English
English
Explore the Sagrada Familia, wander down La Rambla, and enjoy the city's vibrant culture.
AVE Train Tickets
AVE - Need to know
Frequency
More information
Must-know facts
Facilities and services
Frequent and fast connections between major destinations across Spain.
- Madrid to Seville: 16 trains per day
- Madrid to Valencia: 19 trains per day
- Alicante to Madrid: 14 trains per day
- Madrid to Alicante: 14 trains per day
- Madrid to Barcelona: 30 trains per day
- Seville to Madrid: 15 trains per day
- Madrid to Málaga: 13 trains per day
- Barcelona to Madrid: 30 trains per day
- Valencia to Madrid: 19 trains per day
- Málaga to Madrid: 13 trains per day
Note: You must remember that these are average numbers and may vary depending on the day of the week and time of year.
You can find the exact timetable for your desired route on the Renfe website
- Schedule: The trains are available from early morning to around 8:30 pm
- Duration: Journeys range from under 3 to 4 hours 25 minutes, depending on the route.
- Recommended tickets: AVE tickets
- Reservations: AVE tickets automatically include a seat reservation.1 This means that when you buy an AVE ticket, you are also reserving a specific seat on the train for your journey.
- Stops: Vary by route, but include cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, and Valencia
- Requirements: Valid ticket and reservation, passport for international travel
- AVE stands for Alta Velocidad Española (Spanish High-Speed).
- AVE is the brand name for Renfe's (Spanish Railways) premier high-speed trains.
- The network covers much of eastern, central, and southern Spain.
- AVE trains can run at up to 190 mph (310 km/h).
- AVE trains are used on all services between Spain and France, except for trains running to Paris and Toulouse.
- Free Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi is available in all classes so you can stay connected throughout your journey. You can also avail power outlets provided in every class for every passenger.
- Luggage storage: There is ample space for your belongings in luggage racks near your seat. However, you are allowed to bring up to 3 pieces of luggage on AVE trains. There is also a weight restriction of 25 kg (55 lbs) for the combined weight of all three pieces Additionally, you can store larger suitcases on floor-standing racks located at the end of each car.
- Own vehicle storage: Bicycles are allowed on board for free, but you must fold or disassemble and pack it in a bike bag.
- Accessible travel: Passengers with reduced mobility get on-train assistance and seat reservations for free on AVE trains.
- Food and drinks: The cafe-bar car serves snacks, hot dishes, coffee, soft drinks, beer & wine. If you pay the premium fare, you get a hot meal (or on some departures, a snack box) with wine served at your seat. You are free to bring your own food and drink.
- Sala club: If you pay the Premium fare, you can use the Sala Club lounge at main stations, which offers complimentary tea, coffee, snacks and beer.
How to buy AVE tickets
Direct booking through Renfe
- Visit the Renfe website (www.renfe.com).
- Enter your departure and arrival stations, date, and preferred accommodation.
- Select your preferred connection and complete the booking process.
- Prices vary based on route, class, and how far in advance you book.
At the station
- Purchase tickets at Renfe ticket counters or self-service machines.
- Be aware that prices may be higher and availability limited for last-minute bookings.
Through a rail pass
- If you have an Interrail or Eurail pass, it's valid on AVE trains.
- You'll still need to pay a reservation fee for your seat.
- You can book your reservation through the Renfe website or at a station ( as mentioned above).
Plan your AVE journey
Ticket types
Classes
Special considerations
Basico
- These AVE train tickets are the equivalent of standard class.
- Basico tickets are the cheapest.
- Basico tickets cannot be refunded or exchanged, and you won’t be able to select your seat, though this option is available for an additional cost.
- Pets are not allowed to travel with you on a Basico fare.
- Trading up to an Elige or Premium fare will cost €12 and €30, respectively.
Elige
- Elige tickets offer more flexibility for exchanges and cancellations.
- With Elige tickets, you can change trains, cancel, and if you miss your train, you’ll get the next one at a discounted price.
- Seat selection is also an option for an additional cost, and you can also upgrade to Premium.
- Pets can be added for €10 after booking.
- Catering is available from the cold tray.
Premium
- Premium Renfe AVE tickets are the most expensive and offer the most flexibility.
- They only apply exclusively to Confort.
- Changing to a different train is free, and if you miss your train, you can catch the next train for free.
- At-seat catering of hot food comes as standard and you can bring a pet for free.
- The Prémium fare will only be available once hot food is available again on Renfe trains.
Estandar (standard)
- Offers passengers comfortable seats, Wi-Fi, and the option to travel with a fold-down table.
- Seats are large and with plenty of legroom, while some also recline.
Comfort (first class)
- Provides you with all the amenities of the Standard Class like WiFi and fold-down tables, with the bonus of leather reclining seats, power sockets and complimentary hot and cold drinks and snacks throughout the journey.
- You can also lay your hands on daily newspapers to connect yourself with the world around you as you travel to Spain’s most exotic locations.
- Confort also provides you with headphones to watch onboard entertainment.
- Some stations on AVE train also provide you with access to Renfe Club lounges
Children's fares
- Children between 4 and 13 will need to use the AVE kid’s service to travel unaccompanied, and by using that they can avail a 40% discount on any available price, with their own child ticket and seat.
- Children below three years old who do not occupy a seat can travel for free.
- Children under four years can travel for free onboard AVE trains, but they must share a seat with a passenger over four and also carry a ‘free child ticket’.
- Children older than 14 can travel alone on AVE trains.
Group bookings and Accessibility
- If you’re traveling in a group of between four and nine people, you are eligible for discounts on AVE tickets. You can enjoy an 8% discount on the trip’s total price.
- AVE trains are wheelchair accessible. They offer accessible seating options and electric wheelchair ramps for easy access and assistance on the train.
Pet travel
- Pets under 22 lbs. (10 kg) are allowed on AVE trains. Pets should remain in their carrier when on the train, and passengers with Basico tickets aren’t allowed pets on board.
- Small pets can travel on AVE train services. This includes dogs, cats, ferrets and non-poultry birds under 10 kg, if they are transported in a cage that doesn’t exceed the measurements 60 x 35 x 35 cm.
- Animals may travel for free in Confort Class (First Class); in Estandár Class (Standard Class), you must purchase an Integrated ticket (25% of the price of an Estandár ticket).
Must-see destinations on AVE routes
Barcelona
Frequently asked questions about AVE tickets
Can I change my AVE ticket?
Yes. However, the conditions will depend on the type of ticket. Passengers with premium tickets can change their tickets for free; other tickets usually have a fee for changing.
What's included in my AVE ticket price?
Your AVE ticket includes transportation and a reserved seat. Additional services, such as meals, lounge access, and extra luggage, may be available for an additional fee.
How far in advance can I book AVE tickets?
You can book AVE trains up to 90 days in advance, giving you ample time to plan your trip. Booking early is a great way to secure the best availability and often better fares. Popular routes, like Madrid to Barcelona or Seville to Madrid, tend to sell out quickly, especially during peak travel periods like summer holidays or long weekends, so it's wise to book ahead.
Is there an onboard restaurant on AVE trains?
AVE trains have a buffet car or café that serves food and drinks and is accessible to all passengers. You can also bring your own food and drinks.
What happens if I miss my AVE train?
This depends on the type of ticket you purchased. The Ticket Types section provides details on each ticket type's flexibility.
What type of hand luggage is allowed on the AVE train?
Suitcases, handbags, laptop bags, rucksacks, and similar are allowed on AVE trains. Baby seats and strollers need to be folded before traveling on AVE trains. Musical instruments in their cases and folded bikes in bike bags are also allowed on board.
From happy customers
Elodie
FranceJun, 2025
Beautiful, very high and accessible, but very expensive. It's great to be able to visit a place so high up, on a glacier without any equipment! However, you get the feeling that it's an affluent foreign public (Chinese and Indian) that's being targeted (luxury watch boutiques, Dubai chocolate for sale at Lindt, boolywood restaurant...). Tourists weren't very polite in the Hall of Mirrors, which kind of spoiled my experience that day. I would also have liked to see some climate warnings on this fragile environment! But the only mention is of signs leading away from the star attractions towards the toilets.
Conclusion: a must if you're in the area and can afford it, but if you're used to hiking and mountaineering, you can have great experiences elsewhere.
View original review in French
From Lauterbrunnen: Jungfraujoch Top of Europe Round-Trip Train Tickets
Werner
Sep, 2022
Das Erlebniss bei schönem Wetter und guter Sicht war super!
Ich habe die Bahnfahrt online gekauft und bezahlt und musste die Tikets doch noch beim Bahnhofschalter abholen.
Ich hatte erwartet, dass ich die Tikets selber ausdrucken kann.
Freundliche Grüsse
Werner Schweizer
Round-Trip Train Tickets to Schynige Platte from Wilderswil Station
Lisa
United StatesMay, 2025
We had no problems with our reserved tickets getting from train to cable car. The Junfrauoch station was very crowded and had too many shops and restaurants and not enough places to enjoy outside.
From Interlaken: Jungfraujoch Top of Europe Round-Trip Train Tickets
Roberta
United StatesNov, 2024
That there were other displays and activities up at the top (ice tunnel/historical pics etc) besides the awesome view. Assortment of food choices too.
From Interlaken: Jungfraujoch Top of Europe Round-Trip Train Tickets
Raj
NetherlandsJun, 2025
Loved loved looooovvveeeeed everything about this experience! Getting a ticket was eazy. Keep in mind it takes a lot of time to travel in switserland. I had a hotel on Chur and it took me more than two hours of driving with my car to get to grindelwald. Just a little advice for somebody who makes a reservation at the very last moment ;) you also get a lot of information so it's best to use the app and take some screenshots. Yes it is pricey but the view from "on top of europe" was priceless. (Haha ;)) to be honest I think I could enjoy this experience a bit more if it wasn't so much crowded. Some people call it a tourist trap... I'd rather call it a lazy way to get on top ;) the views were spectacular and surely worth my money
From Grindelwald: Jungfraujoch Top of Europe Round-Trip Tickets
Nilesh
IndiaApr, 2025
Our visit to Jungfraujoch was absolutely unforgettable! From the breathtaking train journey through the stunning Swiss Alps to the incredible views at the "Top of Europe," every moment felt magical. The snow-covered peaks, the Ice Palace, and the panoramic vistas from the Sphinx Observatory were simply awe-inspiring. Everything was very well organized, and the facilities were excellent despite the altitude. The staff was friendly and helpful, making the experience smooth and enjoyable. Jungfraujoch truly exceeded our expectations — a once-in-a-lifetime experience that we would highly recommend to anyone visiting Switzerland!
From Grindelwald: Jungfraujoch Top of Europe Round-Trip Tickets