Trains in Spain (Renfe)

Spanish State Railways

The state railways in Spain are operated by the organization Renfe (Red Nacional de los Ferrocarriles Españoles), which translates to "The Spanish national rail network." Renfe is a public company that operates most of the country's railways. The network includes both high-speed and conventional trains. The two main types of high-speed trains operated by Renfe are AVE (Alta Velocidad Española) and Avant, both part of the wider AVE network. These trains are known for their speed, comfort and efficiency in connecting Spain's major cities.

AVE is Spain's high-speed rail service and one of the most extensive in Europe, reaching speeds of up to 350 km/h on certain routes, making it possible to travel from Madrid to Barcelona in just 2.5 hours. The network spans more than 3 600 kilometers and connects cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Valencia and Málaga, among others.

Conventional trains operated by Renfe include the following:

AVE: High-speed trains connecting major cities, such as Madrid-Barcelona, Madrid-Seville and Madrid-Málaga.
Avant: Medium-distance high-speed trains connecting smaller cities to the high-speed network.
Alvia: Long-distance trains using a combination of high-speed and conventional tracks, providing connections between cities not fully covered by AVE.
Altaria: High-speed trains using the AVE network on parts of the journey, connecting Madrid with destinations in southern and eastern Spain.
TGV (High Speed Train): International high-speed rail linking Spain to France.
Euromed: High-speed train that runs along the Mediterranean coast, connecting cities like Barcelona and Valencia with Alicante.
Talgo: Long distance trains with tilting technology allowing higher speeds on conventional tracks.
Media Distancia (MD): Trains for medium-distance routes, usually between major cities and nearby towns or regional centers.
Cercanías: Commuter trains serving the suburbs around the major cities, offering frequent and local services.
Fever: Narrow-gauge trains operating in certain regions, especially in northern Spain.

In addition, there are other regional train companies in Spain, such as FGC (Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya) in Catalonia and Euskotren in the Basque Country, which manages its local and regional rail networks. The country also has a growing network of private operators that operate certain routes, such as Ouigo, operated by the French company SNCF, and Avlo, a low-cost service offered by Renfe.

The Spanish rail system is known for its punctuality and modern infrastructure making it a popular choice for both domestic and international travelers.