Spanish train tickets - ticket types & discounts

The Spanish rail operator offers various different tickets, including some interesting discounts. You can find every cheap train ticket in Spain on Rail Europe, with very few exceptions.

Spanish trains don't operate on a normal booking horizon, although most trains open around 60 days in advance. This is when you'll find the cheapest tickets. We always recommend booking as far in advance as possible to get the cheapest Spanish train tickets. For more details on booking horizons, please see How far in advance can I book train tickets?

Spanish train ticket types on Long distance trains

Fare conditions vary, with the cheapest tickets offering the least flexibility while more expensive tickets usually permit refunds and exchanges. You should always check the fare conditions associated with your tickets before buying, and if necessary read more general information about Ticket Types: Fares & Flexibility.

Fare type Details
Basico (Basic) With the Básico ticket, you always get the best price for your trip, with the quality of all our services.
Elige (Pick & Mix) The Elige ticket allows you to configure every aspect of your trip so that you can adapt it to what you need at any time, including the type of seat you want to use: Standard or Comfort. This is the only option that allows you to select the type of seat.
Premium The Premium ticket offers you a top-level travelling experience, with a Comfort seat to enjoy more space and comfort, with complementary services & meal included and the best policy for changes and cancellations.
Free child
(Niño)
Children under the age 4 can travel for free, if they share a seat with a fare-paying passenger.

Essential Cheapest fares from Renfe-SNCF trains for France/Spain high-speed trains
Flexi Full price tickets from Renfe-SNCF trains for France/Spain high-speed trains. Available up to and including the day of travel.
Ouigo Essential Includes Standard Seating, 1 carry-on bag , 1 cabin baggage , the possibility of changing the name of the traveller up to the day before the trip, the possibility of changing the date of travel. 
Ouigo Plus Includes XL Seating, 1 carry-on bag, 1 cabin baggage and one additional piece of luggage. The possibility of changing the name of the traveller up to the day before the trip, the possibility of changing the date of travel.

Spanish train ticket types on medium distance trains

Ida (One way) / Flexible Full price tickets, subject to availability, on all domestic Renfe trains. Available up to and including the day of travel.
Ida & Vuelta (return) A 40% discount applied to combined return journeys. Available on Media Distancia trains for travel within Spain.
Combinado Cercianas Free transfers on suburban trains and trams with the purchase of domestic AVE or Long Distance tickets (any fare, route or class). See, Free transfers from Renfe - Combinado Cercanias.

Free child
(Niño)
Children under the age 4 can travel for free, if they share a seat with a fare-paying passenger.
4 o mas
(more than 4 pax)
Small groups of travellers can book sole-use of a table for four by booking all seats. Discounts up to 8% (40% discount on a child fare). This discount is not currently available on Rail Europe.




 Some important things to note:

  • All tickets and special offers are subject to availability
  • Please refer to the fare conditions for applicable terms
  • Tickets are available in Euros or converted in USD, CAD, GBP
  • We aim to keep this information up to date, but it should be referred to as a guide only. Please let us know if you think something needs updating.