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Travel from Bologna to Málaga by train in 28 hours 7 minutes
If you want to know more about the journey from Bologna to Málaga by train, look no further!
The average journey time from Bologna to Málaga by train is 30 hours 8 minutes, although on the fastest services it can take just 28 hours 7 minutes. Around 7 trains per day travel the 983 miles (1583 km) between these two destinations. You'll need to make 4 changes along the way to Málaga. You're likely to be travelling with AVE, Renfe or Trenitalia to Málaga. As the main train operators on this route, all offer plenty of space for luggage and comfortable seating as standard.
Book train tickets from Bologna to Málaga in advance instead of buying them on the day and you'll snap up the cheapest fares. You can check prices from Bologna to Málaga in our Journey Planner.
Ready to book? Start your search for cheap train tickets with us today. Keep reading for more information, including our timetable where you can view first and last train times, as well as tips on how to find cheap train tickets.
What do people frequently ask about the train journey from Bologna to Málaga?
Want to know more about your journey from Bologna to Málaga? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
Are there direct trains from Bologna to Málaga?
What's the distance between Bologna and Málaga by train?
Who runs the trains from Bologna to Málaga?
Can you travel from Bologna to Málaga without taking a flight?
What is the best way to get to Málaga from Bologna?
What time is the first train from Bologna to Málaga?
What time is the last train from Bologna to Málaga?
How often do trains go from Bologna to Málaga?
Do you need to prebook train tickets from Bologna to Málaga?
Is there a return trip from Bologna to Málaga?
Italo, Trenitalia, iryo and Renfe trains from Bologna to Málaga
Italo
Trenitalia
iryo
Renfe
Italo is a high-speed train operator that runs services between many of the major cities across Italy. All Italo trains are modern, air conditioned, and have free WiFi available for all travellers. There are four comfort classes, or "ambiances", as Italo like to call them – Smart (the cheapest price), Comfort (with wider seats and extra legroom), Prima (with a welcome selection of food and drink, fast track boarding and extra space), and Executive Club (with all Prima services, extra-wide seats, access to Italo Club lounges and personal entertainment screens at your seat).
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Trenitalia is the national railway company of Italy, with a fleet including high-speed trains (Frecciarossa, Frecciargento and Frecciabianca), Intercity and Intercity night trains and regional trains. Trenitalia offers discounts and special promotions on selected routes, two types of discounted tickets for young people under 30 and people over 60.
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Operating since the end of 2022, iryo is a new high-speed train company in Spain. It’s a consortium between the Spanish airline Air Norstrum and the train company Trenitalia, one of the greatest leaders in European rail transport. The first private Spanish high-speed company to operate, iryo runs high-speed services on the Madrid – Zaragoza – Barcelona route and connects Madrid – Cuenca – Valencia/Alicante and Madrid – Cordoba – Seville/Malaga. They are doing this all with a fleet of ETR1000 model trains that offer the highest level of comfort in Spain, with a combination of advanced propulsion and highest quality onboard services, including WiFi connection and catering service. 98% of the parts of the trains are 100% recyclable, making this trip sustainable as well!
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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.
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What Italo, iryo and AVE classes are there from Bologna to Málaga?
Compare the different travel classes offered by Italo, iryo and AVE when travelling from Bologna to Málaga.
Italo
iryo
AVE
Smart
Although Smart is Italo’s standard and cheapest class, you won’t miss out on the fantastic service! This class provides you with the following amenities:
- Vending machine
- Entertainment portal
- Leather seats
- Power sockets at each seat
- Free WiFi
- Welcome service
- Fast track
- More legroom
- Free magazines/newspapers
- Salotto
- Personal screens
- Catering at your seat
Prima
In addition to all the perks of Italo Smart, Italo Prima also provides a little extra, such as a dedicated Fast Track service and a welcome service.
- Vending machine
- Entertainment portal
- Leather seats
- Power sockets at each seat
- Free WiFi
- Welcome service
- Fast track
- More legroom
- Free magazines/newspapers
- Salotto
- Personal screens
- Catering at your seat
Club Executive
If you fancy travelling in style, upgrade to Italo Club Executive and enjoy dedicated catering service, personal screens, and free entry to Italo Club Lounge.
- Vending machine
- Entertainment portal
- Leather seats
- Power sockets at each seat
- Free WiFi
- Welcome service
- Fast track
- More legroom
- Free magazines/newspapers
- Salotto
- Personal screens
- Catering at your seat
Inicial
If you're looking for a reasonably-priced experience without compromising on the best service and comfort, Inicial Class is ideal for you!
- Luggage storage
- Entertainment portal
- Adjustable seats/footrests
- Fold-down table
- Power sockets at each seat
- Free WiFi
- Trolley service
- Single seat options
- Only YOU Hotel access
- Catering at your seat
Singular
Singular Class is ideal for business travellers looking for flexibility and comfort. If you need to, you can adapt your ticket to your needs at the time.
- Luggage storage
- Entertainment portal
- Adjustable seats/footrests
- Fold-down table
- Power sockets at each seat
- Free WiFi
- Trolley service
- Single seat options
- Only YOU Hotel access
- Catering at your seat
Singular Only YOU
If you're looking for added comfort and full flexibility, Singular Only YOU class is a fantastic choice, with access to select hotels too.
- Luggage storage
- Entertainment portal
- Adjustable seats/footrests
- Fold-down table
- Power sockets at each seat
- Free WiFi
- Trolley service
- Single seat options
- Only YOU Hotel access
- Catering at your seat
Infinita Bistró
iryo's Infinita Bistró Class offers plenty of amenities on board, including wider leather reclining seats, free WiFi and at-seat meal service offering a complimentary gourmet meal. You'll need to book your meal 24 hours in advance.
- Luggage storage
- Entertainment portal
- Adjustable seats/footrests
- Fold-down table
- Power sockets at each seat
- Free WiFi
- Trolley service
- Single seat options
- Only YOU Hotel access
- Catering at your seat
Estándar (Standard Class)
In AVE's Estándar Class, you'll enjoy comfortable fuss-free travel. With luggage storage and air-conditioning throughout, there's access to their bar/restaurant carriage serving drinks and snacks and seats are usually in a row of 2 or 4 around a table. On board, you'll enjoy:
- Free WiFi
- Seat reservation
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Entertainment portal
- Fold-down table
- Reading light
- Power sockets at each seat
- Catering at your seat
- Lounge access
- Larger tables
Confort (First Class)
Onboard AVE's Confort Class, you’ll enjoy all the amenities of Estándar Class as well as extra perks, such as complimentary food and drinks, free newspapers and more. Don't forget to enjoy access to Renfe's Club Rooms before your trip to kick it off in style. On board, you'll enjoy:
- Free WiFi
- Seat reservation
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Entertainment portal
- Fold-down table
- Reading light
- Power sockets at each seat
- Catering at your seat
- Lounge access
- Larger tables
What are the onboard services on Italo, iryo and AVE?
Discover more about the onboard services offered on trains from Bologna to Málaga.
Italo
iryo
AVE
What luggage limits are there? |
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What food and drink is available? | While there’s no bar or restaurant carriage on Italo trains, you can use the vending machines on board to get snacks and drinks during your journey. |
What onboard entertainment is available? |
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What facilities are there for travel with children? |
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Can I bring a bike on board? |
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Can I bring pets on board? |
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What special assistance is available? | Priority seats for passengers with reduced mobility are available on Italo trains. They’re usually located next to an accessible toilet. All accessible toilets also have tactile and Braille signs. |
What else do I need to know? | Air-conditioning is available on all Italo trains, as well as at-seat power sockets. |
What luggage limits are there? | Iryo's luggage policy varies by class. With an Inicial ticket, you can take one carry-on bag measuring 36 x 27 x 15 cm and one cabin suitcase measuring 55 x 35 x 25 cm. With a Singular (and Singular Only YOU) ticket, you can also take one large suitcase measuring 80 x 55 x 35 cm. The Infinita Bistró fare includes all of the above and also allows travel with one pet inside a carrier. |
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What food and drink is available? | iryo offers different menus with high-quality products in all classes. You can buy your favourite meal from their onboard restaurant/bar carriage, which is usually near coach 2. If you’re travelling in the Infinita Bistró Class, you can enjoy the Infinita Bistró food service – your meal will be served straight to your seat. Please note that you’ll need to book your meal at least 24 hours in advance. |
What onboard entertainment is available? | You can enjoy free WiFi in all classes on iryo trains, as well as an onboard entertainment platform providing a wide selection of movies, TV series, live news and Spotify. |
What facilities are there for travel with children? | Children aged 0-3 travel for free on all iryo trains. Children aged 4-13 get a discounted ticket while those aged 14-18 need to pay the full price. Please note that children aged under 18 need to be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians. |
Can I bring a bike on board? | You can take your bike on board iryo trains for free if it’s folded and does not exceed 90 x 120 x 40cm. Also, your bike must travel without the pedals and with the handlebar rotated 90 degrees. |
Can I bring pets on board? | iryo allows pets that do not exceed 10kg in weight, as long as they travel inside a carrier with a maximum size of 60 x 35 x 35cm. You'll need to buy a ticket for your pet in advance. In addition, guide dogs can travel at no additional cost. |
What special assistance is available? | There are seats for people with reduced mobility on iryo trains. Step-free access is also available both when boarding and when getting off the train. |
What luggage limits are there? | With AVE, you can travel with up to 3 pieces of luggage that do not exceed 290 cm and 25 kg. In total, the maximum measurements of each piece of luggage are 85 x 55 x 35 cm. Musical instruments also count as hand luggage as long as they do not exceed the dimensions 30 x 120 x 38 cm and are stored in a case. |
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What food and drink is available? | If you’d like to stretch your legs and grab a coffee during your journey, AVE trains have an onboard bar carriage serving drinks and snacks. If you’d prefer to stay in your seat, AVE staff sell food and drinks from a trolley that will pass through the train during the journey. |
What onboard entertainment is available? | On AVE trains, you can take advantage of PlayRenfe – their free WiFi and entertainment service. Giving you access to exclusive content and fast connection speeds, PlayRenfe can be downloaded from the app store on your phone. Once you’re connected, you can access the PlayRenfe portal, where you’ll find exclusive live sport, news, films and TV series. |
What facilities are there for travel with children? | Children under 3 years old travel for free with AVE, as long as they do not occupy a seat and have their free child ticket. Children from 3 to 14 years old can take advantage of a 40% discount on ticket prices. |
Can I bring a bike on board? | On all AVE trains, each passenger can take one bicycle or scooter on board, as long as it’s folded and carried inside a case. Also, the pedals must be removed and handlebars turned 90 degrees. Lastly, if the sum of the dimensions of the case is less than 180cm, it is considered as hand luggage. However, if it’s bigger, it will be considered as special luggage (max dimensions 120 x 90 x 40 cm). |
Can I bring pets on board? | With AVE, you can travel with a pet as long as it weighs no more than 10 kg and travels inside a cage or carrier (60 x 35 x 35 cm). Your pet must have their own pet ticket, unless you’re travelling with a Premium ticket, in which case the pet ticket is free. Guide and assistance dogs travel for free. |
What special assistance is available? | AVE offer a free assistance and care service for people with reduced mobility. To request the service, passengers should contact AVE directly. |
How do I find cheap train tickets from Bologna to Málaga?
If you’re planning a trip to Europe soon, our Trainline team of experts have put together some tips to help you find cheap tickets. Booking on the day in Europe is usually more expensive and costs can vary depending on the time of day, route or travel class.
1. Book in advance
2. Be flexible with your travel times
3. Buy a rail pass
4. Choose a slower or connecting train
5. Look out for train ticket sales and discounts
6. Take a night train
For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.