Renfe: complete guide to trains, routes and fares
What is Renfe and how it works
Renfe is the main public railway operator in Spain, managed by the State, which operates high-speed, long-distance, media distancia and suburban services throughout the Spanish peninsular railway network on publicly owned infrastructure. managed by ADIF.
Founded in 1941 and present in all the peninsular autonomous communities, Renfe operates under different trademarks depending on the type of service: AVE and Avlo for high speed, Alvia for hybrid services, Avant for High-speed media distancia, Euromed in the Mediterranean corridor and Media Distancia for regional connections. The liberalization of the high-speed rail market in 2021 opened competition in some corridors, but Renfe maintains the greatest geographic coverage and frequency of the Spanish network.
Train types by Renfe
Renfe operates six main types of trains covering from high speed with AVE and Avlo to regional services with Media Distancia, offering different combinations of speed, price and territorial coverage according to the route and the needs of each traveler.
| Train type | Max speed | Main routes | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVE | 310km/h | Madrid-Barcelona, Madrid-Seville, Madrid-Valencia | €29 |
| Avlo | 310km/h | Madrid-Barcelona, Madrid-Seville, Madrid-Córdoba | €9 |
| Alvia | 250km/h | Madrid-León, Madrid-A Coruña, Madrid-Bilbao | €29 |
| Avant | 250km/h | Madrid-Toledo, Madrid-Segovia, Seville-Cádiz | €11 |
| Euromed | 220km/h | Barcelona-Valencia, Barcelona-Alicante | €19 |
| MD (Media Distancia) | 160km/h | Regional services throughout Spain | €5 |
Operational data Renfe and ADIF (2024-2025). Maximum speeds according to technical approval. Prices from Renfe.com consulted in March 2025.
Renfe Rates and Discounts
Renfe offers a wide variety of rates from the cheapest Basic Rate to the Flexible Rate, along with fixed discounts for young people, large families and gold card, which can be combined with the Renfe Plus loyalty program to accumulate and redeem points.
| Rate/Discount | Condition | Estimated savings |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Rate | No exchanges or returns | Up to 60% vs flexible rate |
| Rate Choose | Change with penalty | Up to 40% vs flexible rate |
| Flexible Rate | Free exchange and return | No base discount |
| Promo Rate | Limited, unchanged | Up to 70% on campaigns |
| Young (14-30 years) | Young Card / Youth Card | 20% on all services |
| Gold Card (+60 years) | Blue days and other conditions | 25-40% |
| Large Family | Large family title | 20-50% depending on category |
| Renfe Plus | Loyalty program | Discounts with accumulated points |
Rates and conditions published in Renfe.com (March 2025). Discount percentages according to current regulations.
Onboard services at Renfe
AVE trains from Renfe offer free Wi-Fi, cafeteria service and plugs in all seats in Economy class, while Preferente class adds larger seats, in-seat catering and a quiet zone.
| Service | Tourist / Basic | Preferred / Business |
|---|---|---|
| free wifi | ✓ | ✓ |
| Plug in seat | ✓ | ✓ |
| On-board cafeteria | ✓ (purchase) | ✓ (included in AVE) |
| Seats with more space | ✗ | ✓ |
| silence zone | ✗ | ✓ (in some services) |
| USB socket | ✓ | ✓ |
| bicycle transport | ✓ (prior reservation) | ✓ (prior reservation) |
| small pets | ✓ (Avlo and MD) | ✓ (Avlo and MD) |
Main stations of Renfe
The most important stations of the Renfe network are Madrid Puerta de Atocha, Barcelona Sants, Sevilla Santa Justa and Valencia Joaquín Sorolla, which concentrate most of the high-speed traffic and act as connection nodes between regions.
Traffic data ADIF (2023-2024). Station codes according to the official nomenclature of ADIF.
Renfe Top Routes
The most frequented routes of the Renfe network are Madrid-Barcelona with more than 54 daily services and Madrid-Seville with 32, followed by Madrid-Córdoba, Madrid-Zaragoza and Madrid-Valencia, all of them operated with AVE or Avlo with travel times less than three hours.
Frequencies and prices from minimums according to GTFS data and Ofertren price database (January-March 2025).
Renfe FAQ
What types of train does Renfe operate?
Renfe operates AVE and Avlo for high speed, Alvia for mixed long distance services, Avant for high media distancia speed, Euromed in the Mediterranean corridor and Media Distancia for regional connections. Each type offers different combinations of speed, comfort and price.
Where can I buy Renfe seats?
Renfe seats can be purchased at Renfe.com, in the official Renfe app, at the ticket offices of the stations and in collaborating travel agencies. Pre-purchasing online usually offers the cheapest rates.
What is the fastest route of Renfe?
The Madrid-Zaragoza route by AVE with only 1 hour and 14 minutes is the fastest in duration. In terms of high frequency, Madrid-Barcelona with more than 50 daily services is the busiest, with times from 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Does Renfe have youth discounts?
Yes, Renfe offers a 20% discount for young people aged 14 to 30 using the Carné Jove or equivalent regional youth card. This discount is applicable to all high-speed and long-distance services, combinable with promotional rates depending on availability.
What does the Renfe Plus loyalty program include?
Renfe Plus is Renfe's points program that accumulates points with each trip based on the price paid. The accumulated points will be exchanged for discounts on future trips. Registration is free and available at Renfe.com or in the official app.
Can pets be brought on Renfe trains?
Yes, in the Avlo and Media Distancia services small pets up to 10 kg are allowed in an approved carrier, upon payment of an additional fee. Pets are not allowed in conventional AVE, except for assistance dogs.
Last updated: 14/04/2026