It is no exaggeration to say that the AVE (Tren de Alta Velocidad Española), which started in 1992 in time for Sevilla's Expo, changed the face of Andalucía. Suddenly, you could get to Madrid from Sevilla in two hours 20 minutes, without either having to endure an airport, or sit on an ordinary train for between six and nine hours.

The service were frequent and reliable, and they famously offered a refund if your train was more than five minutes later than its scheduled arrival time. This refund offer has since been watered down in the era of low-cost tickets.

In 2007 the line from Málaga to Córdoba via Antequera was opened, making it possible to travel from Málaga on Costa del Sol to Madrid and later Barcelona.

The trains run at target top speed of 300 km/h for operational reasons although the train units are certified to 330 km/h and 350 km/h.

There are three different "train sets" in operation. The most popular in Andalucía are the Class 102 introduced in 2005. The two power-car and 12 passenger-car train has earned the nickname "pato" (duck) based on the aerodynamic shape of the fronts areas. Since May 2007 the trains travel with a target top speed of 300 km/h.

1st Class

Facilities in the coach

• Free wifi available
• Power outlet available at your seat
• Air-conditioning
• You can buy food and drinks
• Access to VIP lounges of main stations
• Disabled facilities

2nd Class Comfort

Facilities in the coach

• Free wifi available
• Power outlet available at your seat
• Air-conditioning
• You can buy food and drinks
• Disabled facilities

2nd Class

Facilities in the coach

• Free wifi available
• Power outlet available at your seat
• Air-conditioning
• You can buy food and drinks
• Disabled facilities

Ultimate Guide to Spanish Railway

Ultimate Guides to Spain Railways

Like the rail network in most parts of Europe, traveling by train in Spain is simple, economical and efficient.

You should understand that Spain’s transportation infrastructure is generally quite mature, but did you know that Spain ranks behind China and has the second most high-speed rail in the world? Japan has the title of fastest high-speed rail, but Spain's high-speed rail ranks fifth.

Spain is a relatively small country, which means you can easily, cheaply and quickly see more of Spain. All train travel in Spain goes through Renfe-Spain’s nationalized railway network (Red Nacional de F'errocarriles Espafioles), which operates regular city-to-city, inner-city regional train ...