Trains in Andalucia

Tragic train accident near Cordoba in Andalucia.

by Chris Chaplow

Notice: High-speed train services between Madrid and Andalusia (including Córdoba, Seville, Málaga, Huelva, Jerez, Cádiz, Antequera and Granada) have been suspended until at least Sunday 8 February 2026. This is due to the worst peacetime train accident in Andalusian railway history and the worst high-speed train accident since the Spanish network was inaugurated in 1992. The accident, which involved two trains, took place north of Córdoba at 19:45 on Sunday 18 January 2026.

Alternative transport plan

Renfe has put in place an 'alternative transport plan', with trains leaving Madrid every two hours between 07:00 and 19:00, heading alternately for Seville and Málaga. The section between Villanueva de Cordoba - Los Pedroches and Córdoba will be completed by a special coach service. All seats are in economy class and are sold at a fixed price of €40 each way. Passengers can request a refund for their original ticket and purchase a new one for this service, or exchange their ticket and receive a refund for the difference in price. Additional trains are also available from Madrid Chamartín station to Andalucia (Seville Santa Justa, Cádiz, Granada and Almería Huercal) on the non-high-speed network. See our section on Medium Distance (MD) and Intercity long-distance train routes below. Flights between Seville, Malaga and Madrid airport have been increased as have bus services.

 

What happened on Sunday

The last three carriages of a distinctive eight-carriage red, four-year-old Frecciarossa 1000 high-speed train operated by Iryo, carrying around 300 passengers travelling north at 110 km/hr from Málaga to Madrid, was derailed 10 minutes north of Córdoba, near the village of  Adamuz. Tragically, one of these coaches then fouled the south-bound track and was hit 9 seconds later by an Alvia RENFE four-carriage train travelling at 205 km/hr carrying 187 passengers from Madrid to Huelva. The braking distance of Alvia units at 200 km/hr brakes is 1,406 meters. (Source).  The southbound train derailed and traveled 500 metres before the first two carriages fell off the track bed, descending two metres and coming to a stop against the side of a cutting. Only the two rear carriages remained intact. In total 45 travellers were killed, mostly from the first two carriages of the Alvia. The 27-year-old Alvia driver also died. 

The line is described on the this page.  The maximum speed on this section of the line is 215 km/h, dropping to 200 km/h in the nearby tunnels and around the tight curves. The tightest of these is the 2,300-metre-radius Adamuz–Villanueva curve. The accident itself occurred on a straight section of double track on an embankment, just north of the Adamuz tunnel and next to the Adamuz halt. This is not a station, but rather a platform used by maintenance crews or for planned train evacuations.

This location provided convenient access for emergency service vehicles to the Iryo train, enabling them to evacuate it in two hours. In contrast, evacuating the seriously injured on the Alvia train, which was located 600 metres south with no vehicle access, took all night. Adif and the emergency services did not initially realise that the second train had also been affected until a passenger walked along the track in the dark to find out why no help had arrived. Guardia Civil officers reached the Alvia train and called for additional support. A team of firefighters from Córdoba then carried the injured along the tracks to the medical emergency services established at the Iryo train.

The Spanish government immediately convened a Comisión de Investigación de Accidentes Ferroviarios (The Commission for the Investigation of Railway Accidents) published a preliminary report five days after the accident, attributing the most likely cause to a metal fracture in the track. The leading wheels of the Iryo train bogies had a notch measuring 1 mm in depth and several centimetres in width. Similar notches had been found on two or three trains that had passed through the area prior to the accident, but none had been found on trains passing through more than an hour earlier. This section of track had been replaced eight months previously.

The the driver of the Iryo train called the Adif Control Centre (Black box transcript published by El Dario) to report “un enganchón a la altura de Adamuz”. The control room instructed the driver to lower the pantograph, which he confirmed he had done. In a second call, the driver reported that his train was fouling the southbound line and requested that all trains on the line be stopped urgently. The Control Centre replied that 'there was no train approaching'. The driver also requested emergency services for injured passengers and reported that a carriage was on fire. The Alvia had already passed the and collided with the rear part of the Iryo train but the driver did not realise this.  suggesting that only nine seconds had elapsed. The legacy LBZ signalling system used on this 1992 route does not allow enough time for the brakes to be applied automatically to the southbound train within 9 seconds. The Madrid–Seville line is in the process of migrating to ERTMS Level 2, the current EU interoperable standard, but this is also unlikely to have averted the collision.

We extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends affected by the tragic train accident in Andalucia.

TRAINS IN ANDALUCIA

By Fiona Flores Watson

The Spanish railway network was run by the state-owned company Renfe (Red Nacional de Ferrocarriles Españoles). Since 2005 the management of the infrastructure including tracks, signalling and stations is carried out by ADIF (Administrador de Infraestructuras Ferroviarias). In recent years, Renfe and Adif have made a tremendous investment in Spain's railway network, particularly in the new high-speed (Alta Velocidad Española, or AVE) rail system.

New low-cost, high-speed trains

Iryo
Italian operator Iryo launched its Madrid to Malaga via Cordoba and Antequera service and its Madrid to Seville via Cordoba service on 31st March 2023 with two trains a day in each direction. Trains are painted in a distinctive red livery.

Avlo
RENFE’s low-cost brand Avlo launched its Madrid to Malaga and Madrid to Seville service on 1st June 2023 with one train a day on each route in each direction. Later in the summer the Malaga route was increased to two a day in each directions. Intermediate stops from Malaga are Antequera Santa Ana, Puente Genil, Cordoba, Los Pedroches, Puertollano and Cuidad Real. Intermediate stops from Seville are Cordoba, Los Pedroches - Puertollano and Cuidad Real. The service comprises refurbished AVE units on one class painted in distinctive purple livery.  The buffet car is replaced by vending machines.

Ouigo
On 16th January 2025 French SNCF operator Ouigo launch Madrid to Seville and Madrid to Seville and Madrid to Malaga service. The SNCF Euroduplex train units are distinctive ‘double decker’ units with 509 seats and a buffet service. The launch was delayed at least three times due to complication to adapt the units to Spanish ADIF signalling systems. Trains are painted white with distinctive large blue and red spot livery.

Free train tickets - 2022/2023/2024/2025

The 'free train tickets' (commuter) scheme was first announced in 2022, and is extended into 2025. These tickets, which are open to all nationalities, not just Spanish and residents, are an environmental measure designed to encourage commuters to use the train, thereby reducing CO2 emissions. This scheme was expected to be discontinued at end of 2024 but extended into Jan to April four-month period of 2025.

Anyone can buy a season ticket or a multi-trip ticket from RENFE for journeys between two specified destinations. For local trains (cercanías) the cost of the pass is 10€, and for medium-distance trains it is 20€. Once you have completed 16 journeys between the two cities within the four-month period the (10 or 20€) cost of the pass (season or multi trip ticket) is refunded. If you don't make 16 trips, the cost is not refunded. There are no free offers for ordinary single or return tickets.

Tarjeta Dorada card - Discounts for over-60s

This is a discount card that can be purchased by the over-60s and used to obtain discount on train tickets of 25% to 40%. The Tarjeta Dorada discount card may be purchased at train station ticket offices and travel agents and costs 6€ for one year. You must provide documentation to prove your age and should provide to show you are a Spaish resident such as Spanish ID Card (DNI), Foreign Resident ID Card (NIE) or Passport (mentioned in RENFE Terms and conditions as well). It may be renewed online 6€ for one, 12€ for two and 15€ for three years. It can be used on all AVE (high-speed), Larga Distancia (Long Distance), Avant (mid-distance high-speed) for a 25% dicount Monday to Friday and 40% at Weekends. It can be used on Regional trains (metric or Iberian gauge) and Cercanías (Commuter) trains for 40% discount every day. It may be purchaed at ticket office inmediately before pruchasing the train ticket if there is no queue for inmediate tickets.

Here we offer you a guide to Andalucia’s convenient rail network and ticketing system.

Train Stations in Andalucia

Here is a table which lists the AVE and other main train stations found in Andalucía.

AVE Stations	Main Stations
• Seville Santa Justa	• Cadiz
• Cordoba	• Jerez
• Malaga Maria Zambrano	• Algeciras
• Granada	• Huelva
• Puente Genil-Herrera	• Almería
• Antequera Santa Ana	• Jaén
• Antequera Cuidad AV (opened 25 Jan 2023)
• Villanueva de Cordoba - Los Pedroches	• Ronda
• Loja	• Guadix

 

TYPES OF TRAINS

TICKETS

It is advisable to buy tickets in advance. This can be done on the RENFE website or by an online agent whose website is fully operational in English. Andalucia.com have affiliate partnered with Trainline for online RENFE and other operator tickets.  You can also order tickets by phone, at the station itself, or at a RENFE appointed travel agent (small commission).

You can buy your ticket up to 60 days before your travel date. In the first two cases, you are either given a booking reference, which you then use to print out the tickets themselves from a machine at the main station, or you can print them out at home.

If you're travelling at the weekend or on a holiday or puente (long weekend), it is even more important to buy your ticket beforehand as the station may well be extremely busy, and seats may sell out.

If you're buying your ticket from the station on the same day you're travelling, arrive with plenty of time to spare, as queues can be long. Make sure you choose the right queue: if you're travelling within six hours, choose 'venta inmediata'; for further in advance, it's 'venta anticipada'. Also, you need to know which type of ticket you're buying. If you're sure you know what you're doing (type of ticket, service etc), you can even buy your ticket at an automatic machine.

Timetables and Tickets

Below are a selection of the most popular AVE train routes in Andalucia, click on the buttons to take you through to affiliate partner - The Trainline. Click on you route below, input your dates, check the timetables for your trains and if desired buy an eTicket with seat reservation.

FARES AND REFUNDS

Book in advance for the most economical fares; the best offers are online. Some services, including the AVE and fast long-distance services, offer a discount on the return leg of your journey.

Children under four travel free (under six on Cercanias), providing they don't occupy a seat; from aged four to eleven they get a 40% discount. If you have three or more children and live in Spain, you can apply for a "Familia Numerosa" card and obtain a 20 percent discount for all family members.

You can also find fares reduced by between 25 and 40%, for those aged under 26 years (Carnet Joven), or over 60 (Tarjeta Dorada, for Spanish residents).

Ticket costs may be partially or fully refunded if a train does not arrive on time, depending on the cause of the delay and how late the train arrives at its final destination. Be sure to save your proof of purchase, and if your train arrives late, ask a RENFE representative for more information regarding whether you're eligible for a refund and, if so, how to obtain one.

CLASSES

The faster trains (AVE, for example - see below) offer different classes (club, preferente, turista) compartments. First class offers reclining seat, refreshments served at your seat; while both classes have audio/video on AVE and fast long-distance services. All trains are non-smoking.

PASSES

Eurail Spain-Portugal pass offers five days of unlimited travel within one-month period.

PETS AND BIKES

You can take a small pet with you on the train (cats, dogs, birds, weighing up to 6kg, in a cage measuring maximum 65x35x35 cm). Only one animal allowed per passenger. The fare is 50% of the normal tariff. You can take your bike on trains, but subject to space available.

REFRESHMENTS

Most local and medium-distance trains will have snack and soft drink dispensing machine; the faster ones also have a cafeteria service, offering hot and cold soft drinks, alcohol, snacks and sandwiches.

Lost Property

Lost property found on trains or stations is kept by RENFE for two months, Here is the lost property page on the RENFE website (in Spainsh) with contact details. It states the are lost property offices at 'distinct' stations. Lost property is held for a month and official documentation handed to the police after 24hrs. Objects not claimed are placed in a public auction.

It is posible to manage lost and found property through the website 'Find my Lost'. Register at adif.findmylost.es/en.

If lost on platforms or trains of AVE, Larga Distancia, Avant y Media Distancia Convencional send an email to [email protected]

If lost on the local ‘Cercanias' trains call the following numbers:
Cádiz : 856 170 290.
Málaga : 952 128 079.
Sevilla : 954 485 672.

Disabled Facilities

Renfe Atendo service provides free assistance for railway passengers with reduced mobility or other disabilities. As a specialised service, it offers passengers guidance, information and help with access to and transit at stations, as well as assistance for getting on and off trains. Here is the Atendo service section on RENFE website. 

Different rail services offered

• International trains More>
• High-speed long-distance trains (AVE) More>
• Fast long-distance and medium-distance trains More>
• Ordinary medium-distance (regional) trains More>
• Local commuter trains (Cercanias) More>