Trains in Spain

There are various train types in Spain ready to transport you both day and night. Most of the Spanish railway network is operated by RENFE. Use the Eurail train timetable (operated by the Deutsche Bahn German railway) to check times for trains in Spain.

Regional and intercity trains in Spain

Spanish regional train

The main rail network in Spain is made up of the following regional and intercity trains:

• Media Distancia trains link regional destinations with larger cities. The network connects with long distance high-speed trains and the trains make frequent stops. 
• Cercanías (suburban trains) is a network of trains that operates in and around the larger Spanish cities including Barcelona and Valencia.

On the Eurail timetable Media Distancia trains appear as "IR". Reservations are required for most of these trains. Cercanías trains do not appear in this timetable. Check the Renfe website for more information on departure times. 

High-speed trains in Spain

International high-speed trains in Spain
These high-speed trains operate to and from Spain:

• Talgo du Jour (Mare Nostrum) links Valencia, Murcia and Barcelona with Montpellier (France).
• Internacional trains connect Vigo with Porto (Portugal).

Spanish AVE high-speed train

Domestic high-speed trains in Spain
Spain's extensive high-speed train network is operated by modern trains that offer you high quality service during your Eurail trip. 

These high-speed trains operate within Spain:

• Avant trains operate on short-distance routes. 
• AVE trains reach speeds of up to 300 km/h (186 mph) and take you from Madrid to Barcelona in less than 3 hours.
• Alaris trains connect Madrid with major Spanish cities.
• Altaria trains link Madrid with cities in the south of Spain.
• Alvia and Arco trains operate between Madrid and Spain's nothern cities like Bilbao and San Sebastian.
• Euromed trains operate on the route Barcelona – Valencia – Alicante.

On the Eurail timetable Talgo du Jour appears as "TLG". High-speed trains appear as "IC", "ATR-Altaria", "AVE", "A" or "EM". These trains always require a reservation. 

Night trains in Spain

International night train routes in Spain

International night trains in Spain
The following night trains connect Spain with France, Luxembourg, Portugal and Switzerland:

• Elipsos:
  Madrid / Barcelona – Paris (France)
• InterCité de Nuit:
  Portbou – Toulouse – Paris (France)
  Portbou – Montpellier – Nancy – Luxembourg (Luxembourg)
  Portbou – Montpellier – Strasbourg (France)
  Irún – Lourdes – Paris (France) 
  Irún – Bordeaux – Marseille – Nice (France)
  Irún – Toulouse – Lyon – Geneva (Switzerland)
• Lusitania:
  Madrid – Lisbon (Portugal)
• Sud Expresso:
  Irún – Lisbon (Portugal)

Domestic night trains in Spain

• Estrella trains connect major Spanish cities by night:
  Madrid – Barcelona  – Portbou
  Bilbao – Malaga
• Trenhotel trains link the north of Spain with Barcelona and capital city Madrid:
  A Coruna – Barcelona 
  A Coruna – Madrid 

Elipsos trains appear on the Eurail timetable as "EN", Surexpreso as "HOT", Lusitania as "Hotelzug" and InterCités de Nuit as "NZ". You're required to book sleeping accommodation in advance.

Reservations on Spanish trains

Many Spanish trains require an advance reservation, including domestic and international high-speed trains and night trains (prices depend on your chosen sleeping accommodation or seat type). You can make reservations up to 3 months in advance.
Please note that the number of seats available for Eurail pass holders is limited on InterCitè de Nuit trains. We advise you to reserve these trains as soon as possible in high-season (May to September) and public holidays.

For more information about reservations in Spain:

• How to make reservations
• View reservation fees
• How to avoid reservations

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Popular domestic connections in Spain

Popular train connections in Spain

View approximate train travel times between Spain's key cities with high-speed trains and regional trains.

International train connections to and from Spain

We suggest the following routes to travel between Spain and other European countries:

• France – Spain
  Travel by day from Barcelona to Perpignan on Talgo du Jour trains. Or take the Elipsos night train to travel to Paris from Madrid (15hr 35min) or Barcelona (12hr 40min). 
• Portugal – Spain
  Take a regional train to travel from Vigo to Porto (3hr 30min).

International ferry connections to and from Spain

You can also travel between Spain, Italy and Morocco by ferry with Grimaldi Lines ferries. Get a 20% discount on the following routes:

• Barcelona – Civitavecchia (Italy)
• Barcelona – Livorno (Italy)
• Barcelona – Porto Torres (Italy)
• Barcelona – Tangier (Morocco)

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Eurail Spain passes let you explore all of Spain's beautiful cities like Barcelona, Granada, Madrid, Sevilla and Valencia. We offer various Eurail passes that combine Spain with other European countries.

Rail pass options for Spain

• Eurail Spain Pass starting from  US$244 – spend your whole vacation to discover Spain by rail.
• Eurail Global Pass starting from US$600 – have the freedom to visit Spain and up to 23 other Eurail countries.
• Eurail Select Pass starting from US$322 – choose from a 3, 4 or 5 country pass that combines Spain with Portugal and/or Italy.
• Regional Pass – focus on visiting Spain plus 1 other country. Here are your options:
  Eurail France-Spain Pass starting from US$273 – visit popular French cities like Paris, Lyons and Nice. 
  Eurail Italy-Spain Pass starting from US$273 – explore historical sites in Florence, Rome and Venice.
  Eurail Portugal-Spain Pass starting from US$345 – get to know Portugal's top cities like Lisbon and Porto.

Example train route in Spain

Visit Spain's most popular cities on a single trip with Eurail. You can follow the suggested route below using a Eurail Spain Pass - choose 8 days within 2 months, starting from US$420.

Example train route in Spain

 

 

Barcelona

Barcelona is Spain’s most cosmopolitan city offering surrealist architecture from Gaudí and entertainment galore.

Valencia

Valencia offers a charming old town, pleasant beaches and of course, the best paella Spain has to offer.

Granada

Granada is spellbinding thanks to the allure of the Alhambra set before the mountainous backdrop of the Sierra Nevada.

Seville

Seville – wander the winding cobbled streets of the Andalusian capital and include visits to Seville Cathedral and the Alcázar.

Madrid

Madrid has plenty to offer – get lost at the Rastro flea market, explore the Prado Museum and soak up the lively atmosphere of Chueca.

Toledo

Toledo is a stone’s throw from the capital and offers a rich history with churches, synagogues and mosques stood side by side.

Salamanca

Salamanca is buzzing with a student atmosphere and dressed up in beautiful traditional architecture.

Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela – is filled with Medieval charm and is the finishing point for pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago.

San Sebastian

San Sebastian proudly boasts some of Spain’s most beautiful beaches – ideal for sunbathers and surfers alike.

For more route ideas for your Eurail trip, check out our European highlights itinerary.

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