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Medium distance train
ORDINARY MEDIUM-DISTANCE (REGIONAL) TRAINS IN ANDALUCIA
By Fiona Flores Watson
These trains offer a network of routes between major cities and smaller provincial towns in Andalucia. The medium-distance services go under various names, the main services between cities being Intercity (IC), TER and the faster AVANT. They may also be called Regional Express or Rapido (not entirely accurately). For example, the former's service in the south of Spain is called Andalucia Expres. It has two routes: Cadiz-Seville-Cordoba-Jaen and Cordoba-Bobadilla
The two major gaps in the train network in Andalucia are between Huelva and Cadiz – trains can’t pass through the Doñana Park, which spreads across these two provinces and their capitals, so you have to go to Seville; and Jaen-Granada, which has no line connecting the two cities; instead, you need to head north-east to Linares-Baeza, and then back down south to Granada. There is also very little coastal track, with the exception of Malaga-Torremolinos-Fuengirola on the Cercanias service.
Be aware that stations are often not located in the town which they serve, but a kilometre or so away, sometimes more. Be sure to check the location of the station where you are going in relation to your final destination.
Not only are trains in Andalucia convenient and comfortable for transporting you to and from the regions’ cities, towns and villages; they also offer some spectacular journeys through Andalucia’s natural wonders and prettiest towns – tree-covered national parks, hilltop pueblos blancos, and lakes and rivers. On the Algeciras-Granada line (A5), the Jimena de la Frontera-Ronda-Bobadilla stretch is considered one of great mountain rail trips of Europe, on a line built in the 19th century, with stunning scenery.
There are eight main medium-distance routes in Andalucia:
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