, check the luggage policies of Renfe and Iryo . In some instances, bikes must be disassembled or an additional fee paid.

The dining carts on Spain’s trains are typically stand-up, cafe-style rather than seated dining carriages. They’re good for stretching your legs or getting an alternative window view, but dining at your seat table is often more comfortable. A selection of hot meals, snacks and drinks – usually all of decent quality – are available, and certain ticket types offer pre-ordered meals served at your seat. Iryo has particularly impressive dining options .

On some routes, a trolley service may be provided in addition or as an alternative. Mid-distance and Avlo services have vending machines rather than dining carts. Bringing your own food and even alcohol onboard Renfe’s services isn’t a problem.

Complimentary (sometimes patchy) wi-fi is provided on Iryo and Renfe’s high-speed services, alongside entertainment portals accessible on your device. Ouigo charges per connection. Plug sockets (F-type) are available at seats on high-speed and mid-distance trains. Nearly all trains, except commuter services, have toilets.

Plan the perfect train trip with these scenic routes and tips

The most popular train routes for travelers in Spain are the high-speed connections that rocket between Seville, Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia. But riding the rails in Spain isn’t only about barrelling between urban sprawl. These are some of our favorite scenic rail routes worth planning into your trip. 

• Santander to Oviedo :  Cross the lush landscapes of Northern Spain on this slow, scenic rail route using Cercanías AM’s narrow-gauge tracks. This six-hour journey provides some of the expensive Transcantábrico Train’s panoramas for a bargain €16.55. There are no seat reservations, which is handy, as you can switch sides to marvel at both the sparkling Bay of Biscay and the mighty Cantabrian Mountains , Spain’s answer to the Dolomites. 
• Barcelona to A Coruña :  Once served by the discontinued sleeper Trenhotel, this is one of Spain’s longest rail routes, taking nearly 14 hours. The 9:05am Alvia departure can be affordable to cross seven of Spain’s autonomous communities. Pack snacks and pay for a window seat (ideally on the right) to see the full scope of Spain’s landscapes, from arid pastures and fertile farmlands to the verdant Galician Massif . Consider hopping off a few stops early in Ourense to use the town’s free-to-access thermal pools the following morning.
• Granada to Almería : Leaving the magnificent Moorish Alhambra behind, set off across western Andalucía towards the coastal city of Almería. It’s a showstopping three-hour journey traversing the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, snow-capped peaks looming beyond, before cutting through carpets of cork trees. Book a late afternoon departure for ethereal golden light, or take two single tickets to plan a lunch pause at Guadix, best known for its cave houses. 
• Palma de Mallorca to Sóller:  Step onboard the rickety, wooden carriage of Ferrocarril de Sóller , constructed in 1912, for a one-hour-long trundle from Mallorca's capital to the pretty port town of Sóller. En route, you’ll wend through the Tramuntana Mountains, unlit tunnels, and citrus groves close enough to touch. All seats are excellent, but you might want to stand in the open-air platforms between carriages. 
• Zaragoza to Canfranc :  A one-way ticket on this twice-a-day, 2½-hour regional train costs just €16.90, and you’ll get plenty of panoramas for your money, especially after Huesca when the tracks slowly climb up into the ​​Pyrenees. Our resident rail expert, Tom Hall, calls it one of Europe’s best train routes , partly because the landmark Canfranc Station has recently been reborn as a grandiose hotel .

Station tips when traveling Spain by train

Most large cities have multiple train stations, so always confirm departure points. When traveling to dedicated AVE stations outside major cities, check the station’s distance from the city center and pre-plan your connecting travel. Some stations, such as Antequera ’s Santa Ana, can be as far as 15km (9 miles) from the Old Town. 

Spain’s largest stations, such as Madrid Atocha and Barcelona Sants, can be confusing due to split-level and separated boarding areas for different services. Don’t be afraid to ask for help navigating the station. A quick flash of your ticket will soon have you pointed in the right direction.

All major stations have cafes and kiosks where you can pick up food, although preparing a train picnic from a delicatessen might be preferable. Still, a quick tapas in Atocha's Tropical Garden, even if the pond-residing turtles have now been rehomed, is a solid start to any journey. If you’re on a connecting service with time to explore beyond the station, most larger terminals have lockers or left luggage desks (​​consigna) .

Many stations are accessible, but there’s room for improvement on older services

Adif, the agency in charge of Spain’s rail infrastructure, provides in-station and boarding assistance for travelers with accessibility needs via the Acerca service, offered at 145 stations.

When booking tickets online, H seats – accessible spaces that can anchor a wheelchair – can be requested on the opening screen, and Acerca assistance can be requested later in the booking process. A minimum of 12–48 hours' notice is stipulated, depending on the operator. However, in larger stations, staffed service centers can usually provide support without pre-booking if you arrive and register at the desk ahead of travel. Check which facilities are available at each station on Adif’s website .

In addition to offering boarding support (many train types require a stair-climber lift, not just a ramp, while others like Avlo have level boarding), Acerca can provide technical aids for hearing and a guided sight service. Contact Adif Acerca for information on induction loop systems or to discuss alternative routes should your planned journey include a non-accessible station without in-person assistance. Tactile paving, step-free access, and elevators are installed at most major stations, and nearly every train has a conductor or staff member onboard who can assist. 

On high-speed, long-distance, and most other services, wheelchair-accessible bathrooms are located in carriages with H seats. Ouigo trains have a call button on adapted seats to provide food and drink service, as the cafe is located on the top deck. Cercanías AM carriages have no H seats but offer a dedicated space for wheelchair users with tie-downs. However, many older, narrow-gauge trains lack accessible bathrooms.

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Travel Europe on a Budget

The Savvy Backpacker

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Spain train guide – how to travel spain by train.

How to travel Spain by train — Tips for buying Spanish train tickets and advice for navigating Spain by rail.

Transportation

Spain is well-connected by rail so you can easily get just about anywhere quickly and fairly inexpensively. Luckily for travelers, Spain’s rail network has improved immensely over the past few years and its high-speed AVE trains now connect Spain’s major cities at speeds over 180mph. But, of course, it still has a few quirks. In this Spain Train Guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about taking the train in Spain—from navigating the system to buying train tickets in Spain for the cheapest price.

Electronic Train Tickets and High-Speed Data in Spain

Most train tickets in Spain (and much of Europe) are now electronic so you’ll want reliable high-speed data for your phone—personally, I wouldn’t rely on free wifi or your domestic provider’s international service as it’s often slow/unreliable.

Luckily, getting high-speed data in Spain is fairly simple and affordable. Here are a few articles I’ve written to help you get set up:

• Guide To Mobile Data Plans and Smartphone Phones in Europe
• How To Buy A SIM Card and Mobile Data Plans in Europe
• Guide To Buying SIM Cards and Mobile Data Plans in  Spain

How To Buy Train Tickets in Spain

There are a number of ways to buy Spanish train tickets but it’s not always super straightforward. Keep reading and we’ll walk you through the process.

Let’s first take look at where and when to buy tickets for the best price…

Where To Buy Spain Train Tickets

Below are the various ways to buy train tickets for Spain and we’ve tried to call out the common quirks of each method.

Omio: Omio is a search engine that lets you compare and book trains (plus buses & flights) anywhere in Europe. It lets you easily book tickets with your credit card at essentially the same prices as Spain’s Railways website. Additionally, Omio searches routes for multiple rail services across Europe so it’s great for international trips (since it can easily combine rail journeys of multiple countries). Omio also gives you the option to print your own tickets or have eTickets sent to the Omio App.

TrainLine:   TrainLine is a third-party booking site that connects directly to Spain’s National Rail Network (renfe.com) and other European networks. Trainline also accepts international credit card payments and lets you print your own tickets or have eTickets sent to the Tranline App.

RENFE (Spanish Railways) : The National Spanish Railway system is called RENFE and anyone is allowed to buy tickets from renfe.com. Like most national rail sites, renfe.com suffers from weird translation issues and sometimes it won’t accept foreign credit cards. When I tried booking I found that the website was only partially translated into English and it would randomly switch to Spanish. Additionally, it’s confusing when you enter your billing address because it’s in the Spanish format. So, I suggest sticking to the other methods outlined above.

Types Of Train Tickets

There are three main types of ticket fares available — each ticket class is available for both first-class ( Turista Plus) and second-class ( Turista ) tickets. There is also a  Preferente class that’s first-class + a meal.

• Promo: Promo is the cheapest ticket available but it’s also non-refundable — so you’re out of luck if you miss your train or need to cancel your ticket.
• Promo+: Promo + is semi-flexible so it’s a bit more expensive but you’ll get a 70% refund if you need to cancel tickets.
• Flexible:   Flexible is the most expensive ticket but you get a 95% refund should you need to cancel.

Group (Mesa) Ticket Discount

AVE and long-distance trains often offer up to a 60% discount for groups who buy four seats together — this is called a Mesa fare ( Mesa means table in Spanish). You have to buy the entire set of four seats but this is usually even a good deal for groups of three since the group still saves money by purchasing the block of four seats.

HOW TO COLLECT YOUR TICKETS

Tickets purchased online can be collected in a few different ways. Most of the time you’re given multiple methods of collecting your tickets but double-check as things seem to randomly change.

• Print-At-Home Tickets:  You’ll often be sent a PDF that you print at home and show to the conductor on the train when he checks tickets.
• Smartphone: You can save the PDF ticket to your phone and they can scan it from there. We recommend saving it to your iPhone’s Passbook app.
• Pick Up At the Station:  Use your booking confirmation number to collect your tickets at the train station. This isn’t always an option.

DO I NEED TO BUY SPANISH TRAIN TICKETS IN ADVANCE?

Short answer — Yes. It’s best to book early if you want to save money on your train tickets. This mainly applies to Spain’s AVE (Alta Velocidad Española) high-speed trains and most medium/long-distance trains. You’re able to book tickets about two to three months before the departure date — it randomly fluctuates so check back in a few days if you’re not finding many/any results. The longer you wait the more you’ll pay—a ticket purchased on the day of travel will cost around 3x a ticket purchased two months early.

However, local/short-distance trains don’t need to be booked early as the prices are fixed.

Late Train Arrival Refunds

One interesting thing that Renfe offers is compensation for delayed/late arrivals on all high-speed and long-distance trains—and it doesn’t matter what caused the delay. Each train service has different refund policies but the high-speed AVE trains will refund 50% if the train is over 15 minutes late and 100% if the train is over 30 minutes late.

You can collect your refund at the train station or you can trade in your credit + receive a 20% bonus if you purchase a future ticket.

Using Your Spain Train Tickets

Unlike most of Europe, there is never a need to validate your Spanish train tickets — regardless of what kind of ticket it is. On  high-speed trains , your ticket is only good for the specific time printed on your ticket. You’ll also be given an assigned seat. On slower trains, you’ll just show the conductor your ticket when they check tickets on the train.

We recommend getting to the train station about 20 minutes before the train departs so you can find your platform. On high-speed trains, you’ll need to go through security but it should only add an extra few minutes to your journey.

Rail Passes for Spain

The cheapest way to travel via train in Spain is by purchasing advanced tickets. In virtually every situation this will be more cost-effective than using a Eurail pass .

However, tickets are expensive if you buy them only a few days in advance so it usually makes more sense, both financially and practically, to use a rail pass if you’re a spontaneous traveler—especially when using high-speed trains.

Check out Eurail.com to see their rail passes.

HOW TO MAKE RAIL PASS RESERVATIONS

High-speed and long-distance trains in Spain require a reservation when using a Eurail pass — the reservation will cost €10-€15/seat. Tip: Always look to see the price of a normal ticket costs because on some routes a normal ticket will cost less than the Eurail reservation fee.

Also, You must make the reservation before you get on the train and some routes limit the number of rail pass holders so it’s wise to book your reservation early. Most of the time you need to make the reservation a minimum of one hour before departure but we suggest doing it as early as you can.

There are a few ways to make reservations:

• RailEurope.com  lets you book your reservation online through their platform. Simply look for a button that says “I Have A Railpass” and follow the prompts.
• At The Train Station:  You can simply go to the train station and book your reservation from the customer service desk or self-service kiosks. You can book it weeks in advance or you can do it the day you depart. We suggest using the kiosks because the ticket window can take forever.

More Spain Train Travel Tips

• The Departures Board:  You’ll find your train platform via the departure board at the train station. Don’t worry if you don’t see your train because they often only display trains departing within the next 10-20 minutes.
• Security Screening: In Spain, all high-speed trains require you to screen your bags via X-ray. It normally only takes a few minutes.
• Self-Service Machines Are In English: Don’t worry if you don’t speak Spanish because the ticket machines (and train station signs) are all in English.
• Cheap Tickets Are Non-Refundable:  One downside to cheap tickets is that they’re non-refundable and they can’t be changed.
• Pack A Picnic:  You’re allowed to bring your own food and alcohol on trains. It’s great for those long train rides.
• Luggage:  There aren’t any weight limits on luggage and you can bring as much as you want (well, as much as you can carry). Simply bring it on and store it above your head, behind your seat, or in the luggage racks in each car.
• Making Connections: Your trip might require you to change trains along the journey. Don’t worry if there isn’t much time between trains as switching trains are usually fairly quick and easy (it’s not like flying).
• Get To The Train Station Early:  Train stations are usually fairly easy to navigate but they can be a little confusing.
• Know Train Station Names:  Most large cities have multiple train stations (Madrid and Barcelona both have two) so this often creates confusion. Double-check to make sure you have the right station — especially when booking your ticket.

More Spain Travel Tips from The Savvy Backpacker

• Barcelona Travel Guide : Tips for visiting Barcelona
• Best Hostels in Barcelona : Our favorite budget accommodation in Barcelona.
• Madrid Travel Guide : Tips for visiting Madrid.
• Best Hostels in Madrid : Our favorite budget accommodation in Madrid.
• How To Choose The Best Travel Insurance : Travel insurance will help cover those non-refundable train tickets if something goes wrong during your trip.
• Packing List For Europe Travel : Tips on packing light (which makes train travel much easier).
• Recent Posts

• Backpacking Europe Packing List — My Europe Travel Packing Guide - April 6, 2024
• Best eSIM For Europe Travel | Everything You Need To Know About European Prepaid eSIM Data Plans - March 24, 2024
• Holafly eSIM Review | Testing The New eSIM Data Plan from Holafly - March 3, 2024

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Once upon a time, Spain had one of the most backward train networks in western Europe.  Now, they have one of the best, indeed, one of my favourite rail systems.  High-speed AVE trains (Alta Velocidad Española) link major cities at up to 300 km/h (186mph), and if you book in advance online you can find some great cheap fares.  This page will give you a heads-up on how to travel cheaply around Spain by train.

A guide to taking the train in Spain

International trains to & from Spain

Other train travel information, useful country information, spain by train, the key things to know.

Avlo is a lo-cost subsidiary of Renfe which runs Barcelona-Madrid, other routes planned.  Their trains are one class only, with no-catering.

Ouigo Spain is a lo-cost subsidiary of SNCF (French Railways) which runs Barcelona-Madrid, Madrid-Valencia & Madrid-Alicante, other routes planned.  Two class, with basic catering.

Elige (Choice) = A semi-flexible fare, you can choose between Elige (2nd class seat) or for a higher price, Elige Confort (1st class seat).

Now for the catch, and it's some catch that Catch 22:  You can only buy a Tarjeta Dorada in person at a Renfe station when you get to Spain.  You cannot buy it online.  But you can't buy tickets online in advance with the Tarjeta Dorada discount until after you've bought the card because you need to enter the card number to get the discount.  So if you're planning a trip to Spain, it's better to forget about being senior and just buy a normal adult advance-purchase ticket now for perhaps €30 without any Tarjeta Dorada discount, than to wait until you get to Spain to buy a Tarjeta Dorada to get 25% off a fare which by that time (on or close to departure date) might have risen to €90.  Just let that sink in...

How to buy tickets & check train times

You can buy tickets at any Renfe station or online at www.renfe.com , but see the advice on using Renfe.com below .  There's no booking fee, but Renfe.com is a pain to use with some confusing translations and quirks, it's also known for sometimes rejecting overseas payment cards.  It's far easier (and quicker!) to buy tickets in plain English using www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, small booking fee, works for anyone from any country) or www.raileurope.com ( various currencies, small booking fee), Omio.com (various currencies, small booking fee) or www.petrabax.com (in US$, with a small mark-up).  These websites all connect to Renfe's ticketing system and sell the same trains at the same prices with no payment problems and the same official Renfe print-at-home tickets.

Real time information

You can see whether a train is on time and which platform it will leave from, if you download thetrainline.com 's app and run an enquiry for today. Trainline's app show real time information for all operators, Renfe, Avlo, Iryo & Ouigo.

Combinado Cercanias : Free suburban travel with a long-distance ticket

When you buy a ticket for one of Renfe's long-distance trains (AVE, EuroMed, Alvia, Intercity) of any fare type in any class for a journey within Spain, you get free travel from any Renfe suburban station at the start of your journey and free travel to any Renfe suburban station at the end of your journey, in the following cities:

Asturias, Barcelona, Bilbao, Cadiz, Madrid, Malaga, Murcia/Alicante, San Sebastian, Santander, Seville, Valencia and Zaragoza.  You also get free travel from/to any FEVE local station in Asturias, Santander, Bilbao & Cartagena.

If your ticket includes this, it will say Combinado Cercanias in the corner with a reference number.

At your starting city, you must use the suburban ticket within 3 hours of your long-distance train departure, and at your destination you must use the suburban ticket within 4 hours of your long-distance train's arrival.

You can travel to or from any suburban station within that city's numbered zones, but not outside the zones (so longer routes such as Barcelona to Portbou or Latour de Carol are not included).

Different cities have slightly different processes:  To access the suburban ( cercanias ) platforms in Madrid or Malaga, place the QR code of your long-distance ticket against the scanner on the automatic ticket gates and they should open.  In Barcelona, you must show your long-distance ticket at the information desk and ask for a ticket to open the cercanias ticket gates.

Add a snack box to your booking in Elige Confort on AVE & EuroMed .  You can add a snack box to your booking if you buy an Elige fare for Confort class on an AVE or EuroMed train at Renfe.com.  You can add it when you book or afterwards, at least 12h before the train leaves its origin station.

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Railpasses for Spain

Option 1, eurail & interrail passes.

Unfortunately, Interrail & Eurail passes do not offer hop on, hop off convenience in Spain because all Spanish long-distance train and even some regional trains require a reservation, for Interrail & Eurail passholders this costs around €10 for AVEs and similar front-rank trains or €7 for lesser trains.  This must be factored into your budget.

The next issue is that Interrail & Eurail reservations for Spanish trains often can't be made online.  Passholder reservations for most front-rank high-speed AVE trains can now be made online using the Interrail/Eurail reservations service and some Alvia and Intercity trains can also be booked this way.  However, others can't be booked online at all and most Media Distancia trains can't be booked online either, you have to go to a station when you reach Spain.  More about how to make Interrail/Eurail passholder reservations in Spain .

Option 2, Renfe's Spain Pass

Renfe offer its own Spain Pass to anyone resident outside Spain.  This can be better value as it includes all reservations, no hidden costs.  However, unlike Interrail & Eurail passes it does not give unlimited travel.  One journey = 1 train ride, if you change trains, that's 2 journeys.

You can buy a Renfe Spain Pass giving either 4, 6, 8 or 10 individual one-way train journeys of any length in a one-month period on all of Renfe's long-distance & medium-distance trains, including AVE, EuroMed, Alvia, Intercity, Media Distancia & Avant. 

With the Renfe Spain Pass, reservations can be made for free and there are no extra fees or quotas - if there is an empty seat on the train, you're entitled to it with your Spain Pass, although be warned that Spanish high-speed trains can indeed get fully-booked close to departure date.

How to buy a Renfe Spain pass

You can buy a Spain pass online at www.renfe.com/es/en.../renfe-spain-pass (has a few quirky translations and sometimes struggles with some credit cards).  The passes are completely electronic.  After setting up an account and buying your own pass, you can buy passes for your travelling companions as separate transactions.  They will also appear as passes in your account.

You have up to 6 months to make your first trip after you buy the pass, then one month to use the remaining trips after that first trip.

You can make reservations to go with a Spain pass either at stations as you go or at www.renfe.com , but the online method isn't obvious.  Here's how to make Renfe Pass seat reservations using www.renfe.com ( feedback appreciated ):

1. After buying your Renfe pass, go to www.renfe.com and switch it to English by clicking the globe logo at top right and select Ingles .

2. Log into your account and select the tab called My passes. You should see each Renfe pass you have bought for you and your companions. 

3. At the top of that page is a from and to field, like the journey planner used to book tickets on their home page.  Use this to make reservations, the price will be shown as €0.

You can only make reservations for one person/pass at a time.  But if you click Choose seats you can select your seat from a seat map and can use this feature to select seats next to each other.

Important:  When you make your first reservation, Renfe assumes that this is the first train you want to take with your pass and automatically starts the one-month pass validity from that date.  This now prevents you from making reservations on an earlier date.  So make sure that the first reservation you make is for the day you intend to start using the pass!

Spanish train fares & classes explained

In July 2021, Renfe introduced a completely new fares structure for all its long-distance trains including the high-speed AVE, and also changed the terms it uses for 1st & 2nd class.  It's easy to get confused between what's a class of accommodation and what's a fare type, so here's a run-down of Renfe's new classes & fares.

Standard & Comfort class

Básico, elige & premium fares.

Elige (Choice).  A semi-flexible fare.  If you select this you get a choice of Elige to travel in Standard (2nd) class or Elige Confort at a higher price to travel in Comfort (1st) class but without any included food or access to lounges.  Elige & Elige Confort tickets are refundable & changeable for a fee.

What are Spanish trains like?

AVE or Alta Velocidad Española is Spain's front-rank high-speed train.  Reservation is compulsory, and all trains have a cafe-bar.  AVEs are now being fitted with free WiFi.  If you pay the Premium fare, an airline-style hot tray meal with wine is included although on some departures you get a snack box instead, see the food & drink section above .  AVE trains come in various types.

S100 :  The original French-designed AVE used between Madrid & Seville and also now used into France, see the photos below.

S102 & S112 :  The Spanish Talgo-designed AVE used between Madrid & Malaga, Barcelona & Malaga/Seville, a classy train indeed, see S102/S112 photos here .

S103 :  The German-designed AVE used between Barcelona & Madrid plus some Madrid-Malaga trains, see S103 photos here .

Alvia & EuroMed trains

These S130 trains operate the EuroMed services linking Barcelona with Valencia & Alicante, as well as Alvia trains from Madrid to Cadiz & Huelva.  They consist of little articulated coaches built by the Talgo company sandwiched between two duck-billed power cars.  There are other Alvia services operates by similar trains with a diesel power-car added, and a few Alvia trains (including Barcelona to Bilbao, Pamplona & San Sebastian) operated by the wedge-nosed S120 type, of similar high quality.  All Alvia trains have a cafe-bar.  On EuroMed services a hot meal with wine is usually available in Comfort class on weekdays & Sundays if you buy a Premium ticket or add the meal to an Elige ticket, see the information above .

Intercity trains

These run on many long distance routes, including Madrid-Ronda-Algeciras, Madrid-Granada, Madrid-San Sebastian.  Most (including Madrid-Algeciras) are former Altaria trains, little articulated trains built by the Talgo company and hauled by a separate locomotive, they have adjustable axles so they can run at up to 200 km/h on the high-speed AVE lines (which are standard European gauge) then go though a gauge-changing shed to emerge on traditional Spanish broad gauge to complete their journey on the classic Iberian gauge network.  A few Intercity trains have been created by rebranding former Alvia trains built by CAF, for example on the Madrid-San Sebastian route, which also have gauge-changing wheels.  All Intercity trains have a cafe-bar.

Avlo, Iryo, Ouigo...

Spain's high-speed lines have been opened up to competition.  Renfe now has a lo-cost brand called Avlo , and competitor operators Iryo & Ouigo now operate on key routes including Barcelona-Madrid , Madrid-Valencia, Madrid-Cordoba/Seville/Malaga.  See the Barcelona-Madrid page for a run down of these 3 operators .

How to buy train tickets for Spain

When does booking open?   Anything between 15 days and 11 months, Renfe is a law unto itself when it comes to booking horizons, see the introduction .

What can these sites sell?   They can sell Renfe's mainline trains and sometimes competing high-speed trains run by Avlo, Iryo or Ouigo.  They can't sell tickets for Renfe's suburban (cercanias) routes including Latour de Carol-Barcelona or Cerbère-Portbou-Barcelona, nor can they sell tickets for Euskotren (Hendaye-San Sebastian-Bilbao) or the former FEVE routes (Bilbao-Santander-Gijon-Ferrol).

Option 1, buy at Raileurope.com

The quickest & easiest way to buy Spanish train tickets is at Raileurope.com with cheap advance-purchase fares & print-at-home or collect-at-station tickets.  You can choose to pay in €, £ or $. There's a small booking fee.

Raileurope.com links directly to Renfe's (Spanish Railways) ticketing system and charges the same price as Renfe themselves with the same print-your-own ticket delivery.  Unlike Renfe's own site it's in plain English without any of Renfe.com's quirky translations and no credit card rejection problems.

Raileurope.com can book the lo-cost Barcelona-Madrid Ouigo Spain trains as well as the normal Renfe trains, but cannot book lo-cost Avlo trains

Anyone from any country can use Raileurope.com as international credit cards are welcomed.  It can also sell international trains between Spain and Portugal or France, as it links to the French, German, Italian & British ticketing systems.  Who are Raileurope.com?

Important:   If you have a baby or infant, remember to add them as a child and enter their age, they'll still go free but will get the free infant ticket which is now necessary in Spain.

Option 2, buy at Thetrainline.com or Omio.com

www.omio.com & www.thetrainline.com also connect to Renfe's ticketing system to sell Renfe tickets at exactly the same prices as Renfe with the same print-your-own or collect-at-station tickets, very easily, all overseas credit cards accepted.  Both charge a small booking fee.  They can also book Ouigo Spain trains & Avlo trains .  Who are Thetrainline.com?

Option 3, buy at Petrabax.com , easy to use, in US$

If you'd rather pay in USD, use www.petrabax.com .  This is a US-based agency which also links directly to the Renfe ticketing system to sell the same trains as Renfe.com with the same print-at-home tickets.  They add a small mark-up, but it's easy to use in plain English and it avoids the English translation and credit card acceptance problems people can experience with Renfe.com.  Anyone from any country can use Petrabax, including the United States, Canada, Australia, India & Singapore.

Option 4, buy at Renfe.com

How to use www.renfe.com, before you start, step 1, use the journey planner, step 2, select a train, step 3, select fare & class.

Basico and Elige fares both get you a Estandar (2nd) class seat.

Elige Confort and Premium fares both get you a Confort (1st) class seat.

Basico is non-changeable, non-refundable.  Elige fares are semi-flexible, semi-refundable.  The Premium fare is fully changeable, fully refundable and includes Sala Club lounge access and a meal served at your seat.  You'll only see a Premium fare on AVE & EuroMed trains.

Step 4, passenger details

Step 5, customise trip, step 6, pay & print tickets.

Print your tickets or download the Renfe app

After you've paid, a confirmation screen appears, with a link to download tickets and save them to your PC.  Or you can download the Renfe app onto your phone, sign into your account and your tickets will appear.  You can now board the train.

G uidebooks

Click the images to buy online at Amazon.co.uk

Alternatively, download just the chapters or areas you need in .PDF format .lonelyplanet.com"> from the Lonely Planet Website , from around £2.99 or US$4.95 a chapter.

European Rail Timetable & maps

Rail Map Europe is the map I recommend, covering all of Europe from Portugal in the west to Moscow & Istanbul in the east, Finland in the north to Sicily & Athens in the south.  Scenic routes & high-speed lines are highlighted.  See an extract from the map .  Buy online at www.europeanrailtimetable.eu (shipping worldwide) or at www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses).

Hotels in Spain

Backpacker hostels.

www.hostelworld.com :  If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels.  Hostelworld offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in Paris and most other European cities at rock-bottom prices.

Environmentally aware, actively ethical adventures in Spain:  www.wildsideholidays.com

For environmentally-aware guesthouses offering walking, hiking, riding or nature-watching in the Spanish countryside and national parks, try www.wildsideholidays.com , a new site listing independent, environmentally-aware properties across Spain.  It was started by British ex-pats Clive Muir and Sue Eatock, when they found nowhere to advertise their own wonderful property deep in the heart of the Sierra de Grazelema near Ronda in Southern Spain.

Custom-made tours of Spain

Railbookers, railbookers.co.uk.

If you want to tour Spain by train, with all your train reservations and hotels sorted for you to your own specification, contact train tour specialists Railbookers and they'll create the best rail holiday for you, hassle-free.  They take good care of their clients and get a lot of repeat business.  In particular, check out their Ultimate Barcelona, Madrid & Seville tour on their US & Canada site, or a top seller on their UK site, Madrid & Andalusia.  They have offices in the UK, USA & Australia.

Tailor Made Rail, tailormaderail.com

Tailor Made Rail can arrange tours of Spain by train based on your own requirements, they welcome complex itineraries.  As it's a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens on one part of the trip, for example, a national strike.  They're TTA-protected - like ATOL, but not only for agencies that sell air travel.

Call their dedicated seat61 phone line 020 3778 1461 and quote seat 61 when booking.  From outside the UK call +44 20 3778 1461.  Lines open 09:00-17:30 Monday-Friday.  Their website is www.tailormaderail.com/destinations/spain .

Car hire comparison:  www.carrentals.co.uk

The award-winning website www.carrentals.co.uk compares many different car hire companies including Holiday Autos, meaning not only a cheapest price comparison but a wider choice of hire and drop off location.

Travel insurance & other tips

Always take out travel insurance.

You should take out travel insurance with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover from a reliable insurer.  It should cover trip cancellation and loss of cash & belongings up to a reasonable limit.  These days, check you're covered for covid-19-related issues, and use an insurer whose cover isn't invalidated by well-meant but excessive Foreign Office travel advice against non-essential travel. An annual policy is usually cheapest even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself.  Don't expect travel insurance to bail you out of every missed connection, see the advice on missed connections here .  Here are some suggested insurers, I get a little commission if you buy through these links, feedback always welcome.

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a European mobile data package and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list .  There's no need to buy a physical SIM card!  Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data .

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate then add a foreign transaction fee on top.  A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month as I write this.  The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.  And you can get a Curve card for free.

How it works:   1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android .  2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses.  3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card.  4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app.  You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader.  The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than getting a card out).  I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card , they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  Why you need a VPN

When travelling you may use free public WiFi which is often insecure.  A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi.  It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply.  See VPNs & why you need one explained .  ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using this link you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription.  I also get some commission to help support this site.

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, hotel bookings and Interrail or Eurail passes are often now held on your mobile phone.  You daren't let it run out of power, and you can't always rely on the phone's internal battery or on being near a power outlet.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or Buy from Amazon.com .

Touring cities?  Use hill walking shoes!

One of the best things I've done is swap my normal shoes for hill-walking shoes, in my case from Scarpa.  They're intended for hiking across the Pennines not wandering around Florence, but the support and cushioning for hiking works equally well when you're on your feet all day exploring foreign cities.  My feet used to give out first and limit my day, now the rest of me gives up before they do!

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Train Travel in Spain: A Helpful Guide

By: Author Hannah Cooper

Posted on Last updated: January 19, 2024

Train travel in Spain is an environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and scenic means of getting around this huge country.

Operated by Renfe, the train system in Spain is sophisticated and efficient. It links major Spanish cities with smaller towns inland and on the coasts of Spain. You can rely on Spanish trains to get you from city to city as part of a wider travel itinerary as well as for independent day trips from Alicante , Málaga , Valencia , Seville , Barcelona , and more.

This guide is a window into what you need to know about traveling by train and how to buy train tickets in Spain.

All you need to know about train travel in Spain

Renfe (pronounced Ren-fay) is responsible for the national train system in Spain. The company operates mainline, regional, suburban, and local trains across the country.

High-speed AVE (Alta Velocidad Española) are specific trains that service major cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Malaga, and Seville in a fraction of the time it takes by road. AVE trains reach maximum speeds of 300 km/h (186 mph).

Avlo trains are low-cost high-speed services. These have fewer onboard frills that save passengers money but journey times are on par with AVE trains.

Several other providers operate within the Renfe umbrella. Renfe Feve serves northern Spain and FGC operates around Barcelona.

Visit OpenRailwayMap to view all railway routes.

There are so many modes of transportation around Spain, but train travel is one of the most comfortable and convenient.

What’s it like traveling by train in Spain?

Trains in Spain are very comfortable and modern with onboard bathrooms and air-conditioning. High-speed AVE trains usually have Wi-Fi although it’s not always guaranteed that it will work throughout the entire route. It’s wise to use a VPN to protect yourself against cyber threats.

Seats are sold as per Standard Class (2nd class) and Comfort Class (1st class).

Básico (Basic) is the cheapest fare available and applies only to Standard Class.

Elige (Choice) is a semi-flexible ticket and gives you a choice of Elige Standard Class or Elige Confort in Comfort Class.

Premium is totally flexible and is available in Comfort Class. It often involves other perks such as onboard dining and/or lounge access.

Seats are generally configured as airline rows of twos or as four-person table seats. First-class carriages have the added perk of solo seating for those traveling alone.

Standard classes are comfortable for the average traveler although first-class train travel in Spain has additional legroom.

Most regional Spain trains are equipped with a cafe bar where you can buy food and drink. It’s fine to take your own food which was purchased elsewhere onboard. Alcohol is permitted on trains but rowdy behavior is not.

Valencia has two different train stations depending on whether you are traveling locally or further afield on the fast trains.

How to buy train tickets in Spain

The best way to book train travel in Spain is online. Omio and Trainline are the safest and most user-friendly websites for booking rail tickets in Spain. You’re required to register an account and will need to type in your passport number as part of the booking process.

These platforms have apps where you can store mobile tickets and keep an eye on service interruptions. Subject to availability, you’ll be able to state a preference for window/aisle seating. The classes may be listed differently than stated earlier but it’s easy to figure out what you’re getting with each tier.

They list prices in different currencies and accept most foreign credit and debit cards. Both sites apply a minimal service charge to your booking.

Omio is preferred for booking rail tickets in Spain. It displays more information about what to expect onboard, such as Wi-Fi and meal availability.

It’s important to pay attention to the terms and conditions regarding validity. Most tickets are valid on the selected train and refunds/amendments are not possible until you pay extra at the time of booking.

Of course, if the service is canceled then you will either be assigned to the next available train at no additional cost or receive a refund.

It’s also possible to book Spain train travel directly on Renfe . This website lists the fares in euros and as an added perk, does not apply a service fee. However, it’s cumbersome to use.

You must use the Spanish names of each city (and spell them correctly). The Spanish-English translation isn’t always very clear. The site doesn’t always accept non-Spanish payment cards.

It is, however, the best website to check for train times and to compare prices. But often, you can get a better price on Omio or Trainline , even with the small transaction fee applied. Compare each website to see which is offering the best deal.

It’s worth having a quick look at the schedules but heading to Omio and Trainline to make a reservation. Besides, these sites are easier to search using the standard English-language spellings of Spanish locations.

Trains in Spain can take you to some pretty spectacular places.

When to book train travel in Spain

Practically all Spain trains require a seat reservation. These are free and mean there’s no chance of spending the journey dangling over other passengers in the aisle (a far cry from the sardine-style approach of British trains).

Due to this rule, booking rail tickets in Spain ahead of travel time is often mandatory.

Long-distance and high-speed train travel in Spain always requires advanced booking. This is crucial during summer as well as peak times such as Christmas, New Year, and Easter when Spanish nationals are visiting friends and family.

It’s also wise to check out regional and local festivals in Spain as this can result in certain routes being oversubscribed.

Booking train tickets in Spain ahead of time is also much cheaper. You can save over half the full-price fare when you plan ahead by a few weeks or more.

Shorter journeys of an hour or less generally don’t require notice and can be booked on the day. That being said, it’s always wise to pre-book, especially during peak travel seasons and if you’re on a commuter journey (like Barcelona to Girona , for example).

Trains in Spain are usually open for booking 60 days in advance. AVE services may open up to 90 days ahead.

There is a confusing number of train stations in Barcelona, but most long-distance trains will go through Barcelona Sants.

A quick guide to Barcelona-Sants Train Station

Barcelona-Sants (Sants Estación) is the main and largest railway station in Barcelona. It’ll never win any awards for its architecture but it functions well as a travel depot.

Sants is located in the Sants-Montjuïc district.

It’s connected to the Sants Estació metro station which is served by lines 3 (green) and 5 (blue). Line 3 heads to the Gothic Quarter and Plaça de Catalunya.

It’s also possible to hail taxis from the forecourt or use apps. Consult our guide to Uber in Barcelona and alternative services.

Platforms 1-6 receive TGV services to and from Paris and AVE high-speed trains to and from Madrid, Seville, and Málaga, as well as other French cities. This is also where to go for Alvia trains to San Sebastian and Bilbao in northern Spain.

Platforms 7-14 are used for suburban trains and EuroMed services to Valencia and Alicante.

There are several day trips from Barcelona possible by train. Note that not all of these depart from Barcelona-Sants so it’s important to check.

Espanya, Plaça de Catalunya, Francia, and Passeig de Gràcia are other major train stations in Barcelona.

Where to stay near Barcelona-Sants

Hotel Barceló Sants is located within the terminal. There are better areas to stay as part of a longer travel itinerary in Barcelona although it’s handy if you have an early arrival or late departure. Rooms are ultra-modern and practically equipped. The best ones have city views.

The Madrid Atocha Train Station is probably my favorite station in Spain thanks to the tropical garden inside.

A quick guide to Madrid Atocha Train Station

Madrid Atocha Train Station (Madrid Estación de Atocha) is the main railway terminal in the Spanish capital. In complete contrast to Barcelona-Sants, this trainshed is an architectural masterpiece.

The art nouveau facade is simple yet majestic and almost perfectly symmetrical. The concourse houses an indoor “rainforest” of around 400 different species of plants and flora. Considering the green nature of Madrid it’s very fitting, and also a welcome treat during the arid summer months.

Madrid’s train station is located in its namesake Atocha neighborhood, just off the southern end of El Retiro Park and the botanical garden.

It connects to two metro stations: Estación Del Arte and Estación Atocha. Both are served by Line 1 (blue).

Most high-speed trains depart from platforms 1-15. This extended part of the station is known as Madrid Puerta de Atocha (or, Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes).

Madrid Atocha-Cercanías is a separate area with platforms labeled 1-10. Cercanías means commuter and indicates that suburban services arrive and depart from here. This route map of Cercanías Madrid is useful for getting around the suburban areas.

Tickets will specify which part of the station your train departs from. Omio makes it very clear ahead of booking although Trainline doesn’t confirm which station you’ll be using until the confirmation email is sent.

Departures marked as Planta Primera means that the train leaves from the upper level. Planta Baja refers to the ground floor.

Madrid Chamartin (Estación de Madrid-Chamartín Clara Campoamor) is the other train station. It’s located eight miles north of Atocha and somewhat far from the city center.

This station serves connections to the north – such as San Sebastian, Bilbao, Santander, and Santiago de Compostela. It’s also the cheapest place to get the fast train to Valencia , so you may very well find yourself here. You can get here easily on the metro.

Every northbound Cercanías train from Atocha stops at Chamartin.

Where to stay near Madrid Atocha

Only YOU Hotel Atocha is so close you can practically smell the succulents! Rooms feature cool decor like exposed brick walls and vintage-inspired desks. Top-tier rooms have balconies and their suites may tempt you to blow your life savings.

Seeing as Atocha is quite central, you can also check out accommodation in some of the best areas to stay in Madrid . Lavapiés and Retiro are worthy contenders.

There are a lot of regional trains in cities like Barcelona, Valencia, and Madrid that can take you on great day trips.

Interrail Spanish train travel

Interrail passes are available for use on Spain trains.

The Interrail Spain One Country Pass is valid for European citizens and residents. It comes as a three, four, five, six, and eight-day flexi pass. Seat reservations are required for high-speed, international, and night train services.

The Global Pass is also available as a flexi or continuous pass for Europeans.

Eurail passes are available for non-Europeans.

For both passes you will need to make sure that you book your

Traveling Spain by train versus rental car?

Traveling by train in Spain or renting a car? The pros and cons of train travel and hiring a car in Spain are listed below.

Before we get there – you could always consider a hybrid approach. It might make sense to cover greater distances by train (such as Madrid to Barcelona) and then hire a car locally.

Pros of train travel in Spain

• Spanish train travel is kinder to the environment than driving or taking short-haul flights
• Booking train tickets in Spain is straightforward with Omio / Trainline
• The train system in Spain is well-connected and efficient
• No need to worry about parking a hire vehicle
• Spanish trains are comfortable and maintained
• Train travel in Spain means you can catch up on work, trip planning, or indulge in relaxation time
• Pets are permitted on most routes although terms and conditions apply

Cons of Spain train travel

• Can be expensive when tickets are not reserved in advance
• Cheaper fares are non-transferable
• Booking rail tickets in Spain last minute isn’t always possible
• Antisocial behavior on public transport is always a risk
• Trains aren’t always comfortable for travelers with babies and younger children
• Pets aren’t permitted on all trains

The fast trains in Spain are sleek and comfortable. Getting from Madrid to Valencia in under two hours is one of my favorite (and most frequented) journies.

Pros of renting a car in Spain

• Allows more flexibility to an itinerary
• Greater opportunities to travel beyond classic vacation destinations in Spain
• Road conditions in Spain are exemplary
• More comfortable for families with young children
• Driving in Spain is awesome for US folks – they drive on the right!

Cons of car hire in Spain

• It can be expensive – especially for solo travelers or if an accident occurs
• Petrol costs need to be included in your budget
• Not eligible for lead drivers under the age of 21
• Younger drivers (under the age of 25) might have to pay a surcharge
• Driving in Spain is less awesome for Brits – remember to drive on the right!

The Madrid Atocha station is well connected so if you arrive in Madrid, you can get almost anywhere in Spain from this station.

Packing checklist for Spain train travel

Once you’ve committed to traveling by train in Spain, it’s just a case of packing your bags and not missing your departure.

The official luggage limit is 25 kg per passenger although it’s not enforced. Baggage is stowed in overhead racks or in designated areas at the ends of the carriage.

Some stations will scan bags ahead of boarding a long-distance train route in Spain.

• Water – long-distance trains will have a cafe bar onboard. However, it’s good to reduce plastic consumption when possible. Tap water in Spain is safe to drink so remember to take a reusable bottle. This stainless steel water bottle is my go-to (I have a few colors now and they last for years). It comes in two sizes and keeps liquids ice-cold for up to 24 hours.
• Snacks – pick up some pastries or a sandwich for your journey in case there are issues with food supply. You might also want to pack healthy nibbles like fresh fruit, nuts, and olives (maybe some cheeses) from the market – these stackable container pots are great for organizing your haul.
• Warm layer – air-conditioning can result in a nippy carriage. Pack a practical blanket scarf as a snuggly cover-up or an oversized hoodie .
• Book/eReader – not that you’ll tire of the scenery, but having something to read is always wise for train travel in Spain (or any other country). The Kindle Paperwhite comes out tops for eye comfort, portability, and battery life. It also works with Audible audiobooks.
• Noise-canceling headphones – don’t be that person watching videos on your device without headphones. Noise-canceling headphones will help block out any irritating noises from other passengers while you tune into a podcast. These over-the-ear Sony headphones are super comfy although you might prefer a pair of noise-canceling earbuds .
• Combination lock – an obvious one, but you’ll need a padlock for your main suitcase or backpack.

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The ultimate guide to exploring Spain by train

By Matt Charlton

In July , the Spanish government declared that short to medium-distance train journeys would be free from Thursday 1 September 2022 until Saturday 31 December 2022 – an initiative focused on alleviating financial pressures on commuters. Commuters would buy a pass with a €10 deposit, and, if they took more than 16 medium-distance return journeys during this period, it would be reimbursed. But would this work for tourists? The short answer is no. The slightly longer answer is yes, but…

What tourists can do is take advantage of another branch of the offer – a 50 per cent discount on Spain’s high speed/long distance and Ave/ Alvia service – a 10 journey pass that would normally cost you €735, reduced to €367.50 (about £315), which included free journeys on various cities metro network. This allows you to see far-flung corners of famous hubs loved by locals but often overlooked by tourists. Dividing this by the 10 journeys you’re allowed, it works out to around €36 per journey, or about £31… who could resist? Not me.

Equipped with this pass, and with 10 days to spare, I planned to make my way from Bilbao, in the northern Basque region, to Malaga, at the southern tip of Andalucía. After I purchased my pass, the rest of the admin was conducted through the English language RENFE app. You enter your desired stations, the options are shown, you select your preference, and you receive a QR code to scan at the station – plus a little graphic shows you how much Co2 you’ve saved by not catching the plane.

London Gatwick to Bilbao with Vueling

My flight touched down in Bilbao on a gloomy early September day, into the light yet persistent chirimiri rain that the region is known for. My taxi driver for the short distance between the shuttle bus stop and my hotel ( NYX Bilbao ) had never heard of the initiative, but, after explaining to him in Duolingo Spanish, I’m dropped off. Overlooking the Belle Époque-rea Bilbao Concordia station – with the more sizable national Abando station lurking behind it – there are commanding views over the river.

Bilbao to Miranda de Ebro on an Alvia train (included in the pass) Miranda de Ebro to Vitoria Gasteiz on a Media Distancia train (€13 return)

I spent the morning navigating the twisting alleyways of Bilbao’s old town, finally strolling along the river and arriving at the Guggenheim Bilbao – a real catalyst for the city’s rejuvenation since its opening in 1997 – for a whistle-stop tour of its contemporary spaces. Arriving for my lunchtime train, my eye was immediately drawn to the giant stained-glass window over the main concourse depicting the workers of the region. Media Distancia trains – or medium-distance trains – are not included in the pass, but the small fee (€13) is worth it to discover sunny Vitoria Gasteiz, the capital of the region, and a buzzy, picturesque market city where a northern sensibility rubs up against a more Mediterranean atmosphere.

Miranda de Ebro to Vitoria Gasteiz on a return Media Distancia train Miranda de Ebro to Valladolid on an Alvia train (included in pass)

CNT Editors

Cass Farrar

Sophie Heawood

Sophie Prideaux

After a fleeting visit to the Artium, a Basque contemporary art museum well worth a perusal, I am back on the train, and, via Miranda de Ebro, I arrive in Valladolid. A favourite weekend getaway for Madridians, I would only have ever happened upon this fantastic city by rail. I arrived on the weekend of their Saints Day, which only added to the fiesta atmosphere of an already lively metropolis. After sampling some award-winning tapas at Los Zagales , more akin to a tasting menu at a fine-dining restaurant, and stopping several times on a balmy night to listen to enthusiastically attended musical performances in every plaza, I wished I could spend more time here – but the clock was ticking.

Valladolid to Madrid on an Alvia train (included in the pass) Madrid to Toledo on a return Media Distancia train (€20)

I had heard so much about Madrid’s picturesque neighbour to the south, Toledo – famous for its steel, and where artist El Grego spent most of his life. Another Media Distancia fee was incurred, so I decided to forgo a taxi and do the half-hour walk instead. Several cobbles, steep gradients, and damaged tourists later, I arrived at my hotel – the stunning converted palace Eugenia De Montijo. I was a sweaty mess, but a massage in their spa soon resuscitated me. The gorgeous city is firmly on the tourist trail – but this doesn’t take away from how the Spanish light captures the mediaeval architecture in various stunning ways throughout the day.

The cities spaced out as I pushed further south, and so did my days. I allowed myself two days in all my subsequent stops, firstly to take advantage of the Cercanias, and secondly because beautiful weather was all but guaranteed. 

Toledo to Madrid on a return Media Distancia train Cercanías day trip to Guadalajara (included in the pass)

Madrid is a local's city, gnarly and beautiful, one that changes its clothes as soon as you look in the other direction. This hipster city, starting to rival Barcelona, is teeming with dive bars, ad-hoc music venues, vintage and vinyl shops and people who at least look like musicians... My hotel concierge recommended to me that the best use of my Madrid Cercanías (metro pass) would be to go to Guadalajara, 1hr on the C2. The scenic, sleepy town felt like a time capsule and was a welcome respite from the frenetic Spanish capital.

Madrid to Cordóba on an Ave train (included in the pass) Most Spanish stations are found on the edges of towns, not necessarily giving you the most attractive first impression. Thankfully, in Córdoba, this was short-lived - it was a 10-minute walk to Eurostars Palace, its modernist iron-clad edifice not popular with the locals, but as a non-invasive contrast to the old town which it sits next to, it felt bold and forward-looking. Cordoba does a much better job at melding a tourist hub with a local feel – on top of main draws such as its mosque, a building which succinctly tells the Andalusian story of religious invasion and repulsion, and Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, I also managed to track down some gems; Jugo Vinos Vivos, a natural wine bar in a charming bohemian environment, or El Rincon De Carmen, a pretty courtyard restaurant hidden behind curtains of ivy. 

Córdoba to Málaga on an Ave train (included in pass) Cercanías day trip to Benalmadena (included in the pass) Like a lairy older sibling, Málaga has much in common with its Andalusian brethren, but the differences shout that bit louder. Once an overlooked airport city, it’s now managed to balance a fly-and-flop influx with an air of sophistication. There are 42 museums, including one dedicated to Picasso – a Malaga native – and a flourishing cultural scene, including a theatre run by another Malaga native, Antonio Banderas, located in the uber-cool Soho district. Make sure to sink a sweet wine aperitivo at Antigua Casa del Guardia. Classy and fun Barcelo Malaga couldn’t be closer to the station if it tried, and Benalmadena, with its picturesque marina and golden beaches – 50 mins on the C1 – retains the feel of a local secret, having survived the overdevelopment of its neighbouring towns.

Total: €400.50 (around £350)

Final thoughts

The trains were reliable, clean, and comfortable, and best of all, there was no two-hour pre-arrival time or baggage claim. It is worth noting however that facemasks are still required, and there are brief security bag checks at most major hubs. It takes time to learn the rhythm of the system – what constitutes a Cercanías; the difference between a Media Distancia journey the same length as an Ave journey, and why the former is not included on your pass; which Cercanías to hop on to take you into Madrid as opposed to away from it… maybe that last one was just me.

It’s a way to take yourself out of the ordinary and see are more real, and grounded Spain. You leave with an impression of the country, and an appreciation of what the Spanish Government is doing for its citizens for a few precious months. The following day at Gatwick, my train was delayed.

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Guide to rail transport in spain — how to travel around spain by train & travel by train in spain.

Traveling in Spain – Why do you have to fly when you can use the bullet train (high-speed train)! Simply, with a train from Madrid to Barcelona takes only 2 hours and 40 minutes, while from Madrid to Sevilla is takes only 2.5 hours, why do you have to drag your suitcase to the airport, check in and waiting for a long time to boarding?! With the AVE high-speed train, travel around Spain by train (travel by train in spain) is much simpler than that. So, how to travel in Spain by train? Let’s check out our guide to rail transport in Spain on travel around Spain by train (travel by train in Spain) to find out the answer!

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Rail transport in Spain: National rail and ticket booking websites

The railway system in Spain is operated by Renfe – the Spain’s national railway company, which includes many different types of trains, the high-speed AVEs train is one of them. Renfe’s train cover almost every major city and the suburbs of Spain. Renfe’s website, www.renfe.com , is also the main ticket booking site for trains traveling within Spain.

In addition to Renfe’s train, in Spain there are two smaller transport company that specialize operating in the vicinity (areas or regions near or about cities, districts, or neighborhoods). That are:

• FEVE ( www.feve.es ): Operates routes along the northwestern coast of Spain, now merged with Renfe: www.renfe.com/viajeros/feve .

• Euskotren ( www.euskotren.es ): Operates local trains from the French border in Hendaye & Irun to San Sebastian and Bilbao.

The most popular route in Spain is definitely the route to Barcelona from Madrid and vice versa, it takes about 2.5 hours and the ticket price ranging from € 40, faster than taking plane. If you buy ticket close to the travel date, the ticket price can be up to EUR100. Renfe’s AVE trains can run at speeds up to 310 km/h (193 mph) is one of the fastest trains in Europe. The Trenitalia’s train in Italy running only about 180-200km/h.

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Travel around Spain by train: The websites used to book tickets when travel by train in Spain

A little different from other countries, there are some local routes in Spain that you may still need to reserve seats in advance. Train ticket in Spain usually don’t run out of tickets, but on holidays, long holidays won’t be foreseen, Spaniards are known to be lazy and playful! Tickets open for sale about 60 days in advance, but with AVE’s train is a bit more special.

AVE train tickets can open for sale before 90 days, but sometimes before 60 days still have not seen they allow for booking. Especially during the season-changing period when they adjust the train schedule for the whole season, for certain routes, it is the time on the 2nd Saturday in June and December. Many times they only open for sale 30 days before travel date. The rule is that the earlier you buy tickets, the better your chance of getting cheap tickets.

The websites you can use to book tickets

• www.renfe.com : You can buy tickets directly from Renfe’s website, but this site is quite difficult to use, sometimes it fails to load and pay by credit card usually also has problem. In that case you still have other options: The website of Loco2, Captaintrain and Petrabax.
• www.loco2.com : Loco2 links directly with Renfe’s online ticketing system and of course the fare is the same. Booking ticket via Loco2 is quite quick, convenient, intuitive interface easy to use.
• www.captaintrain.com : Similar to Loco2 in terms of ticket price, convenient, without fee of booking.
• www.petrabax.com : Petrabax an American agency directly linked with Renfe.

The way to travel between Lisbon and other major cities of Portugal and Spain like Porto, Madrid, Barcelona you can book train tickets on Renfe. Or most convenient, you go to the train booking website of Trainline which is a combination of all the above websites. Go to the Trainline.com and choose the arrival and departure stations that will display the best routes and the best prices. Booking on Renfe is actually quite confusing and complicated, or faulty.

Buying tickets from Renfe’s website

The fact that booking tickets at Renfe’s website from Vietnam was quite annoying, I had many times using laptop and normal browsers but quite difficult to navigate, unable to reach the ticket selection webpage. But switch to 3G network on phone or laptop is OKAY (may be due to internet connection when access from Vietnam). If you encounter problems, try changing the browser and changing the type of network connection again. Also when paying, Renfe sometimes have credit card errors, or have to use Paypal as a main payment method. This error is most common with transactions outside of Spain, and usually it only accept Visa or Master cards.

The train routes are shown on Renfe are also very jumble and inconvenient, the website will report no results found if you choose the routes that have to change the trains. For example, when you’re going from San Sebastian to Sevilla you won’t find any results, but if you choose a train departs from San Sebastian to Madrid, then choose from Madrid to Sevilla, it is OK. Means, they should have shown all possible results like other pages, this is not so heres, quite inconvenient. You have to use an intermediary website like www.bahn.de to see the train routes and then return to find tickets on Renfe.

However, using Renfe has an advantage point because this is the official website of the Spanish railway, so you have a lot of options for promotional tickets, combining the types of tickets together and also easier to choose your perferred seats. Fares on Renfe of course are many options as well as the cheapest.

Explain the steps for booking tickets via Renfe as follows.

• Go to www.renfe.com , this is a Spanish website, so you click on to the “world” icon in the upper right corner to switch to the English language or directly access this link: https://www.renfe.com/en .

• Fill the information for departure, arrival station stations, and fill the other options: one-way or round-trip, number of passengers (adults, children), departure date. As for the option “Promotional cards and codes” you leave blank for Renfe Joven and Tarjeta Dorada Card option if you do not have a train card in Spain or promotional code. As for station names, note that the terms “Todas” mean all stations in that city, such as Barcelona Todas, Madrid Todas, and go to Lisbon will be Lisboa Todas, unless you can determine the exact station name you want to go. In addition, there are also other options such as the departure time (morning, afternoon or night), suitable for those who want to take the night train.

• Click “ Search for a ticket ” to find out all the train routes through the 2 stations that you chosen. If you plan to take the unpopular routes such as Barcelona – Madrid, you can use the Bahn.de website to see how to travel, where you will have to transit and change the trains, then return to Renfe to choose again. All train routes will appear according to the list.

• Interpretation of terms: – Turista: 2nd class seat; – Turista Plus: 2nd class seat but a little more comfortable – Preferente: First class seat – Cama turista / Preferente / Gran Clase: for night trains, Cama means sleeping beds arranged by the convenience level.
•  You should also register an account at Renfe for ease of booking, because if there is something wrong you can completely login into your account to review and reprint the ticket. Types of tickets like Promo, Promo+, Flexible will be explained below. If you do not see any ticket, it may be because the tickets have not been open for sale (before 90 days or 60 days), you should wait and watch regularly to be able to buy cheap tickets.
• Select the tickets you want to buy , then fill in your details information such as phone number, payment method, choose a seat near the window or not, choose a quiet compartment or not … Click Purchase to buy.

• Payment: Fill in international credit/debit card information (VISA or MASTER Cards) to make payment.

• After paying, it will jump to a new tab on browser with a PDF file of your e-ticket, this ticket includes the reserved seat and you just need to print or save in your smartphone when get on the train, no need to do any procedure to check-in anymore. When the ticket checker asks you only need to show this ticket for them is OK.

Types of promotional tickets when buying via Renfe

When buying tickets through Renfe you will see some types of promotional tickets displayed in the list, including the following:

• Promo (P): Promotional tickets are not refundable, redeem or reserve seat in advance, this is a free-fall ticket like air tickets, but a little different is if you go with another friend will be arranged to sit with together. Promo tickets are discounted up to 70% of the full price ticket (list price).
• Promo+ fare (P+): Refundable, redeem tickets but limited. This ticket is a bit more expensive than the Promo ticket above and you can choose your preferred seat in advance. Promo+ tickets are discounted up to 60% of the full price ticket.
• Flexible (F): This is a full-priced ticket without discount, being returned tickets if not use (losts 5% fee), can be redeemed a higher price ticket without fee, but redeem a lower price ticket will lost 15% fee.
• Mesa (M): For those who travel with family, up to 4 people. Buy this ticket, you will have to buy tickets for all 4 people though your family maybe less 4 members, ie if you go with 1, 2 or 3 people you still have to pay the same ticket price as go with 4 people. Mesa tickets are discounted 60% of the regular ticket price.

Some cases which promotion is applied:

• You buy round-trip ticket (Return ticket)? You have a chance to get a 20% discount and the maximum interval between two turns is 1 year. If you canceling one-way (a single trip), the fee is 40% while canceling both trips will be charged 15%. However, this condition only applies when you buy Flexible tickets, then at the list of train routes you will see the words “ Ida y Vuelta ” means round-trip ticket, will be discounted 20%.
• You travel with children? Will be discounted 40% for children from 4 to 14 years of age, younger than 4 years are free.
• Free tickets (Combinado Cercanías): If you buy long-distance trip tickets or AVE tickets in domestic Spain, you will receive a free ticket (free transfer) that allow you take any train from any suburban station of the local train system Cercanías to another suburban station or Renfe’s station. For example, if you stay in the outskirts of Madrid and you already have the AVE train ticket to Barcelona, ​​you can take a free train from this suburbs to get to the central station of Madrid and from there take the train to Barcelona. This free ticket is taken from the ticket vending machines, based on the 5-digit code that printed on the long-distance route ticket that you previously purchased. Note that you can only use this free ticket before 4 o’clock at the point of departure and after 4 o’clock at the ending point. Details you see here: Combinado Cercanías free ticket .

Using Renfe’s website to buy tickets you have to be extremely careful, the web can down, get errors at any time, sometimes feel really uncomfortable, upset. Besides, you always need an international credit/debit card ready to buy tickets, (Visa or Master card). Tickets are generally allowed up to 62 days to book in advance for regular trains, with AVE trains can be up to 90 days or more (sometimes up to 120 days), you need to check regularly. Promo cheap tickets also run out pretty fast, the best time to hunt and buy the cheapest tickets is when you book tickets into the time zone at midnight Spain time, remember that when cheap tickets appear, you need to buy as quickly as possible.

If buying through Renfe is too difficult, you should switch to the above alternative booking websites such as Loco2, Captaintrain or Petrabax.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Madrid you can refer to

• Private Madrid International Airport (MAD) Transfers for Madrid
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Train Travel in Spain: Your Comprehensive Guide

Train travel in Spain offers a convenient and scenic way to explore the diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage of the country.

Spain’s extensive rail network, operated mainly by Renfe, connects major cities with high-speed AVE trains, making it possible to traverse the country quickly and comfortably. Regional trains serve smaller towns and rural areas, offering a glimpse into Spain’s varied geography and local life.

The trains are known for their punctuality, comfort, and modern amenities, providing a pleasant travel experience. Whether you’re journeying from the bustling streets of Madrid to the architectural wonders of Barcelona, or venturing into the heart of Andalusia, train travel in Spain is an efficient and enjoyable way to see the country.

With its combination of speed, comfort, and picturesque routes, it’s an ideal choice for travelers looking to immerse themselves in the Spanish experience.

Disclaimer: As an affiliate partner, we might earn from qualifying purchases – any links on this page that go to a holiday park booking platform might earn us a commission if you make a purchase. This is at no additional cost to you.

Overview of Train Travel in Spain

Spain offers an extensive railway network, allowing you to efficiently travel across the country.

The nation-state-owned railway company, Renfe (Red Nacional de los Ferrocarriles Españoles), operates the majority of services, including the high-speed AVE (Alta Velocidad Española) trains which connect major cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, and Valencia.

Renfe also introduced Avlo, a low-cost, high-speed train service, to provide more economical options for passengers.

Another French operator, Ouigo, competes with Renfe by offering high-speed travel between cities such as Madrid and Barcelona.

Additionally, a new operator, Iryo, has entered the market, further expanding your choices for high-speed rail services.

When travelling between cities like Barcelona and Madrid, high-speed trains offer a great alternative to air travel with competitive journey times and a reduced environmental impact.

For a more scenic route, you can go on one of the slower regional trains. You’re encouraged to book your tickets in advance, especially for the high-speed services, as they often sell out quickly.

🚄 Search for Train Tickets Here 🚄

High-speed trains like AVE and Avlo require seat reservations and offer amenities such as Wi-Fi and seat service.

Types of Trains and Services

High-speed ave trains.

The Alta Velocidad Española (AVE) is your go-to for high-speed travel across Spain, reaching speeds of up to 350 km/h (217 mph).

These services efficiently and comfortably connect major cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville.

AVE trains feature a range of classes, including Turista (Standard), Turista Plus (Premium Economy), and Preferente (First Class), where travellers can enjoy amenities like spacious seating and meal services.

Long-Distance Trains

For travels spanning the country’s different regions, long-distance trains offer various routes that AVE might not serve.

InterCity and Euromed trains fall under this category, providing a balance between speed and comfort, linking distant cities with fewer stops than regional services.

Medium Distance and Avant Trains

Medium Distance (Media Distancia) trains, and Avant services cover shorter routes, perfect for travelling between neighbouring cities and regions.

These are often your best option for inter-regional travel, offering frequent departures and a reliable service.

Avant trains, a type of medium-distance service, operate on high-speed tracks for a portion of their journey, delivering a faster experience.

Local Cercanías and Intercity Trains

Cercanías refers to suburban trains serving larger city outskirts and nearby areas, perfect for daily commuting.

On the other hand, Intercity trains offer a comfortable alternative for local travel with amenities suitable for longer distances within the same region or to nearby ones.

Night and International Trains

For longer journeys or a trip to neighbouring countries, night trains provide sleeper options that let you travel by night to wake up at your destination rested and ready to explore.

International trains connect to the wider European rail network for trips beyond Spain’s borders so you can easily journey to France, Portugal, and beyond.

Train Tickets and Reservations

When travelling by train in Spain, it’s essential to understand the process of purchasing tickets and making reservations to streamline your journey.

Purchasing Tickets Online

You can buy train tickets online through the official website of Renfe , the national railway company.

The process is straightforward: select your journey’s starting and ending points, choose the train type and class, and complete the purchase with your contact details. Ensure you print your ticket or download it to your mobile device.

Types of Tickets

Spain’s rail service offers different types of tickets for all types of travellers.

The Básico ticket is the most affordable option, while the Turista and Turista Plus provide a higher level of comfort.

For a luxurious experience, opt for the Preferente class, which may include additional services like meals.

Discounts and Passes

Several discounts are available:

• Children under 14 years receive a direct 40% discount on train tickets.
• Infants under 4 years usually travel for free but need a ‘free infant ticket’.
• The Renfe Spain Pass is beneficial for non-residents planning multiple trips, offering flexibility and savings.
• A Combinado Cercanías ticket includes trips on local Cercanías trains.

Making Reservations

Making reservations is necessary to ensure a seat on long-distance and high-speed trains.

Note that some passes require you to make free reservations in advance for specific trains. Always check the required reservations details before your trip.

🚄 Book Online Tickets Here 🚄

Major Train Routes and Destinations

When you travel by train in Spain, you can enjoy fast, comfortable, and scenic journeys between key cities.

The Alta Velocidad Española (AVE) network connects major destinations with high-speed services, substantially reducing travel times.

Madrid to Barcelona

The route from Madrid to Barcelona is one of Spain’s most frequented AVE lines.

Here, travel time is approximately 2.5 hours to 3.25 hours for the roughly 615-kilometre journey.

Trains depart from Madrid Puerta de Atocha station and arrive at Barcelona Sants station, allowing you to explore two of Spain’s most vibrant cities with minimal hassle.

• Travel Time : 2.5 – 3.25 hours
• Key Stations : Madrid Puerta de Atocha, Barcelona Sants

🚄 Book Madrid to Barcelona Tickets 🚄

Barcelona to Valencia

Heading south from Barcelona to Valencia, the journey takes about 3 hours, linking Catalonia with the Valencian Community.

• Travel Time : ~3 hours
• Key Stations : Barcelona Sants, Valencia Joaquín Sorolla

🚄 Book Barcelona to Valencia Tickets 🚄

Madrid to Seville

The Madrid to Seville line is another popular high-speed AVE route, connecting the capital to the heart of Andalusia in around 2.5 hours.

Seville’s rich history and culture are easily accessible from Madrid, making it a perfect destination for a short getaway.

• Travel Time : ~2.5 hours
• Key Stations : Madrid Puerta de Atocha, Seville Santa Justa

🚄 Book Madrid to Seville Tickets 🚄

Train Stations and Facilities

In Spain, you will find an extensive network of train stations equipped with a variety of services and facilities designed to make your travel experience smooth and comfortable.

Whether you’re travelling from a major city centre or a smaller regional destination, accessibility and convenience are prioritised.

Major Stations in Spain

• Madrid Puerta de Atocha: As the largest railway station in Madrid, it serves as the primary station for commuter trains (Cercanías), intercity, regional and high-speed AVE trains. A focal point for Spanish rail travel, it connects numerous national destinations and also offers international services.
• Barcelona Sants: This is the main railway station in Barcelona and the city’s principal transport hub for national and international connections. It’s a vital station for the high-speed train network, particularly for services linking Spain to France.
• Sevilla Santa Justa: This is the third-busiest station in Spain and the primary station for high-speed rail in Andalusia, connecting you to destinations like Madrid and Barcelona with great efficiency.
• Valencia Joaquín Sorolla: For high-speed rail services, this station serves Valencia, with numerous AVE trains connecting it to major Spanish cities.

Station Services and Accessibility

Facilities Offered:

• Ticketing Services: Each station provides ticketing kiosks and counters where you can purchase or collect pre-booked tickets.
• Waiting Areas: Comfortable and ample seating areas are available, ensuring you can wait for your trains in a relaxed environment.
• Dining: From fast-food outlets to sit-down restaurants, a range of dining options cater to different tastes and needs.
• Retail Shops: Whether you need travel essentials or wish to browse local goods, the shops at these stations offer a wide selection of items.
• Information Desks: To assist you with any queries, information desks are readily accessible and staffed with knowledgeable personnel.

Accessibility:

• Stations are equipped with facilities to aid passengers with reduced mobility, including lifts, ramps, and dedicated assistance services.
• Clear signage and announcements in Spanish and English are present to guide you smoothly through the stations.

Luggage and Accessibility

When travelling by train in Spain, familiarise yourself with the luggage policy to ensure a smooth trip.

Spanish trains generally allow each passenger to carry free of charge a maximum of three pieces of baggage, the sum of which should not exceed 290 cm in total, and individual items should not weigh more than 25 kg.

Baggage Allowance

• Personal Item: 1 item such as a handbag or laptop bag
• Main Baggage: 2 items, each not exceeding 85 x 55 x 35 cm
• Total Combined Dimensions: Not to exceed 290 cm
• Maximum Weight per Item: Up to 25 kg

Your luggage will need to go through an x-ray security screening before boarding. Just like at airports, this is a quick process aimed at ensuring the safety of all passengers.

You might be subject to a fine if your luggage exceeds the stipulated allowance. To avoid any inconvenience, checking with the train operator before your journey is recommended.

Accessibility

All major stations and most trains are well-equipped for passengers with mobility issues.

There are dedicated spaces for wheelchairs, and assistance is available if you need help getting on or off the train.

Inform the train service ahead of your travel to arrange any necessary assistance and ensure a comfortable journey.

Rail Operators and Competition

Renfe, the national train operator, has long been the main provider of railway services. However, with the market opening up, competition is intensifying.

Renfe operates a variety of services, including the high-speed AVE trains and the more economical Avlo service, which is a low-cost high-speed train option aimed at making fast travel more accessible.

Ouigo, a subsidiary of the French SNCF, is now competing directly with Renfe’s Avlo by offering similar low-cost high-speed train services.

Ouigo Spain operates on high-speed lines connecting major cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia. This brand is particularly focused on the affordability and efficiency of its services.

Another new competitor is Iryo, a direct high-speed luxury rival.

Like Ouigo and Renfe, it serves key high-speed routes, promoting competition over the main lines of the Spanish rail network.

Tips for Travelling by Train in Spain

When exploring Spain, travelling by train is a convenient and efficient option. Spanish trains are known for being punctual.

To secure cheap train tickets, book in advance. Fares are typically lower when purchased ahead of time.

Consider using Renfe’s Spain Pass for multiple trips, which can offer savings if you plan to travel extensively by train across the country.

Trains in Spain vary from high-speed lines, like the AVE, which connects major cities swiftly, to regional trains that offer a closer view of the countryside.

Here’s a brief overview to help you navigate train travel in Spain:

• Booking Tickets : Purchase early for the best deals. Use Renfe’s official website or app for convenience.
• AVE: High-speed service between major cities.
• Alvia and Avant: Mid-range speeds, broader network.
• Regional: Cost-effective, connects local destinations.
• Seating Options : Select from Turista (economy), Preferente (first class), or Club (premium) based on your comfort preference.
• Travel Times : High-speed trains significantly reduce travel time, making it preferable for longer distances.
• Station Navigation : Arrive early, especially in larger stations, to find your platform without stress.
• Luggage : Pack light if possible, as storage space can be limited, and there are usually no luggage fees.

Remember to keep your ticket handy, as it’s often checked upon entering the platform and during the journey.

Enjoy the scenic routes and the comfort of train travel as you explore the diverse landscapes of Spain.

International Connections and Offers

Spain offers a robust international train network that seamlessly connects you to a variety of destinations across Europe.

If you’re exploring beyond Spain’s borders, you can find several options catering to your travel needs.

Your journey to France is made effortless with the high-speed Renfe-SNCF, connecting major Spanish cities like Barcelona and Madrid with French cities such as Paris, Lyon, and Marseille.

Here’s a snapshot of your options:

• Barcelona to Paris: A direct high-speed service.
• Madrid to Marseille: Connect through Barcelona.

🚄 Book Barcelona to Paris Tickets 🚄

The picturesque landscapes of Portugal are within reach via the Lusitania night train that runs from Madrid to Lisbon, offering both comfort and convenience.

🚄 Book Madrid to Lisbon Tickets 🚄

Interrail Passes: If your travel plans include multiple countries, consider the Interrail Global Pass . It offers flexible travel days across Spain and other European nations.

• Available for various durations.
• Special discounts for youth and seniors.

For regional connections, especially in the Basque Country, Euskotren provides a reliable service that includes international links with France.

The following table summarises the international train offers from Spain:

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Interrailing Spain: ULTIMATE Guide to Travelling Spain By Train

Some links in this post contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission if you use the links at no extra cost to you! Happy reading 😀

Interrailing Spain for the first time? You’re in the right place! Travelling Spain by train is one of the best ways to see the country.

Spanning nearly 1,700 miles, the Spanish railway system is one of the most extensive and efficient in Europe, making it a perfect country to interrail. Whether you’re looking to explore Barcelona’s vibrant culture or Madrid’s stunning architecture, there’s no better way to do it than by train. 

In the following post, I outline the best interrailing Spain routes and itineraries, and how to squeeze some of the most beautiful Spanish destinations into your trip.

🚝 Need to buy your interrailing pass ? I recommend checking this website for the best discounts and deals!

Interrailing Europe? You might also like…

• Interrailing France: Travel France By Train
• Interrailing Italy: Ultimate Guide and Route
• 21 Interrail Tips for First-Timers: Interrailing Europe
• What To Pack Interrailing Europe: Packing List Essentials
• How to Interrail on a Budget: Interrail Europe CHEAP!

Want to see epic photos and videos from these experiences?

Follow me on Instagram! As we travel, I post everything live on Instagram, so check out my recent highlights and posts. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, drop me a DM!

Interrailing Spain: A Summary

Spain is a beautiful country with so much to offer. From the scenery to the architecture, the unbelievable tapas and the friendly people, there’s something for everyone. If you’re planning a trip to Spain, I would highly recommend interrailing .  It’s an amazing way to see the country, and you can go at your own pace. 

Interrailing Spain is straightforward, as their train system is one of the best in Europe. But, here are a few extra things to bear in mind when you are planning your trip:

🚇  The rail network in Spain connects the entire country.  So if you’re worried about being able to get from A to B, don’t be! Even smaller, ‘off the beaten track’ villages and towns will have a train station. Regional trains and night trains are available in most major cities.

🚌  Journeys around Spain can also be made by bus.  If you have a section of a journey that cannot be made by train, the FlixBus can be used for inter-city routes.

🇪🇸 The interrailing pass will include all trains in Spain .

🚝  You must make a seat reservation for high-speed trains, even with an interrailing pass .  Seat reservations are usually around 10 EUR. This can be done on the interrailing website or at the train station. You can guarantee your seat easily there for either high-speed trains or regional trains.

What is interrailing?

Interrailing is a great way to  see Europe on a budget . Interrail passes are available for people of all ages, and they allow you to travel on any day of the week.  You can also travel on multiple trains per day, making it easy to explore different countries and cities  all in one single trip.

Interrail passes are valid for a certain number of days,  so you can tailor your trip to your own needs. Plus, if you’re under 27 years old or under,  you can get a special Youth Interrail pass that’s even cheaper!

Global passes for interrailing are the best way to see Europe – and they’re not as complicated or expensive as you might think. With a global pass, you can hop on a train and  explore up to 33 different countries in Europe.   There are different types of global passes to choose from,  so you can tailor your trip to exactly what you want.

Whether you’re looking to backpack Europe for a week or a month, interrailing is a great option.  Just be sure to check the rules and regulations before you go so that you can make the most of your trip.

Not sure whether the interrailing pass is worth it? Check out my  detailed guide on interrailing passes here.

Want to start your digital nomad life?

Check out my ebook page (click here!) to see if there’s a guide that suits you. I’m here to help you leave the 9-5 and work remotely around the world! 💻 🌎

Night trains whilst interrailing Spain

Spain is a big country, and if you’re interrailing around Europe, you might want to consider taking a night train from one city to the next.  That way, you can make the most of your time during the day and see everything that each city has to offer (and save money on accommodation). 

And once you’re done exploring for the day, you can just jump on the train and relax on the night train as you travel through the Spanish countryside.  However, the high-speed trains in Spain are so quick and efficient, that you might not find the need to travel via night train. High-speed trains also include reclining seats, so you can always have a nap on board if you need to!

The best way to take advantage of the Spanish night trains is if you want to travel to another country. For example, you can catch a train to Portugal , France or Switzerland. Don’t forget to book your seat reservations for night trains and high-speed trains!

High-speed trains whilst interrailing Spain

Travelling by high-speed train in Spain is something else entirely . Not only are the trains clean, comfortable and fast, but they also offer a unique way to see the country, and can get you from A to B fast. 

The main high-speed network is AVE, where most interrail passes are valid. But as I previously mentioned, you will need to pay a reservation fee. These range between 5-10 EUR, depending on the class and seat type.

Where to stay when interrailing Spain

There are a few things to consider when choosing accommodation – do you want to be in the heart of the action or off the beaten path? Are you looking for a party hostel or a quiet boutique hotel?  And, of course, there’s always the all-important question of budget. 

When it comes to finding accommodation whilst interrailing Spain, there are a number of options available to suit all budgets. 

Hostels are popular amongst backpackers , offering affordable shared dorm rooms and communal facilities such as kitchens and lounge areas. But if you prefer a little more privacy, there are also a number of hotels and private apartments available. 

Whatever your budget or preferences, there is sure to be accommodation to suit you whilst interrailing Spain.

Best hostels in Spain for backpackers

Whilst there will be many hostels all over Spain to stay in as a backpacker, these are some of the best. All of the hostels listed are perfect for  solo travellers and couples who are looking to meet other backpackers whilst interrailing Spain.

Barcelona: St Christopher’s Barcelona ➡ BOOK NOW!

Granada: Oripando Hostel ➡ BOOK NOW

Bilbao: Residencia Universitaria San Mamés ➡ BOOK NOW

Madrid: The Hat ➡ BOOK NOW

Valencia: Cantagua Hostel ➡ BOOK NOW

Interrailing Spain Route 1

🇪🇸  Duration:  Two weeks

🚇  Four locations in Spain: Barcelona > Madrid > Valencia > Seville

If you only have 2 weeks to spend interrailing Spain, I’d recommend visiting these highlights. By doing this route, you’ll get to experience the fun atmosphere of Barcelona, pay a visit to the capital Madrid, the sandy beaches of Valencia and the famous architecture of Seville.

Interrailing Spain Route 2

🇪🇸  Duration:  Three weeks

🚇  Six locations in Spain: Bilbao > Barcelona > Madrid > Valencia > Seville > Malaga

Similar to the previous route, but adding in the northern city of Bilbao, which is known for its fun nightlife and hiking. This route needs at least three weeks to be enjoyed fully. Also, a final stop in Malaga means you can spend some time relaxing on the beach!

Interrailing Spain Route 3

🇪🇸  Duration:  Four weeks

🚇  Seven locations in Spain: Bilbao > Barcelona > Madrid > Valencia > Seville > Malaga > Granada 

If you’re lucky enough to have four weeks to spend interrailing Spain, I’d also recommend adding in a few days in Granada.  Granada is a city in southern Spain surrounded by the Sierra Nevada mountains. It’s fun for backpackers and tourists, with iconic architecture and ridiculously good tapas. 

➡  Don’t forget to pre-book your accommodation! You can check out the  best hostels in Spain here.

Interrailing Spain: train durations

Below I have listed some of the longer (or more frequently used) train duration times for your interrailing Spain trip.

Barcelona > Madrid: 2.5 hours

Madrid > Valencia: 1 hour 40 mins

Valencia > Seville: 4.5 hours

Malaga > Granada: 1.5 hours

How much does interrailing Spain cost?

As always, this will depend on the type of trip you will have whilst interrailing Spain. Are you going to stay in hotels, or rough it in shared dorms? Are you going to cook in your Airbnb each night, or try all of the different tapas restaurants?

As a ballpark amount, I would budget 70-100 EUR per day to interrail Spain. It’s just slightly cheaper than France, but still a hefty price for a budget backpacker. 

If you opt to stay in shared dorms , you may be able to get this price down to 60 EUR per day, but just ensure you save enough money to really make the most of your trip to Spain!

Want to interrail on a budget? I’ve got you covered. Check out my detailed post on interrailing on a budget here.

Useful Phrases whist Interrailing Spain

Make sure you don’t get confused with Spanish vocabulary whilst boarding the trains!  Here are a few useful phrases to remember whilst travelling between Spanish cities:

Train:  tren

Ticket:  boleto

Train station : estacion de tren

Ticket office:  taquilla

Carriage : carro

Seat: asiento

Arrivals:  llegadas

Departures:  salidas

Don’t forget insurance!

Whilst you’re backpacking, you will always need insurance. We use SafetyWing, for the most flexible, reliable and budget-friendly options. They have the best cover for worldwide, long-term trips, and at the most affordable backpacker prices! You can check out their cover here.

What to pack for interrailing Spain

As I always say, you’ll need a good pair of walking shoes . You’ll be doing a lot of walking on your interrailing Spain trip, so make sure you have comfortable shoes that you can walk long distances in. 

Secondly, pack light! You’ll be moving around a lot and you don’t want to be lugging a heavy bag around with you. 

A small backpack or a wheeled suitcase is ideal. 

Thirdly, make sure you pack some essential items such as a portable charger , an everyday tote bag and a power adapter for your electronics. 

And finally, don’t forget to pack your camera ! With interrailing Spain you’ll want to take lots of photos of all the amazing places you visit.

If you’d like a more detailed packing list for interrailing Europe , you can read my post: What To Pack Interrailing Europe: Packing List Essentials .

Best destinations for interrailing Spain

Barcelona is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, and it’s easy to see why. (If you’re visiting for the first time, be sure to check out this incredible Barcelona travel guide first!)

The city is home to architectural treasures, world-class museums, and some of the best tapas in the country! Barcelona is also a great place to enjoy the outdoors, with plenty of parks and beaches to explore. And of course, no visit to Barcelona would be complete without cheering on Barcelona’s legendary football team, FC Barcelona. 

The city is home to Barcelona Cathedral, as well as the world-famous church of Sagrada Familia. Barcelona’s architecture is a mix of styles, ranging from Gothic to Art Nouveau, and is home to two world-class art museums: the Museu Picasso and the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya. 

Or, if you fancy something different, check out Barcelona Boat Tours . I’ll always try and hop on a boat when I’m visiting a city by the sea, and Barcelona is one of the best places to do it!

Need somewhere to stay in Barcelona ? Be sure to check out this post for some of the best neighbourhoods! Barcelona is an amazing place to add to your interrailing trip!

Booking hostels?

Choosing the right hostel as a backpacker is crucial to how successful your trip will be. Always use Hostelworld.com for the cheapest rates, widest availability and most importantly – honest reviews from other travellers! Click here to view the best hostels for your trip.

Granada is one of the best places to visit during your Spanish interrailing trip. This beautiful city is home to the world-famous Alhambra, a stunning palace and fortress complex that is definitely worth a visit. 

Granada is also home to numerous other historical sites, such as the Cathedral of Granada and the Royal Chapel, as well as a number of interesting museums. 

The city has a lively atmosphere, with plenty of bars and restaurants to keep you entertained. And if you’re looking for some adventure, you can always go skiing in the nearby Sierra Nevada mountains!

Bilbao is a charming and fun city in the Basque region of Spain and is known for its food, culture, and architecture. The best way to experience Bilbao is to walk around the city and explore all it has to offer (which is of course, free. Yay!). 

Bilbao has a lot of character and there are many things to do that are free or on a backpacker budget , like walking around the Old Town and visiting the Guggenheim Museum. The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is one of the most iconic buildings in the city and is definitely worth a visit. You can buy tickets in advance online which will save you money. There are also often discounts for students and seniors. 

If your budget allows, you can take a boat ride on the Nervion River. Bilbao is located on the Nervion River and is one of the best ways to see the city!

Interrailing Spain FAQs

1) is it worth getting an interrail pass to travel spain.

This depends on the duration of your trip, and whether or not you are only visiting Spain. If you are planning on travelling to Spain or Europe for longer than a week, I would recommend getting an interrailing pass . 

However, if you’re visiting for a shorter amount of time, such as 2-5 days, it may work out cheaper to buy individual high-speed train tickets. 

Don’t forget there are always offers on interrailing passes , as well as the Youth Discount, so if you’re travelling Europe for more than 5 days, I would recommend purchasing an interrail pass . 

2) How do I book tickets to Interrail Spain?

Once you’ve bought your interrailing pass and have a destination plan, you can book your seat reservations.  Your interrail pass is activated when you reach the first location that  isn’t  your home country/city.

Have a look at Interrail’s train timetable to find times and destinations. Most trains will require a seat reservation (especially high-speed and sleeper trains). Slower train seat reservations are usually cheaper, or in some cases, free.

➡ Need to hire a car in Italy?  We rent our cars all over Europe from  this company . They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world! 🚗  LOOK AT CAR HIRE PRICES NOW!

3)  What tours should I do in Spain? 

Looking to book a tour whilst interrailing Spain?   Tours  are one of the best ways to see the  hidden gems of the country you are visiting.  If you’re travelling during peak season, I highly recommend pre-booking your tours to ensure you don’t miss out!

When travelling, we use  this company to book our tours .  Tours include skip-the-line tickets to the world’s most iconic attractions, walking tours by top local experts, immersive food and beverage tours, cooking and craft classes, bucket list experiences, and niche offerings you won’t find anywhere else!  ➡ You can check out available tours in  Spain with prices here!

4)  Do I need a SIM card to visit Spain? 

If you’re not from Spain, it’s worth  downloading an eSIM  on your phone to ensure you can use it for directions and avoid roaming charges as soon as you arrive. 

ESIMs  are easy to download and ready to use within a few minutes of purchasing! Plus, there are  eSIMs  available for the entire continent of Europe, so there’s no longer a need to hunt down free Wifi! ➡  You can check out the prices and packages for   eSIMs here!

Interrailing Spain: In a Nutshell

If you’re looking for an amazing European interrailing trip that won’t break the bank (entirely), I highly recommend interrailing across Spain. Oh, and don’t forget to book your interrailing pass before you go!

Have you ever been to Spain? What was your favourite part? Let me know in the comments below or DM me on Instagram – I’d love to hear from you!

Happy travelling!

• Backpacking Europe: A Beginners Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Interrail on a Budget: Interrail Europe CHEAP! (2022)

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MEET THE AUTHOR!

Hi! I'm Jennie! As a part-time travel blogger based in London, I'm using my 10+ years of travel expertise to encourage & inspire you to step out of your comfort zone through sustainable, mindful and purposeful travel.

If I'm not writing, I'm either reading, drinking coffee or taking a wild swim (all at the same time if I'm feeling impressive).

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• Cities & Stations

• Spain by train

This guide to travelling by train in Spain will tell you all you need to know about the major stations, how the ticketing works and how to travel on the fabulous trains.

There’s a lot to love about travelling by train in Spain The country has more high speed lines than any other in Europe, the trains that do and don't use them are rather fabulous and comparatively comfortable - and the scenery can be incredible.

But if you’re not Spanish, travelling in Spain by train can seem a tad bewildering, hence the weight of info below!

The 16 key things most worth knowing about taking the trains in Spain are:

(1) Renfe is the national company which operates most train services, but Adif is the name of the company that is responsible for the stations that the Renfe trains use. So the presence of a station is often indicated by a sign saying 'Adif - white letters on a black background.

(2) Renfe's train services are placed into three broad categories;

• larga-distancia = the express trains
• media-distancia; Spain is a large country, so some media-distancia routes can be more than three hours long.
• urban local/commuter train services which are named differently depending on the city - ‘Cercanias’ is a more common name, but ‘Rodalies’ is used in Barcelona.

(3) The high speed lines radiate from Madrid and connect the capital with most other large cities including Alicante, Barcelona, Burgos, Girona, Granada, Leon, Malaga, Murcia, Ourense, Oviedo, Santiago de Compostela, Seville, Valencia and Zaragoza.

Trains can continue beyond the high speed lines to provide direct services between Madrid and the likes of Algeciras, Bilbao, Pamplona, San Sebastian and Vigo.

(4) Renfe places its larga-distancia trains into multiple categories - AVE , Alvia , Intercity , Avant and Euromed and Torre Oro - which are largely to do with whether they solely use the high speed lines, or partially use them before transferring to/from the conventional 'classic' routes.

(5) Because the high speed lines only radiate from Madrid, direct cross country services are less common:

• Euromed = Girona - Barcelona - Valencia - Alicante
• Torre Oro = Barcelona - Valancia - Albacete - Cordoba - Seville - Cadiz

Other trains operate on these routes:

• Barcelona - Zaragoza - multiple destinations in northern Spain
• Santander and Gijon - Madrid - Alicante and Valencia
• Barcelona - Zaragoza - Cordoba - Seville and Malaga

(6) Renfe doesn't have a monopoly on Spanish train services. When travelling on the larga-distancia routes between Madrid and destinations to the east and south including Alicante, Barcelona, Malaga, Murcia, Seville and Valencia, you can choose between travelling on three or four different high-speed train services:

• AVE = full service trains operated by Renfe
• iryo = full service trains very similar to the fastest trains operated in Italy by Trenitalia
• avlo = more basic, 2nd class only trains operated by Renfe
• Ouigo = more basic, 2nd class trains, similar to those which can be found on many high speed routes in France.

(7) All four services offer similar journey times. The avlo and Ouigo services are typically cheaper because of the more limited on-board experience - plus they have more restrictive luggage allowances, which in turn require travellers to be at the stations earlier. Though the full service iryo trains are also competitively priced, in order to attract passengers away from the Renfe operated AVE trains.

(8) Though for the time being Renfe has the monopoly on providing the high-speed express trains from both Barcelona and Madrid to destinations in northern Spain.

(9) The Renfe ticket booking service doesn't sell tickets for the iryo and Ouigo services, but the prices of all four services can be compared and booked on Trainline and Trenes .

(10) Advance discounted ticket prices are available on routes taken by the larga-distancia services, but not on most routes taken by the media-distancia services. Though the periods of time ahead of travel, that tickets are released for sale, can vary according to the specific type of train service; for example, it can be up to 6 months ahead for AVE trains, but around 2 months ahead for Euromed services.

(11) Seat reservations are compulsory on all larga-distancia services and on most media-distancia services, including virtually all journeys on which the trains are specifically branded MD - the exceptions are the MD services on the Barcelona - Girona - Figueres - Port Bou route. Reservations are automatically included when booking tickets online or at stations.

(12) There are no overnight train services, either in Spain or to/from Spain - but there are French overnight trains to the border locations of Cerbere and La Tour De Carol.

(13) Madrid has two main railway stations:

Atocha for destinations to the south and east including Barcelona, Cadiz, Girona, Granada, Malaga, Murcia, Seville and Zaragoza.

Chamartin for destinations to the north including Bilbao, Burgos, Leon, Ourense, Oviedo, San Sebastian, Santiago de Compostela and Vigo.

Though construction work is underway at Atocha, as the future plan is that many high speed services will travel direct between destinations in north and south Spain, travelling through Madrid and calling at both stations. As a result most of the trains between Madrid and both Alicante and Valencia are currently using Chamartin station.

(14) When taking the high speed train services, from a major station you will usually encounter a procedure similar to checking-in for a flight. Tickets will be checked before accessing a luggage screening area and then tickets will usually be checked again at the entrance to the via (platform/track) that your train will be departing from.

It inevitably takes time to process all the passengers, so aim to be at the station a minimum of 15 mins prior to departure if you will be taking any of these train services; AVE , Alvia , Avant or Euromed . The boarding procedures are even longer when taking avlo or Ouigo services, as the station staff will also need to check whether luggage requirements are being complied with.

(15) Unless you are taking a local/commuter train, avoid turning up at a station in the expectation of buying a ticket and swiftly boarding the next train to depart. On many Spanish train routes, gaps of more than three hours between departures are the norm.

(16) The cities along the Atlantic Coast of northern Spain are linked by a system of narrow gauge lines, similar to those used by Swiss mountain railways, most of which are part of the Cercanías AM network . Services between cities can be comparatively infrequent, but Euskotren , which is not managed by Renfe, operates a network of lines in north-east Spain, around Bilbao and San Sebastian/Donastia. Trains on its routes, which include those which link San Sebastian with both Bilbao and the French border at Hendaia / Hendaye, tend to operate every 30 to 60 mins.

Six things which are good to know about the trains in Spain:

• The trains are placed into three board categories:
• the local/commuter trains in the cities
• the media-distancia services
• the larga-distancia services; the long-distance express trains.
• The larga-distancia services are the Alvia , the avlo , the AVE , the Euromed , the Intercity , the iryo , the Ouigo and the Torre Oro services.
• The Media-Distancia services are the Avant services, the MD services and the Regional Express services.
• So when travelling on many routes there is a choice between different train services.
• Also the type of train services can impact on travelling with bicycles and dogs.
• Not all trains in Spain are provided by the national rail operator Renfe, the exceptions include the iryo and Ouigo services, some of the local services in Barcelona and Valencia and the local services in north-east Spain

More info on all of these things and more are in the full guide which you will find below.

Click on the buttons below to access info such as on board facilities, and what to look out for when boarding and travelling with luggage/bikes.

Notes on the major stations in Spain:

Larger stations in Spain don’t have names which equate to ‘Central’ etc, they either have;

• only the main city name
• are named after the part of the city in which they’re located
• are named in honour of an individual.

The larger stations in Spain also tend to have unique characteristics compared to those in other European countries and in summary they are:

(1) Take-away food/drink counters aren’t particularly common, instead canteens/cafés where you sit and have your food/drink are the norm. So if you want to buy something simple like a bottle of water or a snack, you might have to go into the canteens and purchase it; you won’t have to drink/eat your purchases at the table. Other shops/news-stands etc in the stations don’t tend to sell drinks and snacks.

(2 Larger Spanish stations don’t tend to house many stores/shops, though Madrid Atocha and Malaga Maria Zambrano station are notable exceptions; so don’t count on being able to stock up on travel essentials at the station.

Something to watch out for is that on the main departure screens at stations the ‘departure/salidas’ information is as large as the info for arrivals, so take care not to confuse the two. The ‘salidas’ info will be on the right and the arrivals will be on the left.

In the station there are also separate, similar looking, info posters listing the details of the arrivals OR the salidas/departures, so take not to mix them up.

The via (platform/track) that a larga-distancia train will be departing from is normally confirmed 15 – 20 mins before departure. At some stations the departure time on the screens will begin to flash to indicate that boarding has commenced. Keep an eye on the departure/salidas info screens, as the confirmation of the via (track/platform) that your train will be leaving from, isn’t usually announced.

The system used for assigning numbers to the vias/tracks/platforms at larger Spanish stations can seemingly lack logic, so it’s best not to wonder why and just follow the signs.

The Coche (coach/carriage) and Plaza (seat numbers) will be on your ticket - check the plaza number before you step on to the train.

Boarding an AVE service:

At the main stations the boarding procedure for boarding AVE, Alvia and Euromed train services is similar to checking-in for a flight. Tickets will be checked before accessing a luggage screening area and then tickets will usually be checked again at the entrance to the via (platform/track) that you’re train will be departing from. So keep your ticket where you can access it easily, you will need to show it prior to boarding.

Access to the ticket-checks will close around 2 -3 mins before departure, to ensure that all passengers can be processed, In effect what this will mean is that around 2-3 mins before departure, the train departure details will be removed from the departure info screens. So would be travellers arriving last minute at the stations, won’t know which via/platform/track, the train will be leaving from.

Because you have to pass through ticket-checks before boarding larga-distancia departures, Spain is a country where you don’t have to be overly concerned about boarding the wrong train in error. Though to give further reassurance, there are usually electronic displays on the train doors, showing the coach number, the final destinations and the calling points of the departure.

The Club lounges at major stations in Spain can be accessed by Comfort/1st class ticket holders who have booked 'Prémium' tickets.

They cannot be accessed by holders of 1st class rail passes.

The left luggage lockers can only be accessed once you have passed through security checks at the entrances/exits to the left luggage areas of a station, when depositing AND collecting your bags. As the left luggage offices are staffed, pay attention to the opening hours when dropping off your bags.

Also when you’re picking up your bags don’t go straight to your locker – you will have to hand any other bags you happen to have with you at the time, to the attendant for screening.

Click the buttons below to discover how to travel to and from the stations by public transport, plus links to additional info including the station and city websites.

Notes on the ticketing:

The Spanish national operator Renfe has recently simplified the types of ticket available and how they can be used which is welcome news.

It can be worth persevering with booking a ticket for a long-distance journey on the Renfe website for these two reasons:

• You can save money by booking in advance;
• Trains can sell out completely days in advance.

Despite the investment in high speed lines, Renfe's long distance trains tend to operate less frequently than high speed trains in other European countries Hence some larga-distancia routes can have only 2 or 3 x trains per day.

It’s worth checking, because when that is the case, it’s not unusual for seats to sell out days in advance in both Comfort (1st) Class and Estander (2nd) Class on the most popular departures. Particularly if you will be travelling to or from Barcelona and Madrid on the routes with the infrequent trains.

Though something to look out for is that the Renfe booking service doesn't sell tickets for the iryo services and the Ouigo services , which now offer alternatives to travelling on Renfe's trains on many of the high-speed routes. These two services and Renfe's trains can be compared by using Trainline and Trenes .

The Spanish rail operator does not sell specific types of discounted tickets, instead limited numbers of tickets at cheaper prices are typically made available on all types of ticket on each departure for the routes taken by AVE, Alvia, Euromed, IC trains and the Torre Oro train. The Basico tickets are cheaper because they have more stringent terns and conditions around exchanges and refunds; and if you book these tickets your seat(s) will be in the equivalent of second class; more information is available on our Spanish train tickets guide

However, in general, obtaining tickets for the cheapest possible price is less clear cut than is typical in other European countries. How popular/busy a train is likely to be, tends to have a bigger impact on prices, in comparison to how far in advance you are booking.

On the routes between Madrid and Barcelona and Malaga and Seville a few of the departures can be significantly cheaper, no matter how far ahead you book. Though with tickets typically available on the these routes 6 months ahead of the travel date, the very cheapest tickets prices can have 'sold out' within a few months of the tickets being placed on sale.

On the Alvia routes between Madrid and northern Spain, tickets are typically placed on sale two months ahead and the further ahead you book, the cheaper the tickets will be.

Tickets aren’t discounted for the shorter distance Avant and Media-Distancia (MD) services and on most RE (Regional Express) services. Though avoid booking tickets for the Avant services last minute at the station; in particular some Avant trains between Madrid and Toledo can sell out days in advance.

The online booking service of the Spanish national rail operator, Renfe, doesn't sell 1st class tickets, instead the type of tickets available are categorised by the their terms and conditions and the benefits they provide to travellers.

Prémium ticket benefits include a complimentary service of at seat refreshments including a hot meal; and as these meals are only served in Confort/1st class in AVE and Euromed trains on Mondays to Fridays and Sundays; so if you book a Prémium ticket your seats will be in Comfort/1st class on these trains.

When booking tickets for journeys by the Alvia, AVE, Euromed and Torre Oro trains, along with most journeys by IC trains, Elige tickets will be available and an upgrade to Comfort/1st class will be an option. Click on the Estander/2nd class price and you will see the 'Elige + Comfort' button which provides the access to the upgrade.

If you will be booking tickets/reservations at the station, allow extra time as not all ticket counter staff will speak English, so you may have to wait a little longer for a clerk who can, to become available.

At some large stations including Barcelona Sants and at both Atocha and Charmatin in Madrid, counters selling tickets for travel that day are divided into larga-distancia ticket desks and media-distancia ticket desks. So take care not to mix up the two, you want to avoid waiting in line for no reason. Other stations have general ticket offices/desks that sell tickets for any train leaving that day.

Large stations will also have separate ticket desks/offices which only sell advance tickets for larga-distancia journeys. These advance ticket offices often use AVE branding on the doors and windows, but;

• they will sell advance tickets for other larga-distancia services and not just the AVE trains/services
• they don’t sell tickets for AVE trains departing that day.

Renfe’s ticket machines aren’t, in our humble opinion, particularly easy to use, you have to scroll through the alphabet when searching for stations – and they seemed to only sell tickets for journeys by direct train when we used them.

Also worth knowing:

Unless you will be traveling on the commuter/local train networks in and around the big cities, if you want to book tickets last minute at the station, always check the departure times before heading to a station. Gaps of more than 3 hours between departures are not uncommon, particularly if you WON’T be travelling to or from Barcelona and Madrid.

Renfe is the operator of the national rail services in Spain and it has a blissfully simple child tickets policy, namely children aged 5 -13 and under are entitled to a 40% discount on any of its rail tickets. If you want to place a child aged four and under in its own seat, they will also have a 40% discount on the ticket price, but if you'll be happy to travel with the child on their lap, then there is no charge.

On the standard long distance express trains, the AVE, Alvia, Euromed and IC services, you can add a dog as an extra when making booking: The flat rate prices, irrespective of distance and departure are: Basic (second class) = €20 Comfort XL or Elige + Comfort tickets (first class) = €10 Premium Class = no charge

However, dogs can only be taken on board most of these larga-distancia services if they can travel in a container measuring no more than 60x35x35 cm and do not weigh more than 10kg.

If your dog weighs between 11kg and 40kg it can be taken on a few departures by AVE trains on routes between Madrid and Alicante, Barcelona, Valencia and Zaragoza. These departures now have a dog paw symbol, when looking up a journey on the Renfe website . Though you will need to select the more expensive 'Elige' tickets and the reservation fee for the dog is €35. Note that:

• you can take smaller dogs which weigh up to 10kg on departures with no paw symbol,
• you can't take dogs which weigh between 11kg and 40kg on any Alvia, Euromed or IC service,
• the English translation implies that you will be reserving a seat for the dog, but you will be reserving a place on a special mat that will be placed on the floor in front of the seat,
• you cannot use the seat selection service that's typically available when booking 'Elige' tickets.

On the other trains operated by Renfe, including the Avant, MD and Regional-Express services, the dog can weigh more than 10kg and it doesn't have to be placed in a container. For travel on these services it looks as though the dog ticket price will be 25% of the Adult rate.

The journey guides include access to booking links and information about the trains, tickets and destination stations. Plus for the scenic routes there are insights on how to make the most of the rides on the trains.

Barcelona > Puigcerda > La Tour De Carol Bilbao <> Santander Bilbao <> San Sebastian/Donastia Bilbao <> Miranda de Ebro Malaga > Ronda > Algeciras Malaga <> Cordoba Ferrol <. Gijon Granada <> Almeria Leon <> Monforte de Lemos Leon <> Oviedo Oviedo <> Santander Zaragoza <> Canfranc Zaragoza <> Valencia

Short videos showcasing some of these journeys have been uploaded to the ShowMeTheJourney channel on YouTube .

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Spain by rail is a breeze with its network of fast and modern trains. You'll see wine regions, small villages, and sunny beaches - all on a single train ride. Our Spain travel itinerary has lively cities, delicious cuisines, and great opportunities for  fiestas . Whether you're backpacking in Spain, or going on a flashier trip, you'll love the exciting cultural offerings! 

Itinerary in short

Cities visited in this trip:  .

• Barcelona, Spain  
• Valencia, Spain  
• Madrid, Spain  
• Seville (Sevilla), Spain  
• Malaga (Málaga), Spain  

Click here or on the map to view this route in our Trip Planner

For this itinerary we recommend:

• Eurail pass: Spain
• Travel days:  4 days within 1 month

Most of the high-speed trains in Spain require reservations. These reservations are not included in your Eurail Pass. Make sure to book your seats in advance, there are limited seats available for Eurail Pass holders. It's also possible to avoid reservations altogether, simply by taking  regional trains . 

Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona has a Mediterranean climate, a cosmopolitan atmosphere, and an endless list of things to do. Antoni Gaudí’s architectural work is all around you, from Park Güell to the Casa Batlló , and the incredible Sagrada Familia . Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of La Rambla (Las Ramblas), a lively pedestrian boulevard. Stop at La Boqueria Market and lose yourself in the maze of food stalls. Then relax on the white sand beaches of Barceloneta , and congratulate yourself on a great start to your trip.

From Barcelona to Valencia

Travel time:

Reservation needed:

Barcelona Sants

Reservation required

Valencia, Spain

Valencia Joaquin Sorolla

Valencia is one of the oldest cities in Spain. Its sights range from ancient Roman structures, to the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences . Walking through the city is like taking a time machine through architectural history! Tuck into Valencia’s signature dish of paella. Still hungry? Sample the food at Mercado Central , one of the longest running markets in Europe. Valencia Cathedral is just minutes away – a trip up its tower will give you a beautiful view over the city. Round up your day by people-watching in the Turia Gardens (Jardines del Turia).

From Valencia to Madrid

Madrid, spain.

Madrid Puerta de Atocha

Spain's capital buzzes with culture and energy. There's no shortage of things to add to your Madrid itinerary! Stroll along the Art Walk and explore numerous museums, including the world-class Prado . Then check out the nearby Retiro Park (Parque del Buen Retiro). Las Ventas Bullring - the birthplace of bullfighting - will get your heart pumping. Learn the history of this controversial Spanish tradition, or watch a torero (bullfighter) in action. Fans of European football shouldn't miss a trip to the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium,  home to Real Madrid.

From Madrid to Seville

Seville, spain.

Sevilla Santa Justa

Seville (Sevilla), Spain

Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan began the first voyage around the world in 1519, and it all began in Seville. This city is a place for true world travelers! Home to flamenco dancing and tasty tapas, you can easily immerse yourself in Spanish life here. Start with the colorful Calle Betis , which runs along the waterfront and is lined with restaurants, bars, and clubs. The Alcázar of Seville is worth a visit, as is the large and distinctive Metropol Parasol wooden structure.

From Seville to Malaga

Malaga, spain.

Málaga-María Zambrano

Malaga (Málaga), Spain

Malaga is a stunning coastal city of sun and sand. It seamlessly combines natural beauty with a rich history and a modern skyline. The 11 th  century Moorish castle of  Alcazaba  can be found in the middle of the city. Below lie the remains of the old  Roman Theater  (El Teatro Romano), which is free to visitors. After gazing in awe at the ancient ruins, fast forward to the 20 th  century. Pablo Picasso was born in Malaga, so it's fitting to tour the  Picasso Museum ! Then it’s time to complete your Spain trip with a visit to one of  Malaga’s famous beaches .

Get ready to discover Spain by train!  

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Leading Culture and Adventure Travel Blog by Becki Enright. Looking at the world with a different angle to change perceptions of misunderstood places, for the best in travel.

Adventure Travel , Spain

Travel in Spain by Train: AVE Guide for a Renfe Rail Adventure

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With 2,000 stations and 2,270 kilometres of railways, travel in Spain by train is easy. This Renfe AVE guide will help get you started.

Do you want to know the best way to travel to Spain? Like the rail network throughout much of Europe, travel in Spain by train is easy, cost-effective and efficient. As a train geek and avid city explorer, travelling around the country perfectly combined these two passions.

I’ve been able to traverse four cities in four days in whirlwind tours via Spain’s high-speed Renfe AVE train service in northern Spain and eastern Spain. Routes that are easily connected to the capital, Madrid. 

Ready for a rail adventure? This Renfe AVE overview guides you through choosing routes, booking tickets and how best to enjoy the journey. 

Spain Train Travel – Why Use the AVE Train?

Spain ave guide – what route will you choose, my twin city routes by train, how to book a renfe ave train ticket in spain, getting a renfe spain train pass, tip on how to travel by train in spain, booking hotels in spain – pre-arrange your accommodation, planning train travel in spain pin it.

While Spain’s transport infrastructure overall is well established, did you know Spain is the second country in the world with the most amount of high-speed tracks after China? And while Japan holds the title for the fastest high-speed rail, Spain still comes in 5th.

A relatively small country, that means you can see a lot more of Spain easily, cheaply and quickly in comparison to long bus journeys or multiple fight routes.

Spain train travel is all via Renfe – Spain’s nationalised railway network, which operates the regular city-to-city, and inner-city regional train services, as well as the high-speed AVE train (Alta Velocidad Española which means ‘Spanish High Speed’), reaching speeds of up to 350 km per hour!

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.

Using the AVE Train in Spain.

With over 2,000 stations and 2,270 kilometres of railways, train travel in Spain means being presented with a lot of choices where you can mix countryside with cities and coastlines. When it comes to the AVE high-speed options, there’s plenty of information out there to get you started with planning your route.

With Madrid and Barcelona being connected by a short two and a half hour journey, these two cities form the major hubs from which to use the AVE Spain as the start or endpoints. While they often steal the limelight, there’s plenty of other cities being home to airports with great connections, you can literally take your pick from any corner of Spain.

Aside from my Tarragona-Zaragoza-Madrid-Seville itinerary (which would make for a great seven-day trip), below are some of the most popular routes to get you started, as shown on the website where you can check the schedules.  

The most searched for Renfe AVE tickets is the AVE Barcelona-Madrid, alongside the Madrid to Valencia train and Madrid-Seville route.

The AVE Experience website also has a helpful shortlist of useful guides about Spain’s AVE Cities, from the more well-known places like Alicante, Córdoba and Valencia, underrated cities like Malaga and the lesser-explored Valladolid, Lleida and Puertollano.

The Renfe AVE network is extensive – there are even multiple stops to choose from between two major cities.

Barcelona is a good starting point for Spain train travel.

Places to Go in Spain

My top tip is to use Madrid as your central hub. Not only is it a cost-effective flight route from major European cities, but you can also travel from the capital in any direction on the train network, and easily return. 

READ MORE: Spain Trips From Madrid by Train

AVE Madrid to Barcelona – The most popular Spain train route.

My train journey was planned based on flying into Reus airport 120km south of Barcelona and out of Seville. Yet with a scattering of airports all around the country, your options for a self-made train adventure are endless. 

Tarragona to Zaragoza – In 1 hour 30 minutes

This northeastern coastal city is a new city built on top of an ancient Roman city of Tarraco. You can explore its layers and golden structures including the amphitheatre and the Roman Circus, which was once used to hold the grand horse and chariot races, alongside the cathedral that now stands on the site of the former Roman temple. 

READ MORE: Tarragona – The First Roman City of Spain

From Roman Tarragona…

Zaragoza is the capital of the Aragon region in northeastern Spain. Its defining feature is the stunning Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar – the largest Roman Catholic Church in Spain providing the best views over the multi-domed dreamscape. Another is the Ajafería Palace – the 11th century medieval Islamic which today remains one of the most beautiful of all the sights in the city as well as the seat of the regional parliament. Street art and modern structures like at the Zaragoza Expo Zone play a large role in the city’s resurgence, giving life to forgotten neighbourhoods.

READ MORE:   Things to Do in Zaragoza, Spain

… to artistic Zaragoza.

Madrid to Seville – In 3 hours

Madrid is pretty and expansive, bustling and gritty in equal measure, with classical architecture and an avenue of art museums, mixed with street art and edgy neighbourhoods. A perfect combo of sights and vibes when exploring a big capital. One of the best things to do in Madrid, apart from losing yourself in its multiple subcultures of neighbourhoods and buzzing tapas bar culture.

The romantic, classical architecture filled, flamenco dancing famed Seville is an interesting contrast. Don’t miss the Cathedral, the exquisite Plaza de España is a plaza in the Parque de María Luisa – a 1928 symbol of the city known for its grandeur of tiled fountains, opulent bridges and lush gardens – and the stunning Mudéjar architecture of the Real Alcázar of Seville, whose origins began as a royal palace, built in the 14 th century by Muslim Kings. The city’s Metropol Parasol (more affectionately known as ‘the mushrooms’) is the city’s modern construction – the largest wooden structure in Europe at 26 metres high which provides a new panoramic view of the city. 

From Madrid…

…to Seville.

• You can book Renfe AVE tickets via the Renfe website in English here , and specific high-speed network tickets here . You can pay by Visa, Mastercard and even Paypal. All Renfe tickets have to be pre-booked since you can’t turn up on the day and book at the station.
• The AVE Spain trains have nine classes if you count the overnight trains with sleeper/bed options, but there are two main Renfe classes to consider – Turista (a second class option with 2 x 2 seating rows) and Turista Plus which is a little more spacious (with 2 x 1 seating rows). I travelled on each of my journeys with a Turista ticket, which was comfortable enough and great value for money.

The Turista class option on a Renfe train.

• If you want to book a multi-stop trip, consider getting a ‘Spain Pass’. This means you can travel using just one ticket for the AVE service and other long-distance trains. The only downside to a Spain rail pass is that you must reserve a seat before every trip , as limited space is assigned for Spain Pass holders.
• How much is a Spain Pass? First, you need to decide how many trips you are likely to take before booking. As you can see it’s more cost-effective to buy an 8 or 10 trip train pass, as the difference in cost is not much greater than the shorter passes.

Spain Pass prices © https://avexperience.es

Renfe AVE Spain trains have nine classes of tickets to choose from.

• Book your ticket in advance. Fares typically rise closer to the date of travel, especially at peak times. Some tickets can be booked up to three months before the date of travel, and it is not possible to book a ticket at the station on the day.
• Print your ticket. You need to show a printed ticket ready for scanning before you board.

Book your ticket in advance and print it before boarding.

• Arrive at the station at least 30 minutes before your train departs. This is because there is a security check, with a scanner for your bags and a ticket check, before you can enter the platform.
• Give yourself time to get to and from the train station.  Rail travel in Spain may cover extensive ground, but while most stations are in the centre of the major cities, some can be a 15-minute bus or taxi journey just outside of it. Research beforehand to give yourself time to plan your journey to the station prior to departing.

About Becki

Becki Enright is a British Travel Press Award-winning writer whose work focuses on changing perceptions about misunderstood aspects of destinations. Her writing combines storytelling with insight into the social, historical, political and economic factors that shape the country or place in relation to tourism. Becki has appeared live on Sky News and CNN and has contributed to high profile media including National Geographic, Time.com, Guardian online, New York Times, Grazia and Buzzfeed.

21 July 2021 at 8:19 pm

Ooh this is a great article. I hope it inspires many more people to get out there and have an adventure by train. Thanks for showing that it can be done and for inspiring me to look in to a winter Spanish train expedition. The multi trip ticket options seem like the way to go.

29 October 2019 at 9:15 am

Nice photos! I still have not take AVE if I have taken train to France from Barcelona

5 September 2019 at 3:16 am

How can I get a listing of the AVE speed train schedule? I need see travel times and distances between cities so that I can plan each destination: how long? How far? For example, would it be shorter train ride between Madrid and Córdoba? Or Granada? Or Toledo, etc. so that I am efficiently using my travel time and not backtracking.

5 September 2019 at 1:51 pm

I’ve never found a comprehensive map showing that kind of at-hand information, sadly. I agree it would be a very helpful resource.

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What’s the best way to travel across Spain: a road trip or take the train?

Embarking on a road trip to travel across Spain is one of the most common ways to visit the country. But what’s best? The car or the train?

It all boils down to what you’d like to do during your trip.

Do you want to explore many different cities and other highlights that are not near major cities? Then, you’ll definitely want to make it a road trip.

But if your objective is just to see large cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Seville or Valencia, the train is a great way to go.

Depending on what you decide, have a look at A full guide on where to book your rental car online . A complete guide on train travel in Spain.

Table of Contents

You doubt between renting a car or taking the train. What’s best for you?

Well… It actually depends!

So to help you decide between taking the train and renting a car while you prepare your trip, here’s a list of variables you should consider:

• Geographical range. Trains are better if your itinerary covers a wide area. Americans, Canadians and Australians usually believe that Spain is a small country, which is true compared to this specific countries. And while Spain has an excellent road network, the train is a better option if you plan to travel across the country. This is particularly the case for an itinerary including Barcelona , Madrid and Seville .
• Rail coverage. Fortunately, train travel in Spain is extremely easy, comfortable and safe. There are more than 14,000 km (8,700 mi) of railways. Such a vast network serves almost every town in the country.
• Urban vs. rural. Do you plan to spend most of the time in big cities or do you prefer to explore off the beaten path little towns? The answer to this question will determine your final choice. A car is a pointless hassle in most Spanish cities, but it can be really helpful in the countryside where train communications are less frequent.
• Number of travelers. How many people are going to be traveling with you? As soon as you share it with more than 2 people, a rental car is 9 times out of 10 the cheapest option. And it’s a great option if you’re traveling on a budget. But do you math and take into account all the extra costs and fees that a rental car can imply.
• Luggage. Actually, it’s not really a matter of packing light or not. But if you’re traveling by car around Spain, you can basically fill the trunk with all kinds of stuff and luggage. On the contrary, traveling by train has its limits: Renfe, the Spanish railway operator, lets you carry up to 3 pieces of luggage that may not exceed 25 kg without any chance to buy extra baggage allowance. Other low cost train operators (e.g. Avlo, Ouigo, Irya) are even more restrictive.
• Kids. Car travel is more flexible, but trains give kids room to move around. Travel times will also be considerably lower so your patience won’t be challenged by their usual “when are we getting there?” question. In addition to this, did you know that children younger than 4 can travel by train around Spain for free?
• Energy and time. First of all, by taking the train you won’t get tired having to drive yourself. And, depending on where you’re going, the train can take you there much faster (e.g. the high-speed train from Madrid to Seville).

7 reasons for a road trip in Spain

Traveling across Spain by car is one of the most common ways to visit the country. Here you have 7 reasons why taking a road trip in Spain is an excellent idea.

1. Freedom to travel where and when you want

One of the great advantages of a road trip around Spain is having the flexibility and freedom to go at your own pace, as well as the ability to get off the main road to explore the lesser known towns. And you can stop whenever you need to.

So leave the highway behind, turn on Google Maps on your smartphone, and set it to a random town you saw on the screen map.

2. It’s easy to get off the beaten track

Over-tourism has raised its ugly head in Spain in recent years. Talk to anyone living in Barcelona or Seville and they will share a bittersweet tale. Tourism in Spain has been booming for decades, bringing much needed receipts to the country. But we’ve paid a hefty price.

Interestingly enough, not all of Spain has suffered in an equal measure. While the large cities and most beach destinations have had to accommodate ever increasing hordes of tourists, once you get away from the cities and head to the interior of both countries, you’ll find a territory waiting to be explored.

3. Distances are relatively short

Since the distances in Spain are relatively short compared to other countries (e.g. The US, Canada or Australia), exploring Spain by car is one of the best options to know the country.

On top of it, Spain’s roads and highways are in very good condition. In fact, if you choose alternative roads instead of highways, you’ll discover amazing villages and admire wonderful landscapes.

4. Spain is the perfect destination for a road trip

Since Spain’s economy is heavily dependent on tourism, you’ll find that even the smallest of towns provide information and services catering for all types of tourists.

Car parks and viewpoints along the roads are built wherever necessary. As for the accommodation and food industry, it goes without saying that they rank among the most professional in the world.

5. You’ll enjoy a mind blowing and diverse scenery

Spain is in many areas, a densely populated country. This means that the close proximity between locations, and the diverse landscapes, make a trip through Spain an adventure that has something for everyone.

Do you like the coast?

No road trip is complete without a trip to the coast to take in the beach, admire the rugged shoreline and sample the delectably fresh fish. Spain, whether you’re on the northern or southern coast, has miles upon miles of uninhabited scenery that you can explore thanks to a rental car.

On the contrary, do you prefer the mountain?

Having a car in Spain allows you to explore the mountains and find some amazing hiking trails. There are tons of scenic hikes that trail off from the foot of every mountain range that will leave you physically and mentally breathless.

6. It’s the best option to explore the islands

If you are planning to explore any of the beautiful islands off the coast of Spain, a rental car is the way to go. Public transportation is limited and very often will not take you to all the extraordinary places you will want to go.

Whether you head to the Balearic Islands or the Canary Islands, you should definitely consider a road trip.

Let the adventure begin!

7. Savor the experience of slow travel

When you have limited time to travel but much to see, your trip in Spain can feel a bit rushed. While short train trips mean you can cover more ground, you won’t have much time to truly experience any destination.

Traveling by car, on the other hand, lends itself to more meaningful experiences that are about the journey, not the destination.

With a car, you’ll enjoy a dynamic itinerary without rushing to catch a train, make a check-in time, or nail a photo. This will allow you to savor more, rather than rushing to check the next thing off your agenda.

If you prefer a scenic adventure, you can prioritize back roads over highways and see where they lead. Or, if you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can set aside the map to discover some off-the-beaten path surprises.

Once you’re not racing against the clock, you can discover places you didn’t even know they existed.

This article is part of a complete tutorial about car rental in Spain where you can read all the information you need to organize your road trip around the country.

Here is a complete summary of all the guide:

1. What’s the best way to travel across Spain: a road trip or take the train? 2. Traveling to Spain by car 3. 10 epic Spain road trips 4. How to book your rental car online 5. How to find cheap car rental rates? 6. 8 Rental car tips & hacks for your Spain road trip 7. Do you need an International Driver’s Licence? 8. Getting around Spain: rental car 9. 6 tips for driving in Spain 10. Car parking in Spain

How to Explore Andalusia by Train: A 7-Day Rail Adventure

The Spanish region of Andalusia is known for its delectable cuisine, breathtaking natural scenery, incredible beaches, olive groves and rich and diverse cultural heritage.

It is also home to several of Spain's most well-known cities and towns that include Malaga, Seville , Granada , Cordoba and Ronda.

If you are looking for something a bit different then why not enjoy a train journey and explore Andalusias most amazing attractions and destinations.

Take advantage of Spain's comfortable, and convenient rail system as you explore this fascinating region.

Here then is 7-day rail excursion around Andalucia you may wish to try on your next holiday to Spain.

Day 1: Seville

Seville is the capital and largest city of Andalusia Spain , and a perfect starting point for your rail adventure.

You can easily reach Sevilla Spain by train from Madrid or Barcelona, or by plane from many European destinations.

Seville has a lot to offer to visitors, from the magnificent Seville Cathedral and Royal Palace (the Alcazar) to its charming old town and lively flamenco scene.

You can spend the day exploring the city's attractions, such as the Plaza de Espana, the Torre del Oro, the Metropol Parasol, and the Santa Cruz neighbourhood.

In the evening, you can enjoy a tapas tour or a flamenco show in one of the many bars and venues around the city.

Train Journey:

• Ave High Speed from Barcelona to Sevilla = €143 Return Fair (approx) Travel time: 5 Hours 18 Mins ( One Way )
• Ave High Speed from Madrid to Sevilla = €118. Return Fair (approx) Travel time: 2 Hours 55 Mins ( One Way )
• Check out hotels in Sevilla.

Day 2: Cordoba

On your second day, you can take a short train ride (about 45 minutes) to Cordoba, another gem of Andalusia.

Cordoba was once the capital of an Islamic caliphate that stretched from Spain to North Africa, and its legacy can be seen in its stunning architecture and culture.

The highlight of Cordoba is the Mezquita , a former mosque that was converted into a cathedral after the Christian reconquest. The Mezquita is a masterpiece of Islamic art and design, with its hundreds of arches and columns creating a mesmerizing effect.

Other recommended attractions to visit You can also visit in Cordoba include the Alcazar de Los Reyes Cristianos, the Roman Bridge, the Jewish Quarter, and the Medina Azahara.

• Ave High Speed from Seville To Cordoba = €47.50  One Way (approx)  Travel time: 45 Mins
• Check out hotels in Cordoba

Day 3: Cadiz

From Cordoba, you can take the train to Cadiz, one of the oldest cities in Europe and a port city on the Atlantic coast.

Cadiz is known for its maritime history, its carnival celebrations, and its sunny beaches.

Here, you can spend the day wandering around the old town, admiring its monuments and churches, such as the Cathedral, the Torre Tavira, and the Castillo de San Sebastian.

Relax on one of the many beaches in Cadiz Spain , such as La Caleta or La Victoria and in the evening, you can sample some of the local seafood specialities or join a carnival party if you are visiting in February or March.

• MD Avant High-Speed Train from Cordoba To Cadiz = €35.50  One Way (approx)  Travel time: 3 Hours 15 Mins
• Check out hotels in Cadiz.

Day 4: Ronda

Day 4 and you are off to Ronda, one of Andalusia's most famous towns, on your fourth day.

Ronda is renowned for its picturesque setting atop a gorge that separates the old Moorish town from the more modern Christian town.

The Puente Nuevo (New Bridge), which crosses the gorge and provides breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, is the most recognisable landmark in Ronda Spain .

You can also see the oldest bullring in Spain, the Arab baths, the Mondragon palace, and the Casa del Rey.

• MD Avant High-Speed Train from Cadiz to Antequera = €43.50  One Way (approx)  Travel time: 3 Hours 16 Mins

Then Change for:

• MD Avant High-Speed Train from Antequera to Ronda = €21.50  One Way (approx)  Travel time: 1 Hour 14 Mins
• Check out hotels in Ronda .

Day 5: Granada

From Ronda, the next train ride is to Granada, one of the most visited cities in Spain and a must-see in Andalusia.

Granada is famous for its Alhambra Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most impressive examples of Islamic architecture in the world. The Alhambra consists of several palaces, gardens, and fortifications, each with its own style and charm.

You can spend hours exploring the Alhambra Palace and its grounds, admiring its intricate decorations, fountains, and views.

If you have time you could visit other attractions in Granada, such as the Cathedral, the Royal Chapel, the Albayzin Quarter, and the Sacromonte caves.

In the evening, enjoy the nightlife of Granada, along with free tapas with your drinks, yes in Granada it is a tradition in many bars to offer a free tapa with every drink, incredible, but true!

• MD Avant High-Speed Train from Ronda to Granada = €21  One Way (approx)  Travel time:  2 Hours 28 Mins
• Check out hotels in Granada .

Day 6: Malaga

For the final day, head off to Malaga, the second-largest city in Andalusia and a popular tourist destination

Malaga Spain is famous for being the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, and you can visit his childhood home and museum to learn more about his life and art.

There’s plenty to see in the old quarter of Malaga including the  Carmen Thyssen Museum, the Museo de Malaga, and the Glass Museum.

Malaga also has a rich historical and cultural heritage, with monuments such as the Alcazaba of Malaga, a Moorish fortress; the Malaga Cathedral, a stunning example of Renaissance architecture; and the Gibralfaro Castle, which offers panoramic views of the city and the sea.

And to finish off your 7-day train adventure we would highly recommend you head to the old quarter located around the Cathedral and enjoy some of the best tapas available anywhere in Spain not to mention a selection of busy music bars open until the small hours!

• MD Avant High-Speed Train from Granada to Malaga = €23  One Way (approx)  Travel time:  1 Hour 18 Mins
• Check out hotels in Malaga .

Day 7: Departure

On your last day, you can either take the AVE high-speed train back to Seville or Madrid, or you could catch a flight from Malaga's international airport.

Better still, why extend your stay in Malaga or explore other destinations in Andalucia or around Spain?

Whatever you choose, you will have unforgettable memories of your 7-day rail adventure in Andalucia.

Train Price Guide:

For the purpose of this journey, we used the basic rates of travelling on either the AVE high-speed service or the MD Avant High-Speed service. The MD trains are modified AVES for short to mid distances. The rates shown are for a single person travelling at non-peak times.

All train timetables, prices and tickets can be booked via the official Spanish train carrier RENFE website at https://venta.renfe.com

I hope you enjoyed this blog post and found it useful for planning your trip. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below.

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Hey there! I'm Matt, your friendly neighbourhood explorer extraordinaire! For the past 15 years, I've been gallivanting around Spain, soaking up all its wonders and uncovering hidden gems like a modern-day Indiana Jones (minus the hat and whip, unfortunately). So, buckle up, amigos! It's time to dive straight into the heart and soul of Spain. Welcome to my world of Spanish wonders!

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You can travel around Spain for free by train this summer

Spanish authorities are extending a popular free rail ticket scheme in conjunction with operator Renfe.

Launched by Spanish authorities last year to help tackle the cost-of-living crisis for residents, the free train travel period was due to end this spring. However, authorities extended the program to December 2023, meaning travelers visiting Spain this summer can now take advantage.

Anyone can snap up the free tickets as long as they select multi-journey tickets. Multi-journey tickets include a minimum of 10 return trips. To be eligible for the offer, you must travel on commuter and medium-distance services operated by Renfe.

Play your (rail)cards right, and you could save money while you, ahem, Basque in the glow of San Sebastian and Bilbao, exploring great cities at your leisure.

Or, perhaps you'll want to zip between the coast of Barcelona and the Catalan countryside to maximize a short city break. There are plenty of ways the free train rides could boost your next adventure.

Just be careful with how you plan your itinerary. Many major train routes, including those high-speed journeys between Madrid and Barcelona, won't be part of the scheme. It may take a little longer than usual to reach your preferred destination.

You'll need to pay a deposit of 10 euros (around $11) for commuter services, known as Cercanías and Rodalies de Catalunya. You'll pay 20 euros (roughly $22) for medium-distance services, known as Media Distancia routes covering distances up to about 186 miles.

Related: 15 of the most beautiful villages in Spain

To get the deposit back, you must complete a minimum of 16 journeys by the end of 2023 — what a great travel incentive that is.

Last year, Renfe altered the ways you can book by limiting customers to two outgoing and two return journeys. This was to tackle "ghost reservations," whereby customers book multiple seats only to cancel them at the last minute without paying any cancellation fees.

The scheme's extension will cost the government around $764 million and will be funded directly by a new windfall tax on the country's banks and energy companies.

Minister of Finance María Jesús Montero hasn't ruled out extending the scheme into 2024, citing its potential impact on the environment as a reason to keep it in place.

"We are going to convert this policy into a structural one, and we will see the concrete results of public transport to reduce CO2. It is a priority policy in the coming years," she said.

Related: 4 European routes where you should take a train instead of a plane

By all accounts, the initial launch of the free tickets scheme has been a roaring success, with locals leaving their cars at home to take advantage of the offer in towns and cities across Spain.

A 5-day Northern Spain Itinerary By Train – Cider, Bagpipes And A Surprising Gaudí

Posted on Last updated: 05/12/2023

Categories SPAIN

This Northern Spain itinerary by train takes you through some of the most underrated cities in the country. Find out how easy it is to travel around Northern Spain by train, and discover four off-the-beaten-path cities that will captivate you.

As Agatha Christie once said, “Trains are wonderful…. To travel by train is to see nature and human beings, towns and churches, and rivers, in fact, to see life.”

And I have to agree with her. Train travel is the most wonderful way to travel and you do indeed get to see the world around you in a way that you wouldn’t from any other mode of transport.

Not only is it a very romantic way to travel, but train travel is the most sustainable and eco-friendly way too. So there’s no better way to explore this lesser known area of Spain.

This 5-day Northern Spain itinerary by train includes a little bit of everything – from coastal cities and mountain views, to foodie destinations and architectural gems.

Whether you’re into history, culture or good hearty food, this North Spain itinerary has something for you.

Table of Contents

• 1.1 Day 1 – Arrival in Asturias
• 1.2 Day 2 – Gijón, ancient coastal city
• 1.3 Day 3 – Oviedo, city of bagpipes and cider
• 1.4 Day 4 – León, medieval wonders and Gaudí
• 1.5 Day 5 – Valladolid, a vibrant university city

5-day Northern Spain itinerary by train

Day 1 – arrival in asturias.

Asturias is not the easiest region in Spain to get to, but with some of the best of Northern Spain on offer here, the extra effort is sure to be more than worth it. 

The quickest way to get here is by flying into Asturias airport from London. Vueling is the only international airline that flies directly, but you can fly from all over the world via Madrid. > Check the best deals on flights on Skyscanner here

If you would like to avoid flying, you could take a ferry from Plymouth to Santander . Once there, take the train from Santander to Gijón , where this 5-day Northern Spain itinerary by train starts.

Another alternative would be to take the ferry from Portsmouth to Bilbao . Getting from Bilbao to Gijón by train is not straight forward, so if your first port of call in Spain is Bilbao, I would recommend doing this itinerary in reverse and starting in Valladolid.

You can get to Valladolid by train in 3h 20mins. > Check the best deals on train fares on Omio here

Day one of this North Spain itinerary is mostly a travel day, so take the opportunity to take it easy and settle in after you’ve arrived. 

I stayed at the Abba Playa Gijón Hotel , which is right by the beach. If you stay here, you can take a leisurely walk along the promenade, and end the day with a cocktail or two on their rooftop bar. It has wonderful views over the bay. > Book Abba Playa Gijón Hotel here

Day 2 – Gijón, ancient coastal city

Gijón is an industrial port with a history that goes back to Roman times. It is the biggest city in Asturias and the perfect place to start this itinerary of Northern Spain by train.

Discover Medieval Gijón

What started off as a small fishing village called Cimadevilla, is now a bustling city with a vibrant atmosphere. And the best way to get a feel for Gijón is to wander around both the Old Town and neighbouring areas.

The Old Town, still called Cimadevilla , was traditionally the fishermans’ quarter of Gijón. It’s located next to what once was the fishing port and is now the marina. 

Cimadevilla’s picturesque streets and squares have been witness to historical events through the ages – from Roman times, through the Middle Ages, to current times.

During the day it feels like a sleepy village, but these seemingly quiet streets come alive at night, with people gathering around the many bars and restaurants in the area.

Enjoy the best views of the bay

As you walk through the Old Town, head to Cerro de Santa Catalina (St Catherine’s Hill). On your way to the top, you will find Batería de Santa Catalina (St Catherine’s Battery), a 19th century gunnery, now the home to a skate park.

On the highest point of the Cerro is Chillida’s enormous concrete sculpture ‘Elogio del Horizonte’ ( Tribute to the Horizon ). Its size and abstract shape have led it to be dubbed as ‘King Kong’s Toilet’ by humorous locals.

This striking monument has become the symbol of the city, and from here you can enjoy sweeping views of Gijón and San Lorenzo Bay .

As you walk down from the Cerro towards San Lorenzo Beach, make sure you stop at the Roman Baths , where you can learn how the Romans used public baths. Entry is free.

Explore the Modernist architecture

If you are a fan of European cafe culture, you must not miss Cafe Dindurra , Gijon’s answer to European traditional cafes. This elegant modernist cafe can easily rival cafes in Vienna or Paris, with its majestic columns.

Built at the start of the 20th century, Cafe Dindurra was built as part of an ambitious block, whose centre was a theatre. The cafe was designed to connect directly with the theatre. Jovellanos Theatre now occupies the centre of the block.

Modernist architecture is ubiquitous in Gijón. It reveals how forward thinking the city was at the start of the last century. And this attitude has carried forward with a city that has reinvented itself from being an industrial hub to being a city designed with its residents in mind.

Corrida Street is a pedestrianised street where these two aspects of Gijón’s character come together. Don’t forget to look up as you walk down the city’s liveliest street.

Where to stay in Gijón

Stay a second night at Abba Playa Gijón Hotel for convenience and comfort. Alternatively, here are a couple of highly rated options:

• El Môderne Hotel
• Hotel Santa Rosa
• Balenax Pensión

Train from Gijón to Oviedo Gijón to Oviedo journey time – approximately 27 mins Train type – ALVIA high-speed train > Check prices and book your tickets here

Day 3 – Oviedo, city of bagpipes and cider

Founded in the 8th century, Oviedo was once the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Asturias. Although no longer a Kingdom, Asturias is a Spanish principality with a strong local identity, and Oviedo is still its capital today.

Hunt for statues that tell stories

As you arrive in Oviedo, you will see that it is very different from Gijón. Oviedo’s Old Town oozes charm in every corner, and you will want to wander aimlessly through its narrow streets, getting lost and discovering hidden squares and picturesque lanes.

Oviedo invites you to walk, and as you wander around you will notice an abundance of statues . There are over 170 scattered all over the city! Every other street, crossroad, and square has a statue offering a tribute to elements of Asturian culture. 

A couple that stood out for me were ‘La Lechera’ (The Milkmaid) in Trascorrales Square, which celebrates the milkmaids that used to distribute milk across the city with their donkeys. This practice continued until the 1970s.

I would also like to mention the statue of ‘La Regenta’ (The Regent’s Wife), which can be found in the Cathedral Square. She is the character of a 19th century Spanish fictional novel. It is a classic that most Spaniards have read at school.

While you are in the Cathedral Square, make sure you visit Oviedo Cathedral . It is an important symbol of Spanish Gothic architecture, and the Holy Chamber is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can climb up to the top of the tower for 360 degree views of the city.

Catch the bagpipe bands

If you are in Oviedo on a Saturday or Sunday, there is a good chance that you will come across one of the local bandas de gaitas (bagpipe bands) while you are in the vicinity of the Cathedral Square.

You may be surprised to see and hear bagpipes, but this wind instrument, often exclusively associated with Scotland, is an important part of music in Celtic cultures such as Asturias, Galicia, and Brittany.

Try the local cuisine of Asturias

Another element that is deep rooted in the Asturian culture is the local cuisine . Known for its seafood and its hearty mountain stews, there are a few dishes that every visitor to Oviedo (or Asturias) should try.

The most famous local dish is fabada , a heavy but delicious bean and meat stew that will leave you feeling like you’ve just had the warmest of hugs. It is the epitome of comfort food.

Another traditional Asturian dish is cachopo , the Asturian version of cordon bleu. And for dessert, arroz con leche (local rice pudding) is as Asturian as it gets.

A well known place to try any of these dishes is La Corte de Pelayo Restaurant . Their fabada has been a finalist multiple times in the fabada competition, and their cachopo has won the best cachopo award with a recipe from 1947.

Immerse yourself in cider tradition

When it comes to drinks, cider is king in Asturias. In fact, you cannot visit this Northern Spanish region and not go to a sidrería (cider house), where cider is served by an escanciador (cider pourer). It is one of the most popular things to do in Oviedo .

Cider in Asturias is flat, so the act of escanciar involves pouring it from a height to create bubbles that help enhance the flavour of the cider. Each pour is about two fingers’ worth of drink. More than that and the carbonisation is lost by the time you drink it.

Asturias, land of cheeses

For me, the highlight of the food I tried while in Oviedo was the cheeses.

Asturias is often referred to as the land of cheeses . With over 40 types, it is Spain’s largest cheese producer. The variety and quality is astounding!

Don’t leave without trying a local cheese board. Sidrería Tierra Astur El Vasco has more than 40 varieties of cheese on offer, so the biggest problem you’ll have will be choosing which ones to try.

If you like strong and slightly spicy cheeses, try Casín . For blue cheese lovers, I recommend trying the world-famous Cabrales . And for those who prefer mild cheeses, Afuega’l Pitu is a fantastic choice!

If after a busy day (and a full stomach) exploring Oviedo you still have the energy for more, head to Mon Street, the heart of Oviedo nightlife . With plenty of bars and pubs to choose from, you are guaranteed a good night out. But this is Spain, so make sure you don’t turn up before 11pm!

Where to stay in Oviedo

I stayed at the Gran Hotel España in Oviedo. It is located at the edge of the Old Town and within a short walk from the main attractions. My room had a big balcony with great views over the city and the surrounding hills.

It’s also conveniently located opposite Camilo de Blas , a traditional sweet and patisserie shop where you can buy carbayones , a local specialty similar to eclairs. > Book Gran Hotel España here

Train from Oviedo to León Oviedo to León journey time – approximately 2h 20mins (ALVIA) or 2h 53mins (Regional) Train type – ALVIA high speed or Regional train > Check prices and book your tickets here

Day 4 – León, medieval wonders and Gaudí

Although it was my second visit to León, it was the first time I got to appreciate this historical city properly. My first visit was a quick overnight stay on my way to Santiago de Compostela while I walked the Camino .

Despite not being a religious or spiritual person, the Camino was the most important experience I’ve ever had and I’d go as far as to say it is one of my personal seven wonders of the world . 

Discover a city built for pilgrims

León was, and still is, an important stop for pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago . And this has left an important legacy in the city.

Proof of this is the Convento de San Marcos , a former convent originally built in the 12th century as a shelter for pilgrims.

It was rebuilt in the plateresque style in the 16th century, giving it its current grand appearance. Today it is a luxury hotel run by the state-owned Paradores brand.

Enter the House of Light

Another clue of how important the city has been for the Camino de Santiago, is the magnificent León Cathedral . Its grandiosity is breathtaking, but the interior will truly blow you away. 

The light coming through the 1,800 sq metres of stained glass windows will make you gasp as you walk in and look up, earning it the nickname of House of Light.

I was impressed by the largest expanse of stained glass in the Cathedral in York , but León Cathedral takes things to the next level. It is one of the largest collections of medieval stained glass in the world, so admiring it is one of the top things to do in León .

What’s even more impressive is that around 80% of the stained glass is original, with the oldest glass dating back to the 13th, when the cathedral was built. You can clearly see that its construction was inspired by French Gothic cathedrals in Reims and Amiens.

Admire the Sistine Chapel of the Romanesque Art

Another important building in medieval León is the Real Colegiata de San Isidoro de León . The original church dates from the 9th century, but it was rebuilt in the 11th and 12th centuries after being destroyed.

The church houses the tomb of St Isidore, Patron of Seville. But make sure you don’t miss visiting the Panteón Real (Royal Patheon), known as the ‘Sistine Chapel of Romanesque Art’.

This vaulted chamber contains the tombs of kings and nobles of the ancient Kingdom of León. The stunning frescos that cover the ceiling are a medieval masterpiece. Incredibly, they’ve never been restored, they have only been cleaned up.

Find reminders of Roman León

The Middle Ages was the time when León flourished, thanks to the pilgrim-related trade. But León’s beginnings go further back in time. Founded as a Roman camp, the name does not come from the word ‘lion’, but rather from the word ‘legion’, which refers to its origins.

As you walk around the Old Town, you will come across sections of the medieval walls built on top of the original Roman city walls .

One curiosity is that locals have found a way of integrating the walls in everyday life. Walk down Serradores Street and you will see how residential houses have been built into the ancient walls.

Discover Leon’s Gaudí surprise

One of the biggest surprises that León has in store for visitors, is one of only three buildings designed and built by Gaudí outside Catalonia – Casa Botines .

Known for his modernist buildings in Barcelona such as Casa Batlló, Gaudí was commissioned to design a building by two cloth merchants in 1891. The building would serve as a residence for two families and a textile warehouse.

The result was a modernist building in the medieval style. Today the building houses a Gaudí museum about the building and his work, and also a small art gallery with works by artists such as Dalí, Goya and Chillida. 

Get lost in the Barrio Húmedo

Once you finish exploring the cultural aspects of León, head to the Barrio Húmedo , literally translated as ‘wet quarter’ due to the large number of bars and restaurants located in a relatively small area.

The Barrio Húmedo is centred around Plaza de San Martín (San Martin Square), and is one of the liveliest areas in the city. It’s the perfect place to get a taste of León nightlife , and to try the local tapas and the local wines.

Make sure you try Leonese cecina – like serrano ham but from beef. It is a lot leaner, drier, and has a more intense in flavour than serrano ham.

Where to stay in León

With so much history around León, it was only fitting that I stayed at the Hotel Real Colegiata de San Isidoro , once part of the old monastery. The rooms were once monastery cells, although you wouldn’t guess it now. All the rooms have views over the old cloister or the roman walls. > Book Hotel Real Colegiata de San Isidoro here

Train from León to Valladolid León to Oviedo journey time – approximately 1h (AVE) or 1h 11mins (ALVIA) Train type – AVE high speed or ALVIA high speed train > Check prices and book your tickets here

Day 5 – Valladolid, a vibrant university city

Valladolid is often overlooked as a destination by overseas visitors travelling on a Northern Spain itinerary, unless they are interested in the world famous Easter Week celebrations.

But Valladolid was once so important that it was the capital of Spain not only once, but twice – under King Charles I in the 16th century, and again between 1601 and 1606 under King Philip III. 

It has always been at the centre of the Catholic heartlands in Spain, and this is apparent in the dozens of churches scattered around the city, and the abundance of religious art on display in its museums.

Visit the site of the first human rights debate

To understand Valladolid’s part in Spain’s religious history, it is important to visit at least one of the city’s museums, and my recommendation would be to visit the emblematic College of San Gregorio, today the National Sculpture Museum .

The museum contains an expansive collection of religious art from the Middle Ages through to the 19th century. But even if you are not into sculpture as an art, the building itself is worth visiting.

The intricate carvings on the façade will have you staring at it and admiring the elaborate details. Inside, the 15th century cloister is stunning, and the ceilings of each room throughout the museum are also worth noting.

It was in this building where the very first debate about human rights in European history took place in 1550-1551. Known as the Valladolid Debate , it concerned the rights and treatment of indigenous people by European colonisers.

There were a number of opposing views about the way natives of the Americas were being integrated into Spanish society, their conversion to Catholicism, and their rights.

Admire Valladolid’s architectural jewels

As you wander around the city, it is worth highlighting two churches. Convent Church of San Pablo , with its plateresque-style façade, is one of Valladolid’s most famous buildings. Santa María La Antigua Church is a 14th century church with the tallest Romanesque tower in Spain.

Enjoy a bird’s eye view of Valladolid

Another important building in Valladolid is the Cathedral , a large Renaissance building that was never finished due to lack of funds. You can go to the top of the tower for great views of the city and the countryside beyond.

Have a meal (or two) with wine pairing

Valladolid has one of the most recognised wine growing regions in Spain, the Ribera del Duero . It is a Denominación de Origen Protegida (DOP – protected designation of origin) and it’s a region that has been producing wine for thousands of years.

Because of this, Valladolid is a great city to do some wine tasting. But why not take it a bit further and enjoy the wine by pairing it with the local food?

For a lunchtime wine pairing experience, try Vinoteca Señorita Malauva , a wine pairing boutique run by Gustavo Calvo, an expert in wine tourism that also has his own winery. The food is made with local ingredients and is delicious too.

For dinner, don’t miss Restaurante Mêlel , an innovative space where hedonism and becoming a bon viveur is at the centre of everything. This eclectic place serves surprising and creative food with well paired wines from all over Spain. My favourite thing? The beef heart ssam.

Experience the Valladolid’s bars and nightlife

Valladolid is a university city. In fact, Valladolid University is one of the oldest in Europe, dating back to the 15th century. And where there is a large university, you are guaranteed a vibrant nightlife too.

Valladolid is a city of bars and pubs. Head to Calle Paraíso , which is lined up with bars, and follow the crowds. You can’t really go wrong. Just make sure you are not out too early, as Valladolid’s party scene kicks off late.

Where to stay in Valladolid

I stayed in Boutique Hotel Gareus , an elegant boutique hotel in an early 20th century building. It is located in the historic centre of Valladolid, so it was very convenient for the main attractions of the city and for the train station. > Book Boutique Hotel Gareus here

Do you have any questions about this Northern Spain itinerary by train? Let me know in the comments!

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Disclosure: This post has been created as a partnership with Spanish Tourism . As always, all views are my own. 

Teresa is an award-winning travel blogger based in London. She’s on a mission to explore the world through responsible cultural and adventure travel , and through deeper, more meaningful local experiences. She’s a lover of adventure, the outdoors and everything food related, and she’s always looking for ways to make a positive impact through sustainable travel .

Interrail: Travel around Spain by train

Travel tips

Hop on the train and travel sustainably in Spain on rails. It’s quick and easy to travel on an Interrail Pass in Spain. At the same time, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to experience nature as you drive through the Spanish countryside.

Ad for interrailguide.dk.

Our growing awareness of climate care has also increased our interest in travelling on holiday by train. Spain is one of the countries in Europe with the best local train connections, so touring Spain on rails is a no-brainer.

Since an Interrail Pass is the cheapest way to travel by train if you want to visit several cities in Spain, I spoke to Interrail expert Andreas, who together with his friend Philip is behind the website Interrailguide.dk. The couple specialise in planning Interrail trips, as well as selling Interrail Passes to Spain.

Andreas has travelled all over Europe by train, including Spain with his girlfriend, and here are his tips for Interrail in Spain.

Why go on Interrail in Spain?

You should, because you experience the land, nature and landscape in a different way. You travel slower, so you see more. And it’s easy to travel around Spain on rails. Spain has really good train connections around the country, and there are many high-speed trains. In fact, Spain is the country in Europe with the most kilometres of high-speed trains.

Travelling by train is also more sustainable than flying, which I think is a major reason to go on Interrail.

Who travels on Interrail?

Gone are the days when Interrail was primarily a young people’s journey. Today, people of all ages travel on Interrail, and there is actually a preponderance of mature people who buy Interrail Passes from us. Interest is growing strongly. In 2019, 14,000 Interrail Passes were sold in Denmark.

What can I see in Spain by train?

Because train connections are so good in Spain, you can get all around the country, except to the islands, which you have to go to by boat.

AVE high-speed trains run between major cities, including Barcelona, Madrid, Zaragoza, Valencia, Seville and Malaga. In addition, there are plenty of opportunities to drive to other cities from here. So you have plenty of opportunity to experience Spain on the rails with stays or day trips in a host of cities.

For example, you can get from Barcelona to Zaragoza in 1 hour and 23 minutes and from there to Madrid in another 1 hour and 35 minutes. If you choose a stopover in Madrid, you can take the train to Segovia (no seat reservation required).

From Madrid, you can take the AVE to Seville in 2 hours 45 minutes and to Valencia in around 2 hours. However, the train journey from Madrid to Bilbao takes about 5 hours, as there are no high-speed trains on the line yet. However, they are expected to run from 2021. From Seville, you can get to Málaga by AVE in 2 hours.

Is the Interrail Pass valid for all trains in Spain?

The Interrail Pass can be used on trains operated by the Spanish State Railways, RENFE, including high-speed AVE trains.

However, the Interrail Pass cannot be used on the local railways, Cercanías, which run on shorter lines between large and small towns in several regions. You also can’t use the Interrail Pass on the metro in cities. In both places you have to buy an extra ticket, which is however cheap compared to the prices in Denmark.

How should I plan my train route in Spain?

Plan your route before you go, so you don’t waste your holiday checking train times and figuring out how to get from city to city. Start by figuring out how many days you want to spend on your Interrail trip in Spain. Then you need to decide which cities you want to visit in Spain, and which ones you want to stay in or just visit on a day trip.

Once your plan is ready, Interrailguide.co.uk can help you find out which trains to take between your stops on the route and how long the train journey will take. We’ll also check how much luggage you can take on different trains, and whether you can bring a dog or bike, if applicable to you.

On many train lines in Spain, you need a seat ticket, which we can also reserve for you.

Last but not least, it’s important to plan your journey well in advance to make sure there’s space on the trains on the dates you’re travelling.

How do I get from Denmark to Spain by train?

The train journey from Denmark to Spain is a bit long because there are not yet high-speed trains all the way down through Europe and several changes on the way.

If you’re going from Copenhagen to Barcelona, you’ll have to change several times along the way, for example in Hamburg, Frankfurt and Paris. The trip lasts one to two days, depending on the time of travel and the number of changes, so it’s a good idea to stay overnight in Paris.

If you take the night train from Copenhagen, you can get to Paris in about 16 hours, with changes in Hamburg and Karlsruhe and Paris. Here you have to spend the night in Paris before you can get on to Barcelona the next day. The journey from Paris to Barcelona takes about 6.5 hours.

If you don’t want to stay in Barcelona, you can take the train to other parts of Spain from here.

How much does an Interrail Pass cost?

There are several types of Interrail Pass. You can get one that is valid for 15 consecutive days, one that is valid for 10 days in two months and Passes that are valid for 5, 7, 22 and 30 days. Prices vary depending on the number of days, duration and whether you want to travel 1st or 2nd class.

The price of an Interrail Pass (2nd class) for 15 consecutive days is:

• Adults (28-59 years): DKK 3,358.36
• Young people (12-27 years): DKK 2,585.10
• Children (4-11 years): free
• Seniors (60+ years): 3.024,80 kr.

Read more about the Interrail Pass in Spain, check current prices and buy the Interrail Pass here On the site you will also find lots of tips for planning and accommodation.

Inspiration for Interrail experiences in Spain

Here you will find travel guides with inspiration for things to do in the biggest cities in Spain, one or more of which are natural stops on an Interrail route in Spain.

Barcelona Read the beginners guide to Barcelona Here you get different experiences in Barcelona Guide to Gaudí’s Barcelona

Madrid read the beginners guide to things to do in madrid here’s where to experience madrid differently, valencía guide to valencia, málaga guide to the best things to do in picasso’s birthplace, seville 48 hours in seville.

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Southern Spain 2-Week Itinerary: A Road Trip Through Andalucía

Created On: August 7, 2022   |   Updated: January 27, 2023   |   5 Comments

Planning a trip to Andalucía? This southern Spain 2-week itinerary will take you through the best cities and towns in Andalucía. Even better, you can get to all the places via train if you don’t want to rent a car!

Madrid and Barcelona may be the best known cities in Spain, but my heart belongs in Andalucía!

After the Muslims invaded Spain in 711 AD, they called the southernmost part of the country “Al-Andalus.” Near the end of Reconquista — a war between the Christians and the Muslims to gain total control of Spain that spanned seven centuries — Al-Andalus was the last remaining portion of the country that still belonged to the Muslims.

The centuries spent under Muslim rule has imbued the entirety of present day Andalucía with a unique culture you won’t find elsewhere. In each city of Andalucía, you’ll find mosques-turned-churches, stunning Mudejar architecture, and a cuisine that combines ingredients and flavors from both cultures.

While you could plan a 2-week trip to Spain anywhere you’d like, I highly recommend spending your time exploring Andalucía. 2 weeks in southern Spain will give you a taste of Spanish culture as a whole while offering a more nuanced experience wholly unique to Andalucía.

Below is a Spain itinerary for 14 days. I’ve gone into as much detail as possible about what to do in Andalucía, but you’ll notice that I’ve included links to my detailed city guides as well — otherwise this blog post will turn into an e-book!

How Many Days Do You Need in Spain?

In a perfect world, we’d all be able to spend 3+ months in Spain to fully immerse ourselves in the culture and see the main sights. However, that’s not how life works and I know your vacation time is limited.

2 weeks in Spain is just enough time to see three to six cities and towns — the exact number depends on how many activities you pack into your days and the size of cities you visit. (This itinerary comfortably fits five major cities in Southern Spain!)

I’ll focus solely on the main cities in Andalucía in this itinerary. I’m of the opinion that it’s better to focus on one specific area rather than waste time traveling from one end of the country to another just to see the big cities.

You could of course adjust this itinerary to spend just one week in Spain if that’s all the time you have. If that’s the case, I think your best call would be to visit Seville and Granada if you’ve never been to either!

What’s the Best Time to Visit Spain?

I recommend planning a trip to Andalucía during shoulder season (March / April or September through November) . I visited southern Spain at the end of May, thinking I’d beat the worst of the crowds and would experience cooler temperatures. Wrong! It was 90ºF+ most days and major attractions, like the Alhambra in Granada, were packed with people.

The next time I visit Spain, I plan on going in the early spring!

Overview of This Spain 2-Week Itinerary

You’ll note that I didn’t include Barcelona or Madrid in this southern Spain 2-week itinerary. You can OF COURSE visit one or both of these cities, but I prefer to travel a little slower these days. If I’m going to go to Barcelona or Madrid, I’d rather have at least 5 full days in each place — which would have eaten into most of my 2-week trip to Spain!

So know that there are no itinerary police holding you accountable. Travel wherever you want, but I think this is the best 2-week Spain itinerary for those of you (like me!) who want to visit lots of different cities and see a variety of sights without having to run yourself into the ground each day.

All that being said, here’s an overview of this 2-week Andalucía itinerary:

• Days 1 – 3: Málaga
• Days 4 – 6: Granada
• Days 7 – 8: Córdoba
• Days: 9 – 10: Ronda
• Days 11 – 13: Seville

Day 14 has been left blank to account for travel between cities. It’s better to have a little wiggle room in case your arriving flight is delayed, you miss your train, etc.

Where Should You Start and End a 2-Week Trip to Spain?

This southern ​​Spain 2-week itinerary begins in Málaga and ends in Seville. You could also flip flop the itinerary if you find better flight prices flying into one city versus the other.

Or, you may find it easier and cheaper to fly into Madrid and then drive or take the train to Málaga to start your 14 days in Spain. That will obviously add on time and eat into your trip, but sometimes needs must!

Car, Bus, or Train? How to Get Around Southern Spain

Most itineraries I referenced for planning 2 weeks in Spain suggested renting a car to traverse Andalucía. They said it was easier and quicker to do so, but I had zero desire to spend extra money on a rental car, nor did I want to deal with parking in foreign cities on my own.

I was worried that taking a train around southern Spain would prove confusing or time-consuming, but it was actually so incredibly easy and affordable!

From my personal experience, I can assure you that this 2-week Spain itinerary can absolutely be done by train! The longest train journey is just under 3 hours, and it will be at the end of your trip.

Note that many of the trains leave either first thing in the morning or in the late afternoon. I recommend boarding the morning trains (none require you to get up ridiculously early, don’t worry!).

Also, you should plan to arrive at the train stations 20 to 30 minutes before departure. In Spain, you’re required to go through a quick security check before boarding your train. They’ll X-Ray your suitcase and check your ticket, and then you’re off!

Lastly, please note that I walked from the central train stations to each of my hotels and AirBNBs. So know that the train stations of each city listed in this 2-week Andalucía itinerary are very close to the city centers!

Best Way to Book Train Tickets in Spain

The Renfe website (i.e. the Spanish railway’s official website) is an absolute nightmare to use. Every time I tried to book a ticket, the site crashed.

Save yourself a major headache and book your train tickets through a third-party provider like Omio . I did manage to book a couple tickets through Renfe after much hair-pulling, as I noticed that Renfe sometimes had additional train times listed that weren’t shown on the Omio site. So check both sites, but book through Omio if possible.

Of course, you can also wait to book your tickets in person at the train stations. There are ticket machines everywhere and they’re easy to use. The prices may be more expensive day-of, but it would give you the flexibility to alter your itinerary if that’s important to you.

Southern Spain 2-Week Itinerary

I’ve already given quite a few tips for making the most of your 2 weeks in Southern Spain, but here are a few quick reminders before I FINALLY dive into the full itinerary.  

First and foremost, you can get to all of the cities mentioned on this itinerary via train. No need to rent a car!

Second, you can mix and match this itinerary as you see fit.

Thirdly, I’ve given broad overviews of each day’s activities but have linked to my ultra detailed city guides in each portion of the itinerary. Read those posts for more information on the individual attractions. I wanted this itinerary to be, well, an itinerary (i.e. a broad overview of how to plan a 2-week trip to Spain).

Spain Itinerary Days 1 – 3: Málaga

One of the gems of southern Spain, Málaga is a gorgeous port city that boasts one of the biggest and best preserved Old Towns I’ve had the pleasure of visiting. Málaga is also the birthplace of Pablo Picasso and Antonio Banderas, and the locals are very proud of their famous sons!

Of all the places in Andalucía, Málaga is one of the better ones for understanding how the Romans, Muslims, and Catholics shaped the region’s culture. The absolute top attractions in Málaga are undoubtedly the beautiful cathedral, the Alcazaba, and Gibralfaro Castle.

Below is a bulleted itinerary for 3 days in Málaga, but you can read LOTS more about the specific attractions in my full Málaga city guide . 

Day 1 in Malaga

Free walking tour — Malaga Adventures has a detailed 3-hour, free walking tour of the city center. This is the best way to learn about the history of the city, plus it gives you a chance to ask a local for restaurant and activity recommendations!

Cathedral and rooftop  (shown above) — Nicknamed La Manquita (little lady with one arm), Málaga’s cathedral took more than 200 years to get to its current state … and it was never finished! It’s one of the most stunning cathedrals I’ve visited, and I highly recommend paying extra to climb to the rooftop for an unparalleled view of both the unfinished cathedral and the city center.

Malaga Museum — Housed in what was originally the city’s customs house, the Malaga Museum is a small but impressive museum that boasts a variety of art and artifacts meant to give visitors a closer look into the city’s past.

Explore the Old Town — After packing your brain with key historic facts, enjoy window shopping getting lost in the Old Town! Calle Marqués de Larios is one of the most expensive shopping streets in all of Spain, and there are many more side streets to discover.

Day 2 in Malaga

Alcazaba  (shown above) — A former Muslim fortress that was built in the 11th century as a means of defending the port. The interior of the fortress has lots of hidden gardens and babbling fountains, and is a surprisingly peaceful place to visit.

Roman Theater — Built by the Romans in the 1st Century BCE, the Roman Theater is now in ruins. The city has built platforms over the ruins so you can walk directly over them and get a sense of how the theater must have operated in its heyday.

Gibralfaro Castle — Gibralfaro Castle was built in the 1300s to improve the city’s defenses. Like the Alcazaba, the castle was built by the Muslims. The views from the castle’s parapets are absolutely stunning!

Picasso Museum — The perfect place to escape the afternoon heat! Picasso was born in Málaga, and this museum owns more than 230 of his works of art. If Picasso doesn’t pique your interest, I can also highly recommend the Carmen Thyssen Museum as an alternative.

Day 3 in Malaga

Muelle Uno  (shown above)— A section of the port of Málaga that’s been transformed into an open-air shopping and dining center.

Playa de la Malagueta – The local beach! It can become crowded in the summer, so arrive early to claim a spot. You can spend the morning here, or the entire day. OR enjoy a walk along the sand before continuing with the attractions below.

Mercado Central de Atarazanas — A covered market in the city center with vendors selling fresh produce, seafood and meats, dried fruits, and almonds. Grab some fresh fruit, almonds, and other nibbles here to take with you to the gardens!

La Concepcion Botanical Gardens — An underrated Málaga attraction! The gardens are located on the historic La Concepcion. After touring the various gardens, I recommend finding a spot in the shade to enjoy your snacks from the market and maybe read a book or call home, if desired.

Spain Itinerary Days 4 – 6: Granada

Granada was ruled by the Muslims for centuries and was the last city in Spain to fall back into the hands of the Catholic monarchy in 1492. Granada is home to one of the top tourist attractions in all of Spain: the Alhambra.

Many people visit Granada as a day trip from Seville or Málaga, but I don’t recommend doing that as there’s SO much more to do and see than simply tour the Alhambra.

Below you’ll find an itinerary for 3 days in Granada. For more details on the individual attractions listed below, check out my full Granda city guide .

Day 1 in Granada

Cathedral — Built on the site of the Great Mosque following the Catholic reconquest of Spain. The cathedral contains a unique blend of architectural styles, but it was built mostly in the style of the Spanish Renaissance.

Guided walking tour —  Granada has a long history, which you won’t learn about simply by visiting the main tourist attractions. Walk in Granada offers a more traditional pay-what-you-want walking tour, as well as a walking tour of Albaicin and Sacromonte. Choose whichever interests you more!

Sacromonte / Albaicín  (shown above) — The “Old Town” areas of Granada directly facing the Alhambra. They’re mostly residential, but there are many white-washed alleyways to meander through as well as scenic overlooks ( Miradors ) offering up spectacular views of the city.

Bañuelo — An 11th century Arabic hammam (bath house) that’s been beautifully preserved.

Sunset — Most itineraries say to watch the sunset from Mirador San Nicolas, but it fills up quickly and is noisy and crowded. Instead, watch the sunset from Mirador de la Vereda de Enmedio, Mirador Placeta de Carvajales, or Mirador Sacromonte.

Day 2 in Granada

Alhambra  (shown above)— The top attraction in Granada! It’s a massive complex that was originally built in the 9th century as a military fortress, but it was expanded upon over the centuries to also serve as the royal residence.

Rest! — Even if you visit first thing in the morning, you’ll be wiped after walking for hours around the Alhambra complex in the sunshine. Schedule a rest period into your day to ensure you don’t become overheated. (Seriously, please do this! Even if it’s just relaxing at a cafe for an hour with a cold drink.)

Window shop and explore some more — Popular shopping streets include the Reyes Catolicos, Carrera del Darro, and Calle Calderería Nueva. If you’re up for a little adventure, try to find a local convent or monastery selling sweets! (Check out my full Granada guide linked above for info on where I bought my convent cookies.)  

Flamenco show — You can’t leave Granada without attending an authentic flamenco show in the caves of Sacromonte! The local style of flamenco is called Zambra, and the entire performance is absolutely electrifying.

Day 3 in Granada

Carmen de los Mártires  (shown above)  — A stunning 19th century mansion with a sprawling park and garden complex.

San Jeronimo Monastery —The first monastery to be built in Granada after the reconquest of Spain by the Catholic monarchy.

Monasterio de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción (“La Cartuja”) — A lavishly decorated Spanish Baroque church atop a hill just outside the city center. Emphasis on “lavishly decorated.” This place is insanely beautiful! If you don’t have the time or desire to visit both monasteries on today’s itinerary, pick this one over San Jeronimo.

Spain Itinerary Days 7 – 8: Córdoba

Córdoba was formerly the capital of Islamic Spain and was also once the largest and most advanced city in all of Europe. Today Córdoba is best known for its Mosque-Cathedral, “La Mezquita,” which integrated the original mosque architecture with the Christian cathedral built on the site.

There are enough attractions in Córdoba to fill two leisurely days of adventuring, but one full day will also give you enough time to see the main sights. If you want to alter this itinerary for 2 weeks in Southern Spain, this is one place you could do it.

For more information on the Córdoba attractions listed below, check out my full Córdoba city guide.

Day 1 in Córdoba

Mosque-Cathedral ( Mezquita ) — A former Islamic mosque that was converted into a Catholic cathedral in the 13th century. The original mosque architecture has been integrated into the cathedral, rather than destroyed and built over.

Flower Street — A quaint white-washed alleyway near the Mezquita lined with bright blue flower pots. A great photo opp!

Roman Bridge (+ Calahorra Tower, if desired) — The Puente Romano was first built in the 1st century by the Romans. The view from the opposite bank makes for a great photo! Calahorra Toweris a fortified gate along the bridge that now houses the Museo Vivo de Al-Andalus.  

Alcazar of the Catholic Monarchs — A fortress that also served as a palace. It’s where the Catholic monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella lived for eight years during the Reconquista. The interior of the fortress isn’t anything to write home about, but the gardens are beautiful!

Almodóvar Gate — One of only three remaining medieval city gates. Walk through the gate to reach the former Jewish Quarter, where there are lots of shops and restaurants.

Day 2 in Córdoba

Palacio de Viana  (shown above)— A 15th century palace with 12 stunning patios (the lush inner courtyards that Córdoba is known for!).

Templo Romano — Ruins of what was once the largest Roman temple in the city.

Plaza de las Tendillas — Nearby square with a fountain and pretty cafes.

Window shopping in the Old Town b— Return to the Old Town to shop, grab a drink, or enjoy an afternoon siesta back at your hotel.

Plaza de Corredera — A residential square with bars and cafes at street level. It’s fairly quiet during the daytime, but at night it’s packed with locals all chatting over their drinks. This is a relaxed, family-friendly spot, not a party destination!

Spain Itinerary Days 9 – 10: Ronda

Ronda is one of the prettiest towns in all of Spain! The Old Town is set high above the El Tajo Gorge and connects to the modern part of the town via the 322-high Puente Nuevo bridge. This was one of Ernest Hemingway’s favorite haunts, and the town’s iconic bridge is said to have inspired scenes in his novel, For Whom the Bell Tolls.  

Like Córdoba, you could get away with one full day in Ronda if there are other cities you’re dying to pack into your 2 week-trip to Andalucía. However, my two days in Ronda were some of the most magical of my entire 2 weeks in Spain! The town’s small size makes it perfect to explore at your leisure.

For lots more detail on the Ronda attractions I’ve shared below, read my full guide to Ronda .

Day 1 in Ronda

Bullring — The oldest and largest in all of Spain.

Mirador de Ronda overlook (shown above, right) — Near the bullring. It’s a gorgeous vista with views of the surrounding countryside.

Puente Nuevo  (shown above, left) — The main attraction of Ronda. Words can’t describe how beautiful this bridge is! (In my full guide linked above, I’ve also shared my favorite spots to photograph the bridge.)

Murallas de la Cijara (old city walls) — The best preserved section of the old city walls is near the Puerta de la Cijara.

Arab baths — 13th century Arab baths that have been lovingly preserved and restored.

Walking tour — End your first day in Ronda with a guided walking tour of the Old Town. The tourism board offers a 90-minute tour that I highly recommend!

Day 2 in Ronda

Jardines De Cuenca — Lovely hanging gardens on terraces set over the El Tajo gorge, facing the bridge. This is a good spot to come in the morning to photograph the sun rising over the bridge!  

Puente Viejo — Another pretty (albeit less impressive) bridge in Ronda.  

Collegiate Church of Santa Maria la Mayor — The inside of the church isn’t that impressive, but the viewing decks from the rooftop offer an amazing view of the Old Town and surrounding countryside.

Casa Museo Don Bosco — An old home-turned-sanatorium that operated until 2008. The home is very small, but the gardens with their cliffside views are the main attraction.

Sunset — You could watch the sunset by the Puente Nuevo bridge, but I recommend finding a quiet spot to sit at the Plaza de María Auxiliadora.

Spain Itinerary Days 11 – 13: Seville

Seville flourished under Muslim rule and rose to further prominence under the Catholic monarchy following the discovery of the Americas. Much of Spain’s trade with the Americas was facilitated in Seville, making it the country’s richest city for nearly 100 years.

Seville is the most diverse city on this southern Spain 2-week itinerary, both in terms of attractions and the local culture. It’s also the biggest city on this itinerary, so if you have the time and desire you can certainly spend more days here either to explore the city more in depth or to take day trips.

Read my full Seville itinerary for more details on the attractions listed below!   

Day 1 in Seville

Royal Alcazar — A palace complex originally built by the Muslims to offer them a more strategic position next to the port (i.e. where the city’s wealth flowed in). Arrive first thing in the morning to avoid waiting in a long line.

Cathedral  (shown above, left)— The largest Gothic cathedral in the world, and the third largest in general!

Giralda Tower — The symbol of Seville! La Giralda was originally the minaret of the mosque that stood on this site. In the 17th century, the cathedral’s bell tower was built atop the minaret.

Maria Luisa Park — Palace gardens that were donated to the city and transformed into a sprawling public park. The park is divided into smaller gardens and gathering areas, making it a fun spot to explore.

Plaza de España  (shown above, right)— End your day here to watch the sunset! The Plaza de España was built for the Ibero-American Exhibition of 1929 and was designed to showcase Spain’s accomplishments in industry and architecture.

Day 2 in Seville

Setas de Sevilla  (shown above)— A wooden structure in Encarnacion Square that has a walkway and viewing platform on top. If it’s not in your budget to ascend to the viewing platform, the structure is still really cool when seen from below.

Lebrija Palace — A 16th century palace that was heavily renovated in the 20th century to accommodate a private collection of ancient Roman mosaics. If you love house museums, you MUST come here!

Collegiate Church of El Salvador — A pretty Baroque church that was built on the site of what was the Great Mosque in Muslim Seville.

Museum of Fine Arts — An art museum housed in the former La Merced convent. This is a great spot to end the afternoon as a means of escaping the heat!

Day 3 in Seville

Walking Tour of Triana — The free Sandemans walking tour of Triana offers a unique perspective on Seville’s 2,000-year history.

Mercado de Triana — A covered market selling fresh produce and seafood. There are also restaurants inside, which is where I recommend grabbing lunch today.

Archivo de Indias — Free to enter! The Archives of the Indies houses 80 million pages and maps (all original!) relating to Spain’s massive empire from the 18th to 19th centuries.

Casa de Pilatos  (shown above)— A 15th century palace decorated with  azulejo (Spanish glazed tiles).

Free time to explore! — Seville is walkable, and there’s a lot packed into the city center. Give yourself some free time to wander the streets and enjoy your final afternoon in Spain.

Adios, Andalucía!

Hopefully this southern Spain 2-week itinerary have given you plenty of information — and then some! — to make planning your vacation easier. If you have any questions about planning a trip to Andalucía, don’t hesitate to leave me a comment below!

Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram to keep up with my daily adventures in Berlin and beyond!

More Places to Visit in Southern Europe: 

• 3-Day Florence Itinerary: The Best Things to Do! 
• Best Things to Do in Corfu, Greece
• What to Do & See in Athens, Greece
• All of my Europe travel recommendations! 

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Comments & Reviews

October 18, 2022

Do you commercially run such tours? We are on the wrong side of 65 (esposa/mi) and never been to Europe. I enjoyed reading your summary. I’ve been put off some “tours” by people complaints. Cost is also a factor, many seem for royalty we’d feel uncomfortable in such company. I say this if we decide to do less with quality but the upper middle class would be far to… Regards Tony

November 9, 2022

Hi Tony, no, I do not provide any kind of travel planning or tour services. Right now I just provide awesome, free guides online right here on my blog 🙂 Hopefully you’re able to visit Spain soon though!

May 20, 2023

Very impressive, thanks for sharing!

December 16, 2023

Awesome , information . What hotels do you recommend? We are planning to do this in March.

December 29, 2023

Hi Sonia! How exciting that you’ll be visiting southern Spain in March, I think you’ll have an amazing time! Unfortunately I can’t recommend any specific hotels because I stayed in AirBNBs throughout my stay. However, let me know if you’d like general recommendations for areas of the cities to stay in and I can provide info on the neighborhoods I was in.

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How to Travel Through Europe by Train Like a Pro

Last Updated on June 8, 2023

Traveling through Europe by train is a wonderful experience that offers a unique and authentic way to explore the continent. It is a cost-effective and sustainable way to travel that gives you a chance to see the breathtaking scenery of Europe. 

However, train travel can also be overwhelming for first-timers. That’s why we’ve put together this guide on traveling through Europe by train like a pro.

Make an Itinerary

The first step to traveling through Europe by train like a pro is to plan ahead. Research your destinations and create a rough itinerary of the places you want to visit, as well as the duration of your stay. You can use websites such as Rail Europe or Eurail to plan your train journeys and book tickets in advance. This can save you money, time, and heartache on your adventure!

Buy a Rail Pass

If you plan to take multiple train journeys during your trip, buying a rail pass is worth considering. A rail pass allows you to travel on most trains in Europe without purchasing individual tickets for each journey. Different types of rail passes are available, depending on the length of your trip and the countries you want to visit.

Utilize Nearby Luggage Storage

When traveling through Europe by train, you may find yourself in a situation where you need to store your luggage temporarily. This can happen if you arrive at your destination before your hotel check-in time or want to explore a city without carrying heavy bags.

Fortunately, many train stations in Europe offer luggage storage facilities. For example, if you’re spending the day in St. Pancras, simply look for luggage storage in St. Pancras . Now, you can explore the city with peace of mind — and no heavy bags weighing you down.

Choose Your Train

When traveling through Europe by train , you can take high-speed trains, regional trains, or overnight trains. High-speed trains, such as the Eurostar or TGV, are faster and more expensive than regional trains. However, they are a smart option for longer journeys or days you want to travel between two distant cities in a short amount of time.

Regional trains, on the other hand, are slower but cheaper. They are an option if you want to explore smaller towns and villages along your route. Overnight trains, such as the Nightjet, allow you to save time and money by combining transportation and accommodation.

One of the advantages of traveling through Europe by train is the ability to easily move from one place to another. However, this can be difficult if you are carrying a heavy suitcase. Therefore, it is important to pack light and only bring the essentials. A backpack or a small suitcase is ideal for train travel.

Arrive Early

You should arrive at the train station at least 30 minutes before your train departure time. This allows you to find your platform, check the train timetable, and board the train stress-free. After all, when a train says it leaves at 10:00, you best believe it’ll be on the move promptly at 10:00.

Additionally, arriving early can give you time to grab a coffee or a snack from one of the many cafes at the train station.

Validate Your Ticket

If you have purchased individual train tickets, don’t forget to validate them before boarding the train. You can do this at the yellow validation machines located at the train station. Failure to validate your ticket can result in a fine if you are caught by a ticket inspector on the train.

Keep Your Ticket Handy

Once you have boarded the train, it is important to keep your ticket handy. Ticket inspectors may ask to see your ticket any time during the journey, so it is best to have it easily accessible. Additionally, some trains have a designated area for luggage storage, so be sure to keep your bags in the appropriate area.

Bring Your Own Food

While some trains have dining cars or food carts, it is always a good idea to bring your own food and snacks for the journey. This can save you money and ensure that you have something to eat if the train has no food options or limited options.

Enjoy the Scenery

Last but not least, one of the most important things to remember when traveling through Europe by train is to take the time to enjoy the scenery. Europe is home to some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes and architecture, and traveling by train allows you to see it all from a unique perspective.

Happy Travels!

Traveling through Europe by train is a fantastic experience that offers a unique and authentic way to explore the continent. With these tips, you can travel like a pro and make the most of your journey. Remember to plan ahead, pack light, and most importantly, enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way.

Related posts:

• Why you should travel by train in Europe (and how to book tickets)
• Exploring France by train: Our top five train rides in France
• How to Travel around Europe on the Cheap
• Things to Know Before You Board a Train from Vienna to Prague