What is the official railway in Spain?

What is the official railway in Spain? Renfe (Spanish pronunciation: ['re?fe], Eastern Calatan: ['re?f?]), officially Renfe-Operadora, is the national passenger railway company of Spain.

Is Renfe owned by the government?

Renfe Operadora is a state-owned company, attached to the Ministry of Public Works and its mission is to provide passenger and freight transport services, guided by the principles of safety, quality, efficiency, profitability and innovation, with a public service vocation and pursuing an increase in the market share ...

What is the train scandal in Spain?

The controversy surrounding the size of trains designed for the Asturias and Cantabria tracks that are incompatible with the narrow gauge tunnels has forced the resignation of the president of train operator Renfe, Isaías Táboas, as well as the current Secretary of State for Transport, Isabel Pardo de Vera.

Is Renfe or ouigo better?

Your destination, travel goals, and budget will all play a role in making the right decision. Renfe's AVE trains offer a premium experience with a wide range of destinations, while OUIGO Spain provides affordable prices and a straightforward ticketing system.

Is Renfe and AVE the same?

So exactly what is AVE? The AVE is a commercial passenger rail transport service provided by Renfe, using trains that can travel at 300 km/h, with a cafeteria and restaurant service and different spaces of comfort.

Is there a good train system in Spain?

Spain's railways are the fastest ways to cross long distances with most lines converging in Madrid. High-speed trains and slower regional trains provide locals and visitors a quick, comfortable, and convenient way to explore the country.

What is the cheapest train in Spain?

Typically there are three types of train ticket in Spain: Básico, Elige and Prémium. These different types of ticket offer different rates of flexibility. Básico is the cheapest type of ticket you can buy, for both Standard and First Class, with Prémium being the most expensive.

Why are Renfe tickets so expensive?

All railway operators in Spain have a dynamic ticketing system, so fares change constantly. Renfe only offers a limited number of tickets with promotional prices. So when these tickets are sold, only the most expensive fares remain. The same applies for the other operators (Avlo, OUIGO and iryo).

Who owns Renfe trains?

Most passenger trains are managed by Renfe, Spain's state-owned company whose acronym stands for Red Nacional de los Ferrocarriles Españoles. Spain has a network of almost 16,000 km (around 10,000 mi) of railways.

Which train is best in Spain?

In conclusion, Renfe's AVE trains offer a fast, comfortable, and efficient way to travel between cities in Spain. With three different classes, a flexible rescheduling policy, and a pet-friendly attitude, AVE trains are a great choice for travelers who want to explore all Spain offers.

Can you eat on Renfe?

If you have purchased an Elige or Elige Confort ticket, you can enjoy in-seat food and drinks (box menu), served to your seat, by purchasing the Food and Drink add-on. You can purchase it at the time of purchase of your ticket or later (up to 12 hours before the departure of the train from its departure station).

Who competes with Renfe in Spain?

Avlo, Iryo, Ouigo... Renfe now has a lo-cost brand called Avlo, and competitor operators Iryo & Ouigo now operate on key routes including Barcelona-Madrid, Madrid-Valencia, Madrid-Cordoba/Seville/Malaga. See the Barcelona-Madrid page for a run down of these 3 operators.

What is the difference between Basico and Elige on Renfe?

This means that with the Básico (Basic) ticket you will always enjoy a standard seat, and with the Prémium (Premium) option you will always enjoy a comfort seat, while with the Elige (Pick & Mix) option, you choose whether you want a standard seat or a comfort seat.

Can you choose seats on Renfe?

The Seat Selection add-on allows you to choose the seat in which you will travel. Travel with your most loyal friend for just €10 more.

How do you pay on Renfe?

You can pay for your purchases at renfe.com by credit or debit card, with Renfe Points, PayPal, Google Pay, Apple Pay and Bizum. Renfe offers you a secure purchase system, eliminating the possibility of fraud. All confidential data generated when using the system is encrypted.

Is Trainline cheaper than Renfe?

Trainline is the official reseller of Renfe and Avlo, the brands of Spain's national railway company, OUIGO and iryo as well. So you all have ALL the options in just one place. Trainline sells train tickets for the same price as the Spanish carriers.

Should I buy train tickets in advance Spain?

Reserving point-to-point tickets in advance (available up to 60 days ahead of travel) is the best way to save money and to guarantee a seat on your preferred train. Furthermore, many areas of Spain aren't well served by its train system — for many trips, buses and even flights may be a better option.

What is the difference between AVE and Renfe trains in Spain?

Renfe is Spain's national train operator, and their premier high-speed trains are branded AVE which stands for Alta Velocidad Española (Spanish High-Speed). This is a premium high-speed train service, with the most frequent departures.

What is the main train provider in Spain?

The Spanish national train operator is Renfe (pronounced Ren-fay), originally Red Nacional de los Ferrocarriles Españoles but now a brand name in its own right. Its website is www.renfe.com. Renfe runs Spain's superb high-speed AVEs and other mainline trains, as well as local and suburban trains nationwide.

What is the fastest train in Spain?

With close to 4000 kilometres of track, the Spanish high-speed AVE trains operate on the longest high-speed network in Europe. Running at speeds of up to 310 km/h, this extensive network allows for fast connections between cities in Spain. Travel from Madrid to Barcelona in less than 3 hours!