Renfe AVE High-Speed Train Guide
The best trains you can take in Spain are the AVE high-speed services operated by Spanish national railway company Renfe.
AVE stands for Alta Velocidad Española, meaning “Spanish high-speed”, and is the brand name of Renfe’s high-speed train service. You will find these trains on the main rail routes across Spain, with the capital city of Madrid at the heart of the country’s high-speed rail network.
In this guide, you can find everything you need to know about Renfe’s AVE high-speed service, including the travel classes on board its trains, the main routes, and other useful details.
About high-speed trains in Spain
Although Renfe is Spain’s national railway company and operates the bulk of services across the country, there are several open-access high-speed operators that compete with it. Thanks to this competition on the Spanish high-speed rail network, prices of train tickets are often surprisingly affordable.
Besides Renfe, also Iryo operates high-speed trains in Spain, while Ouigo and Avlo (a Renfe subsidiary) operate low-cost high-speed train services in the country.
It’s therefore always a good idea to compare ticket prices and departure times between these different operators. A convenient way to search for Spanish trains and book your ticket online is by using Omio, which can compare all four operators in a single search on its website.
Note that all high-speed trains in Spain require a compulsory seat reservation, which is automatically included in your ticket. This means that tickets can sell out, so it is advisable to book in advance, especially when travelling during peak summer periods or around national holidays.
High-speed train routes
Madrid is the heart of the Spanish high-speed rail network. The first high-speed rail line in Spain was opened in 1992, linking Madrid with Córdoba and Seville in Andalusia. Today, this line also has branches serving Málaga and Granada.
Another major high-speed rail line in Spain links Madrid with Zaragoza and Barcelona. This line is extended from Barcelona via Girona and Figueres towards France. Therefore, you can now also find international AVE high-speed train services linking Madrid and Barcelona with France.
There are several other high-speed rail lines in Spain, such as those linking Madrid with Valladolid, León and Burgos; one linking Madrid with Valencia; another connecting Madrid with Albacete, Alicante and Murcia; as well as a line linking Madrid with Santiago de Compostela, Vigo and A Coruña.
In total, the Spanish high-speed railway network has a length of 3,973 kilometres (2,469 miles), making it the largest in Europe.
AVE travel classes
First of all, it’s important to note that AVE is the name of the Spanish high-speed service, not a specific high-speed train. Renfe operates four different types of high-speed trains, and although the travel classes and onboard facilities are the same, they do differ in terms of seat type, seating configuration, and therefore comfort.
That being said, let us take a look at the travel classes available on board Renfe AVE trains:
- Standard (Estándar) – similar to second class, usually in a 2+2 seating configuration, but on the Talgo Avril (S106) in a 2+3 configuration.
- Comfort (Confort) – similar to first class, usually in a 1+2 seating configuration, but on the Talgo Avril (S106) in a 2+2 configuration.
Besides these two travel classes, it is worth noting that there are three different fare types to choose from when booking an AVE high-speed train ticket.
- Basic (Básico) – the cheapest fare.
- Choice (Elige) – semi-flexible fare, called Elige Confort for 1st class
- Premium – the most flexible fare, offering a first-class seat, lounge access before departure (at stations with a Renfe lounge), and usually a complimentary meal and drinks served at your seat.
Besides the difference in service, these fares mainly determine whether your ticket is changeable or refundable.
Café-bar
On high-speed AVE trains in Spain, you will find a café-bar coach where you can buy a variety of drinks and snacks. Of course, you are also free to bring your own food and drinks onto the train.
Spanish railway stations
Catching a Spanish high-speed train is different from elsewhere in Europe. At Spanish railway stations, you must pass through an airport-style security check before boarding a high-speed train. This involves having your bags scanned and walking through a metal detector yourself.
Usually, this security check is much quicker than at airports, as there are no restrictions on liquids and you can leave everything in your bags. That said, it is still wise to arrive at the station at least 30 minutes before departure, especially if you are taking a high-speed train from one of Spain’s larger stations, such as Madrid Atocha, Madrid Chamartín or Barcelona Sants.
Once you have passed through security, you will enter a waiting area. At most stations, these areas have fewer facilities than those before security, so it is wise to buy any drinks or snacks beforehand. When your train is called, you can proceed to the departure platform, where your ticket will be scanned, after which you are free to board the train.
Combinado Cercanías
All Renfe AVE high-speed train tickets – regardless of travel class or fare – include a useful perk called Combinado Cercanías. This allows you to travel on a suburban train free of charge up to three hours before your high-speed train departs, and up to four hours after it arrives. Simply scan the QR code on your ticket to open the barriers at the departure platform of your suburban train, or show it to a member of staff to gain access.
Using your Interrail or Eurail pass on Renfe AVE trains
If you are travelling around Spain or Europe with a Global Interrail or Eurail pass, or a Spanish rail pass, you can use Renfe’s AVE high-speed trains, although you must make a special passholder reservation.
In our guide on how to make Interrail and Eurail passholder reservations, you can learn how to do this.