It is no exaggeration to say that the AVE (Tren de Alta Velocidad Española), which started in 1992 in time for Seville's Expo, changed the face of Andalucia. Suddenly, you could get to Madrid from Seville in two hours 20 minutes, without either having schlep out to the airport, or sit on an ordinary train for between six and nine hours. The services, which run on special lines, are frequent and reliable, famously offering a refund if your train is more than five minutes later than its scheduled arrival time. The AVE runs at speeds of up to 280km/h.

The RENFE website usually offers the most reasonable fares; also look out for special offers - 10-20% discount on return fares.

Various classes are available, including club, preferente and turista; first class (club/preferente depending on the service) costs about 40% more. If you're travelling at a busy time on a crowded train and your journey is a long one, it might be worth paying the extra for more space and comfort. In all classes you get headphones for the audio/video service.

AVE trains usually offer a cafeteria service, with hot and cold drinks and snacks.

The AVE routes to, from and within Andalucia are as follows:

• Madrid to Cordoba from 1 hr 40 min, every 30-60 minutes
• Madrid to Seville from 2 hrs 20 min, every 60 minutes, stops at Ciudad Real, Puertollano and Cordoba
• Madrid to Málaga from 2 hrs 30 min, every 60-120 mins, stops at Cordoba, Antequera and Puente Genil
• Barcelona to Málaga 
  from 5 hrs 40 min, two services daily, stops at Tarragona, Zaragoza, Cordoba, Puente Genil and Antequera.
• Barcelona to Seville
  from 5 hrs 25 min, two services daily, stops at Tarragona, Lleida, Zaragoza, Ciudad Real, Puertollano and Cordoba.
• Seville to Malaga from 1hr 55 min, from 9-12 services daily, stops at Puente Genil and Antequera