Please sign in to post.

New highspeed train opens in Extremadura, Spain!

After two decades of construction, a new Alvia highspeed train line is inaugurated today in the Extremadura region of Spain, by the King and Prime Minister. The new line finally connects Madrid-Atocha to Plasencia, Cáceres, Mérida, and Badajoz.

This is great news for travelers as it makes it so much easier to visit Extremadura, one of great hidden gems of Spain full of picturesque white-washed towns, bucolic acorn forests, Roman ruins, and Templar Castles.

Translated from Spanish:

What benefits will the user have then? Those who start their journey at the Atocha station will now get off at the new Plasencia train station, get on the new Alvia and start their journey there again towards Cáceres, Mérida and Badajoz, faster than before thanks to the improvement of most of the train tracks. The so-called "fast train from Extremadura" will be a high-speed rail service that will reduce the journey from Madrid by 50 minutes. 40 minutes between Monfragüe and Badajoz station; 25 minutes between Badajoz and Cáceres or 20 between Cáceres and Mérida.

Undoubtedly, an improvement that is also added to the redesign and facelift of the Badajoz, Cáceres, Mérida and Plasencia stations. Renfe will put tickets on sale this Friday with a promotion of 30,000 between 18 and 22 euros for the coming months

You can read more here: https://elpais.com/espana/2022-07-18/felipe-vi-y-sanchez-se-montan-con-22-anos-de-retraso-en-el-nuevo-tren-rapido-de-extremadura.html?rel=buscador_noticias

Posted by
7304 posts

Thanks for sharing!
For clarifications, this only affects journeys beyond Plasencia, as the new highspeed track is entirely within Extremadura. Madrid to Plasencia is still on the old line, and still takes 3 hours.

Posted by
4180 posts

Yes I believe one first takes the normal train from Madrid Atocha to Plasencia, then transfers to the highspeed Alvia train for the rest of the journey. The train from Madrid to Plasencia (2:45 hr) is only about 20 min slower than driving (2:26). The bus from Madrid to Plasencia takes (3:30 hr)