Can anyone confirm here whether there is AVE (Alta Velocidad Espana) service from Madrid to Barcelona? After reading Rick Steve's Spain book, I was under the impression that there was new AVE service to Barcelona from Madrid. When I was in Madrid last month, I went to the travel agency at the El Corte Ingles department store, to purchase tickets to Barcelona. When inquiring about AVE service, I was told by the agent that there was no AVE service to Barcelona, only to Sevilla and Toledo.
Posted by
Amarillo
47 posts
The only thing I could find was the Altaria train, but it's pretty fast. I plan on taking it on my trip next summer: straight shot, zero changes, 4.5 hours total time.
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
The AVE service runs from Madrid to Lleida, then must take regular tracks (slow speed) thru to Barcelona. Last month, the Spanish government announced that the AVE high speed line will be finished through to Barcelona as of 21 December this year.