Do the Trains in Spain generally run on time?

In my experience (summer 2016), the Spanish trains were quite reliable.

Good for you for uncovering that bus. It would not have occurred to me to look for one on that route!

I see that it's an ALSA bus. That's a large company whose buses I used often. I recommend trying to buy that bus ticket ahead of time. Border-crossing buses tend to be infrequent and I've known them to sell out. In addition, you don't want to worry about running into a long line at the bus-ticket window. ALSA has vending machines at many larger stations, probably including Pamplona, but there was one day when the whole system was down and the machines (which do take US credit cards) were not working.

Not since El Generalísimo Francisco Franco died in 1975.

Ours were all on time! We had 3 different journeys!

3 trips to Spain in the last 4-5 years, lots of train trips. The fast trains were all on time. I don't remember any delays on the few regional trains I took, so if there were any, they were minor.

Moronic and totally inappropriate response by Roberto da Firenze. Since you've probably not lived under a dictatorship I urge you to refrain from making bad taste jokes.

Not a train, but I took a bus in 1970 between Cordoba and Grenada. 4 hours, picking up people at the market ( with live chickens ) and dropping them off a half mile later, in addition to long distane passengers. We made it to the destination, on time to the minute !!

"Moronic and totally inappropriate response by Roberto da Firenze. Since you've probably not lived under a dictatorship I urge you to refrain from making bad taste jokes."

Maybe he's realized we are working on one here.

But back on topic, trains in Spain make those in the US look so sad :(

Many train trips in Spain, none ever ran late. Train travel there is very efficient and comfortable.

The trains in Spain run mainly in the rain.

You can almost set your clock by their punctuality! Awesome!

I just feeling like adding.....

Yes, but mainly on the plains.

yes better than Amtrak.

Pretty much all the trains we took on our most recent trip ran on time.

Keep in mind that trains departs 2 minutes before the departure time written on your ticket.
Your luggage must go through security at some train stations also, so give yourself enough time for such.

Regarding Bill Sinclair's comment:

Also, often overlooked by international visitors, is that RENFE operates a luggage forwarding service (in collaboration with Correos — the national postal service). You can have the rail company collect your bags from your hotel and have them deliver them to the hotel at your destination before you arrive.

You can read about this service on the Renfe website, however, keep this is mind:

The delivery time for luggage is generally two days.

Enjoy your trip!

What Priscilla means is that the doors to the trains close 2 minutes before departure. If you aren't on the train at least 2 minutes early, you'll be standing and looking at the train hopelessly.

Yes. Very frustrating. I speak from experience. It's one of those "live and learn" situations.

I think Roberto da Firenze was trying to riff on the old joke about Mussolini - "At least he got the trains to run on time", or words to that effect.