Travelling between Spanish cities by train, coach or plane

Terms used

• Tarjeta Dorada — The Tarjeta Dorada is a Renfe discount card for people aged 60 or over.
• Carné Joven — The Carné Joven is the European Youth Card, which gives holders aged 14 to 30 some Renfe discounts.
• Abonos — Abonos are season passes that give a large discount for repeated trips on one route.
• Cercanías — Cercanías are Renfe's commuter trains around big cities.

Key rules

• Cheapest fares: The cheapest train fares are usually the least flexible, so check change and refund conditions before paying.
• Low-cost extras: Avlo, Ouigo and low-cost airlines charge extra for luggage and seat choice.
• Compare: Compare Renfe, Iryo and Ouigo on the same day, since prices differ by operator.
• Coach: Coaches are normally cheaper than high-speed trains but slower.

Which option fits your trip

Between big cities, high-speed train is usually the best choice. On routes under about 3 to 4 hours, rail often beats flying door to door. Coaches are cheaper but slower. Flights make most sense for the islands (Balearics, Canaries), Ceuta and Melilla, and very long trips such as Barcelona to Seville or Galicia. The comparison below sets the options side by side.

Trains: who runs what

Three operators run high-speed trains.

• Renfe runs AVE, the full-service brand with several fare classes. It also runs Avlo, the low-cost brand, mostly on Madrid–Barcelona, Madrid–Valencia, Madrid–Málaga, Madrid–Seville and Madrid–Zaragoza.
• Ouigo is low-cost. It runs Madrid–Barcelona, Madrid–Valencia, Madrid–Alicante and Madrid–Seville.
• Iryo sits between the two, with several classes. It runs Madrid–Barcelona, Madrid–Valencia, Madrid–Alicante, Madrid–Seville, Madrid–Málaga and Madrid–Zaragoza.

Renfe is the only operator on many other routes, such as Galicia, Asturias and Cantabria. Routes change often, so check the operators' timetables.

Avlo and Ouigo charge extra for luggage and seat choice. Add those extras before you compare prices.

When to book

Renfe usually opens sales 2 to 3 months ahead on AVE and Larga Distancia, with extra releases for peak dates. Iryo and Ouigo open about 3 to 6 months ahead, sometimes longer. Booking 3 to 8 weeks ahead usually gives the cheapest tickets, and prices rise as the train fills. Last-minute fares on busy routes are often much higher, though low-cost brands sometimes keep cheap seats on midweek trains. Compare Renfe, Iryo and Ouigo on the same day.

Changes and cancellations

Flexibility depends on the fare, so read the conditions before you pay.

• Renfe: the cheapest fares (Básico, Promo) are usually non-changeable and non-refundable, or only partly refundable. Elige fares allow changes and partial refunds for a fee. Premium fares allow free or low-cost changes and refunds.
• Ouigo: the basic fare has no changes. Paid options allow changes and cancellation, usually for a fee.
• Iryo: Smart is tightly restricted. Singular and Infinita give more flexibility.

Fees are normally a share of the ticket price and rise nearer departure.

Discounts

Renfe sells several discount products. Prices and percentages change often, so check current figures with Renfe.

• Tarjeta Dorada: for people aged 60 or over, with a discount on long-distance and medium-distance trains on selected days or fares. It costs a modest fee and lasts several years.
• Carné Joven: holders aged 14 to 30 get a discount on some Renfe long-distance fares.
• Más Renfe: a free loyalty programme that earns points towards free or discounted trips.
• Abonos: season passes for Cercanías (commuter), Avant and Media Distancia, and AVE routes. They give a large discount for repeated trips on one route.

Since 2025 the state has funded free or heavily subsidised multi-trip passes for Cercanías and Media Distancia, with a deposit and conditions. These discounts apply to Renfe. Ouigo and Iryo have their own schemes.

Coaches

Book on the operator's website or app, through a comparison site, or at bus station desks and machines. ALSA is the largest operator. Others include Avanza, Socibus, Monbus, Flixbus and BlaBlaBus.

Fares depend on distance and how early you book. Expect roughly 10 to 25 euros for 2 to 3 hour routes and 25 to 50 euros for long routes such as Madrid–Barcelona or Madrid–Seville. Advance fares are cheaper and peak times cost more.

Flights

Low-cost airlines (Ryanair, Vueling, Volotea, easyJet) usually include only a small under-seat bag. Cabin bags, hold bags, seat choice and airport check-in cost extra, and fees rise at the airport. Add these to the price before you compare. Baggage rules differ by airline.

Compare AVE, Avlo, Ouigo, Iryo, coach and plane

Book a high-speed train for most trips. It is usually as fast as flying once you count airport time, and it is much faster than a coach. Choose a coach only when price matters more than time.

At a glance

Price

Advance fares from Ouigo and Iryo are the lowest among the trains. Flexible or last-minute fares can cost several times more. Plane fares also swing with the date, and coaches are usually cheapest overall. Prices move with demand and booking date, so compare current fares on each operator's website before you decide.

Speed

Typical high-speed times on direct services:

• Madrid–Valencia: about 1 hour 45 minutes
• Madrid–Zaragoza: about 2 hours 15 minutes
• Madrid–Barcelona: about 2.5 hours
• Madrid–Seville: about 2.5 hours
• Madrid–Málaga: about 3.5 hours

Coaches take roughly 6.5 to 8 hours Madrid–Barcelona, 6 to 7 hours Madrid–Seville and 4 hours Madrid–Valencia. Slower services with more stops take longer.

Flexibility

The fare matters more than the operator.

• Iryo: Smart is tightly restricted. Singular and Infinita give more room.

Fees are normally a share of the ticket price and rise as departure gets closer. If your plans might shift, pay for a flexible fare. Read the conditions on the operator's website before you pay.

Watch for extras

On Avlo and Ouigo, the low price often leaves out luggage and seat choice. Add them to the total before you compare with AVE or Iryo, because the gap may be smaller than it looks.

Fares, fees and fare names change often, so check the current price and change rules on the operator's website before you book.

Timeline and deadlines

• Book for the cheapest tickets, and compare Renfe, Iryo and Ouigo on the same day: 3 to 8 weeks ahead, or as soon as sales open

• Expect higher prices as the train fills: in the last days before departure

Checklist

• Check which operators run your route: Renfe, Ouigo and Iryo compete on Madrid–Barcelona, Madrid–Valencia and Madrid–Seville.

• Look up when sales open for your date: 2 to 3 months ahead for Renfe, 3 to 6 months for Iryo and Ouigo.

• Ask Renfe whether you qualify for a discount card, such as Tarjeta Dorada, Carné Joven or an abono.

• Read the change and cancellation conditions of your fare before you pay.

• Compare the coach fare with the train fare if you can accept a slower trip.

• Choose rail over a plane on routes under about 3 to 4 hours.

Frequently asked questions

Can I change or cancel a cheap train ticket?

Usually you cannot change or cancel the cheapest fares for free: Renfe's Básico and Promo fares are mostly non-changeable and non-refundable, and Ouigo's basic fare has no changes. Paid options or mid-range fares such as Renfe Elige allow changes for a fee.

Is it cheaper to take a coach than a high-speed train?

Yes, coaches are normally cheaper than high-speed trains, but they are slower.

Does a low-cost flight in Spain include a suitcase?

No, low-cost airlines usually include only a small under-seat bag in the base fare.

Is the Tarjeta Dorada the only Renfe discount card?

No, Renfe also has the Carné Joven for ages 14 to 30, the free Más Renfe loyalty programme and season passes (abonos) for repeated trips on one route. Tarjeta Dorada is for people aged 60 or over. Ouigo and Iryo have their own schemes.