Spain · High-speed
The Madrid–Seville AVE was Spain's first high-speed line, opened for the 1992 Expo, and it still runs from Madrid Puerta de Atocha to Sevilla Santa Justa in about two and a half hours, with calls at Ciudad Real, Puertollano and Córdoba. Every seat is reserved. Renfe now runs its low-cost Avlo service on the same infrastructure alongside the full-service AVE.
Madrid → Seville
2h 35m
Photo: Pablo Nieto Abad · CC BY-SA 2.0
Published primary route
Published end-to-end time
No verified figure published
Check the selected service before travel
Route & corridor
Engineering-led corridor. The map, ordered calls and any engineering detail shown below come from the published route record.
The published route runs from Madrid to Seville via Ciudad Real, Puertollano, Córdoba Central.
Key stops
Madrid Puerta de AtochaCiudad RealPuertollanoCórdoba CentralSevilla Santa Justa
Madrid Puerta de Atocha
Spain
Ciudad Real
Spain
Puertollano
Spain
Córdoba Central
Spain
Sevilla Santa Justa
Spain
Why this connection
This line changed how Spain thinks about distance: Andalusia stopped being the far south and became a morning's travel. The route crosses the empty plains of La Mancha, climbs through the Sierra Morena and drops into the Guadalquivir valley, so you can watch the country turn from meseta to olive groves in a single sitting. Córdoba makes a rewarding stop halfway (the Mezquita is a short walk from the station) and Santa Justa puts you within reach of the old city in Seville.
Our current editorial assessment, for comparing journeys, a considered judgement, not a measurement.
More subjective
Not rated yet: value for money, food & drink, seat quality, onboard service, slow travel quality, romance, remoteness.
Step-free access and assistance are set out with the practical detail further down rather than reduced to a score.
Evidence on demand
Route, onboard, season, fit and booking detail remain available without interrupting the journey above. Unknowns stay visible.
2h 35m
The published route runs from Madrid to Seville via Ciudad Real, Puertollano, Córdoba Central.
Key stops
Madrid Puerta de AtochaCiudad RealPuertollanoCórdoba CentralSevilla Santa Justa
Madrid Puerta de Atocha
Spain
Ciudad Real
Spain
Puertollano
Spain
Córdoba Central
Spain
Sevilla Santa Justa
Spain
Jan: Scheduled year-round as a regular timetabled service.
These months show when the train runs, which is a service fact. How good each month is for the experience has not been rated yet, so no month is presented as better than another.
Rail enthusiasts
Especially good
The train and the line itself are a large part of the reason to travel.
First-time rail travellers
Good fit
Frequent, easy to book and a straightforward first rail journey in the country.
Families
Good fit
Short enough, frequent enough or engaging enough to work with children.
You cannot just turn up
A reservation is required for this journey.
Prices quoted Renfe prices AVE by fare type and date, so the price depends on when you book.
Not yet verified: rail pass validity. We leave these blank rather than guess.
This is the operator's own reservation entry point. Fares and availability are confirmed there, not here. Journey length: 2h 35m. Checked 12 Sep 2026 · Renfe.
The detailed source record remains at the end of this guide. Review the evidence.
Your next step
Reserved seats sold by Renfe online; cheaper Elige fares appear well in advance.
Check availability with Renfe (opens in a new tab)This is the operator's own reservation entry point. Fares and availability are confirmed there, not here.
Far by Rail is a discovery guide, not a live timetable or booking service. Confirm times, fares and availability with the operator.
Continue exploring
spain
Renfe's AVE service links Madrid Puerta de Atocha with Barcelona Sants on Spain's flagship high-speed corridor. Tickets carry an assigned seat, and the route is the backbone of what is now the largest high-speed network in Europe.
Also in spain
Photo: Peter elektro · CC BY-SA 3.0
spain
Al Ándalus is Renfe’s seven-day luxury touring train between Seville and Madrid, pairing restored historic carriages and private suites with Andalusian cities, Roman heritage, wine country and guided excursions.
Also in spain
Photo: Nelso Silva / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
spain
Costa Verde Express is Renfe’s six-day luxury train across northern Spain, linking Bilbao and Santiago through Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia with private cabins, regional gastronomy and daily guided visits.
Also in spain
Photo: Xuliu Pombar · CC0
spain
El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo is Renfe’s flagship northern-Spain luxury train, spending eight days between San Sebastián and Santiago de Compostela in spacious private suites with fine dining and curated excursions.
Also in spain
Photo: Ander Ibarra / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0
Journey information is reviewed against published material and maintained as sources change.
Last reviewed 12 Sep 2026.
Official sources
Checked 12 Sep 2026