Madrid to Seville by train: AVE, Avlo, Iryo or Ouigo? Fares and times (2026)

By the TrainsNews International Expert · Updated 27 October 2026

Madrid to Seville by train takes about 2 h 40 on Spain's first high-speed line, from Madrid Puerta de Atocha to Sevilla Santa Justa, close to the city centre. Four brands now compete on the route: Renfe's AVE and low-cost Avlo, Iryo and Ouigo, with advertised fares from €7 on the Avlo network and €9 on Ouigo's Madrid–Seville trains. Here is how to choose your train, what to expect at the stations, and what has changed on the line since the Adamuz accident in January 2026.

Strike alert: Ouigo has announced cancellations on its Seville trains for strikes on 30 October and 2 November 2026. Check your booking before travelling.

Madrid to Seville by train at a glance

AVE, Avlo, Iryo or Ouigo?

All four brands use the same high-speed line and the same stations, so the difference is in price, comfort and what is included.

Our advice: if you travel light, Avlo and Ouigo are hard to beat. If you have a large suitcase, compare with an AVE or Iryo basic fare, because the extra luggage charge on low-cost trains can wipe out the saving (Ouigo charges €25 for an extra case at the gate).

Journey time and timetable

The fastest trains take about 2 h 40. Ouigo's timetable shows 2 h 40 to 2 h 41 with one stop, and its Seville station page lists its trains as stopping in Córdoba. Since May 2026, Iryo also runs one train in each direction that stops at Ciudad Real, Puertollano and Córdoba: Madrid 07:54 → Seville 10:46 (2 h 52) and Seville 06:47 → Madrid 09:31.

Renfe's first train leaves Madrid Puerta de Atocha at 07:00. Ouigo's timetable showed three trips a day from Madrid on 27 October 2026, and Renfe and Iryo run their own services alongside.

Since the Adamuz accident in January 2026, temporary speed restrictions have been reported at several points in the province of Córdoba. In practice, allow a few extra minutes on the timetable.

How to pay less

• Book early: the lowest fares usually go first. The €7 and €9 tickets are limited offers.
• Children: Ouigo sells children's tickets at €7; children under 3 travel free on a parent's lap.
• Compare brands for the same time of day: prices change from one operator to another, even on trains a few minutes apart.

Stations: Puerta de Atocha and Santa Justa

Madrid Puerta de Atocha–Almudena Grandes is the departure station for all four brands. Adif is building a new underground through station there, linked to the tunnel to Chamartín, but the station stays open during the works. Follow the signs to the high-speed departures (salidas AVE / Larga Distancia).

Sevilla Santa Justa is on Avenida de Kansas City, east of the old town. It is open from 04:30 (05:15 at weekends and on public holidays) to 00:30; the nearest metro stop is Nervión (line 1), a short walk away, and several bus lines stop outside. With an AVE or long-distance ticket, Renfe includes a free journey on its Cercanías local trains (Combinado Cercanías).

Luggage and security checks

Spanish high-speed stations check your luggage and coats with an X-ray scanner before you reach the platform, as in an airport. Ouigo asks passengers to be in the boarding area at least 30 minutes before departure and refuses boarding in the last 5 minutes. Our advice is to arrive 30 minutes early whatever the brand.

Train or plane?

The flight itself is short, but you must add the trip to Madrid-Barajas and Seville airports, security and boarding. The train takes you from city centre to city centre in about 2 h 40, which makes it the obvious choice on this route.

Expert view: the line that started Spain's high-speed story

Madrid–Seville was Spain's first high-speed line. It opened to passengers on 21 April 1992, during the year of the Seville Expo. Over 30 years later it is still one of the busiest lines in the country, now shared by four brands since rail liberalisation.

Its age is now its main challenge. The line was equipped from the start with LZB, a continuous cab-signalling system. Adif is replacing it with ERTMS Level 2, the European standard, which sends movement authorities by radio (GSM-R). Thales won a €93.8 million contract in 2021 for interlockings, signalling and train protection. The wider renewal, worth €700 million according to the Ministry of Transport, is replacing sleepers, switches, track circuits and substations. According to the Spanish press in October 2026, the works are nearly finished and ERTMS will be switched on first on the busiest sections near Madrid, as part of a deployment due this winter.

The accident near Adamuz (Córdoba) on 18 January 2026, involving an Iryo train and a Renfe Alvia, closed the line until 17 February. The line reopened with a 60 km/h limit at Adamuz, and the temporary restrictions reported since show how much a line from 1992 depends on rigorous track maintenance. For travellers, the result is simple: Madrid–Seville is still by far the best way to travel between the two cities, but the timetables are a little slower than the line's 300 km/h top speed would suggest.

Madrid to Seville by train: FAQ

How long is the train from Madrid to Seville?

About 2 h 40 on the fastest trains, and up to 2 h 52 on trains with extra stops at Ciudad Real and Puertollano.

How much is the train from Madrid to Seville?

Avlo advertises fares from €7 on its network and Ouigo from €9 on Madrid–Seville (checked 27 October 2026). AVE and Iryo fares vary with the date and the fare type.

Which station does the train leave from in Madrid?

Madrid Puerta de Atocha–Almudena Grandes, for all four brands.

Which company is the cheapest?

Avlo and Ouigo usually have the lowest fares, but only include a small bag and a cabin case.

Do I need to arrive early?

Yes: luggage goes through an X-ray check. Ouigo asks for 30 minutes before departure; we recommend the same for all trains.

Does the train stop in Córdoba?

Many trains stop in Córdoba, which makes it easy to combine Madrid, Córdoba and Seville on one trip.

Is the line open after the Adamuz accident?

Yes. It reopened on 17 February 2026, with temporary speed restrictions reported in the province of Córdoba.

Key takeaways

• About 2 h 40 from Madrid Puerta de Atocha to Sevilla Santa Justa.
• Four brands: AVE, Avlo, Iryo and Ouigo. Advertised fares from €7 (Avlo) and €9 (Ouigo).
• Low-cost fares include a cabin case only: check luggage rules before booking.
• Arrive 30 minutes early for the luggage X-ray check.

Read more

• Spain: high-speed trains between Madrid and Andalusia resume
• Lisbon to Porto by train: Alfa Pendular, fares and times
• Rome to Florence by train: Frecciarossa vs Italo
• All our train travel guides

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Sources: Renfe, Madrid–Sevilla route page; Renfe, Avlo fares; Renfe, luggage policy; Ouigo, Madrid–Sevilla route page; Ouigo, product and luggage; Ouigo, conditions of carriage (21 August 2026); Ouigo, Sevilla Santa Justa station; Iryo, Madrid–Sevilla route and fares; Vozpópuli, security checks at AVE stations (15 February 2025); Iryo, new stops at Puertollano and Ciudad Real (27 April 2026); Adif, Atocha transformation; Spanish Ministry of Transport, line renewal (25 April 2025); Merca2, Thales signalling contract (16 September 2021); elEconomista via Ceacop, ERTMS on Madrid–Seville (20 October 2026); El Español, line reopening (17 February 2026); Moncloa.com, speed restrictions in Córdoba (14 October 2026). Information checked on 27 October 2026.