Renfe AVE
The incumbent. Widest network, biggest choice of departures, priciest walk-up fares.
Route guide
Madrid → Valencia
Under two hours from the capital to the Mediterranean. Ouigo joined this line and dragged fares down; if your dates are fixed, book the moment the calendar opens.
Journey time1 h 50 min – 2 h 10 min
Tickets from€12.00
Frequency1–2 per hour
Distance390 km
Who runs this route
Ouigo España
French-run double-deckers. Often the cheapest ticket on the route; limited stations.
Iryo
The newest entrant. Comfortable, competitively priced, fewer daily departures.
Check live times & fares
Compare every operator on this route in one search. Advance fares climb as seats sell.
Timetable at a glance
Services run 1–2 per hour, with the first departure around 06:20 and the last around 21:35. Times shift with the seasonal timetable, so treat these as planning anchors and confirm the day before you travel.
Buying tickets: when and where
Spanish high-speed fares behave like airline fares. Sales usually open two to four months ahead, and the cheapest Ouigo, Avlo and Iryo seats disappear first. Booking two to three weeks out typically lands close to the floor price; walking up on the day can cost four times as much. The cheap fares are also the strictest — changes cost money, refunds often are not an option.
Tickets are digital: show the QR code in the operator app or a printout. High-speed and long-distance tickets are tied to a specific train and seat; regional tickets are more flexible but do not guarantee you a place.
The stations
Departure
Madrid Puerta de Atocha
Madrid has two long-distance stations. Atocha serves the south, east and Barcelona; Chamartín serves the north and northwest. They are 25 minutes apart on Cercanías line C-1 — check your ticket twice.
Arrival
València Joaquín Sorolla
High-speed trains terminate at Joaquín Sorolla, a 10-minute walk (or free shuttle bus) from the classic Estació del Nord.
Alternatives, honestly compared
Coach: ALSA and FlixBus link Madrid and Valencia for less money and roughly double the time — the budget backstop rather than a real rival. Driving: about 390 km of autopista, plus fuel, tolls and the problem of parking in a historic centre. Flying makes no sense on this corridor: by the time you have reached the airport twice and cleared security, the train has already delivered you to the middle of the city.
Common questions
How long is the train from Madrid to Valencia?
Typically 1 h 50 min – 2 h 10 min, with services running 1–2 per hour.
How much does the Madrid to Valencia train cost?
Advance fares start around €12.00; buy on the day and you can pay up to €75.
Which stations do Madrid–Valencia trains use?
Departures leave from Madrid Puerta de Atocha and arrive at València Joaquín Sorolla.
Do I need to book in advance?
Spanish high-speed fares behave like airline fares. Sales usually open two to four months ahead, and the cheapest Ouigo, Avlo and Iryo seats disappear first. Booking two to three weeks out typically lands close to the floor price; walking up on the day can cost four times as much. The cheap fares are also the strictest — changes cost money, refunds often are not an option.
What are the first and last departures?
Roughly 06:20 and 21:35, varying by day of the week and season — confirm before you travel.
Which operator should I choose?
If price decides, compare Ouigo, Avlo and Iryo first — they undercut Renfe's AVE on most departures. If you want flexible tickets, seat choice or a specific arrival station, AVE still has the widest timetable. All of them use the same tracks and take the same time.