Spain on a budget with Renfe!

👉 13 July marked the inauguration of the Lyon-Barcelona line, closely followed by the opening of the Marseille-Madrid line on 28 July. With these two new daily links between France and Spain, Renfe offers travellers unprecedented opportunities to explore iconic destinations.

🤝 Former partners, now rivals. SNCF and Renfe, once allies, are now competing on these iconic lines. Less than a year after ending their collaboration, Renfe has taken the reins and now runs its own trains on these highly sought-after routes. Tickets are available now on the official website

💰 Irresistible offers to win over French travellers! Renfe is launching a promotional campaign with tickets from €9 for journeys between two French stations, and between €19 and €29 for trips between France and Spain, depending on distance. However, these attractive fares will be less available in July and August. To make the most of these prices, plan your trip for September or October.

🛋️ Travel in style aboard AVE (Alta Velocidad Española) trains! Enjoy the comfort of Standard class or choose Confort class for a premium experience. On board, enjoy free Wi-Fi, a carefully curated dining service, and travel with peace of mind thanks to a generous allowance of three 25 kg bags. An experience designed to combine practicality and pleasure! 🚄✨

🚉 Strategic routes between France and Spain. The trains will serve several key cities such as Marseille, Lyon, Barcelona, and Madrid, offering optimal connectivity. Schedules and frequencies will be adjusted according to needs throughout the year, with a daily round trip guaranteed from September, for an even more flexible and practical travel experience.

🚀 And this is only the beginning! Renfe is thinking even bigger, with ambitious projects: the opening of the Paris-Lyon-Marseille and Paris-Lyon-Barcelona lines planned before the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. This expansion promises to put Renfe in direct competition with SNCF and Trenitalia on some of Europe's most popular routes. A new era of rail competition is on the horizon! 🚄✨

Renfe has announced its entry into the French high-speed rail market, marking a key milestone in Europe's rail competition. Following the opening to competition and the arrival of OUIGO in Spain, Renfe launched two flagship lines in 2023: Barcelona-Lyon, inaugurated on 13 July 2023, and Madrid-Marseille, available since 28 July 2023. Tickets, put on sale from 21 June 2023, won over travellers with attractive fares starting at just €9. Now well established, Renfe has become the second foreign company to compete with SNCF in France, after Trenitalia. This strong entry consolidates Renfe's presence on the European high-speed network and opens a new era of cross-border mobility. 🚄✨

Renfe all over Europe? Everything points that way!

The Spanish transport company Renfe has acquired 50% of the capital of the Czech company Leo Express.

What does this change for you?

Renfe could soon become a major new player in long-distance coach travel, with services extending to countries such as the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, and even Germany, the historic home of FlixBus. An expansion that promises to diversify transport options across Europe.

This acquisition follows Renfe's logic of expanding its services amid the liberalisation of the European transport market.

Buying a Renfe ticket is very simple!

Several options are available to make your purchase easier. First, the traditional method: you can go directly to a Renfe ticket counter at the station.

The second option is to go through Renfe's official website. This will give you more information about your journey as well as the services offered by the company.

Finally, you can also use your favourite travel comparison site, Tictactrip. Renfe tickets will soon be available there, so stay tuned!

Of course, you can bring luggage on board Renfe trains for your holidays, but this is subject to certain conditions.

This rewording presents the information concisely and formally, while specifying the important criteria relating to luggage transport.

That's why the Spanish rail company has set specific rules for hand luggage and larger bags.

You are allowed to bring up to three pieces of luggage, provided their total weight does not exceed 25 kilograms and their combined size does not exceed 2.90 metres, with maximum dimensions of 85 x 55 x 35 cm per item. Safety comes first.

If you plan to ski or play golf in Spain, note that you may only bring one golf bag or one set of ski equipment per passenger. These items are considered special luggage and are limited to one per person on board.

To learn more about the luggage policy on board Renfe trains, check out this page.

Bicycles are also allowed on board Renfe trains under certain conditions, available at this address.

Boarding Renfe Spain trains for journeys between France and Spain is strictly reserved for passengers holding a train ticket.

Yes, it's now possible to travel between Spanish cities like Madrid and French cities such as Marseille, Béziers or Lyon. For more details, see this page.

It's important to arrive at the station well before your train departs. If you're late, you'll be denied boarding. We therefore recommend arriving at the station at least 30 minutes before departure time.

In large Spanish stations, following the Madrid bombings, Renfe stepped up its security measures. All passengers and their luggage undergo systematic checks before boarding.

In smaller stations, checks are often less strict, but don't forget to show your ticket and ID if asked.

Travelling without a ticket could expose you to a fine, which would be a shame. 😉

For the Spanish rail company Renfe, it's essential to guarantee proper access and facilities for people with reduced mobility (PRM) on all its trains.

This assistance service is entirely free and available to make boarding easier for people with disabilities.

For more details about this service, feel free to check this page.

Couldn't find the information you need?

Contacting Renfe is very simple! Just go to this page.

Alternatively, you can reach them by phone at +34 91 232 03 20. Please note that conversations will mainly take place in Spanish. 🇪🇸

Is it possible to cancel Renfe tickets?

Yes... but under certain conditions!

In reality, it all depends on the type of ticket you choose when buying. It's crucial to select the right ticket type to avoid any confusion later on.

Indeed, the company accepts neither exchanges nor refunds, unless you choose a Flexible ticket.

Dura Lex, Sed Lex, as they say... Fortunately, since fares are generally affordable, this strictness is easier to accept.

However, if you chose a Flexible ticket, you'll be able to exchange your ticket free of charge and cancel your trip for a small fee.

The company only retains 5% of the ticket price as a cancellation fee.

However, if your Renfe train is delayed, the conditions improve significantly.

For any type of ticket, if the delay reaches or exceeds one hour, Renfe compensates you with 50% of the ticket price.

If the delay exceeds 1h30, you're entitled to a full refund of your ticket. Fantastic, isn't it? 🤩

Pets are allowed on board Renfe trains, but there are a few conditions to respect.

Only small pets such as dogs, cats, ferrets and birds can travel on all Renfe trains.

Unfortunately, if you're planning to travel with a larger animal like a horse or a lion, that won't be possible.

Additionally, your pet must remain under your constant supervision and must not disturb other passengers. It's important to maintain a pleasant atmosphere on board.

A special ticket is required for your pet, unless you're travelling in Preferente class, where this requirement is waived.

Your companion will also need to meet certain health conditions and be accompanied by the necessary documents.

For more information on travelling with animals, please check this link.

Note that guide dogs are always welcome on board Renfe trains, free of charge.

Seat selection on Renfe trains depends on the type of train you're taking as well as the ticket category you choose (see the "Ticket types" section for more details).

On classic Renfe trains, such as Media Distancia or Regional Expres, as well as on the Cercanías commuter trains, seat selection is not available. It's therefore advisable to arrive early to choose your preferred seat on board.

On the other hand, for long-distance trains such as AVE, Renfe Euromed, and Renfe Talgo, you can choose your seat. However, this option may come at an extra cost, depending on the ticket category chosen.

Indeed, it's essential to select a Flexible category ticket to benefit from seat selection when travelling in Turista or Preferente class.

Without a Flexible ticket, you might have to rely on your negotiating skills to get a window seat, as it's well known that aisle seats are less popular.

If you regularly travel by train, Renfe has a surprise for you: the Carte +. It's a highly appealing loyalty card that can offer you substantial discounts.

How does it work?

Every time you buy on the Renfe website, you'll earn points based on the journey, your age, the type of train and the class chosen. For more information, check this page.

The more you travel, the more points you earn.

If your ticket spending reaches certain thresholds, you can get a card offering even more flexibility and comfort. The thresholds are as follows:

• €1,000,
• €3,000,
• €10,000.

For more details on the card, visit this link.

There's also a specific programme for young people aged 14 to 25 called +Renfe Joven 50, offering up to 50% off tickets. More information is available here.

Fancy a Paris-Spain train? A Spain-France train? Or a Barcelona-Madrid trip? All these destinations are accessible thanks to Renfe Spain's offers!

Just like the SNCF, the Renfe train company offers several types of tickets suited to the train and the type of trip.

The different Renfe ticket types:

1. Second class tickets, called Renfe Turista, are the most affordable. Although Turista class offers satisfactory comfort, it doesn't represent the top-of-the-range services offered by Renfe.

2. The Renfe Turista Plus card offers superior comfort compared to Turista class, but still isn't a true first-class experience. The difference lies mainly in the level of comfort on board.

3. First class tickets, known as Renfe Preferente, guarantee optimal service. While more expensive, they offer a premium experience and higher-quality services.

The three Renfe fare ranges:

• Promo: the most affordable fare.
• Promo +: a good compromise between flexibility and cost.
• Flexible: the highest fare, but with advantageous options such as ticket cancellation and exchange.

The fare you choose affects your ability to cancel or exchange your tickets, as well as the compensation you can receive in the event of a delay or cancellation of your train.

In summary: you can choose between 3 ticket types (Turista, Turista Plus, Preferente) and 3 price levels (Promo, Promo +, Flexible), allowing you to customise your experience based on your comfort and flexibility needs.

Renfe train offers:

Just like SNCF, which offers the low-cost Ouigo TGV and the premium Inoui offer, Renfe offers two main ranges:

• Renfe AVE: the equivalent of TGV Inoui, offering premium, fast service.
• Renfe Avlo: a low-cost option comparable to TGV Ouigo, ideal for travelling on a budget.

Just like SNCF trains, comfort on board Renfe trains depends directly on the class you choose when booking your journey.

If you opt for a trip in Turista class, you'll have access to the following amenities:

• multimedia content, called "servicio audio vídeo",
• Wi-Fi,
• the PlayRenfe service, a kind of Renfe Netflix
• and a power outlet.

For optimal comfort on board Renfe trains, it's recommended to book a Preferente class ticket.

In addition to the benefits offered in Turista class, Preferente class gives you wider seats, free newspapers, and the Revista Club magazine, the equivalent of the TGV Magazine distributed in France.

Of course, for your dining needs, a Renfe bar is available on board AVE and Euromed trains.

On classic long-distance trains, similar to Intercités in France, there's no dedicated bar carriage. However, you can order your meal 24 hours in advance via the Renfe app.

Note that certain services, such as the bar or more comfortable seats, are not systematically available on regional or medium-distance trains.

If you'd like your child to travel on board Renfe trains, know that it's possible, under certain conditions!

For children aged 6 to 13, they must travel in Preferente class and will be under the supervision of a Renfe agent.

They cannot change trains during their journey, and they must arrive at their final station before 10pm.

To benefit from this service, you must request it when purchasing the ticket at the station or a point of sale, at least 48 hours before the train departs. Additionally, your child will be entitled to a meal on board.

For more information on the procedure, please check this link.

Once your child turns 14, they're allowed to travel alone, although they remain your responsibility in case of an incident. Proof of identity may also be required during checks.