Overview

Renfe is Spain’s national rail operator, running AVE high-speed, Avlo low-cost high-speed, Alvia, Euromed, Intercity, Avant, Media Distancia/Regional, and Cercanías/Rodalies services. Renfe also operates AVE International high-speed services between Spain and France.

Luggage

Luggage is any hand-carried item for personal/professional use that isn't hazardous. Up to 3 pieces per passenger; with a combined weight of up to 25 kg and total dimensions of up to 290 cm. The maximum dimensions permitted are 85 × 55 × 35 cm. Musical instruments in cases: max 30×120×38cm. One golf bag or set of ski equipment is permitted per passenger and must be properly packed.

Bicycles

• AVE, AVE International, Alvia, Euromed, Intercity: Bikes must be folded or dismantled and bagged; dismantled bikes max 140×90×40cm. A bicycle add-on is required.
• Sleeper trains: Bikes can travel in sleeping compartments only, subject to available space and the applicable service conditions.
• Avant, Media Distancia, Metric Gauge & Cercanías: Dismantled bikes travel free. Fully assembled bikes are permitted on applicable services; reserved-seat services may require the free “Train + Bike” option.
• Folding bikes: One per passenger, max 180cm combined dimensions, treated as hand luggage. Avlo has separate conditions.

Traveling with pets

Small pets up to 10kg (dogs, cats, ferrets, birds) can travel in a carrier up to 60×35×35cm, limited to one pet per passenger. On AVE and Long Distance trains, pets travel free with a Prémium ticket or for €10 with Básico or Elige. Dogs up to 40kg may travel without a carrier on eligible services with the required add-on. Guide and assistance dogs travel free without weight or transport restrictions.

Boarding, check-in & station transfers

• AVE: Arrive ~30 minutes early to allow mandatory X-ray screening and ID verification matched to the ticket. Boarding closes 2 minutes before departure and does not reopen.
• Alvia/Euromed: Similar security/luggage rules to AVE when departing from high-speed terminals; 20–30 min recommended.
• Intercity/MD (Media Distancia): more relaxed, 10–15 minutes, no X-ray screening, onboard conductor/ID checks.
• Aranjuez transfer: Media Distancia/Regional journeys from certain Madrid Cercanías stations (Chamartín, Nuevos Ministerios, Sol, Atocha, Villaverde Bajo Cercanías) on weekdays require a local-train transfer via Aranjuez — not required for AVE. Tickets show "Transbordo en Aranjuez a tren regional". To avoid it, book AVE/Intercity or search "Madrid (any station)".
• Barcelona: Barcelona Sants connects with the Metro and Rodalies network, including connections towards Barcelona El Prat Airport.
• Free local transfers (Combinado Cercanías): AVE, Alvia, Euromed and Intercity tickets include free connecting travel on eligible Cercanías/Rodalies services at origin and destination. It can be used up to 4 hours before departure and 4 hours after arrival, using the barcode or 5-digit code on the ticket.
• Irun/Hendaye border (France–Spain): trains from France terminate at Irun; trains from Spain terminate at Hendaye, so most journeys need two separate one-way bookings. Transfer between the two stations via the EuskoTren tram (~5 min, twice hourly), on foot (~30 min/3km) or taxi (~€15/10 min).
• Assistance: The Adif Acerca assistance service can be requested up to 12 hours before departure, or up to 30 minutes before departure at stations offering immediate assistance. Assistance can also be requested through Renfe Contigo on 912 320 320.
• ID requirements: selected routes/fare types (e.g. Madrid–Barcelona/Seville/Málaga/Valencia/Alicante/Zaragoza, Madrid–San Sebastián) require the passport/ID used at booking to be carried and matched during travel — mismatches can mean boarding refusal.

Tickets, Classes & ticket reading

Long-distance fare tiers: Básico (best price, standard conditions), Elige (customisable, only tier offering Standard/Comfort seat choice), Premium (Comfort seating, meals, flexible changes). Children aged 0–3 travel free without occupying a seat, with a free child ticket; children under 14 occupying a seat receive a 40% discount.

Medium-distance: Avant and Media Distancia have their own fares and discounts. Children under 14 receive a 40% discount. Group discounts are available, with conditions varying by service and group size.

Reading a Renfe ticket: Key fields are the Ticket Number (different from your Rail Europe "RE-" order number), the Localizador (Renfe's own PNR, usable by any carrier), the CombinadoCercanías password, fare conditions, seat number ("plaza"), and the barcode/QR. Renfe-SNCF international tickets (e.g. Paris–Barcelona) also show a window/aisle seat-type designation. Glossary: Billete = ticket, Estación = station, Salida = departure, Llegada = arrival, Vía = platform, Tarifa = fare, Ida y Vuelta = round trip.

Collection: Renfe tickets print-at-home or on mobile; domestic journeys only can be collected from purple self-service kiosks at any Renfe station (no payment card required) a few minutes after booking. International trains and Cercanías/Rodalies can't be collected this way.

Food & drinks on board

Food and drink services vary depending on the Renfe train and route.

• AVE and selected long-distance services: Food and drinks may be available to purchase onboard, depending on the train and service.
• Premium fares: On applicable AVE and Euromed services, an at-seat meal may be included depending on the train, departure and ticket conditions.
• Other services: Catering may be limited or unavailable on regional and shorter-distance trains.

Onboard catering is not available on every Renfe train. Check the services available for your specific journey before travelling.

Refunds & claims

Rail Europe submits Renfe delay/cancellation claims on your behalf — contact support with your "RE-" reference, passenger name(s), travel date, train number, stations, and the date/time of the disruption, plus any receipts. Processing can take longer during high-volume periods (e.g. national strikes). Illness/bereavement claims are not covered here — use travel insurance instead.