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Thinking about taking the train from Innsbruck Hbf to Santiago de Compostela? We’ve got you covered.
It usually takes around 31 hours 5 minutes to travel the 1016 miles (1636 km) from Innsbruck Hbf to Santiago de Compostela by train, although you can get there in as little as 28 hours 32 minutes on the fastest services. You’ll normally find around 6 trains per day running on this route. You’ll need to make 4 changes along the way as there aren't any direct services on this line. You can travel on this route with either AVE, Avlo or Renfe. As the main train operators on this route, all offer comfortable seating and plenty of space for luggage as standard.
Train tickets from Innsbruck Hbf to Santiago de Compostela are usually cheaper when you book in advance compared to buying them on the day. Start a search in our Journey Planner to check out the latest prices.
Keen to book your train tickets to Santiago de Compostela? No need to wait, start a search with us today! If you want to find out a bit more about the journey first, you can find our train timetable below, tips on booking cheap tickets and our FAQs, including first and last train times.
| First train | 04:31 | |
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| Last train | 17:47 | |
| Departure station | Innsbruck Hbf | |
| Arrival station | Santiago de Compostela | |
| Journey time | From 28h 32m | |
| Distance | 1016 miles (1636 km) | |
| Frequency | 6 trains per day | |
| Changes | 4 changes | |
| Train and bus operators | ALSA, Deutsche Bahn, Flixbus, Renfe, ÖBB |
The Deutsche Bahn Group is owned by the German State and controls the majority of rail traffic in Germany as well as in many border regions of the country. Every year, Deutsche Bahn transports several million passengers and many stations in Germany are served exclusively by DB trains, including the ICE, IC and EC fleet.
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.
ÖBB is the major railway company for Austria, subdivided into several subsidiaries, responsible for certain areas of transport, such as long distance and local transport, the operation of postal buses and the transport of goods. Railjet is ÖBB's high-speed train, which travels at speeds of up to 143 mph (230 km/h) and connects the main Austrian cities with Germany, Hungary, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Italy.
AVE is Renfe's flagship high-speed service, with trains capable of reaching up to 193 mph (310 km/h). It’s one of the fastest trains in Europe and connects the main cities of Spain. Most AVE trains offer two comfort classes – Estándard (Standard Class) and Confort (First Class equivalent, with 1-1 configuration, ultra-wide seats, gourmet food and drink and lounge access). All AVE trains have air conditioning, power sockets, free WiFi and a buffet carriage serving a selection of food and drinks. There are three fares for AVE services: the cheapest but least flexible Básico fare, the Elige fare (slightly pricier but more flexible), and the Premium fare for seats in Confort Class.
The Economy Class on ÖBB's ICE trains comes with plenty of amenities, including WiFi, generous luggage allowance and a restaurant and bistro carriage.
Want to travel in style? Upgrade to First Class and enjoy more legroom, adjustable seats and at-seat catering service.
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:
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:
Travel in Avlo’s Economy Class and you can connect to the free WiFi and grab some snacks from the vending machine.
What luggage limits are there? | You can take your luggage free of charge onboard all ÖBB ICE trains, provided that it is stowed in the luggage racks above or below your seat or in the areas provided for hand luggage. The pieces of luggage must not exceed the maximum dimensions of 90 x 60 x 40cm. These dimensions can only be exceeded if you’re travelling with skis and snowboards, ski and hiking poles, wind, string or plucked instruments, wheelchairs, or strollers. |
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What food and drink is available? | A restaurant carriage is available on most ÖBB ICE trains and offers a wide range of snacks and drinks. Vegan and vegetarian options are available too. If you upgrade to First Class, your meal of choice will be served straight to your seat. |
What onboard entertainment is available? | Unfortunately, ÖBB ICE trains do not offer an entertainment portal on board. Also, WiFi is not always available. |
What facilities are there for travel with children? | If you’re travelling with your child, you’ll get a discounted ticket. Children aged 0-5 travel for free on ÖBB ICE trains, while those aged 6-14 get a half-price ticket. Kids aged 15 or over need a full-price ticket. Many ÖBB ICE trains offer special compartments for children in Economy Class – they come with 6 seats and can be booked for any route. Breastfeeding compartments are available too – they have curtains that block the view for more privacy. These seats can’t be booked. |
Can I bring a bike on board? | You can travel with your bike for free on all ÖBB ICE trains, provided that it can be folded and is not larger than 90 cm x 60 cm x 40 cm. You won’t need to book a space for your bike. If you can’t fold your bike, you’ll need to buy a bike ticket to reserve your space. You can book your ticket up to 6 months in advance from ÖBB Ticketshop online. If possible, we recommend you print out your bike reservation and attach it to your bike where it is clearly visible to the ticket inspector. |
Can I bring pets on board? | Small pets can travel for free on ÖBB ICE trains if they’re placed in a carrier or cage. If you can’t carry them in a carrier or cage, you’ll need to buy a ticket for them. They must also be kept on a leash and equipped with a muzzle. Guide and assistance dogs are allowed on all trains at no additional cost and don’t need to wear a muzzle. |
What special assistance is available? | ÖBB ICE trains come with accessible toilets. Depending on the type of coach, several wheelchair bays including one seat for an accompanying person can be booked free of charge. On many trains, the wheelchair bays are in First Class. However, passengers with wheelchairs and the person accompanying them can travel in First Class with their Second Class tickets and can also make use of the at-seat meal service on offer there. |
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. |
What luggage limits are there? | If you are travelling with a Básica ticket on an Avlo train, you can travel with 1 piece of hand luggage and 1 suitcase. Both pieces of luggage are not subject to a weight limit, but the hand luggage cannot exceed 27 x 36 x 25 cm and the suitcase cannot exceed 55 x 35 x 25cm in dimensions. If you’d like to add 1 extra piece of luggage, you’ll need to pay a fee of €10 if you buy at the time of purchase and €30 if you get it at the station. |
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What food and drink is available? | On Avlo trains, there is no onboard dining service. However, you will find a vending machine, serving a diverse variety of hot and cold drinks and snacks. Please note that the vending machine only accepts card payment. |
What onboard entertainment is available? | If you’re travelling with Avlo, you can enjoy free WiFi through the PlayRenfe platform. As soon as you’re connected you can enjoy films, television shows, newspapers and much more. |
What facilities are there for travel with children? | Children under 3 years old travel for free with Avlo, as long as they do not occupy a seat. Children under 14 travel for €5 (maximum of 2 child tickets per adult). |
Can I bring a bike on board? | Only folding bikes and scooters are allowed on board Avlo trains, as long as they do not exceed the dimensions permitted for suitcases – 55 x 35 x 25cm. |
Can I bring pets on board? | You can travel with your pet for only €10, provided that you have a small pet, such as a dog, cat, ferret or bird (not poultry). Your pet must not weigh more than 10 kg and must travel inside a cage or carrier, which must not exceed dimensions of 60 x 35 x 35 cm. Please note there is a maximum of 1 pet per person and all pets must always travel with their own pet ticket and not take up a seat. Guide and assistance dogs are allowed on the train free of charge. |
What special assistance is available? | With Avlo, passengers with reduced mobility can request the assistance service. For more information, contact Avlo directly. |
For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.