⚡ TL;DR
- Spain's AVE high-speed network is Europe's 2nd largest, connecting Madrid to Barcelona, Seville, Valencia
- Pass holders must reserve AVE seats — fees €10-35, limited quota in peak season
- Avlo is Renfe's budget high-speed (from €7), but doesn't accept passes
- Renfe Spain Pass: per-trip (4 trips from €198); Eurail Spain Pass: per-day (3 days from €159)
- 3+ intensive travel days → pass; 1-2 routes → advance Renfe discount tickets
The AVE High-Speed Network
Spain has Europe's 2nd longest (after France) and the world's 2nd longest (after China) high-speed rail network. AVE (Alta Velocidad Española) runs at up to 310km/h, operated by Renfe.
| Route | Duration | Ticket Price | Pass Reservation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madrid → Barcelona | 2h 30m | €30-120 | €10-13 |
| Madrid → Seville | 2h 30m | €30-100 | €10-13 |
| Madrid → Valencia | 1h 40m | €20-80 | €10-13 |
| Madrid → Málaga | 2h 25m | €30-100 | €10-13 |
| Barcelona → Seville | 5h 30m | €40-120 | €10-35 |
| Barcelona → Valencia | 2h 50m | €20-70 | €10-13 |
| Madrid → Córdoba | 1h 45m | €20-65 | €10-13 |
Prices from renfe.com, checked Feb 2026. Fares vary significantly by booking time.
Renfe Spain Pass vs Eurail Spain Pass
| Renfe Spain Pass | Eurail Spain Pass | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Per trip (4/6/8/10/12) | Per day (3/4/5/6/8 days) |
| Price | €198-438 | €159-284 |
| Distance limit | Max 500km per trip | Unlimited |
| Reservation fee | Included | €10-35 |
| Eligibility | Non-Spanish residents | Non-European residents |
| Multiple trains/day | Each counts as 1 trip | Unlimited |
| Best for | Few long rides (1-2/day) | Intensive travel (3+/day) |
Avlo Budget High-Speed: The Pass Alternative
Avlo is Renfe's low-cost high-speed brand (similar to France's Ouigo). Uses the same AVE trains but only 2nd class, fares from €7.
💡 Smart strategy: Mix strategies in Spain: use your pass + AVE reservation on travel days, and buy cheap Avlo tickets on non-pass days. Avlo Madrid→Barcelona is often just €7-15.
Reservation Fees Breakdown
| Train Type | Reservation? | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| AVE (High-speed) | Required | €10-13 |
| Alvia (Fast) | Required | €10-13 |
| Euromed | Required | €10-13 |
| Talgo | Required | €10-35 |
| Trenhotel (Night) | Required | €25-50 |
| Media Distancia (Regional) | Not needed | €0 |
| Cercanías (Commuter) | Not needed | €0 |
Top 5 Train Routes in Spain
🚄 Madrid → Barcelona (2h 30m)
Spain's busiest high-speed line, 30+ daily trains
🚄 Madrid → Seville (2h 30m)
One of Europe's first high-speed lines (opened 1992)
🚄 Barcelona → Valencia (2h 50m)
Mediterranean coast — right side seats for sea views
🚄 Madrid → Málaga (2h 25m)
Direct to Costa del Sol, popular in winter
🚄 Madrid → Córdoba → Granada (2h 45m + 1h 30m)
New high-speed extension to Granada since 2019
Real Traveler Pitfalls & Tips
Tips compiled from Reddit r/Interrail, r/Europetravel, seat61.com, and Chinese travel forums, cross-verified across multiple sources.
🚫 Pitfall #1: Renfe reservation requires passport number
Multiple Reddit posts confirm: when booking pass holder reservations on Renfe.com, you must enter your passport number (not your pass number!). Many people mix them up and fail. Also, Renfe's website often crashes — try a Spanish VPN or book at station counters.
🚫 Pitfall #2: Media Distancia invisible on Eurail App
Reddit r/Interrail users report (also confirmed by seat61.com): the Eurail App and RailEurope don't show Spain's reservation-free regional trains (Media Distancia). These trains need no booking — just hop on. Check schedules on Renfe.com or Google Maps.
🚫 Pitfall #3: International AVE reservations nearly impossible online
Per multiple 2024-2025 Reddit posts: international AVE trains from Madrid to France (Narbonne, etc.) have broken online pass reservation systems. Most reliable method: book at Renfe counters at Madrid Atocha or Barcelona Sants station.
💡 Local Advice vs Tourist Mistakes
❌ Tourist mistake: Only using pass for AVE → €10-13 reservation each time. ✅ Local tip: Buy Avlo tickets at €7-15, cheaper than pass + reservation. Spaniards heavily use Avlo and Iryo (new competitor) — neither accepts passes but both are often ultra-cheap. Mix and match.
Money-Saving Tips for Spain
- Buy Renfe advance tickets early — Renfe's Promo fares go on sale 2-3 months ahead — €15-25 AVE tickets, cheaper than pass + reservation.
- Consider Avlo — Avlo Madrid-Barcelona is often €7-15 — check it out.
- Mix pass + Avlo strategy — Use your pass on intensive days, buy Avlo on lighter days.
- Use Media Distancia to save on reservations — For short trips, regional trains need no reservations.
Is a pass worth it for your Spain trip?
Enter your Spanish routes, compare pass vs individual tickets.
🔍 Calculate Now — Free🌐What Real Travelers Say
Aggregated from Reddit, Seat61, TripAdvisor & travel forums (updated 2026-03-08)
⚠️ “Almost EVERY long-distance train in Spain requires mandatory reservation with Eurail. Budget €10-13 per trip extra.”
— r/Interrail · 2025-11
💡 “AVLO (budget high-speed, from €7) and Iryo and Ouigo are NOT covered by Eurail. Often cheaper than Eurail + reservation.”
— r/GoingToSpain · 2025-09
💡 “Renfe website is notoriously difficult. Use the app instead, or book reservations at station counters.”
— TripAdvisor Spain Forum · 2025-08
✨ “Madrid Atocha has a beautiful tropical garden in the old terminal. Arrive 30 min early and explore it.”
— r/travel · 2025-07
💡 “For trips only within Spain, buying AVLO/Iryo advance tickets is almost always cheaper than using an Eurail pass.”
— HappyRail FAQ · 2025-10
⚠️ Common Complaints
- Mandatory reservations everywhere
- AVLO/Iryo/Ouigo not covered
- Renfe website is terrible
- High reservation fees on international routes
Reddit Consensus: poor value for Spain-only trips; only useful as part of a multi-country Eurail Global Pass
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need reservations with Eurail in Spain?
Yes, all AVE and long-distance Renfe trains require mandatory reservations. Fees are €10-35 depending on train type and route. Only Cercanías commuter trains and some Media Distancia regional trains are reservation-free.
What's the difference between Renfe Spain Pass and Eurail Spain Pass?
Renfe Spain Pass is Renfe's own product, charged per trip (4/6/8/10/12 trips), max 500km each, good for medium distances. Eurail Spain Pass is per-day, unlimited trips and distance. High-frequency travelers should pick Eurail; fewer trips favor Renfe.
Can I use my rail pass on Avlo trains?
No. Avlo is Renfe's budget high-speed brand and doesn't accept any rail passes. However, fares often start at €7-15, sometimes cheaper than pass + reservation fee.
Best way from Madrid to Barcelona?
AVE high-speed train takes 2h30m, tickets €30-120 (cheaper if booked early), pass reservation ~€10-13. Or try Avlo budget high-speed (from €7, no passes). About 30 daily departures.
Is a rail pass worth it in Spain?
Depends on your itinerary. If you're taking 3+ days of intensive trains (e.g., Madrid-Barcelona-Seville-Valencia), pass + reservations usually beats buying separately. For just 1-2 routes, advance Renfe discount tickets may be cheaper.