Renfe AVE
The incumbent. Widest network, biggest choice of departures, priciest walk-up fares.
Route guide
Madrid → Zaragoza
Every Madrid–Barcelona train stops here, which means four operators, constant departures and some of the cheapest high-speed seats in the country. An underrated day trip.
Journey time1 h 15 min – 1 h 30 min
Tickets from€10.00
Frequency1–3 per hour
Distance310 km
Who runs this route
Avlo
Renfe's budget brand on the same tracks. Single class, paid extras, seats sell out early.
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 1–3 per hour, with the first departure around 06:00 and the last around 21:25. 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
Zaragoza-Delicias
A vast, quiet station 3 km from the Basílica del Pilar; tram and bus 34 run into town.
Alternatives, honestly compared
Coach: ALSA and FlixBus link Madrid and Zaragoza for less money and roughly double the time — the budget backstop rather than a real rival. Driving: about 310 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 Zaragoza?
Typically 1 h 15 min – 1 h 30 min, with services running 1–3 per hour.
How much does the Madrid to Zaragoza train cost?
Advance fares start around €10.00; buy on the day and you can pay up to €55.
Which stations do Madrid–Zaragoza trains use?
Departures leave from Madrid Puerta de Atocha and arrive at Zaragoza-Delicias.
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 06:00 and 21:25, 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.