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The average journey time by train between Alicante and Barcelona is 7 hours and 10 minutes, with around 8 trains per day. However, the fastest Euromed services operated by Renfe can get you there in as little as 4 hours and 25 minutes.
Settle into the comfortable high-speed train kitted out with wide seats while you enjoy the picturesque views. Tuck into tasty snacks from the food carriage or consider booking First Class seats for food and drink served to your seat.
Whether you’re heading to Barcelona for a wander along Las Ramblas or to admire La Sagrada Familia, travelling by train means your journey starts and ends in both city centres, cutting out the hassle of airport transfers and waiting around before your flight.
Want to learn more about travelling from Alicante to Barcelona by train? Start your search for tickets in our Journey Planner at the top of the page or keep reading for train times, FAQs about the journey and tips on how to find cheap train tickets from Alicante to Barcelona.
First train | 06:55 | |
---|---|---|
Last train | 20:00 | |
Departure station | Alicante Terminal | |
Arrival station | Barcelona | |
Journey time | From 5h 14m | |
Distance | 253 miles (408 km) | |
Frequency | 8 trains per day | |
Changes | Direct trains available | |
Price | From £29.58 | |
Train and bus operators |
Renfe is the national train operator in Spain. It operates trains on the longest high-speed railway network in Europe, and the second-longest in the world. The country's major cities are linked up by the high-speed AVE and Avlo trains, while other long-distance routes are served by Altaria, Talgo, Alvia and Euromed trains. Renfe also operates cross-border services into neighbouring Portugal and France. Depending on which service you are travelling on, you'll usually find two classes on Renfe trains - Estándard (Standard Class) and Confort (First Class). Fare types range from the cheapest (but least flexible) Básico fare, to the more flexible Elige fares, to the Premium fare for seats in Confort carriages.
Euromed is Renfe's high-speed service that travels along the Mediterranean coast. Able to travel at 155 mph (250 km/h), Euromed trains run on the Barcelona – Tarragona – Castellón – Valencia – Alicante route - also known as the "Mediterranean Corridor". With a frequency of up to 12 daily trips between these cities, Euromed trains offer two classes on board – Turista (Second Class) and Preferente (First Class). Designed by Talgo, the trains that run between Barcelona and Alicante offer 63 seats in Preferente and 236 in Turista, with 11 carriages (including a food carriage) and two locomotives, which allows them to travel in both directions.
Most of the train companies across Europe release their tickets around three to six months in advance, many of which can be cheaper the earlier you book. If you know the dates you want to travel, you may be able to find some cheaper train tickets from Alicante Terminal to Barcelona by booking early.§
Many of the train services in Europe are also popular commuter services, lots of train companies increase ticket prices during “peak hours” (generally between 06:00 – 10:00 and 15:00 – 19:00 on weekdays). If you can, consider travelling outside of peak hours to find lower priced tickets.
On some of the busier routes, you might also have the option to take a slower or connecting train. It may take a little longer than some high-speed or direct services, but if you have a little extra time on your hands, you might find a cheaper fare. Plus, you'll have more time to enjoy the view of the countryside!
Take a look at our handy guides to find out when train operators release their special deals and offers to see if you can find cheap European train tickets for your journey.
For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.