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Travelling from Mérida to Madrid Atocha by train
Looking to travel from Mérida to Madrid Atocha by train? You've come to the right place!
On average, it takes around 6 hours 5 minutes to travel from Mérida to Madrid Atocha by train, the fastest services can get you there in as little as 3 hours 47 minutes though. You'll usually find 6 trains per day running along the 174 miles (281 km) route between these two destinations. Once you're onboard, you can sit back and relax, as you won’t need to make any changes on your way to Madrid Atocha. This route is operated by Renfe, the Spanish national rail operator, who run long and medium distance trains across the country. During you journey you're likely to travel on one of their high-speed services – AVE, AV-City, Avant, Alvia or Avlo – or a regional Media Distancia, Regional or Express Regional train.
Plan your trip ahead of time and book early if you want to snap up the cheapest fares. Tickets from Mérida to Madrid Atocha start from £33.50 when you book in advance, so use our Journey Planner to view the latest prices.
If you’re feeling ready to book, start looking for cheap train tickets with us today. Keep reading for more information on the journey to Madrid Atocha by train, including our timetable where you can view first and last train times.
Trains to Madrid Atocha from Mérida
It takes an average of 6h 5m to travel from Mérida to Madrid Atocha by train, over a distance of around 174 miles (281 km). There are normally 6 trains per day travelling from Mérida to Madrid Atocha and tickets for this journey start from £33.50 when you book in advance.
| First train | 07:56 | |
|---|---|---|
| Last train | 20:39 | |
| Departure station | Mérida | |
| Arrival station | Madrid Atocha | |
| Journey time | From 3h 47m | |
| Distance | 174 miles (281 km) | |
| Frequency | 6 trains per day | |
| Changes | Direct trains available | |
| Price | From £33.50 | |
| Train and bus operators |
What do people frequently ask about the train journey from Mérida to Madrid Atocha?
Want to know more about your journey from Mérida to Madrid Atocha? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
Can you take a train directly from Mérida to Madrid Atocha?
How close is Mérida to Madrid Atocha by train?
Which train companies operate from Mérida to Madrid Atocha?
Is it possible to get from Mérida to Madrid Atocha without flying?
What is the best way to travel from Mérida to Madrid Atocha?
What time does the first train from Mérida to Madrid Atocha leave?
What time does the last train from Mérida to Madrid Atocha leave?
How often are trains from Mérida to Madrid Atocha?
Do you need to book the train from Mérida to Madrid Atocha in advance?
Can you buy return train tickets from Mérida to Madrid Atocha?
Renfe, Alvia and Media Distancia trains from Mérida to Madrid Atocha
Renfe
Alvia
Media Distancia
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.
More information
Renfe's Alvia services combine high-speed tracks with lower speed sections, reaching speeds of up to 155 mph (250 km/h) on international lines and 125 mph (200 km/h) on conventional lines. These trains connect the cities of Madrid, Barcelona and Alicante with the other main Spanish cities. Alvia offers two types of classes – Turista (Second Class) and Preferente (First Class). The latter has wider seats, carriages with fewer seats, offers complimentary food and drinks, free newspapers, and access to parking and Club meeting rooms.
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Renfe's Media Distancia are regional trains operated by CAF locomotives that run on medium-distance routes not covered by Avant high-speed trains. Most Media Distancia trains have one class. However, there are some that will have Turista (Second Class) and Preferente (First Class). These trains also have spaces for bicycles, and all seats are equipped with power sockets and reading lights.
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What Alvia classes are there from Mérida to Madrid Atocha?
Compare the different travel classes offered by Alvia when travelling from Mérida to Madrid Atocha.
Estándar
Travel in Alvia's Estándar Class (Standard Class) and you'll enjoy many amenities, including air-conditioning, at-seat power sockets and footrests.
- Luggage storage
- Fold-down table
- Adjustable seats/footrests
- More legroom
Confort
Upgrade to Alvia's Confort Class (First Class) and enjoy comfier seats, more legroom, an at-seat catering service and access to Renfe's Club lounges.
- Luggage storage
- Fold-down table
- Adjustable seats/footrests
- More legroom
What are the onboard services on Alvia?
Discover more about the onboard services offered on trains from Mérida to Madrid Atocha.
What luggage limits are there? | On Alvia trains you can take up to three pieces of luggage on board, provided that they are less than 290cm long and weigh less than 25kg in total. Pushchairs and instruments smaller than 30 x 120 x 38 cm are also classed as hand luggage. |
|---|---|
What food and drink is available? | Most Alvia trains have an onboard café-bar, as well as an at-seat trolley service with a wide selection of food and drinks. |
What onboard entertainment is available? | On board Alvia services, you can connect to PlayRenfe, a platform offering free WiFi and hours of entertainment. |
What facilities are there for travel with children? | Children under 4 travel free on Alvia services with a free child's ticket. Plus, passengers under 14 get a 40% discount on their chosen tariff. |
Can I bring a bike on board? | With Alvia, folded bicycles that are less than 180cm long and are stored in a case count as hand luggage. If your bike is larger than this, it will count as special luggage and must be no larger than 120 x 90 x 40 cm - you must also detach the pedals and rotate the handlebars 90 degrees. |
Can I bring pets on board? | You can take your pet with you if they weigh less than 10kg, travel in a carrier no larger than 60 x 35 x 35 cm, and have a pet ticket. In Elige Confort a pet ticket is free, while in Básico a pet ticket costs 25% of the price of a ticket. |
What special assistance is available? | Alvia has an assistance service for passengers with reduced mobility or a disability. To arrange assistance, you can call (+34) 900 400 555 (international calling charges may apply). |
How do I find cheap train tickets from Mérida to Madrid Atocha?
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.