Madrid to Seville by Train
Direct high-speed (3 competing operators) service · from €9
Route Overview
Madrid to Seville runs on Spain’s first high-speed rail line — the route that launched European-style HSR in Spain when it opened on 21 April 1992 for the Seville World Expo. Today, three operators — Renfe AVE, IRYO, and OUIGO Spain — compete on this 472-kilometre corridor, with over 32 daily trains and fares starting from €9. The fastest services complete the journey in just 2 hours 20 minutes.
Renfe AVE runs the most frequent service, including some non-stop trains. IRYO offers Frecciarossa 1000 trains with up to 10 daily frequencies and four comfort classes. OUIGO Spain provides budget departures from €9 with all Seville trains stopping in Córdoba. All operators depart from Madrid Atocha and arrive at Seville Santa Justa station, which is within walking distance of the city centre and its major landmarks.
The route crosses the plains of La Mancha, passes through the Sierra Morena mountains, and enters Andalusia via Córdoba — home of the Mezquita. Most trains stop in Córdoba, making it an easy day trip. From Seville, travellers can continue by regional train to Granada, Cádiz, or Jerez de la Frontera for further exploration of Andalusia.
Train Operator
Renfe AVE
Spain’s national operator. 12–15 daily departures. Estándar and Confort classes with complimentary WiFi and café-bar. Operates Spain’s first HSR route since 1992.
Direct high-speed · 300 km/h max
Train Operator
IRYO
Private operator (Air Nostrum + Trenitalia). 10 daily departures on Frecciarossa 1000 trains. Four classes including Infinita Bistró with at-seat dining.
Direct high-speed · 360 km/h max
Train Operator
OUIGO Spain
SNCF low-cost brand. 4 daily departures on double-decker TGV trains. Single class from €9. All services stop in Córdoba.
Direct high-speed · 300 km/h max
Departure & Arrival Stations
Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes
- Central Madrid
- Line 1 (Atocha)
- Cercanías commuter rail (C1 to Barajas Airport T4 — 25 min). Sala Club lounge for Prémium ticket holders.
Sevilla-Santa Justa
- Central Seville
- EA airport bus to Seville Airport (∼30 min). MetroCentro tram nearby. Walking distance to Cathedral and Alcázar (∼15 min).
Classes of Service
Renfe Estándar
- Comfortable 2+2 seating
- Free WiFi (PlayRenfe)
- Power outlets at every seat
- Café-bar car access
- Combinado Cercanías free transfer
Renfe Confort
- Spacious 2+1 seating (XL seats)
- Free WiFi (PlayRenfe)
- Power outlets
- At-seat meal and wine (Prémium fare)
- Sala Club lounge access (Prémium fare)
- Combinado Cercanías free transfer
IRYO Inicial
- Standard 2+2 seating
- 5G WiFi
- Power outlets and USB
- Bar car access
IRYO Inicial Superior
- Standard 2+2 seating (same as Inicial)
- 5G WiFi
- Power outlets and USB
- Bar car access
- Flexible ticket — exchangeable and refundable
IRYO Infinita
- Spacious 2+1 seating
- 5G WiFi
- Power outlets and USB
- Bar car access
- Cercanías transfer included
IRYO Infinita Bistró
- Premium 2+1 seating
- 5G WiFi
- Power outlets and USB
- At-seat dining with Spanish cuisine
- Complimentary drinks and snacks
- Cercanías transfer included
OUIGO Estándar
- Standard 2+2 seating on double-decker TGV
- Power outlets at some seats
- OuiBar café on upper deck
WiFi and power outlets are paid extras on OUIGO
Tickets & Booking Tips
Starting Price
from €9 per person, one way in Renfe Estándar class. Prices range from €9 (OUIGO advance) to €150+ (Renfe Prémium/IRYO Infinita Bistró) depending on operator, class, date and availability..
Book Early
Tickets are available Renfe: up to 4 months in advance. IRYO: up to 250 days. OUIGO: up to 6 months.. Advance bookings typically offer the lowest fares.
Children & Youth
Children aged 4–13: reduced fares on all operators. OUIGO from €7.. No specific youth discount on most fares. Advance booking offers the best prices for all ages.. Children under 4 travel free on adult’s lap (Renfe/IRYO). OUIGO: ages 0–3 free, no seat.
Luggage
Renfe AVE: no strict limits. IRYO: varies by fare class (Inicial: 1 personal + 1 cabin; higher classes: + suitcase). OUIGO: 1 handbag + 1 cabin bag; suitcase €5 online / €40 at station.
Good to Know
Spain’s First High-Speed Line — A Historic Route
The Madrid–Seville high-speed line opened on 21 April 1992 for the Seville World Expo, making Spain the fourth country in the world to operate high-speed rail after Japan, France, and Germany. Before the line was built, the train journey took over 6 hours through the narrow Despeñaperros pass. Today, the same distance is covered in 2 hours 20 minutes at speeds up to 300 km/h.
Córdoba — An Easy Stop on the Way
Most Madrid–Seville trains stop in Córdoba, home of the Mezquita-Catedral — a UNESCO World Heritage Site blending Islamic and Christian architecture. The stop is approximately 1 hour 45 minutes from Madrid and 40 minutes from Seville. Consider breaking your journey here: Córdoba’s historic centre is a 15-minute walk from the station.
Gateway to Andalusia — Connections from Seville
Seville Santa Justa station is a gateway to southern Spain. From here, direct trains run to Córdoba (40 min), Málaga (2h by AVE), Cádiz (1.5–2h), and Granada (connections available). Regional buses from Seville connect to the Andalusian white villages, and ferries depart for Morocco from nearby ports.
Seville Santa Justa — Walking Distance to the Centre
Unlike many European HSR stations located on the outskirts, Seville Santa Justa is centrally located — approximately 15 minutes on foot to the Cathedral and the Alcázar. The station combines Moorish architectural curves with modern functionality and serves 13 million passengers annually. There is no direct rail link to Seville Airport; the EA airport bus departs from outside the station.
Three Operators Competing — Prices Start from €9
Since Spain’s rail market opened to competition, three operators serve this route. Renfe AVE is the established full-service operator, IRYO arrived in March 2023 with Frecciarossa 1000 trains, and OUIGO Spain offers budget fares from €9. The competition has driven prices down across all operators. Booking 2 to 4 weeks in advance typically secures the best fares.
Renfe’s Delay Refund Guarantee
Renfe offers automatic compensation for delays on AVE services: a delay over 15 minutes entitles you to a 50% refund of the ticket price, and a delay over 30 minutes entitles you to a 100% refund. This policy helped establish passenger confidence when the line launched in 1992 and remains a distinctive feature of Renfe’s AVE service today.
Frequently Asked Questions
The fastest non-stop high-speed trains take 2 hours 20 minutes. Services with stops in Córdoba or other intermediate stations take approximately 2 hours 30 to 2 hours 50 minutes. The average journey time is around 2 hours 39 minutes.
Fares start from €9 on OUIGO Spain and from €14 on IRYO when booked in advance. Renfe AVE fares start from approximately €17 with a Básico ticket. Premium and Confort class fares are higher. Advance booking is recommended for the best prices.
All trains depart from Madrid-Puerta de Atocha and arrive at Sevilla-Santa Justa. Santa Justa is centrally located, approximately 15 minutes on foot from Seville’s Cathedral and Alcázar. There is no direct rail link to Seville Airport — use the EA airport bus from outside the station.
Yes. Most Madrid–Seville trains stop at Córdoba, approximately 1 hour 45 minutes from Madrid. You can book separate tickets to break your journey in Córdoba and continue to Seville later the same day on a different train.
There is no direct train to Seville Airport (SVQ). Take the EA (Especial Aeropuerto) bus from outside Santa Justa station — it takes approximately 30 minutes. Alternatively, a taxi from the station to the airport costs approximately €25–30.