Trains • Spain
Renfe Viajeros
Renfe is Spain's national rail operator. Its AVE (Alta Velocidad Española) high-speed trains run at up to 320 km/h and, since 2023, serve France on the Lyon-Barcelona and Marseille-Madrid routes.
Renfe and the AVE network, one of Europe's densest
Renfe Operadora was set up in 2005 by spinning off the former state company Renfe. It operates all of Spain's high-speed trains over 4,327 km of AVE high-speed lines, the second largest network in the world after China. AVE trains run at 310 km/h commercially on modernised lines and set a world test record at 404 km/h. Main routes include Madrid-Barcelona (2 h 30), Madrid-Seville (2 h 30), Madrid-Malaga (2 h 30) and Madrid-Valencia (1 h 40).
AVEs in France since 2023
Renfe launched its first commercial services in France in July 2023: Lyon Part-Dieu - Barcelona Sants via Perpignan, Figueres and Girona, then Marseille Saint-Charles - Madrid Puerta de Atocha via Montpellier, Perpignan, Zaragoza. Since late 2024, S100 trainsets have run up to 28 daily trips on the two axes; competition with SNCF has driven fares down 20% on Paris-Barcelona via a Lyon connection.
Renfe classes and services
AVE trains offer up to four classes depending on the line: Turista (2nd class, 2-2 seats), Turista Plus (2-2 with more space), Preferente (1-2, leather seats, meal at the seat, newspapers), Club (1-1, lounge access priority). The onboard catering service serves typical Spanish dishes (tapas, Iberian ham, wines). All trains offer free Wi-Fi via the PlayRenfe portal and individual sockets.
Travel guides
Renfe Viajeros
- Madrid
- Barcelone
- Séville
- Valence
- Saragosse
- Malaga
- Bilbao
- Lyon
- Marseille
- Perpignan
- Figueres
- Girona
- Montpellier
- Toulouse
