Madrid to Valencia train

Trains from Madrid to Valencia

The trains from Madrid to Valencia are a popular route operating various types per day. The trains depart out of Madrid heading towards Valencia every couple of hours. The journey takes either around 1h 45min or 7h depending on whether passengers ride the high-speed AVE train or the standard long-distance train. The Madrid to Valencia train covers a distance of more or less 187 miles (302 km).

Madrid to Valencia Train Time: Daily Departures

There are over 10 journeys by train from Madrid to Valencia per day. The trips during the week have a few extra high-speed options in the morning for possible commutes. In total, there are over 70 trips between Madrid and Valencia by train per week. The first train of the day tends to depart from Madrid at around 6:08 a.m. The last train of the day makes its way out of Madrid at approximately 9:10 p.m.

How long is the journey by train from Madrid to Valencia?

The train to Valencia from Madrid covers a distance of approximately 187 miles (302 km). It takes the high-speed train about 1h 45min to get from Madrid to Valencia. However, the standard long-distance train can take up to around 7h 45min. Nonetheless, all of these train options do not require changes and passengers stay on the same train for the whole trip even if it makes stops along the way.

Fiends waiting for a train in Madrid. Source: Shutterstock

What are the departure and arrival stations for trains from Madrid to Valencia?

Departure train station:All of the trains departing from Madrid going to Valencia, leave out of the Madrid Puerta de Atocha Train Station. This train terminal is located just south of the city center of the Spanish capital city. It’s possible to either walk or take public transportation to catch your train from Madrid to Valencia. The Cercanias city trains take about 4min to get from the center to the station. Madrid Puerta de Atocha has a variety of restaurants and shops inside the station.

Arrival train station: The arrival station in Valencia is the Valencia Joaquín Sorolla Train Station. The station is more or less 1 mile (1.6 km) south of the city center. It can take around 25min by public bus to get to the Ciutat Vella, Old City center. It can also be reached in the same amount of time on foot. At the Valencia Joaquín Sorolla Train Station there are a few restaurants and shops as well as a tourism office and car rental agencies.

Which train companies travel from Madrid to Valencia?

The national railway company in Spain is RENFE. RENFE operates all of the routes from Madrid to Valencia by train. However, there are different types of trains making the journey: the high-speed AVE, Alvia trains and the standard RENFE Intercity routes. The high-speed trips from Madrid to Valencia take around 1h 45min to complete the journey. However, the normal long-distance trains can take up to 7h 45min. Both the high-speed and intercity RENFE routes are direct and don’t require passengers to change trains along the way. RENFE, in total, offers more or less 10 trains from Madrid to Valencia per day. Most of them are high-speed.

Night trains Madrid

Currently, Madrid is not offering night trains for the journey from Madrid to Valencia. This is most likely due to the fact that there is a high-speed train that makes the journey in under 2h, not requiring an overnight trip. The latest train to take from Madrid to Valencia departs out of Madrid at around 9:10 p.m., arriving in Valencia at about 11:03 p.m.

RENFE trains from Madrid to Valencia

RENFE, the Spanish national railway company, is the sole provider of train routes from Madrid to Valencia. RENFE offers over 10 departures to Valencia per day, adding up to over 70 journeys from Madrid to Valencia per week. There are both high-speed routes and standard long-distance intercity trains. The high-speed AVE aa=nd Alvia routes take only about 1h 45min to get to Valencia. On weekdays, RENFE offers a few more high-speed trains in the morning for commuters. All of these RENFE trains from Madrid to Valencia are direct routes.

Trains from Madrid to Valencia: Sustainability travel

Traveling by train can be the most sustainable way of getting around. Nowadays, eco-friendly travel is a goal for many transportation companies around the world. In this case, the railway provider operating the trains to get from Madrid to Valencia is RENFE. RENFE is currently and constantly working towards finding more efficient services and reducing the carbon emissions of their trains and stations. The train provider favors traveling with bicycles on their trains to promote sustainable mobility. They have also been working on the Zero-Impact project to protect birds from collisions during their routes.

Train Madrid to Valencia: Services on Board

When booking your train from Madrid to Valencia through Omio, the standard long-distance trains only offer 2nd Class seating on board. The high-speed AVE and Alvia trains offer 2nd Class and 2nd Class+ with more legroom. When packing for your trip from Madrid to Valencia by train, RENFE allows up to three items per passenger on board their trains. The sum of the three suitcases cannot exceed 55 lbs (25 kg) or 98 inches (250 cm). All folded bicycles in bike bags are considered carry-on items. As for non-foldable bikes, on AVE trains, bicycles under 71 inches (180 cm) are allowed on board. Small pets are also allowed on the AVE and long-distance RENFE trains. The animals allowed are small dogs, cats, ferrets or birds. One pet per passenger is allowed on board, and it must be in a pet carrier weighing under 22 lbs (10 kg). With basic fares, you can expect to pay a small amount to bring your pet. Passengers traveling with RENFE who have disabilities may request assistance with boarding their train as well as wheelchair-accessible seating on board.

How to find cheap train tickets from Madrid to Valencia?

The most basic way of finding more affordable train routes with RENFE is by booking your trip in advance. In most cases, the sooner you purchase your train tickets, the cheaper they will be. It also tends to be cheaper with flexible dates and departure times. The fact that you may pick and choose the more affordable routes will benefit you. In general, on the journeys by train from Madrid to Valencia, the high-speed AVE and Alvia trains are more expensive than the standard long-distance trains. Peak commuting hours also tend to be more expensive than departing at other times of the day. For more travel tips don't forget to check our magazine The Window Seat

Woman in towers of Serranos in Valencia. Source: Shutterstock

To Valencia by train—travel tips

Valencia is a popular destination in Spain to enjoy the nice mild Mediterranean weather and exquisite cuisine. Make your way to the Old City (Ciutat Vella) and explore the winding streets, the 15th-century gothic market at the Lonja de Seda, or the 13th-century Valencia Cathedral. While you’re visiting a new city, make sure to try some of the traditional dishes of the area, especially in Valencia where the cuisine is world-renowned. Apart from the paella, trying other typical food like esgaret cod fish or pumpkin flan for dessert is a must.

• Plan a family day at the L’Oceanogràphic aquarium and the City of Arts & Sciences.
• Indulge in some traditional Valencian paella or fideuà
• Enjoy a sunny day on the beach
• Walk along the cobbled streets of the thousand-year-old El Carmen neighborhood
• Get lost in one of the popular museums of the city such as the Museo de Bellas Artes art gallery

What are Travel Experts Saying about the train Madrid to Valencia?

Los Traveleros

There’s plenty of departures from Madrid to Valencia, which makes the train a perfect option for all kinds of travelers. I took the trip in a first class carriage. It was almost empty, which made the ambiance truly quiet and perfect for working on the go. There was WiFi available and the reclining seats were so spacious. The trip took a couple hours, but went by in the blink of an eye! Would absolutely recommend it! It was honestly one of the smoothest train rides I’ve ever taken.

• Pros: lots of departures during the day and comfortable seats.
• Cons: none.
• Rating: 5/5