How early do we need to get to train stations and the airports?

You really don't need a lot of time at the train station.. I usually aim for about 30 min.

In Corodoba, there was a luggage xray that I was not anticipating, and we were running really late... luckily there wasn't a long line (though at the platform next to us there was) - we arrived super late (for a variety of reasons) and got on the train with less than 5 min to spare. That was cutting it a bit close for me!

If you have the cheap tickets, they are not changeable so I would make sure to arrive in time! :)

katelyn trains are not like airplanes. there is no check-in, or baggage handling, or flight attendants. Its like boarding a public bus in the US or the subway/BART/MARTA/metro. The train comes, you get on. What you do need time for, is to get oriented at the station to find the right track, pick up some snacks, coffee, etc. Kim says 30 minutes, that seems right.

Kim's correct; bags are sometimes X-rayed before you are permitted to go down to the platform in Spain. I never had a significant delay at that point, but you can't always just walk into the station and get on a train.

The stations in Barcelona and Madrid are both quite large, and it can take some time to figure out where your platform is located, even after the platform number appears on the display board. Thirty minutes should certainly be sufficient.

There is no check in - if you have your tickets bought and printed you just proceed to the platform area with your luggage.

Spain is different than much of the rest of Europe in that there is a baggage scan - you need put your bags through a conveyer belt X-ray like at the airport. I've never had this take more than 5 minutes though. In Madrid at least, you also need to show your ticket to get to the AVE section of Atocha. Again, a 2 minute process.

Also unlike airports, the platform isn't usually announced until a few minutes before the train comes. You wait in an airport-like area with chairs, shops, restaurants, etc and listen/watch screens for your train platform to be announced. Then you head to that platform with everyone else on the train. your ticket is checked,and you get on.

So...be in the area to hear your platform 10 minutes ahead. Before that you need to find this area (stations are big!) and go through a baggage screen. I'd say 30 minutes is safe. On your first train if you are unsure about the procedure go for 40 minutes. Not needed, but for me extra time in an unfamiliar situation is very helpful.

Those trains you name---Barcelona to Madrid, Madrid to Cordoba, and Cordoba to Seville---are high-speed AVE trains and you bags WILL go through a scanner--it is not "sometimes" or random. So do not be caught unaware.

You can read all about trains in Spain frommthe expert,mthe Man in Seat 61:

http://www.seat61.com/Spain-trains.htm

In many European train stations the big destination board doesn't show the appropriate boarding platforms until 20 minutes before the departure time. It's true that security procedures have been installed on some major trains; the Eurostar under the English Channel is another example. Its website clearly indicates how far in advance travellers should arrive at the checkpoint.
As for airports, the increased security concerns in Europe mean the advice given on the various airline websites should be taken seriously. It's not a one-size-fits-all issue any more.

Exactly as Sascha says , after eight rail trips in the last six weeks , only one ( media distancia ) train had no
pre boarding scan . Be at the station with enough time to get your bearings and know the number of your train , so that when posted , you will know exactly which platform .

I haven't taken the AVE from Barcelona, but the station (Sants) is not terribly big. On the other hand, I thought the signage was unclear, but then I was looking for regional trains. In Madrid, you need time to get through the station to the AVE trains, and it can be slow going since it seems like there are always crowds. The baggage scanning is before entering the AVE train lounge area, so there can be a few minutes' wait. In Sevilla and Cordoba the stations are small, the security check is at the specific platform for your train.

You need to show your tickets at security, then put your luggage on the conveyor belt. You must put all your bags and parcels through the machine. You will probably also be asked to put coats and jackets through.

Trains are usually on time. Doors close 2 minutes before departure.

Allow extra time when departing from Madrid Atocha, since it's very confusing; long distance trains leave from two different levels, and you must go to the correct level to board.

At security for the fast AVE trains, your tickets will be checked and your bags will go through an X-ray, but you will not go through a metal detector or scanner.

Since you're unfamiliar with the trains and the stations, arrive 30 minutes before. This will give you time to get your bearings, find the AVE platforms, go through security, buy a snack/beverage, and for a few minutes before they start boarding. Once you get familiar with a station, you can allow less arrival time and still be fine.

For your flight, follow the airline's recommendation.

Katelyn,
If you have your tickets already, I'd advice you arrive 30 minutes prior to your train's departure time at Barcelona, Córdoba & Sevilla's train stations, however, I'd advice you arrive a bit earlier to the Atocha train station in Madrid.

All the AVE train platforms are located on the same level, at all the stations on your list, except at the Atocha station in Madrid, where the train platforms are on different areas & levels.

Here is a diagram of Barcelona Sants train station to give you an idea, and you can compare it to Madrid's huge Puerta de Atocha train station.

Cordoba's train station is considerably smaller, compared to the others on your list.

Enjoy your trip!