Travelling around Spain by Train
Travelling around Spain by train: comfort, landscapes, and connected cities
Spain is one of the best-connected countries by train in all of Europe. Its extensive railway network—which combines high-speed lines with traditional routes—allows travellers to tour historic cities, natural landscapes, and very diverse regions in a comfortable, sustainable, and practical way. Travelling by train has become a perfect alternative for those who want to travel without stress, avoiding roads or airports, and enjoying the journey almost as much as the destination.
From major cultural capitals like Madrid, Barcelona, or Valencia, to monumental cities like Seville, Córdoba, or Zaragoza, as well as green landscapes in the north or Mediterranean coasts, the train offers an accessible and efficient way to discover Spain.
➤ High Speed: speed to connect major cities
The Spanish High-Speed (AVE) network is one of the most extensive in the world. It allows long distances to be connected in a few hours, making it possible to travel from one end of the country to another on the same day.
- Madrid – Barcelona: about 2.5 hours.
- Madrid – Seville: around 2.5 hours.
- Madrid – Valencia: 1 hour and 40 minutes.
- Barcelona – Málaga: fast and comfortable connections.
These routes make train travel an excellent alternative for short breaks or business trips.
➤ Mid-distance routes: a quiet way to discover the country
Beyond the AVE, Spain has an extensive network of mid-distance trains that connect villages, intermediate cities, and natural regions of great beauty.
- Galicia: routes between A Coruña, Vigo, Santiago, Lugo, or Ourense.
- Cantabrian Region: connections between Bilbao, Santander, Oviedo, or Gijón.
- Extremadura: trains to Cáceres, Mérida, and Badajoz.
- Castile and León: routes to Salamanca, León, Zamora, or Burgos.
They are perfect for those who want to travel calmly, enjoy the scenery, and discover less crowded destinations.
➤ Tourist trains: a cultural experience on rails
Spain features tourist trains that combine history, gastronomy, nature, and comfort.
- Transcantábrico: runs along the northern coast from Galicia to the Basque Country, one of the most beautiful railway routes in the country.
- Strawberry Train (Tren de la Fresa): a historic journey between Madrid and Aranjuez.
- Sóller Train: in Mallorca, one of the most picturesque trains in the Mediterranean.
They are ideal options for those looking for more than just transportation: a travel experience in itself.
➤ Advantages of travelling around Spain by train
The train has become one of the best ways to travel around Spain thanks to its multiple advantages:
- Comfort: spacious seats, silence, possibility of working or reading.
- Sustainability: it is one of the most ecological means of transport.
- Punctuality: especially on high-speed lines.
- City centre focus: stations are located right in the urban centre.
- No long security checks: it is enough to arrive a few minutes before the train.
A perfect option for those seeking efficiency without giving up the enjoyment of the journey.
➤ Travelling around Spain by train: essential destinations
The Spanish railway network allows travellers to visit cities that are very different from each other:
- Madrid: cultural epicentre, museums, and gastronomy.
- Barcelona: modernism, beach, and Mediterranean life.
- Seville: Andalusian tradition, Santa Cruz quarter, and Giralda.
- Valencia: avant-garde art and urban beaches.
- Zaragoza: history, Mudejar art, and Basilica del Pilar.
- León, Burgos, or Salamanca: historic cities perfect for cultural getaways.
- Galicia: trains that connect Santiago, A Coruña, and the rest of the region.
Travelling by train allows you to discover Spain's enormous cultural and geographical variety comfortably and accessibly.
➤ A perfect country for touring on rails
Spain is a destination that adapts perfectly to the rail traveller: reasonable distances, central stations, agile connections, and changing landscapes that make every journey an experience.
Touring the country by train is a more conscious, more relaxed, and more authentic way to travel.
