If you want to visit Spain by train, then here are my tips for choosing from the best routes and prices.
In addition, I share with you an itinerary that allows you to visit the most beautiful Spanish cities in 10 days or more!
In this post, you will also find advice on how to travel cheaply in Spain and organize your train trip as best as possible.
Why choose the train to visit Spain?
Here are the main advantages of choosing the train as a mode of transport to travel in Spain:
- Scenic and comfortable journey in modern carriages, well equipped with power outlets and Wi-Fi;
- The high-speed rail network (AVE) is the ideal means of transport to explore Spain quickly;
- Best transport option to reduce carbon footprint;
- Low cost compared to plane or car;
- Easy access to tourist sites in major Spanish cities.
Where to find cheap train tickets to Spain?
Booking train tickets in Spain is relatively simple, with several options available for travelers wanting to plan their trips in advance. Tickets can be purchased online via the website of the chosen railway company or at renfe.com which is the platform dedicated to booking tickets and consulting train timetables.
But the cheapest option for traveling by train in Spain is to choose the Interrail Pass. Indeed, for €220, this pass allows you to make up to 6 train journeys, which is ideal for visiting the 5 most beautiful cities in Spain.
You can use your 6 trips at any time over a period of one month, individually or to take a sightseeing tour (see my itinerary below).
If you are not European, you have the same possibilities but on the site eurail.com.
How long does it take to visit Spain by train?
By choosing an Interrail pass, you can visit Spain in as much time as you want, but no more than 1 month. In fact, you will be able to choose the dates and times of your train tickets for different Spanish cities freely provided they do not exceed 30 days.
But if you are looking for a time-optimized tour, you can visit Spain by train in 10 days by choosing night trains or trains with very early morning departures. For example, the circuit itinerary that I present below can be done in 10 days. But if you have more time, you can do it in 15 days, 3 weeks or 1 month!
How to visit Spain by train?
You have hundreds of possibilities to visit Spain by train. Indeed, the rail network is very extensive and allows easy access to the country's main destinations (see the different train lines to visit the most beautiful regions of Spain at the end of the article).
Among the most popular lines to visit Spain by train are:
- The journey linking Madrid to Seville, offering an immersion in Andalusian culture,
- the journey between Barcelona and Valencia, renowned for its coastal beauty,
- The line from Barcelona to Malaga is also a good option for exploring the beautiful region of Andalusia.
In addition to these popular routes, Spain is full of scenic rail routes offering spectacular panoramic views.
Among these routes are the journey from Granada to Almeria, crossing unique desert landscapes, as well as the journey from Bilbao to Ferrol, offering an immersion in the coastal beauty of northern Spain. In addition, the route from Zaragoza to Lérida allows you to admire the picturesque rural landscapes of the Aragon region.
However, if you want to get a general overview of Spain, I recommend taking a train tour of several regions of Spain. See below the one I offer you.
Train tour to visit Spain
Here is a nice train tour that allows you to visit the most beautiful cities in Spain: Barcelona, Valencia, Madrid, Malaga, Seville. In addition to the cities to visit, at each stage you can expand your visits around the cities and thus discover the different Spanish provinces and regions.
Here is the route map of this train tour:
Itinerary to visit the most beautiful cities in Spain by train
Here are the stages of the train route which allows you to discover Spain by stopping in these most beautiful cities:
- Train ride from Barcelona to Valencia
- Train journey from Valencia to Madrid
- Train journey from Madrid to Malaga
- Train journey from Malaga to Seville
- Return from Seville to Barcelona
Here are details of the most beautiful cities and most beautiful sites that you can visit in Spain by following this train route:
Barcelona – Stage 1
What's better than starting your trip in Barcelona? The town is full of cozy bars and restaurants, beautiful architecture, and even a beach. Here are some must-see places to visit:
- The Ramblas
- Plaça de Catalunya
- Font Magic
- Mercat de la boqueria
- Ciutadella Park
To be able to visit all the emblematic sites of the city, I recommend that you follow my tour to visit Barcelona on foot.
And for accommodation, I recommend the hotel The Medinaceli in one of best neighborhoods in Barcelona, very well placed for visiting or doing shopping in Barcelona.
Train ride from Barcelona to Valencia
The train journey from Barcelona to Valencia lasts 3 to 3 hours without changing trains along the way. You will depart from Barcelona Sants station. If you travel with the Euromed train company, you will arrive at Valencia Joaquín Sorolla station.
If you take a Talgo train you will arrive at Valencia-Estacio del Nord station, this option will take 30 minutes longer than the Euromed train. The 2 stations are located south of Valencia city center.
Valencia – Stage 2
The second stop on this route is Valencia. This city is full of historical sites such as the Valencia Cathedral, the Basilica of Valencia and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Lonja de la Seda.
Another very popular item on your list of things to see in Valencia is the beautifully designed La Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias museum and the L'Océanographic aquarium.
Additionally, if you want the beach, then head to Playa de las Arenas, near the city center or further afield Playa el Saler or La Garrofera.
And if you don't know where to stay, which area of Valencia to avoid, then here is a very good hotel that I recommend: MYR Palacio Vallier
Train ride from Valencia to Madrid
The train journey from Valencia to Madrid takes approximately 1 hour 40 minutes. Departure is from Valencia Joaquín Sorolla station and arrival at Madrid-Puerto de Atocha station.
Madrid – Stage 3
The capital of Spain is a must when visiting the country. You can spend a day there walking through El Retiro Park, around the Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol. You can see the Royal Palace, visit the Prado Museum or go shopping on Gran Via.
If you are not familiar with the neighborhoods of Madrid, I recommend that you stay in a hotel well located in the beautiful areas of the city center: Hotel H10-Villa de la Reina
Train journey from Madrid to Malaga
The AVE train journey from Madrid to Malaga takes less than 3 hours.
From Madrid, departure is at Madrid-Puerta de Atocha station for arrival at Maria Zambrano station in Malaga.
Malaga – Stage 4
Welcome to Malaga, bathed in sunshine on the Costa del Sol, home of Pablo Picasso and Antonio Banderas!
This magnificent town is ideal for sightseeing but also for enjoying the beaches (Playa de la Malagueta or Playa Caleta).
Among the must-see sites in Malaga, you can visit the Gibralfaro Castle or the remains of a Moorish palace, the Alcazaba. In addition, you will find many museums like the Picasso Museum.
If you are looking for a very nice hotel in the city center, this is it. solecio palace which is one of the most beautiful hotels in the city (far from the neighborhoods to avoid in Malaga).
Train journey from Malaga to Seville
The journey from Malaga to Seville takes only 2 hours by AVE train. It departs from Malaga Maria Zambrano station and arrives at Seville-Santa Justa station.
Seville – Stage 5
This train tour to visit Spain ends in one of the most beautiful cities in the country: Seville.
Located around the Guadalquivir River, Seville is known for its flamenco shows and tapas.
Among the mythical sites of Seville, you can visit the Cathedral of Seville, La Giralda, the royal palace Real Alcazar or the Museo de Bellas Artes.
If you are spending several days in Seville, I recommend booking a day trip to Ronda which is also a must-visit site.Andalusia.
See also the recommended hotel for visiting Seville on foot: Hotel Don Pedro Palace House
Train lines to visit the most beautiful regions of Spain
With very fast travel times, AVE trains allow you to visit the most beautiful regions and tourist sites in Spain.
Here are the different AVE train lines that you can combine depending on the places you want to visit:
Traveling by train in southern Spain
- Madrid – Seville line : It is one of the most popular lines of the AVE network in Spain. In just 2 hours, you can go from the great monuments of Madrid, such as the Royal Palace and the Prado Museum, to the charm of Seville with its famous Giralda and its Gold Tower. This line also has intermediate stops in Ciudad Real, Puertollano and Córdoba, where you can visit iconic places such as the UNESCO-listed Córdoba Mosque.
- Barcelona – Seville line : Journey of just over 5 hours which allows you to visit several interesting destinations along the way. You can visit the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona and then be in Seville in the afternoon. This line also makes stops in Tarragona, Lleida, Zaragoza, Ciudad Real and Cordoba.
- Valencia – Seville line which are two beautiful tourist destinations in Spain. Take advantage of these two cities to discover their rich historical, cultural and gastronomic heritage. Stops on this line include Cuenca, Ciudad Real and Córdoba.
- Madrid – Malaga line to go to the Costa del Sol. In just 2 hours 40 minutes, you can go from Madrid to Malaga to enjoy its sun, beaches and Roman theater. This line also stops at Córdoba, Puente Genil and Antequera, other options for discovering the wonders of Andalusia.
- Barcelona – Malaga line to travel to the Spanish Mediterranean coast. In just over six hours you can travel from Barcelona to Malaga. This line also makes stops in Tarragona, Lleida, Zaragoza, Ciudad Real, Puertollano, Cordoba, Puente Genil and Antequera.
- Madrid – Granada line : In just over 3 hours you can travel from Madrid to Granada and visit the famous Alhambra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This line makes stops at Cordoba, Puente Genil and Antequera.
Traveling by train in Eastern Spain
- Madrid – Barcelona line to get to Catalonia from Madrid in just two and a half hours. This line also stops in Zaragoza, Lleida and Tarragona.
- Madrid – Castellón line which connects Madrid to the Valencia region in 2 hours and thirty minutes. This line includes stops in Cuenca, Requena and Utiel.
- Madrid – Alicante line to travel to the Costa Blanca in Spain. In just 2 hours 40 minutes you can go from Madrid to Alicante and discover its old town and the Santa Bárbara castle. This line has stops in Cuenca, Albacete and Villena.