Traveling through Spain by train: eco-friendly journeys that delight

With the longest high-speed rail network in Europe, traversing Spain by train is a true pleasure. Its efficient public transport allows you to explore Gaudí’s Modernist masterpieces in Barcelona in the morning, enjoy lunch in Madrid, and arrive in Seville just in time for dinner and a flamenco show.

Yet, train travel in Spain offers more than just speed: leisurely trips along the narrow-gauge tracks of Green Spain and scenic routes through the mountains of Andalucía provide a fantastic opportunity to experience the country’s varied landscapes. Whether you choose an economical cercanías ticket or indulge in a multi-day journey on the luxurious Transcantábrico, you’re in for a delightful experience.

Train services in Spain

The majority of trains are run by Renfe, Spain’s national railway company. This includes high-speed AVE (Alta Velocidad Española) services that can reach speeds of up to 193mph, alongside budget options like Avlo, Iryo, and Ouigo. Key high-speed routes connect Barcelona to Madrid, Madrid to Seville, Madrid to Valencia, and Córdoba to Málaga. Renfe's Avant brand offers high-speed, short-distance journeys such as Madrid to Valladolid and Barcelona to Girona, typically operating as single cars on longer AVE trains.

Mid-distance (media distancia) services like Alvia and Intercity can reach speeds of up to 250km/h (155mph), servicing routes such as Barcelona to Pamplona, Madrid to San Sebastián, and Madrid to Cádiz.

Slower Renfe services include Cercanías, akin to Catalonia’s Rodalies commuter lines. Additionally, regional operators like Euskotren offer scenic routes, connecting Irun and Hendaye on the French border to Bilbao and San Sebastián via narrow-gauge tracks. Other narrow-gauge options along Spain’s northern coast include routes from Bilbao to Santander and Gijón to Ferrol, while Barcelona provides access to the Montserrat monastery through the charming FGC line.

Ticket Booking

Due to dynamic pricing employed by Spain’s rail companies for high-speed and long-distance journeys, and with mandatory seat reservations, it's advisable to book in advance. Iryo and Ouigo offer tickets for early purchase several months ahead, while Renfe’s ticket availability varies from 11 months to 15 days prior to travel, depending on the route. You can book your tickets through the Renfe website or Trainline.

Traveling on long-distance and mid-distance trains is categorized into Standard (2nd class or Estándar) and Comfort (1st class or Confort) classes. Fares are classified as Básico (basic, non-refundable, valid for 2nd class), Elige (semi-flexible, applicable for both 2nd and 1st class if you opt for an Elige Confort fare), and Premium (flexible fare for 1st class on AVE or Euromed services, including an airline-style meal with wine). Cercanías tickets are not available for advance purchase; they can be acquired at ticket offices, self-service machines, or onboard from the conductor.

If you're traveling from one location to another, an advance-purchase ticket is perfect. However, for those seeking flexibility within a month, Renfe offers a Spain Pass for travelers residing outside of Spain, allowing for 4, 6, 8, or 10 individual one-way journeys on all of Renfe’s long-distance and medium-distance trains.

Exclusive train experiences

Travel through some of Spain’s most breathtaking landscapes and vibrant cities aboard ‘palaces on rails’ that evoke the grandeur of historic railway journeys. The most famous and long-established of Spain’s luxury train routes is the Transcantábrico, which spans 8 days from San Sebastián in the Basque Country to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, making stops in Bilbao, Santander, Gijón, and Oviedo. Each day includes bilingual guided excursions to the top sights, followed by returns to sumptuous wood-paneled suites, stunning views from the train’s lounges, and gourmet dining featuring the best of Spanish cuisine, all accompanied by live music.

The Al-Andalus train showcases the architectural and cultural wonders of Úbeda, Córdoba, Granada, Ronda, Seville, and Jerez while traveling between Málaga and Cádiz over the span of a week. Passengers enjoy accommodations in carriages reminiscent of those once used by the British royal family traveling between the Côte d’Azur and Calais, while savoring exquisite Andalusian cuisine, including jamón ibérico bellota and aged sherries.

In northern Spain, the 3-day/2-night La Robla Express travels between Bilbao and León, blending contemporary art, centuries-old architecture, and the culinary delights of Green Spain.

Beyond the once-in-a-lifetime multi-day journeys, there are plenty of themed day routes that typically operate from April to November. One such route is Catalonia’s Tren dels Llacs, featuring lovingly restored vintage carriages that showcase the highlights of Lleida province, from Aigüestortes y Estany de Sant Maurici National Park to local cheesemakers. In Galicia, themed trains explore various attractions including the Rías Baixas Wine Route, the Cheese Route, the Lighthouse Route, and the Monasteries Route, among others.

In Madrid, you can board the Cervantes Train to Alcalá de Henares, the birthplace of Spain’s legendary author, where you'll encounter actors in 17th-century attire. Alternatively, hop on the Medieval Train to Sigüenza, accompanied by minstrels, knights, and princesses; or travel to the Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial aboard the Philip II Train. Lastly, Andalucía’s Tren Turístico de Riotinto features restored early-20th-century carriages that traverse a Martian landscape, where minerals have been extracted since Roman times, following the path of the striking crimson river.

Especially picturesque routes

Some incredibly affordable regular train routes highlight Spain’s stunning natural landscapes. The three-hour ride from Granada to the coastal city of Almería (€17) offers breathtaking views of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada as you traverse its foothills, weaving through cork-oak groves before catching your first sight of the Mediterranean.

For less than €10, experience 19th-century Andalucía by taking the train from the bustling port of Algeciras into the mountains, arriving at the breathtaking pueblo blanco of Ronda. This engineering marvel, which includes 16 tunnels and 20 bridges, was constructed by the British and opened in 1892. During the two-hour trip, the train winds through orange and olive groves, cork-oak and eucalyptus forests, and among rust-colored mountains and steep cliffs, stopping at quaint stations adorned with antique clocks and charming wooden canopies. A similarly picturesque journey can be taken from Ronda to Málaga, albeit at nearly double the fare.

Bay of Biscay

If the Transcantábrico is out of your budget, you can still savor many of the same stunning views of the Cantabrian mountains and the Bay of Biscay during the 5½ to 7-hour journey from Santander, Cantabria to Oviedo, Asturias on a cercanías train (starting at €16). Since seat reservations aren't available, you can easily switch sides to enjoy the scenery on either side of the train.

Fisterra’s lighthouse in A Coruña

One of Spain’s longest rail journeys, stretching from Barcelona to A Coruña, winds through fertile fields and dry plains dotted with rocky formations, before traversing the lush Galician Massif and reaching the Atlantic. Your best options are the 9:05 Alvia departure (14 hours, €66) or the faster, more expensive 10 am Avlo departure (8 hours and 15 minutes, €82); be sure to reserve a seat on the right side for the best views.

Breathtaking mountain vistas await you on one of the two daily trains from Zaragoza to Canfranc (2½ hours, €10), which slowly climbs into the Aragonese Pyrenees, culminating at the 1920s concrete-and-glass station, now transformed into a luxury hotel.