Spain - Renfe trains

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I. Routes and Travel Times

➡ HIGH SPEED TRAINS

AVE

• The start of the Ave service between Madrid and Seville opened up a new era for the railway in Spain. This milestone was a turning point in the process of change for trains, which have re-emerged with force and with a focus on innovation. The Madrid – Barcelona, Madrid – Malaga, Madrid – Granada, Barcelona – Granada, Madrid – Valladolid, Madrid – Alicante and Madrid – Valencia lines allowed Renfe to carry on introducing new Ave trains and expand the scope of this service, which is linked to specific quality and comfort standards.

ALVIA

Alvia is a high speed train in Spain used by RENFE for long distance service.

EUROMED

Euromed trains run at a top speed of 220 Km/h, 12 daily services that connect city centre to city centreon the Mediterranean Coast, and an on-board and land crew who will provide a service adapted to the customer’s needs

INTERCITY (former Altaria, Talgo, AV City and Intercity)

Train running through high speed network at cheaper prices.

➡ MEDIUM DISTANCE TRAINS

Renfe Avant

• Renfe’s Avant services are Media Distancia services provided by high-speed trains specifically designed for short journeys, as opposed to the trains used for the Ave service. Avant trains speed up to 250 km/h.
• They make it possible to take advantage of the high-speed railway to deliver mobility between nearby towns in more competitive times.
• Please note:
• The connection time between two trains should be 60 to 90 minutes:
• 60 minutes - Change of train is made in same station
• 90 minutes - Change of train is made between two stations of the same municipality

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II. Onboard services

➡ HIGH SPEED TRAINS

AVE, Alvia, Euromed and Intercity

• There are three fares & two classes of service: Estandar Basico, Estandar Elige, Confort Elige & Confort Premium

* Not in Madrid-Valladolid nor Madrid-Huesca

** See details below for Premium ticket holders. In the future for Elige ticket holders only if that additional service had been booked

Confort

Confort

Estandar

Catering Information

On AVE trains:

• Premium fare allows a warm meal
• Elige in Estandar allows a cold meal (by adding the extra option - to be confirmed, not available yet)
• Elige in Confort allows the choice between a cold or a warm meal (by adding the extra option - to be confirmed, not available yet)
• at seat meal service served Sun – Fri, in accordance with the time of day: Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks/aperitifs, with a selection of beverages and the choice of main dish (except AVE Madrid-Leon)
• On Saturdays and Spanish Bank Holidays, catering at the seat is not available
• At-seat dining is not offered on short-distance journeys; it is considered a short-distance journey when there is not enough time to serve and to eat. Usually journeys between adjacent stations or of less than one hour (e.g. Córdoba – Seville, Madrid – Ciudad Real or Barcelona – Camp de Tarragona).

Sala Club

• Free access to Sala Club lounges at select departure stations up to 2 hours before train departure: Alicante Terminal, Albacete Los Llanos, Barcelona Sants, Camp de Tarragona, Cordoba Central, Girona, Lleida-Pirineus, Malaga Maria Zambrano, Madrid Chamartin, Madrid Puerta de Atocha, Seville Santa Justa, Valencia Joaquin Sorolla, Valladolid Campo Grande and Zaragoza Delicias. Only travelers holding a Premium ticket are eligible to access the Sala Club lounge
• Bar-buffet car with souvenirs shop and snacks/drinks
• Phone booths
• Nursery area
• Meeting area

➡ MEDIUM DISTANCE TRAINS

Avant trains

• No class distinction, turista class only (2nd class)
• Up to 236 reclining seats
• Folding table at each seat
• Toilet for people with reduced mobility
• Buffet or vending machine for cold drinks and aperitifs
• Automatic interior and exterior doors
• Space for changing nappies
• Climate control throughout the train
• Four toilets
• Toilet for people with reduced mobility
• Separate luggage compartments in entrance ways
• Information via interior and exterior display monitors
• Public address loudspeakers on board

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III. Individual Fare Types & Discounts

• Prices are global prices (ticket includes a reservation)
• Valid for Preferente, Tourista Plus, Turista & now Estandar, Confort
• Booking horizon: 75 days in advance
• Click here to see the range of fares

New commercial range on long distance trains: AVE, Intercity, Euromed and Alvia trains (from June 30, 2021)

For other trains: 

(* For children between 4 and 13 inclusive. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Children under 4 are free when traveling with an adult and a separate accommodation is not required, however they will need a ticket to board the train. Free child tickets cannot be issued through ERA. Client must get ticket at station prior to boarding train)

Hey there! Good news - Discounts are now available!

💥Youth Card - Carné Joven

The Youth Card, either Carné Joven issued by a Spanish City Community, or any other international cards are also valid, such as the European Youth Card issued in countries associated with EYCA (European Youth Card Association), the International Student Identity Card ISIC (International Student Identity Card), the International Youth Global Card IYTC (International Youth Global Card) and the International Youth Travel Card GO 25 (IYTC):

It offers:

• 20% discount for travel on Avant, Media Distancia and Regional trains on the Feve network.
• 5% discount will be applied to any available price, on Ave and Larga Distancia trains

Tickets purchased with your Youth Card are exchangeable and cancellable, subject to fees, provided that your ticket allows it.

💥Gold Card - Tajeta Dorada

Renfe card available for senior above 60 years old. It can be purchsed for only 6 euros. The Tarjeta Dorada, which is personal and non-transferable, is available for purchase at station ticket offices (not available in Rail Europe yet)

It is valid for one, two or three years.

• 25% discount on any available price, on AVE trains, AVE International between Spain and France and Long Distance trains
• 25% discount (Monday to Friday) on Avant trains
• 40% discount (Saturdays and Sundays) on Avant trains
• 40% discount on Media Distancia trains

For information on how to book on the Rail Europe Booking tool 'Rail Portal'; User Manual is available here

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IV. Booking Horizon

• These trains can be booked up to 75 days in advance

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V. Ticketing Time Limits

• 30 minutes from booking time

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VI. Exchange / Refunds

• Special cancellation fees apply to some fares.
• Exchange and refund policies vary depending on the type of fare purchased. - Refunds, when authorised, can only be performed up to 60 days after train’s departure date in your country. Please check the prices file where aftersales conditions are mentioned.
• In case of delay caused by AVE (not by third parties), your client get a refund:

(* Additional fees might apply)

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VII. Specific to this train

• Ticket control and passport checks will occur before boarding AVE trains.
• It is open 30 minutes before the train leaves and is closed 2 minutes before departure.
• Please note:
• The connection time between two trains should be 60 to 90 minutes:
• 60 minutes - Change of train is made in same station
• 90 minutes - Change of train is made between two stations of the same municipality

Luggage

All passengers with a ticket may carry up to three pieces of hand luggage, for which they will be responsible and which they must store in the designated areas. The total weight limit is 25 kg and the sum of the dimensions of the three items may not exceed 290 cm, and the largest of the three may not exceed the following dimensions: 85 x 55 x 35 cm. (height-width-depth).

Pets

• Small domestic animals will be admitted for travel , always under the owner’s custody, provided that other passengers do not object and no inconvenience is caused to them. The passenger carrying the animal will be responsible for any damages it may cause.
• Guide Dogs: they may accompany their owner free of charge, provided that, where necessary, they are on a leash and wear a muzzle