Avant, Renfe & Ave Please explain the difference and how will I know which is the best option.

Renfe is the Spanish national railway company; AVE and Avant are types of train services they provide. Consult the Renfe website to see which train serves you best.

Thank you. So all are controlled by Renfe but each provides a different service ie fast direct trains.

This link to info on trains in Spain from the Man in Seat 61 might be helpful.

One other little wrinkle that might be confusing. AVE and Avant trains can run on the same track at the same time (it's the same train). Last May, I took the train from Madrid to Leon. When I booked my ticket, I saw the AVE fare, and I also saw an Avant fare, which was cheaper (both Turista class, nothing fancy). It showed the "two" trains leaving Madrid at the same time. When I got to the train station, it was indeed one track servicing the "two" trains - both were listed on the board as using the same platform at the same time. When I asked my Spanish friend about it later, he didn't even know what an Avant train was or why the fare would have been cheaper to the same destination. AVE trains are the high-speed trains that go longer distances. Avant trains are for shorter distances. In my case, the train only stopped once, in Segovia, before stopping in Leon. So watch the prices. You might be able to save a few dollars by choosing an Avant fare instead of an AVE one, if they are going to the same place.

A related question perhaps ... Do the trains in Spain stay mainly on the plains ?

Renfe has different types of trains linking the most important cities in Spain.

AVE. These are the fastest high-speed trains, reaching up to 310 km/h (193 mi/h). They are very comfortable and extremely reliable.

Alvia. Similar to AVE but a little bit slower, reaching a maximum speed of 250 km/h (155 mi/h). These trains use both high-speed and regular tracks and reach a larger number of destinations.

Avant. Serve mid-distance routes with high-speed trains specifically designed for short journeys (e.g. Madrid-Toledo).

Media Distancia. Traditional trains with multiple stops along the way that run through the whole country. These routes are covered by comfortable and reliable trains. And while Renfe offers very convenient fares, it’s true that these trains are considerably slower than the rest.

from this site ... http://www.spain-traveller.com/guide-train-travel-spain/

People are always asking one type of train over another. It rarely makes much difference. We just take the train that best fits our schedule. So what if one train is 30 minutes faster than another or that one makes 10 stops and the other other 13. I like to think when I am traveling time is less important.

David,
When I started reading your response, I said to myself... Wait a minute, that sounds exactly like what I've read in the past!

I like that website you linked as it's very informative.

Funny! I love that movie! "The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain!"

Cheryl,

I read your other post, and I'm wondering... Have you considered visiting Granada?

Priscilla, I think you've got it !!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVmU3iANbgk

Thank you so much for the clarity on trains. Basically it is what I thought. We have traveled through Switzerland via trains to both Italy & Austria. So familiar just wanted clarification. Priscilla we are in the rough stages hoping to book air this week then we will book our AirBnbs and figure day trips Granada is one of consideration. Unfortunately there are so many wonderful things to see and visit and only 15 days. Want to make the best of our time with out having to move home base locations to much. Originally thinking staying in just Barcelona, Madrid and Sevilla, but I think from all I have read will add an overnight in Cordoba or 2. I don't want to go any less than 5 nights in Barcelona then I was doing 5 in each of Madrid and Sevilla. IYO which of these would you decrease in order to stay in Cordoba.
Thanks again to everyone!

Cheryl, have you decided on the side-trips you want to take from Barcelona and Madrid? That would affect how I'd allocate time. In addition, how do you feel about the Big 3 art museums in Madrid (the major reason to spend more than one day in the city itself, as far as I'm concerned) and the modernista sites in Barcelona?

Barcelona - 5 nts with possible days to Montserrat and Figueres+Girona
Madrid - 4 nts with possible days to Toledo and Segovia
Cordoba - 2 nts
Sevilla - 4 nts with possible days to Jerez and Arcos de la Frontera

To see the Alhambra in Granada you need 2 nights for a full day there - take a night each from Sevilla and Barcelona.

Cheryl,

I don't want to go any less than 5 nights in Barcelona then I was doing 5 in each of Madrid and Sevilla. IYO which of these would you decrease in order to stay in Cordoba.

The answer to your question is a very personal one, mainly because you're the only who knows what interests you.

My mom & I spent 3 weeks on our my recent trip and stayed 5 nights in each of the following cities: Córdoba , Sevilla, & Toledo. We also spent 4 nights in Granada, and one night in Madrid. However, we had visited Barcelona, Girona, Madrid & Toledo on a previous trip.

I agree with David's suggestion as to how to allocate your 15 nights in Spain.

Another option would be to skip Barcelona this time & do something like this:

Fly into Madrid & take train to Córdoba (3N) >> Granada (3N) >> Sevilla (5N) >> Madrid (4N) with day trip to Toledo or Segovia>> fly home from Madrid.

Enjoy your trip!

If leaving Barcelona for the future, I would add Ronda to Priscilla's suggestion above ...
Córdoba (2N) >> Sevilla (4N) >> Ronda (2N) >> Granada (3N) >> Madrid (4N)

Skipping Barcelona is not an option. All others are interchangeable. I like the suggestions and it was what were were thinking in I believe it was Davids post? The only thing I question is I thought that doing the Alhambra is do able in 1 day trip

maybe you should "skip" everything but Barcelona.... LOL! I can assure you'd fill up all your stay just with Barcelona and the day/overnight escapades :))

Cheryl,

The only thing I question is I thought that doing the Alhambra is do
able in 1 day trip

I would not recommend visiting Granada from Sevilla or Córdoba, as it will take you 2.5 - 3 hours each way.

This is the best and most comprehensive article I've seen for Renfe. It is long but covers everything. Many US credit cards don't work. You have to register with Mastercard's "securecard" or Visa's "verified-by-visa" and even then . . . Paypal does work.

What do you really want to see and do? Madrid has three world-class art museums, and you'll need a couple days to see them properly. If you enjoy spending hours with oil paintings that's great. There's not much else in Madrid itself that overshadows sights and experiences in your other destinations. It's convenient for day trips, notably Toledo and Segovia. For me those are "second-tier" places, while Sevilla, Cordoba, Granada and Barcelona are "first-tier." If you want to spend a day at the Prado and another half day at the Thyssen (I've done both done twice, the Reina Sofia's collections are a bit too modern for me) absolutely do not skip Madrid. But if that's not what you're going to Spain for, I give you permission to skip it.

Arrive Barcelona - 4 nts - with possible days to Montserrat or Figueres+Girona
Fly to Granada - 2 nts - for the Alhambra
Train to Cordoba - 2 nts - for the Mezquita
Train to Sevilla - 3 nts - with possible days to Jerez or Arcos de la Frontera
Train to Madrid - 4 nts - with possible days to Toledo and Segovia
Depart Madrid

Enric, when someone gives you a box of chocolates, don't you save the best ones for tomorrow ? lol

David.... certainly not... the longer they stay around the more chances someone else eats them up! :)))

You need a hiding place for them then.