It is useful to compare high-speed trains between Madrid and Barcelona, taking into account any additional options. The starting price may not reflect the full cost of your luggage and your preferred seat.
Before you buy
Check the specific operator and product, for example by searching for ‘Renfe’, rather than relying solely on the general term ‘AVE’. Check the stations, seat, luggage and transport rules. If travelling with a child, enter their correct age and view the total fare.
On the day of travel
Read the arrival recommendations and boarding procedures. Don’t leave arriving at the station until the last minute with large suitcases. Upon arrival in Barcelona, factor in the journey into the city centre; the train journey time is not the same as the time it takes to reach your hotel.
Checking your ticket
Once your booking is confirmed, check the passenger details, date, stations and all included journeys. Save a copy of your full boarding document offline. Prices and timetables in this guide are not fixed: you’ll need to check the current options with the operator for your specific date.
See also: Berlin–Munich ICE train: how to check the service and booking; Warsaw–Berlin train: how to compare international fares.
Official sources
Renfe. Please check current services, prices and conditions for your chosen date; the photographs illustrate rail travel and do not confirm the configuration of a specific service.
Image details
- Renfe AVE Siemens Velaro at Barcelona Sants (53297763629).jpg — Jon Worth from Germany; CC BY 2.0. The image has been resized and converted to WebP. Licence terms can be found on the original page.
- AVE Renfe 00 11 50 058000.jpeg — Robot8A; CC BY-SA 4.0. The image has been resized and converted to WebP. Licence terms can be found on the original page.
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Questions and answers
Does the starting price always include the required luggage allowance?
Please check the specific fare and any additional options before payment.
Are the prices listed here up to date?
No. Please refer to the carrier’s offer for the final amount including the required options.
What should I check for a connecting journey?
The exact stations, the actual route and the type of tickets.
Is it enough to save the search results?
No. You’ll need a confirmed ticket and, where necessary, a booking confirmation.