What are trains in Spain like?

Spain has one of Europe's best high-speed railway networks. Trains are comfortable, cheap, and connect almost all cities in the country. On this page you can read all about the country's different train types, what they are like, how to book, and everything else you need to know.

Most trains in Spain are run by national railway company Renfe. Renfe's high-speed trains run under the AVE brand. On some high-speed routes, e.g. between Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla and Valencia, there are one or multiple competing carriers next to Renfe AVE like AVLO, IRYO and OUIGO.

In the Happyrail planner you can buy tickets for all major train operators and train categories, which means you can compare times, prices and ticket conditions, and chose the ticket best suited to you. Seperate seat reservations on long-distance trains are also available after purchasing an Interrail pass.

AVE High-speed trains

AVE is the name for national railway company Renfe's fastest high-speed trains, on main routes between larger cities like Barcelona, Figueras, Madrid, Valencia, Sevilla, and Malaga. The trains feature two classes, standard and comfort. Reservations are mandatory.

Reservations are obligatory. All tickets can be booked in the Happyrail planner, with a reservation included as standard. Seperate reservations can also be bought together with a rail pass (like a Eurail global pass or a Eurail Spain pass).

Standard class features seats in a 2+2 or 2+3 configuration with free wifi, power sockets, and luggage space next to the doors and above the seats. A café car is available for drinks and light meals. Picture credit: Renfe Operadora.
Some new trains have narrower seats in a 2+3 configuarion instead, but feature the same amenities. Picture credit: Renfe Operadora.
Comfort (first) class features seats in a 2+1 or 2+2 layout, with more padding, larger seat pitch, and more legroom than in standard class.
Depending on your type of ticket, a meal served at your seat may be included in first class (please check your ticket type for details). Picture credit: Renfe Operadora.

IRYO private high-speed trains

Iryo high-speed trains are run by the private carrier IRYO and run between major cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla, Valencia and Malaga. The trains feature 4 different classes with different amenities and different ticket flexiblity. However all feature leather seats, power sockets and free wifi, and a bistro car is available for all passengers except Infinita class (who have a meal served at their seat).

All routes and classes can be booked from 2025 via the Happyrail planner.

Inicial class is the most basic travel class featuring comfortable second-class leather seats, power sockets and free wifi. Tickets can only be refunded until 7 days before departure, and a change of date. Picture credit: IRYO.

Please note: only one piece of hand luggage (36x17x15cm) and one standard bag (55x35x25cm) are included in Inicial class. In all other classes an additional large suitcase (70x55x35) is also included.
Singular class features the same seats as Inicial class but more flexibility (refundable to the day of departure, less costs associated with changing the date or time of your train) and an additional large suitcase (70x55x35cm). Picture credit: IRYO.
Singular Only You class has the same ticket flexibility as Singular class (additional suitcase and less costs associated with changing or refunding your ticket compares to Inicial) but features more comfortable and wider 1st-class seats in a 2+1 configuration. Picture credit: IRYO.
Infinita class features the most flexible options for changing and refunding your ticket, comfortable first class seats in a 2+1 configuration, and a full meal served at your seat during your journey. Picture credit: IRYO.

OUIGO low-cost high-speed trains

OUIGO are private low-cost high speed trains running between major cities like Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia. Like Avlo they operate in a similar way to low-cost air carriers, meaning limited luggage allowance and limited ticket flexibility for a lower price than AVE or IRYO trains.

OUIGO trains in Spain feature seating in a 2+2 configuration on double decker trains. All seats feature power sockets, and a bar coach is available for all passengers. Wifi is available for an extra fare. A few coaches in every train feature XL-seats in a 2+1 configuration which can be booked for an extra fare on top of the normal fare, but apart from the size of the seats there are no differences with the service in normal seats, so this is not a 'true' 1st class.

All routes and ticket types can be booked from 2025 via the Happyrail planner.

OUIGO Essential is the cheapest ticket type and include one small bag (36x27x15cm) and a standard cabin bag (55x35x25cm). Seat selection, an XL seat, wifi, additional luggage, and changing your ticket to a different time are all available only for an extra fare.
Ouigo Plus features an additional large suitcase (up to 25kg and 200cm), free wifi and free seat selection. An XL seat and changing your ticket to a different time are available for an extra fare.
Ouigo Full features two additional large suitcases (up to 25kg and 200cm), free wifi, free seat selection, free XL seat selection and the ability to change or refund your ticket for free.

Pictured: the upper deck of a French OUIGO train. Spanish OUIGO trains are similar with slightly more comfortable seats with bigger headrests. OUIGO XL seats are wider and placed in a 2+1 configuration.

Avlo low-cost high-speed trains

Avlo is state railway RENFE's low-cost train running on routes between major cities like Barcelona, Madrid, Zaragoza and Valencia. Like OUIGO they operate in a similar way to low-cost air carriers, meaning limited luggage allowance and limited ticket flexibility for a lower price than AVE or IRYO trains.

The trains are second class only and feature either a 2+2 or 2+3 seat configuration.
There is free wifi available and the seats are adjustable, but no catering services are available.
There is a strict luggage policy enforced of one piece of hand-luggage (36x27x25 cm) and one suitcase (55x35x25 cm). You will have to pay extra if you carry extra luggage or your luggage exceeds these dimensions.

AVLO tickets can be booked directly via the Happyrail ticket platform, where a seat reservation is included as standard. All tickets are non-refundable after purchase. Picture credit: Renfe/Avlo.

Alvia & Euromed high-speed trains

Alvia and Euromed are high-speed trains run by state operator RENFE serving smaller cities not served by the fastest AVE high-speed trains.

Like AVE trains these trains feature first and second class and a dining car.
Most, but not all, of these trains feature power sockets. Most trains do not yet feature wifi, although this is being rolled out.
Seats are in a 2+2 configuration in second class and 2+1 in first class, with very similar seating to other Renfe high-speed trains.
- Like on AVE, 1st class tickets for Euromed trains often have a meal included (please check your ticket for details).

All tickets can be booked in the Happyrail planner, with a reservation included as standard. Seperate reservations can also be bought together with a rail pass (like a Eurail global pass or a Eurail Spain pass), as a seat reservation is obligatory. Picture credit: Renfe Operadora.

Pictured: a newly refurbished Euromed train. Some older unrefurbished trains have an interior more similar to Avant and Intercity trains, see the pictures below. These trains' wheelsets change from the standard-gauge high-speed lines to classic Spanish broad-gauge railway lines while on the move.

Avant high-speed trains

Avant are high-speed trains used on short journeys (maximum 60 to 90 minutes) run by state operator Renfe.

Avant trains have second class only and don't feature a dining car.
Plug sockets are available in most (but not all) trains, while wifi is generally not available.

All Avant tickets can be bought directly via the Happyrail planner. Avant tickets have fixed prices, which don't fluctatuate depending on demand or when the ticket is booked.

Interrail seat reservations for Avant (obligatory when using an Interrail pass) can only be booked at Renfe stations for a €4 reservation fee, not anywhere online. Due to the fixed price of tickets and short distances, it might be cheaper to buy a ticket rather than using a day of your pass. It can still be worth it to use a day of your pass when the Avant train is not the only train you are using that day (e.g. if you are also using an AVE train on the same day with your pass, the €4 reservation will be worth it).

Pictured: a second-class only Avant train. Various different train types are used but all have a similar second-class only interior.

Intercity long-distance trains

Spanish Intercity trains are regular-speed trains used for long distances, on lines where high-speed trains (Like AVE, Avant, Alvia etc.) don't run.

Intercity trains feature first and second class (for second class, see an impression below) with seats in a 2+2 configuaration in second class and either 2+2 or 2+1 in first class. Some selected trains only feature second-class seating.
Intercity trains don't feature wifi or catering options.

All Intercity tickets can be booked via the Happyrail planner. A seat reservation included as standard. Seperate reservations can also be bought together with a rail pass (like a Eurail global pass or a Eurail Spain pass), as a seat reservation is obligatory.

If you're planning a trip to Spanish cities in Andalusie like Sevilla, Cordoba or Granada, or cities in the North like San Sebastian, Bilbao and Santiago, check out our Spanish Rail Tours in which we reserve all trains for you, so you don't have to worry!

Pictured: a second-class Intercity coach. Interiors may differ depending on the route, but all have generally similar seating arrangements and amenities.

Media distancia (MD) trains

Spanish Media Distancia (MD) trains are regular-speed trains used on medium distance services. They are very similar to Intercity trains (see above) but cover shorter distances and tickets are generally sold four smaller fares.

Media-Distancia trains generally featyre only second-class seating in a 2+2 configuration. Catering and wifi are not available.
Seat reservations are obligatory but cannot be booked online; bookings are only possible at larger Renfe train stations.

Tickets (with a seat reservation included as standard) are available in the Happyrail planner. Seperate Interrail seat reservations can only be booked at physical train stations.

Pictured: a second-class Media Distancia coach. Interiors may differ depending on the route, but all have generally similar seating arrangements and amenities.

Regional trains (R, RE, Cercanias, Rodalies)

Spanish regional trains run under several names and categories, such as R, RE, Rodalies, Cercanias and FEVE Cercanias. The type of train differs depending on the type of service (such as Cercanias commuter trains around big cities or RE regional-express trains in less densely populated regions) but all feature second-class only and no catering services. Wifi may be available on some services but not available on most.

Reservations are only possible on a few selected RE and R services but not necessary or reccommended. Just take the train you want to take.
Interrail-passes are generally valid on all regional trains in Spain, although some might not show up in the Interrail-app. At stations with ticket gates like in Madrid or Barcelona, please show a member of staff your pass to let you through the ticket gate, as the Interrail barcode will not open these.
Although trains in semi-autonomous Catalonia are branded Rodalies (the Catalan word for railways) instead of Renfe Regional or Cercanias, the trains are operated by Renfe and Interrail-passes are valid.

Seperate tickets for regional trains are generally not available online. Interrail-passes as available via Happyrail are valid on all regional trains (with the exception of Euskotrein services). Why not check out Happyrail's Spanish Rail Tours in which all trains are booked and reserved for you in advance!

Pictured: a Cercanias commuter train as in service around larger cities such as Barcelona and Madrid.Pictured: a FEVE Cercanias train as in service on rural regional lines in the North of Spain.

Euskotren trains (Basque country)

The semi-autonomous Basque country has Renfe services, both regional and high-speed, connected some of its cities, there is also a Basque network of trains called Euskotren. In cities like Bilbao and Santiago these trains operatore more like a metro service, but they also operatore longer-distance services between major cities and to Hendaye in France.

No Renfe, Interrail or other international tickets are valid on any Euskotren services. Tickets can be booked locally at the station with which any service can be taken; there are no reserved seats.
Euskotren trains do not show up in any railway timetable like the Interrail-timetable, DB, Renfe or Happyrail planners. Train times can only be found on the Euskotren website.
Trains have a simple one-class 2+2 interior.

When you're thinking of planning a train trip to the North of Spain, please look at our Northern Spain Rail Tour in which we book almost all train tickets and reservations for you, booked from the Europen train station (or airport) of your choice.

Pictured: an example of an Euskotren train.