Travelling across Spain is set to become faster and more convenient with the introduction of a new high-speed rail link connecting two of the country’s most iconic cities, Barcelona and Seville without the need for a transfer in Madrid.
Spain’s national rail operator, Renfe, has announced the launch of a direct AVE high-speed train service, aimed at enhancing tourism and passenger comfort by cutting travel times between Catalonia and Andalusia. Each year, tens of millions of travellers, including a significant number from the United Kingdom, visit Spain’s diverse coastlines, cultural landmarks, and vibrant cities. However, Spain’s vast geography nearly twice the size of the UK has traditionally made long-distance travel between regions time-consuming and often expensive, with many journeys requiring a change of trains in Madrid.
From 23 April, Renfe’s new direct AVE service will streamline cross-country travel. The new daily service eliminates the need to transit through the capital, offering passengers a more seamless and efficient journey between Barcelona and Seville. Departures from Seville-Santa Justa station are scheduled for 6:00 a.m., with the service arriving at Barcelona-Sants at 12:41 p.m., before continuing north to Figueres, near the French border, arriving at 1:44 p.m. In the opposite direction, southbound services will depart Barcelona at 4:58 p.m. daily (except Saturdays), reaching Seville at 10:49 p.m., with intermediate stops in Zaragoza, Madrid, and Córdoba.
