Trains in Spain: compare Renfe, iryo and Ouigo España
Trains in Spain: 3 operators to compare
Taking trains in Spain means riding Europe's largest high-speed network: around 4,000 km of lines. On the main routes, 3 companies compete: Renfe, the national operator, iryo and Ouigo España. Between Madrid and Barcelona, all 3 run on the same line, each with its own prices.
On Kombo, you compare their trains in a single search, with times, journey length and price side by side. No need to open 3 websites to hunt down the cheapest seat. Kombo brings together 400+ companies of train, bus, flight and carpooling, and combines their tickets when your trip needs more than one.
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Operators and main routes for trains in Spain
Renfe, the national operator
Renfe runs several train brands:
AVE: Renfe's high-speed service.
Avlo: Renfe's low-cost high-speed brand.
Alvia and Avant: other long-distance and fast regional services.
Media Distancia (medium distance) and Cercanías (commuter trains).
iryo
iryo is owned by the airline Air Nostrum, Trenitalia and Globalvia. Its trains link Madrid, Barcelona, Zaragoza, Valencia, Seville, Málaga, Córdoba and Alicante, among others.
Ouigo España
Ouigo España has run trains in Spain since 2021. It serves Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Málaga, Alicante and Zaragoza, among others.
Journey times worth knowing
Madrid ↔ Barcelona: 621 km in about 2h30, with AVE, iryo and Ouigo. Avlo no longer runs on this route.
Madrid ↔ Seville: about 2h30.
Madrid ↔ Valencia: about 1h50.
Madrid ↔ Málaga: about 2h40.
Fun fact: it all started with Seville. The first high-speed line, Madrid ↔ Seville, opened in 1992 for the Expo 92 world fair.
Popular train routes: Madrid → Barcelona, Madrid → Seville, Madrid → Valencia, Madrid → Malaga, Paris → Barcelona, Lyon → Barcelona.
Renfe fares, competition and the Spain Rail Pass
Renfe's 3 fares
Básico: change for €10 plus the fare difference, no refund.
Elige: first change free, 70% refund.
Prémium: free changes, up to 100% refund and lounge access.
Handy tip: every Renfe ticket can be cancelled free of charge within 2 hours of purchase.
Competition means lower prices
Since iryo and Ouigo España arrived, Renfe no longer has the main routes to itself. Each company sets its own fares to win passengers, which pushes prices down. On the same day on Madrid ↔ Barcelona, the gap between the 3 operators shows up at a glance on Kombo.
Is the Spain Rail Pass worth it?
Renfe's Spain Rail Pass is only for people who live outside Spain. It gives 4, 6, 8 or 10 journeys in Estándar or Confort, valid for 1 month after your first trip. Each journey needs a seat reservation. As a guide, the adult Standard pass costs €220 for 4 journeys, that is €55 per journey, and €455 for 10 journeys (€45.50 per journey).
The maths is simple: if your single tickets average less than €55, the 4-journey pass does not pay off. Kombo does not sell the Spain Rail Pass, but you can compare single Renfe, iryo and Ouigo tickets on Kombo to run the numbers.
Getting to Spain by train from France
Direct services
What about Paris ↔ Madrid?
There is no direct Paris ↔ Madrid train. The trick: a TGV Inoui to Barcelona (6h45), then an AVE, iryo or Ouigo train to Madrid (2h30). Allow about 9h15 of travel, plus your connection time. Kombo shows both legs in the same search.
Mixing train and bus
Some Spanish towns are easier to reach by coach. Kombo combines trains with Alsa or FlixBus buses to take you where the rails stop.
Travelling further around Europe? See our pages on trains in France, trains in Italy and trains in Germany. Kombo customer service answers 7 days a week, and you can cancel or exchange eligible tickets in 2 clicks.
Frequently asked questions about trains in Spain
Which operator should I choose for the Madrid to Barcelona train?
Compare all 3: Renfe's AVE, iryo and Ouigo España all take about 2h30. Prices vary by operator and departure time, which is why seeing them side by side on Kombo helps.
How long does it take to get from Paris to Madrid by train?
Allow about 9h15 of travel, plus the connection. There is no direct train: you take a TGV Inoui Paris → Barcelona (6h45), then a train Barcelona → Madrid (2h30).
Can I cancel a Renfe train ticket?
Yes, free of charge within 2 hours of purchase, whatever the fare. After that, Elige refunds 70%, Prémium up to 100% and Básico gives no refund.
Is the Spain Rail Pass worth buying?
It is if your single tickets would average more than €55 each (Standard 4-journey pass at €220, as a guide). For a few trips booked in advance, single tickets often work out cheaper.
Can I book Renfe, iryo and Ouigo España tickets on Kombo?
Yes, Kombo sells tickets from all 3 operators, as well as SNCF trains from France. For more tips, read our guide to cheap train tickets.
We introduce you to Kombo?
Kombo is, above all, a team of travel enthusiasts who work (secretly) to make ticket searching simpler. With over 4 million users, the platform has been allowing you to compare and book train, bus, plane, and carpooling tickets since 2016.
But we don't just sell tickets! We also take care of you throughout your journey. This includes a customer service based in France, easily reachable 7 days a week, as well as many little tips and features developed to make your life easier. For example, tickets available on your phone or automatic reimbursement in case of delays or cancellations.
The trains present on Kombo
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