Renfe is Spain's national rail operator. It runs AVE and Avlo high-speed trains, Alvia, Euromed and Intercity long distance trains, regional Avant and Media Distancia trains, as well as the Cercanías and Rodalies networks.
In short, Renfe covers everything from high-speed AVE trains which cross the country at 300 km/h to regional trains designed for the short hop from the city centre to the airport.
Founded in 1941, Renfe now operates on the most extensive high-speed network in Europe. It's also the only Spanish operator that runs its own cross-border trains into France.
You can buy official Renfe tickets on Trainline. You can also compare times and prices with iryo and OUIGO in one search (when all operators cover the same route).
What our customers think about Renfe trains
The value for money is rather average and mostly depends on the specific service or route.
Comfort is considered adequate, but far from the standards of high-speed trains.
The information for travellers is adequate, although not particularly outstanding and with room for improvement.
The staff are the most highly valued aspect for Renfe and the one that contributes most to a positive impression of the trip.
The cleanliness receives a fair rating and generally complements the experience reasonably well.
Travellers describe the WiFi as non-existent, very slow, or lacking sufficient coverage; clearly it's not a service they trust.
The food is perceived as expensive and poor quality, with a basic cafeteria or vending machines as the main offerings.
Entertainment is almost nonexistent and does not appear to be a real part of the value proposition.
Customer ratings are based on verified reviews from Trainline bookings. Only customers with a confirmed journey can submit a review. Scores are calculated as an average over the past 6 months and are updated regularly; where available, the number of reviews is displayed. Train operators cannot edit or remove reviews, and no payment or incentives are accepted in exchange for ratings or rankings. Ratings and related insights reflect subjective customer experiences and are not objective measures of service quality. Results may vary depending on route, conditions, and individual expectations, and may not be representative of all customers. Reviews may be summarised using AI to highlight common themes. While similar methodologies may be applied across operators, results are presented individually and should not be interpreted as direct comparisons or rankings. Some results may be based on limited sample sizes and should be interpreted with caution. This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement.
Renfe map
One of the best ways to explore Spain is by train. Whether you're planning a weekend escape, a business trip or a longer holiday, the Renfe network connects major Spanish cities and smaller destinations all across the country.
Thanks to Renfe's high-speed, long-distance, mid-distance and regional trains, you can get where you want to go quickly, comfortably and sustainably. Avoid long waits at the airport, enjoy the countryside views during your journey and arrive at the centre of your destination in total comfort.
From Mediterranean beaches to the Pyrenees, Renfe trains can get you close to some of the most spectacular places in Spain.
You can also discover historic cities, enjoy local delicacies or explore iconic regions like La Rioja, Extremadura and Castilla-La Mancha.
On Trainline, you can consult our Renfe route map, compare times and prices, and book your tickets quickly and safely. Find the journey that suits you best and start to plan your next rail adventure!
Combinado Cercanías: your free Cercanías ticket
If you travel on an AVE, Alvia, Euromed or Intercity train, your ticket includes Combinado Cercanías: a free Cercanías or Rodalies ticket.
- When you can use it: up to 4 hours before your train's departure and 4 hours after you arrive at your destination.
- How to get it: ticket machines or Cercanías ticket desks, by scanning your barcode or inputting the 5-digit code found on your ticket.
- Direct access: in Madrid, Málaga, Valencia and Murcia/Alicante, you can use the ticket's BIDI code directly on the turnstiles, without needing to go to the ticket machine/kiosk (AVE and Long Distance trains only).
- In Alicante you can also get a TRAM ticket (lines L1 to L4) 3 hours before departure or after arrival.
- Combinado Cercanías is not included with Avlo tickets.
What does your Renfe ticket include?
On Trainline, you can purchase official Renfe tickets, including for AVE, Avlo, Alvia, Avant, Euromed, Intercity and Media Distancia trains.
You can choose the class of ticket that suits you, use Renfe discount cards and get your ticket by email so you'll always have it with you on your phone.
What you get with us:
- Compare in just one search: Look at Renfe's services, times and prices, then compare with other high-speed train operators like iryo and OUIGO if they also service that route.
- Discount cards applied during the purchase process, including Más Renfe Joven, Carné Joven and Tarjeta Dorada.
- Exchanges and refunds through your account, according to your ticket's terms and conditions.
- Delay compensation requests submitted by us direct to Renfe.
- Filter by price so you can see the cheapest tickets each day.
- Mobile tickets - and all your journeys in one place with the Trainline app.
Renfe tickets explained
If you buy a ticket online, you will receive an e-ticket by email. You can print this at home or display it on your device.
The key information about your journey is spotlighted in the sample ticket above:
- CombinadoCercanias code: this handy 5-digit code gives you free suburban rail travel to your departure station and onwards from your arrival station. Just type the code into a ticket machine in a Cercanías station to redeem it. Find out more about Combinado Cercanías tickets on our dedicated page.
- Train and carriage number: the 5-digit number after AVE is your train number. The Coche number is your carriage.
- Departure time: when your train will leave the platform. If you have a Básico ticket, you cannot exchange your ticket for a different time – make sure you get on that train!
- Platform number: listed next to Plaza – in this case it’s 6B.
How to find cheap Renfe tickets
The price of AVE, Avlo and Larga Distance trains is dynamic; it goes up depends on how full the train is, and how close you are to the departure date when you book.
Here are our savings tips for cheaper Renfe tickets:
- Book in advance. This is the biggest factor in finding cheap tickets.
- Compare AVE and Avlo trains on the same route. Avlo is Renfe's low-cost brand, with tickets from €7.
- Apply a discount card such as Más Renfe Joven, Carné Joven or Tarjeta Dorada.
- Look at Básico tickets if price is the most important thing for you. It's the cheapest ticket type, but you can only exchange it for a fee - no refunds are allowed.
- Compare two one-way tickets and a return ticket. For Avant and Mid-Distance trains, a return ticket can get you a 20% discount; for AVE and Long Distance trains, two singles can sometimes be cheaper than a return.
- Filter by price to only see tickets within your budget.
Renfe ticket classes
Get to know the different Renfe classes and choose the best ticket type for you, whether that's the cheapest or one with more flexibility and cancellation options.
AVE, Alvia, Euromed and Intercity classes
There are four price options to choose from. The main differences are the seat type and the ticket flexibility.
| Básico | Elige Estándard | Elige Confort | Prémium | |
| Seat type | Standard | Standard | Comfort | Comfort |
| Available on | AVE, Alvia, Euromed and Intercity | AVE, Alvia, Euromed and Intercity | AVE, Alvia, Euromed and Intercity | Only AVE and Euromed |
| Ticket changes | 1 change allowed, costs €10 plus difference in ticket cost, at least 24 hours before travel | 1 change for free; any extras cost €10 plus difference in ticket cost | 1 change for free; any extras cost €10 plus difference in ticket cost | Changes allowed fee-free |
| Ticket cancellations | Non-refundable | Refundable minus 30% of ticket cost | Refundable minus 30% of ticket cost |
Free refunds up to 7 days before travel Refundable minus 5% of ticket cost less than 7 days before |
| Seat reservations | For a fee | For a fee | For a fee | Free |
| Food and drink | Not included | For a fee | For a fee | Included |
| Pet (up to 10kg) | €10 | €10 | €10 | Free |
| Name change on ticket | €40 | Variable cost | Variable cost | Free |
| Missed train | No exceptions | Take another train for a fee | Take another train for a fee | New ticket at no extra cost |
Important: On international AVE trains between Spain and France, the Prémium ticket does not exist. Básico, Elige Estándar and Elige Confort are available.
If you exchange your ticket and your new ticket is cheaper than the original ticket, Renfe will not refund the difference.
Avant and Mid Distance (Media Distancia) tickets
Avant and Mid Distance trains have a different price system to high-speed trains in Spain.
| Ticket type | Discount | Conditions |
| General/Base | — | Reference tariff; discounts are based off the General ticket price. |
| Return (Ida y vuelta) | 20% off the General/Base fare each way | Same origin and destination; you must buy the outward and inbound ticket in the same transaction; you must return within a year. Familia Numerosa is the only discount that can be applied alongside this one. |
| Child | 40% off for those under 14 | With their own ticket and seat. Children between 0 and 3 are free if they don't occupy a seat (on Avant trains, a free child's ticket is required). |
Avant and Media Distancia exchanges: Up to 3 exchanges allowed. The first is free, the rest cost 10% of the ticket price.
Cancellations: Generally, these cost 15% of the ticket price. For return tickets, cancelling one leg costs 40% of the ticket price, while cancelling both together costs 15%.
What you need to know before taking a Renfe train
Different Renfe trains have different rules, so before you board, check your ticket conditions so you know what to expect.
We've gathered Renfe's general rules below too.
Your ticket is nominative and you can be asked for ID
AVE and Large Distancia tickets are nominative - that means you have to be the person named on the ticket. Take some photographic ID (passport, national identity card, driving licence, residence permit); for passengers under 14, the Libro de Familia is accepted as ID. Renfe can carry out identity checks when boarding or while you're on board.
Arrive 10 minutes before departure
Access to the train stops 2 minutes before the scheduled departure time. In large stations and any where luggage checks take place, it's worth arriving early: security checks and boarding queues can be a bottleneck.
Baggage rules
On AVE, Alvia, Euromed, Intercity, Avant and Media Distancia trains, you can take up to 3 pieces of hand luggage, so long as the three combined don't weigh more than 25kg or measure more than 290 cm. The largest bag can't exceed 85 x 55 x 35 cm.
What counts as hand luggage?
Suitcases, bags, backpacks and briefcases; folded baby buggies and carriers; musical instruments in cases (up to 30 x 120 x 38 cm); pedal bicycles and scooters, folded in cases (sum of dimensions not exceeding 180 cm).
Two important tips:
- On international AVE trains between Spain and France, labelling your luggage is compulsory.
- Since 13 December 2023, e-bikes and e-unicycles (as well as similar vehicles) are not permitted on board. Electric bikes and vehicles for passengers with reduced mobility are excluded from this ban.
Avlo has its own rules, which are more restrictive: you can take 1 piece of hand luggage (36 x 27 x 25 cm) and 1 cabin suitcase (55 x 35 x 25 cm); there are no weight limits. Additional luggage (up to 85 x 60 x 35 cm or 180cm in total) costs €10 if you add it when you buy your ticket, or €15 afterwards, including when you board or while you're on board.
Prohibited items
For security reasons, certain items which could pose a risk to passengers or equipment are banned on board Renfe trains. These include:
- Firearms (including replicas), except when explicitly authorised and accompanied with the correct documentation.
- Bladed objects, such as large knives, daggers, penknives, swords and machetes.
- Blunt force weapons, including batons and certain martial arts equipment.
- Explosive, inflammable, chemical or toxic substances, including munitions (with very few exceptions), gas cylinders, fuel and explosives.
Moreover, certain professional or sports items (like service weapons or cutting tools) can only be transported if they comply with Renfe's conditions and they must be packaged and documented.
Travel with your pets on Renfe trains
Pets up to 10 kg
1 per person, including dogs, cats, ferrets, hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits and birds (excluding farmyard animals). They must be in a carrier (max. 60 x 35 x 35 cm) with their own pet ticket, and they must not occupy a seat.
Price: Free with Prémium tickets, €10 with Básico or Elige tickets, €10 on Avlo trains and 25% of a General ticket on Avant and Media Distancia trains.
On Cercanías and Media Distance narrow-gauge trains, pets travel free of charge. There's no weight limit, but they must be muzzled and on a leash.
Dogs between 10 kg and 40 kg
From July 2026, you can travel with a dog up to 40 kg without the need for a carrier when you travel in the pet-friendly carriages on AVE, Avlo, Larga Distancia and Media Distancia trains.
- It's €40 extra on AVE, Avlo and Large Distancia trains (you need an Elige Estándar ticket on AVE and Larga Distancia trains); on Avant and Larga Distancia trains, a ticket for a pet of this size costs the same as a General ticket.
- Max. 1 dog per person, and 2 per train, in a specific carriage. The dog travels in the seat next to the window, next to you.
Free WiFi on board with PlayRenfe
PlayRenfe is Renfe's free WiFi service, available on all AVE, International AVE and Avlo trains, as well as on most Larga Distancia trains. It's totally free regardless of which class you're travelling in.
To get started, select the PlayRenfe network in your device settings, input your ticket number and your Más Renfe loyalty number or a promo code. Your password is the number on the form of ID you registered with.
Bikes
Folded bikes in a case can be taken free of charge as hand luggage on Renfe services, so long as the sum of the dimensions is no larger than 180 cm.
If your bike doesn't fold up, it's seen as 'special luggage'. Transport of 'special luggage' is subject to conditions and only a limited number of bicycles can be taken on each train, depending on the service you're travelling on.
Renfe timetables
To look at Renfe timetables, head to our Journey Planner at the top of the page, input your origin and destination stations and the date you want to travel. You'll see all the trains running on that date, including AVE, Avlo, Avant and Intercity trains.
Renfe runs trains throughout the day on the main rail corridors in Spain, with departures both early in the morning and late at night.
| Route | Renfe trains | Trains per day | First train | Last train | Fastest journey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madrid-Barcelona | AVE | 17 | 05:50 | 20:00 | 3h |
| Valencia-Madrid | AVE + Avlo | 12 | 07:30 | 21:00 | 1h 54min |
| Madrid-Sevilla | AVE, Avlo, Alvia + MD | 18 | 07:20 | 21:05 | 2h 33min |
| Málaga-Madrid | AVE + Avlo | 13 | 05:47 | 21:00 | 2h 44min |
| Barcelona-Paris | TGV INOUI | 2 | 09:25 | 18:30 | 6h 28min |
| Zaragoza-Barcelona | AVE + Alvia | 24 | 08:11 | 22:07 | 1h 40min |
| Madrid-Paris | AVE + TGV INOUI | 3 | 06:10 | 15:00 | 9h 43min |
| Paris-Madrid | TGV INOUI + AVE | 3 | 10:07 | 14:07 | 9h 38min |
* Timetables are indicative and subject to change. Check before you travel.
Renfe loyalty cards and discounts
When you book Renfe tickets on Trainline, you can use your Renfe loyalty cards. This includes Más Renfe, the Tarjeta Joven and the Tarjeta Dorada.
Más Renfe Joven (14 - 25 year olds)
Paid loyalty programme for 14 - 25 year olds. Costs €50 a year. Discounts:
- 30% off AVE, AVE International and Larga Distancia trains.
- 25% off Avant, Media Distancia and Cercanías/Rodalies trains.
This card is nominative and non-transferable. You'll also get the benefits of the Más Renfe loyalty scheme.
Carné Joven (14 - 25 year olds)
A regional discount card. Discounts:
- 20% off Avant, Media Distancia and narrow-gauge regional trains.
- 5% off AVE and Larga Distancia trains.
The European Youth Card, ISIC, IYTC and GO 25 cards are also valid.
Tarjeta Dorada (60+)
Nominative card for passengers aged 60 and over. Price: €6 for a year, €12 for 2 years or €15 for 3 years. Discounts:
- 25% off AVE, International AVE and Larga Distancia trains.
- Avant: 25% off from Monday to Friday; 40% off on Saturdays and Sundays.
- Media Distancia: 40% off
- Cercanías: 40% off
Not applicable with any other discounts (except Familia Numerosa), and not valid with the return discount (descuento de Ida y vuelta).
Children under 14
- 0-3 year olds: Free if they don't occupy a seat, with a free Child ticket
- 4-14 year olds: 40% discount with their own ticket and seat on AVE, International AVE, Larga Distancia, Avant and Media Distancia trains.
- Avlo: Fixed-price €5 ticket for under 14s, max. 2 child tickets with each Básica ticket.
- Cercanías: Under 6s go free, up to 2 children per adult ticket.
- Rodalies: Under 4s go free.
- On AVE, International AVE, Larga Distancia and Avant trains: Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult or use the 'Minors travelling unaccompanied' services, which does not qualify for a child discount.
Renfe's punctuality promise
When you buy a Renfe ticket, it's useful to know what compensation you may be entitled to if your train is delated. Renfe has a punctuality promise which varies depending on the service you're travelling on and how late you arrive at your destination.
AVE, Avlo, Alvia, Euromed, Intercity and Larga Distancia
| Delay upon arrival | Compensation |
| 60 - 90 minutes | 50% of the ticket cost |
| More than 90 minutes | 100% of the ticket cost |
Avant
| Delay upon arrival | Compensation |
| More than 15 minutes | 50% of the ticket cost |
| More than 30 minutes | 100% of the ticket cost |
Media Distancia
| Delay upon arrival | Compensation |
| More than 15 minutes | 25% of the ticket cost |
| More than 30 minutes | 50% of the ticket cost |
| More than 60 minutes | 100% of the ticket cost |
Regional and Regional Express
| Delay upon arrival | Compensation |
| 30 - 44 minutes | 25% of the ticket cost |
| 45 - 59 minutes | 50% of the ticket cost |
| More than 60 minutes | 100% of the ticket cost |
Ave International (between France and Spain)
Journeys within Spain
| Delay upon arrival | Compensation |
| 60 minutes or more | 50% of the ticket cost |
| More than 90 minutes | 100% of the ticket cost |
Journeys within France
| Delay upon arrival | Compensation |
| 30 - 119 minutes | 25% of the ticket cost |
| 120 - 179 minutes | 50% of the ticket cost |
| More than 180 minutes | 75% of the ticket cost |
International corridor (between France and Spain)
| Delay upon arrival | Compensation |
| 30 - 119 minutes | 25% of the ticket cost |
| More than 120 minutes | 50% of the ticket cost |
Integrated tickets
Avant + Avant, Avant + Media Distancia, Media Distancia + Media Distancia
| Delay upon arrival | Compensation |
| 30 - 59 minutes | 50% of the ticket cost |
| 60+ minutes | 100% of the ticket cost |
Other integrated ticket types
| Delay upon arrival | Compensation |
| 60 - 89 minutes | 50% of the ticket cost |
| 90+ minutes | 100% of the ticket cost |
How to claim compensation
- You can claim compensation 24 hours after the train arrived at your destination.
- You must claim compensation within 3 months of your travel date.
- For many services, you can receive compensation as a refund to your original payment method, as a discount code for future travel or as Renfe Points (for Más Renfe loyalty members).
- The discount code will entitle you to an extra 50% of the ticket cost; if you opt for Renfe points, you'll get an extra 100%.
- En los servicios comerciales, Renfe permite recibir la indemnización mediante reembolso al método de pago original, un código de descuento para futuros viajes o Puntos Renfe (si eres miembro de Más Renfe).
- For Avant, Media Distancia and Regional trains, you'll get a refund via your original payment method.
Important: Not all delays are eligible for compensation. There are exceptions, such as delays communicated before the ticket was purchased, force majeure events and incidents related to speed limits on the railway.
Tickets bought from 31 Janaury 2026 will not be eligible for compensation when the delay is caused by temporary speed restrictions put in place by Adif, following the Sustainable Mobility Law (la Ley de Movilidad Sostenible) published on 4 December 2025.
What types of Renfe train are there?
Here's all the info you need on each type of Renfe train.
AVE
Alvia
Avant
Euromed
Avlo
Media Distancia
Regional and Regional Express
Intercity
Cercanías and Rodalies
Renfe, city by city
Whether you're travelling for business, holidays, or to visit family, with Renfe you can go almost anywhere in Spain thanks to its well-connected network!
Renfe in Madrid
Madrid is the hub of Renfe's train network, with two main stations: Madrid Atocha and Madrid Chamartín. AVE, Avlo, Alvia, Intercity and Avant services all depart from Madrid to practically all regions in Spain, and there's a large network of Media Distancia and Cercanías trains. The International AVE service to Marseille starts from Madrid too.
Renfe in Barcelona
Barcelona Sants station is served by AVE, Avlo, Alvia, Euromed, Avant, Media Distancia and Rodalies trains. AVE International trains to Marseille and Lyon call here.
Renfe in Seville
Sevilla Santa Justa station is served by AVE, Alvia, Intercity, Avant and Media Distancia trains. The AVE Madrid to Seville route, inaugurated in 1992, was the first high-speed line in Spain.
Renfe in Valencia
València Joaquín Sorolla and València Estació del Nord stations connect the city with Madrid (AVE and Avlo), with the Mediterranean Corridor (Euromed) and with the wider Valencia region (Avant and Media Distancia).
Renfe's cross-border trains
Travel even further with Renfe with cross-border trains to Portugal and France.
Renfe in Portugal
To Lisbon
Hop on the train in Madrid and arrive in Lisbon city centre.
To Porto with Intercity
You can travel from Vigo to Porto in two and a half hours on a Renfe Intercity train.
Renfe FAQs
Still got questions? Here are answers to some of our travellers' FAQs.