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| Santa Justa train station in Seville |
RENFE TRAINS IN ANDALUCIA
Spain's modern, extensive, efficient railway system makes travelling by train in Andalucia a delight. Thanks to excellent infrastructure, comfortable and (mostly) fast trains, and reliable service, more and more travellers are choosing this relaxing, environmentally-friendly form of transport in order to get the best out of their time in Andalucia. So sit back and enjoy the view.
The Spanish railway network is run by the state-owned company Renfe (Red Nacional de Ferrocarriles Españoles). In recent years, Renfe has made a tremendous investment in Spain's railway network, particularly in the new high-speed (Alta Velocidad Española, or AVE) rail system.
New low-cost, high-speed trains
Iryo
Italian operator Iryo launched its Madrid to Malaga via Cordoba and Antequera service and its Madrid to Seville via Cordoba service on 31st March 2023 with two trains a day in each direction. Trains are painted in a distinctive red livery.
Avlo
RENFE’s low-cost brand Avlo launched its Madrid to Malaga and Madrid to Seville service on 1st June 2023 with one train a day on each rout in each direction. Intermediate stops from Malaga are Antequera Santa Ana, Puente Genil, Cordoba, Los Pedroches, Puertollano and Cuidad Real. Intermediate stops from Seville are Cordoba, Los Pedroches - Puertollano and Cuidad Real. The service comprises refurbished AVE units on one class painted in distinctive purple livery. The buffet car is replaced by vending machines.
Ouigo
In Summer 2024 French SNCF operator Ouigo will launch Madrid to Seville and Madrid to Malaga service. The SNCF Euroduplex train units are distinctive ‘double decker’ units with 509 seats and a buffet service. The launch has been delayed twice due to complication to adapt the units to Spanish ADIF signalling systems. Trains are painted white with distinctive large blue and red spot livery.
Free train tickets - 2022/2023
The 'free train tickets' (commuter) scheme was first announced in 2022, extended is extended into 2023. These tickets, which are open to all nationalities, not just Spanish and residents, are an environmental measure designed to encourage commuters to use the train, thereby reducing CO2 emissions.
Anyone can buy a season ticket or a multi-trip ticket from RENFE for journeys between two specified destinations. For local trains (cercanías) the cost of the pass is 10€, and for medium-distance trains it is 20€. Once you have completed 16 journeys between the two cities within the four-month period (Jan to April 2023, May to Aug 2023) the (10 or 20€) cost of the pass (season or multi trip ticket) is refunded. If you don't make 16 trips, the cost is not refunded. There are no free offers for ordinary single or return tickets.
Here we offer you a guide to Andalucia’s convenient rail network and ticketing system.
Train Stations in Andalucia
Here is a table which lists the AVE and other main train stations found in Andalucía.
| AVE Stations | Main Stations |
|---|---|
| • Seville Santa Justa | • Cadiz |
| • Cordoba | • Jerez |
| • Malaga Maria Zambrano | • Algeciras |
| • Granada | • Huelva |
| • Puente Genil-Herrera | • Almería |
| • Antequera Santa Ana | • Jaén |
| • Antequera Cuidad AV (opened 25 Jan 2023) | |
| • Villanueva de Cordoba - Los Pedroches | • Ronda |
| • Loja | • Guadix |
Book your direct and hassle-free transfer direct from Málaga Airport to your hotel or holiday-rental and return. Choose from minibus to private car with driver.
TYPES OF TRAINS
Cadiz train station is located off Plaza de Sevilla on the eastern or bay side of the city near the port. The old station building is located behind the Aduana (customs) building and the trains… More →
There are several modern metro systems in Andalucia in the cities of Sevilla (opened in 2008), Malaga (opened in 2014) and Granada (opened in 2017). The Tramvia link from Chiclana to Puerto Real… More →
Spain´s Vías Verdes (railway paths) are one of Andalucia´s lesser known rural attractions and a great way to discover the countryside off the sometimes well-beaten track. In the 1960s the Spanish… More →
These trains, which travel at about 75km/h. offer services into the cities Seville, Malaga and Cadiz from their suburbs and towns: Málaga to Fuengirola, Málaga to Álora, Seville to Utrera, Seville… More →
Medium Distance (MD) regional trains offer a network of routes between major cities and smaller provincial towns in Andalucia. The medium-distance services go under various names, the main… More →
Alvia is the name of high-speed services (though not as fast as the AVE) which connect the major cities of Andalucia with the Spanish capital, Madrid. Avant trains are fast (250km/h) medium-… More →
It is no exaggeration to say that the AVE (Tren de Alta Velocidad Española), which started in 1992 in time for Sevilla's Expo, changed the face of Andalucía. Suddenly, you could get to Madrid from… More →
TICKETS
Medium distance train
It is advisable to buy tickets in advance. This can be done on the RENFE website or by an online agent whose website is fully operational in English. Andalucia.com have affiliate partnered with Trainline for online RENFE tickets. You can also order tickets by phone, at the station itself, or at a RENFE appointed travel agent (small commission).
You can buy your ticket up to 60 days before your travel date. In the first two cases, you are either given a booking reference, which you then use to print out the tickets themselves from a machine at the main station, or you can print them out at home.
If you're travelling at the weekend or on a holiday or puente (long weekend), it is even more important to buy your ticket beforehand as the station may well be extremely busy, and seats may sell out.
If you're buying your ticket from the station on the same day you're travelling, arrive with plenty of time to spare, as queues can be long. Make sure you choose the right queue: if you're travelling within six hours, choose 'venta inmediata'; for further in advance, it's 'venta anticipada'. Also, you need to know which type of ticket you're buying. If you're sure you know what you're doing (type of ticket, service etc), you can even buy your ticket at an automatic machine.
Timetables and Tickets
Below are a selection of the most popular AVE train routes in Andalucia, click on the buttons to take you through to one of our partner's sites, input your dates and check the timetables for your trains.
FARES AND REFUNDS
Book in advance for the most economical fares; the best offers are online. Some services, including the AVE and fast long-distance services, offer a discount on the return leg of your journey.
Children under four travel free (under six on Cercanias), providing they don't occupy a seat; from aged four to eleven they get a 40% discount. If you have three or more children and live in Spain, you can apply for a "Familia Numerosa" card and obtain a 20 percent discount for all family members.
You can also find fares reduced by between 25 and 40%, for those aged under 26 years (Carnet Joven), or over 60 (Tarjeta Dorada, for Spanish residents only).
Ticket costs may be partially or fully refunded if a train does not arrive on time, depending on the cause of the delay and how late the train arrives at its final destination. Be sure to save your proof of purchase, and if your train arrives late, ask a RENFE representative for more information regarding whether you're eligible for a refund and, if so, how to obtain one.
CLASSES
The faster trains (AVE, for example - see below) offer different classes (club, preferente, turista) compartments. First class offers reclining seat, refreshments served at your seat; while both classes have audio/video on AVE and fast long-distance services. All trains are non-smoking.
PASSES
Eurail Spain-Portugal pass offers five days of unlimited travel within one-month period.
PETS AND BIKES
You can take a small pet with you on the train (cats, dogs, birds, weighing up to 6kg, in a cage measuring maximum 65x35x35 cm). Only one animal allowed per passenger. The fare is 50% of the normal tariff. You can take your bike on trains, but subject to space available.
REFRESHMENTS
Most local and medium-distance trains will have snack and soft drink dispensing machine; the faster ones also have a cafeteria service, offering hot and cold soft drinks, alcohol, snacks and sandwiches.
Lost Property
Lost property found on trains or stations is kept by RENFE for two months, Here is the lost property page on the RENFE website (in Spainsh) with contact details. It states that lost property is written into a register with their reference, description, time and date and place of discovery. The owners of these objects may request the delivery, providing that payment of the transport and any other expenses is made by the owner. If not claimed objects are placed in a public auction.
If lost on platforms or trains of AVE, Larga Distancia, Avant y Media Distancia Convencional send an email to [email protected]
If lost on the local ‘Cercanias' trains call the following numbers:
Cádiz : 856 170 290.
Málaga : 952 128 079.
Sevilla : 954 485 672.
Disabled Facilities
Renfe Atendo service provides free assistance for railway passengers with reduced mobility or other disabilities. As a specialised service, it offers passengers guidance, information and help with access to and transit at stations, as well as assistance for getting on and off trains. Here is the Atendo service section on RENFE website.
Different rail services offered
- International trains More>
- High-speed long-distance trains (AVE) More>
- Fast long-distance and medium-distance trains More>
- Ordinary medium-distance (regional) trains More>
- Local commuter trains (Cercanias) More>
