Guide to Spain's high-speed rail network: Renfe AVE, budget Avlo, Iryo, and Ouigo. Learn about Madrid station security, seat classes, and promo tickets.
Spain boasts Europe's longest high-speed rail network (Alta Velocidad Española / AVE), spanning over 3,900 kilometers. Major lines radiate from Madrid Puerta de Atocha and Madrid Chamartín to Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Malaga, and Alicante at speeds up to 310 km/h.
Spain's high-speed market features 4 choices: flagship Renfe AVE (full service with silent carriage & dining), Renfe Avlo (budget high-speed from €9), Iryo (Italian Trenitalia joint venture with luxury 2x1 seats), and Ouigo Spain (French double-deck budget TGV).
Unlike most of continental Europe, Spanish high-speed train stations (Atocha, Sants, Joaquin Sorolla) require passing all luggage through a quick X-ray baggage scanner before entering the boarding gate area. Allow 20-30 minutes before departure.
All long-distance Renfe AVE tickets include a free 'Combinado Cercanías' code. This code gives you a free local suburban train ticket to get to/from the high-speed station in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, or Malaga.
Yes. All high-speed departure areas in Spain require passing bags through an X-ray scanner. The check is fast (takes 2-5 minutes) but requires arriving at the station 25–30 minutes before departure.
Enter the 5-digit 'Combinado Cercanías' code printed on your AVE ticket at any Cercanías station ticket machine to print a free local transit ticket.
Yes. All long-distance high-speed trains in Spain require reserved seating.
Yes. Passholders can travel on AVE trains with a mandatory seat reservation (€10 in Standard / Básico, €13 in Premium).