Train Travel

It depends, which type of trains are you talking about?

We will be taking Ave and Avant. Sevilla to Cordoba, Cordoba to Toledo, Toledo to Madrid. Thanks

Yes, for those there are security checking -much like an airport.

Ahead of time?... it depends.
When would that be, February? In the middle of summer?

We have tickets for the 23, 25 & 27 of October. We travel RS style with only a carry on. All three tickets are for late morning.

For high-speed trains in Spain, I’d recommend arriving about 30 minutes before departure, especially at larger stations such as Madrid Atocha, Barcelona Sants or Málaga María Zambrano.

There is usually a security check for AVE and other high-speed trains. Your luggage goes through an X-ray scanner, but it’s generally much quicker and simpler than airport security, you don’t normally need to remove liquids, electronics, shoes, etc. After that, your ticket is checked before you enter the boarding area.

For local Cercanías or most regional trains, you generally don’t need to arrive nearly as early 10 - 5 minutes is usually enough.

Renfe officially recommends arriving at least 30 minutes early for high-speed services, and access control can close shortly before departure.

Just a caution about the baggage x-ray. My husband nearly had his Leatherman confiscated at Madrid Atocha - there was a long discussion before he was allowed to keep it.

I've seen longish lines for security at Madrid Atocha, but lines generally move quickly because screening is not airport-style, but more like building entrance security. Everything you carry goes through the machine. Atocha can be very confusing so allow plenty of time. Sevilla, Cordoba and Toledo are much smaller and easier to navigate. Going from Cordoba to Toledo you will need to transfer in Atocha. I see that Renfe single tickets for that route include about an hour layover in Atocha - that should give you ample time to find the Toledo train and go through security.

Note that trains close their doors 2 minutes before departure.

When I left Madrid (Atocha) last year luggage was screened but people were not. Knives with blades over 6cm were confiscated, if in your luggage, but not if on you (as you were not searched).

Is this the same at other train stations and for which type of trains does screening apply?

In addition to the security x-ray for bags, on Renfe high speed trains, you also have to wait in a quickly moving line to have your ticket scanned by an agent before boarding. On Iryo trains, the tickets are checked by an agent after you board the train and it departs.

As already mentioned, Renfe suggests arriving 30 minutes before train departure.

Here’s my current experience:

Segovia - very small station. They let you pass through the x ray 20 minutes prior to departure.
Salamanca - no screening
Atocha - mid day on a Friday - very quick screening. Can enter 60 minutes prior to your scheduled departure.

In response to Cupcake, I am curious about Salamanca. I too experienced no screening in Salamanca. I thought it was because my particular train to Madrid was "media distancia" rather than high speed long distance like the train I had taken to Salamanca. But I don't remember seeing any security screening points at the station and when I attempted to ask where the screening was, I was told "on the train" because I must have used the wrong wording. Tickets were checked by an agent on the train from Salamanca, not before boarding.

Adding to my prior post - went through a brief security screening in Cordoba - you cant go through security until your train has a platform assigned so there’s no advantage to arriving extra early .

Are there different train services/companies in Spain or is my only option Renfe? I am looking for a high speed train from seville to Granada but Renfe seems to have a very limited schedule. Thanks!

For some routes there is also Iryo and Ouigo. The Man in Seat 61 website explains all the trains for different European countries. The Trainline app or website will show you all the options for a given date; you can pay a little extra and book via Trainline or book directly on the Renfe or other operator site. Glancing quickly, It looks to me like there is only Renfe for Seville to Granada (on a random day) but 8 different Renfe trains per day.

My husband nearly had his Leatherman confiscated at Madrid Atocha -
there was a long discussion before he was allowed to keep it.

You need to keep your weapons on your person, as only your luggage is screened.
(Which also shows how useful these screenings really are...)

I would think 30 minutes is good. We just came back from Spain and we arrived around 45 minutes before at Atocha in Madrid. We waited around for awhile as they didn't assign a platform until around 10-15 minutes before the departure. Security lines in all stations went by very quick.