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Madrid to Zaragoza by train
How to take a rail journey from Madrid to Zaragoza
There have been recent major changes to journeys by train from Madrid to Zaragoza as travellers could already choose between three high speed train services; the standard AVE services and two more basic services - the avlo and Ouigo trains.
And now yet yet another operator, iryo, is joining the route and its full service trains aim to offer a similar service level to the AVE services at a competitive price.
The service of iyro trains begins on November 25th, but tickets are already on sale exclusively on the iryo website.
In contrast the core concept for the avlo and Ouigo services is that they offer fewer on board facilities (no bar car, no 1st class seating, no on board entertainment) and have less generous luggage allowances (see below), but have generally cheaper ticket prices than the AVE trains.
Compare the prices per departure carefully on your travel dates, all four services, AVE, avlo, iryo and Ouigo are available on Trainline.
There are also non-high speed services available, handy for users of Eurail and InterRail passes looking to avoid the rail pass reservation fees on AVE trains; rail passes aren't valid on the avlo, iryo and Ouigo services.
Luggage allowances:
AVE and iryo travellers can board with:
Up to 3 pieces of hand luggage onto the train, provided that the sum of the three does not exceed 25 kg or 290 cm.
The maximum dimensions allowed are 85x55x35 cm
avlo travellers can board at no extra charge with:
1 piece of hand luggage (bag, rucksack, etc.) subject to the following size limitations: 36x27x25 cm.
AND
1 suitcase, subject to the following size limitations: 55x35x25 cm.
Ouigo travellers can board at no extra charge with the choice of:
2 pieces of hand luggage not exceeding 36 x 27 x 15 cm (height x width x depth)
OR
1 Hand baggage not exceeding 36 x 27 x 15 cm (height x width x depth) + 1 Cabin baggage not exceeding 55 x 35 x 25 cm (height x width x depth).
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Routes
Option 1: taking the AVE (and avlo) trains
Journey Summary
1hr 15min - 1hr 25min (AVE trains)
Daily
Travel Information
Final Destination: Barcelona or Figueres or Zaragoza
Most departures will be handled by the AVE 103 trains, but the AVE 102 trains are also used on this route.
by AVE train
Monday to Friday = 15 x trains per day
Friday = 14 x trains
Saturday = 11 x trains
Sunday = 12 x trains
The usual frequency has been reduced slightly as a consequence of the pandemic.
by avlo train
2 x trains per day
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings open: up to 6 months ahead of the travel date - depending on the time of year.
The online booking window can be shorter between late July and early October.
When looking up journeys (not travelling) between late July and early October, it's likely you won't be able to book for journeys beyond the second Sunday in December.
On this route, prices are set per departure according to demand, hence the lack of price info below.
It can pay off to be as flexible as possible regarding departure and arrival times if you want to take the AVE trains, because on this route it’s not unusual for a few departures to be available at much cheaper price, regardless of how far ahead you will be booking.
The limited numbers of tickets released for sale at very cheapest prices also inevitably sell out, so if possible book more than a couple of months ahead and you’ll be more likely to find them available.
Though from the moment the tickets are placed on sale, some departures will be cheaper than others.
Prémium tickets are only available for journeys by the AVE trains.
Difference in core ticketing terms between AVE and avlo services:
Child tickets:
avlo = children aged 13 and under travel for a flat rate of €5, maximum of 2 children per fare paying Adult.
AVE = children aged 5 -13 and under are entitled to a 40% discount.
If you want to place a child aged four and under in its own seat, they will also have a 40% discount on the ticket price, but if you'll be happy to travel with the child on their lap, then there is no charge.
Amending booked tickets:
avlo = pay an additional €8 when making the initial booking and you can then make one change to an alternative choice of departure.
AVE = promo + ticket holders will receive 80% of the ticket price refunded if you then want to book a different service, but you will then have to re-purchase a new ticket for the train you now want to take.
Seat Reservations:
Seats will automatically be assigned when booking tickets for this journey by AVE and avlo services.
Rail Pass Users:
Rail pass users will need to pay reservation fees prior to boarding these trains - on this route, with its fairly frequent departures, you may as well book these reservations at the station when you arrive in Spain.
Though if you're determined to avoid any additional fees when using your rail pass, you can take the Regional-Express train from Madrid to Zaragoza.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Trainline | * | |
| Renfe | * |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
Taking the alternative avlo services
SMTJ has yet to travel by the alternative avlo services, this is the info page for these services on the renfe website.
They are scheduled to depart from Madrid Atocha daily at 10:30 and 19:30.
The 10:30 train is non-stop to Zaragoza in a journey time of 1hr 16 min and the 19:30 departure is slower by around 10 mins because it makes additional station calls.
The core differences between avlo and AVE services, aside from avlo not conveying 1st/Comfort class are:
- Catering: AVE trains = bar/bistro conter; avlo trains = vending machines
- On board entertainment = both AVE and avlo trains have free Wi-fi, but AVE trains also have screens on which films/movies are shown.
Luggage allowance on AVE trains = Up to 3 pieces of hand luggage onto the train, provided that the sum of the three does not exceed 25 kg or 290 cm.
The maximum dimensions allowed are 85x55x35 cm
Though additional allowances cannot be purchased.
Luggage allowance on avlo trains = 1 piece of hand luggage (bag, rucksack, etc.) subject to the following size limitations: 36x27x25 cm and 1 suitcase, subject to the following size limitations: 55x35x25 cm.
1 piece of additional, larger-sized luggage, measuring a maximum of 85x60x35 cm (or no more than 180 cm in total) can be be paid for as an added allowance, but the price for doing ranges from €10 if added when booking to €30 at the station just prior to boarding.
The dimensions of the luggage will be measured at the station, so if your bag exceeds the free allowance size, you will then have to pay €30 to take it on board.
Another core difference is boarding time, SMTJ suggests being at Madrid Atocha at least 20 mins before boarding an AVE, because having once been towards the back of a long queue for the security check procedures, this scenario is best avoided.
However, for the avlo services, the specific recommendation from renfe is to be at the station a minimum of 30 minutes before departure.
This journey showcases the best of high speed train travel, we nearly placed it in the scenic journeys category.
You won't see typical stunning views of mountains and coasts, but the combination of incredible speed and sweeping distant views over central Spain can be exhilarating.
Option 2: taking the iryo trains
Journey Summary
1hr 15min
Daily
Travel Information
Final Destination: Barcelona
Monday to Friday = 6 x trains per day
Saturday and Sunday = 7 x trains per day
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings usually open: up to 6 months ahead of the travel date .
Both the iro online booking service and Trainline sell tickets for journeys by the iro trains, but Trainline also sells tickets for the alternative AVE, avlo and Ouigo services, though the periods of time ahead of the travel date, on which all four services can be compared, can vary.
The iryo prices are set per departure according to demand; hence the lack of price info below.
In common with the ticket pricing policy for most European high speed rail journeys, limited numbers of tickets will be available at each price, as each quota of tickets available at the cheaper price sell out, they are replaced with tickets at more expensive prices.
Similarly to how the tickets which Renfe makes available for its AVE services are sold, the terms of using the tickets to travel on iryo services, differ according to the class which you will be travelling by.
Incial Flexible
- want to cancel your booking more than 7 days before the journey = receive a refund of 80% of the price you paid
- want to cancel your booking less than 7 days before the journey = receive a refund of 70% of the price you paid
- subsequently want to travel by an alternative departure on your chosen travel date and arrange this a minimum of 24hrs in advance = pay the difference in price if the new departure you want to travel by is more expensive
- subsequently want to travel by another departure on a different travel date and arrange this a minimum of 24hrs in advance = pay the difference in price if the new departure you want to travel by is more expensive + 15% of the price you originally paid
- miss the train you are booked on to and want to travel on a different iryo departure = you will have to re-book an entirely new ticket.
Singular Cafe Flexible and Singular Flexible tickets
- want to cancel your booking more than 7 days before the journey = receive a refund of 85% of the price you paid
- want to cancel your booking less than 7 days before the journey = receive a refund of 75% of the price you paid
- subsequently want to travel by an alternative departure on your chosen travel date and arrange this a minimum of 24hrs in advance = no charge
- subsequently want to travel by another departure on a different travel date and arrange this a minimum of 24hrs in advance = pay the difference in price if the new departure you want to travel by is more expensive (avoid this when travelling Singular Cafe by booking Abierta tickets)
- miss the train you are booked on to and want to travel on a different iryo departure within 2 hours* = €30 for a replacement ticket
*= the gaps between iryo departures can be longer than 2 hours
Infinita Flexible
- complimentary meal from the Bistro Menu = included
- want to cancel your booking more than 7 days before the journey = receive a refund of 95% of the price you paid
- want to cancel your booking less than 7 days before the journey = receive a refund of 90% of the price you paid
- subsequently want to travel by an alternative departure on your chosen travel date and arrange this a minimum of 24hrs in advance = no charge
- subsequently want to travel by another departure on a different travel date and arrange this a minimum of 24hrs in advance = pay the difference in price if the new departure you want to travel by is more expensive (avoid this by booking Abierta tickets)
- miss the train you are booked on to and want to travel on a different iryo departure within 2 hours* = €10 for a replacement ticket
*= the gaps between iryo departures can be longer than 2 hours
Infinita Abierta
- complimentary meal from the Bistro Menu =option to pay extra for this
- want to cancel your booking more than 7 days before the journey = receive a refund of 100% of the price you paid
- want to cancel your booking less than 7 days before the journey = receive a refund of 95% of the price you paid
- subsequently want to travel by an alternative departure on your chosen travel date = no charge
- subsequently want to travel by another departure on a different travel date = no charge
- miss the train you are booked on to and want to travel on a different iryo departure within 2 hours* = no charge
*= the gaps between iryo departures can be longer than 2 hours
Singular Cafe Abierta
- want to cancel your booking more than 7 days before the journey = receive a refund of 90% of the price you paid
- want to cancel your booking less than 7 days before the journey = receive a refund of 95% of the price you paid
- subsequently want to travel by an alternative departure on your chosen travel date = no charge
- subsequently want to travel by a another departure on a different travel date = no charge
- miss the train you are booked on to and want to travel on a different iryo departure within 2 hours* = no charge
*= the gaps between iryo departures can be longer than 2 hours
Note that a core difference between Flexible and Abierta tickets is that the Abierta tickets can be exchanged to travel on a different date, without the difference in cost between the original booking and the price to travel by the alternative train, having to be paid.
So with Abierta tickets you have the peace of mind of knowing that you can travel on a different date to that which you originally selected, without having to pay more money, despite the likelihood that the price, of what is in effect your replacement ticket, having risen since the time of your original booking.
Making a booking
When looking up a journey on the iryo website only the prices per departure of Incial Flexible, Singular Flexible and Infinita Flexible tickets will be shown.
When more than one person will be travelling together, the price shown will be the price per ticket and not the total price for the entire party.
If you want to travel in Infinita Class with the additional benefits of an Abierta ticket, you can add it to the booking of Infinita Flexible tickets as an upgrade.
Though two options for the Infinita Abierta tickets will be available, because you can opt to pay less and then not have access to the complimentary Bistro menu,
If you want to travel in the Singular Cafe class, what isn't particularly obvious is that you can only do so by opting to upgrade Incial Flexible or Singular Flexible tickets.
To book a Singular Cafe Abierta ticket you can upgrade a Singular Flexible ticket.
To book a Singular Cafe Flexible ticket you can upgrade an Incial Flexible ticket.
Child tickets
An unconventional aspect of iryo's ticketing is that it doesn't offer dedicated rates for child tickets, when travelling with children.
Those aged 0-3 don't require a ticket if they travel on an adult's lap, but they will need a ticket if they are placed in a seat.
Children aged 4-13 travel at the 'standard' rate = the same price as Adult tickets.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Trainline | * | |
| iryo | * |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
The policies around travel with bikes and dogs, as well as the the availability of on-board entertainment and the bar car are all very similar to what's available on the national rail operator, Renfe's AVE services.
The AVE trains in effect offer
- second/standard = Estander
- first/premium = Comfort
- first/premium with complimentary catering = Comfort Class when booking Prémium tickets,
Note that the AVE trains in effect offer two on board ambiences, Estander and Comfort and iryo's two equivalents are its coaches which will have 'Gran Confort' and 'Confort' seating
Therefore the equivalents of the on-board ambiences on the iryo services are:
- Incial with Confort seats = Estander
- Singular Cafe with Gran Confort seats = Comfort
- Infinita with Gran Confort seats and complimentary menu = Prémium
Though iryo will also offer a 'class' of service, Singular, in which travellers in the equivalent of 2nd class coaches with the 'Confort' seats can have access to an at seat catering menu.
However, the core differences between the iryo and AVE services are connected to the ticketing terms and conditions.
For example, when booking tickets to in the equivalent of 2nd/standard class:
- Basico tickets to travel by the AVE services = no refund if you cancel your trip and no exchange available to a different departure.
- Incial Flexible tickets to travel by iryo services = cancel your booking more than 7 days before the journey and receive a refund of 80% of the price you paid; plus exchanges are available to a different departure if you pay the price difference with the alternative departure.
Though with the Incial Flexible tickets other refund and exchange terms are also available.
The comparison between booking tickets in the equivalent of 1st/premier class is more similar, but a key difference is that if you book a Prémium ticket for an AVE service and then cancel your trip, you will receive a refund of 95% of the ticket cost, but you will receive 100% if you have booked an Infinita Abierta for travel on a iyro service.
If you will be travelling with children aged 5 -13 it's definitely worth making the comparison of the total booking price between iryo and the AVE trains which can be booked on the Renfe website.
Children aged 5 -13 and under are entitled to a 40% discount when travelling on AVE trains, but on the iryo services they are charged at the standard, Adult rate.
These iryo trains take the same route as the AVE trains.
Option 3: taking a Ouigo train:
Journey Summary
1hr 18min
Daily
Travel Information
The French national rail operator, SNCF has for some years been operating double-decked high speed trains branded 'Ouigo' as a lower-cost, more basic alternative to regular high speed TGV services in France.
It is now also operating these Ouigo services on the Madrid to Zaragoza route:
The three daily departures are scheduled to depart Madrid Atocha at 10:05, 14:10 and 21:00.
These Ouigo services are an alternative to the two services operated on this route by Renfe, the Spanish national rail operator; the regular AVE services and the more basic (and therefore similar to Ouigo) avlo services.
The core idea is that the Ouigo (and avlo) services are more basic, but cheaper than the regular AVE services.
Though the Ouigo services are typically the cheapest option, if you book ahead you can find prices on some departures from €15.
Departing from Madrid:
You need to be at Madrid-Atocha a minimum of 30 mins before departure, in order to allow time to pass through both the Ouigo traveller checks and the security checks.
3 x trains per day
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings open: up to 6 months ahead of the travel date - depending on the time of year.
Ouigo Plus tickets cost extra but live up to their name with XL seats available, the ability to choose a seat and to board with a large item of luggage at no additional charge.
**Summary of ticket term differences **
Child tickets:
Ouigo = children aged 4 -13 pay a flat rate of €4.
avlo = children aged 13 and under travel for a flat rate of €5, maximum of 2 children per fare paying Adult.
AVE = children aged 5 -13 and under are entitled to a 40% discount.
If you want to place a child aged four and under in its own seat, they will also have a 40% discount on the ticket price, but if you'll be happy to travel with the child on their lap, then there is no charge.
Amending booked tickets:
Ouigo =with standard tickets bookings can be amended for a flat rate of €30, but if you book Flex tickets there will be no flat rate charge, but you will have to pay the price difference (if any) on the new departure you choose.
avlo = pay an additional €8 when making the initial booking and you can then make one change to an alternative choice of departure.
AVE = only possible when booking the more expensive 'Elige' or Prémium tickets
Rail Pass Users:
Eurail and InterRail passes cannot be used on Ouigo services, but if you want to add Zaragoza to an itinerary and will be travelling with the flexible type of pass, taking the Ouigo can be worth considering, particularly if you can find tickets for under €20.
You can then use a day's travel on the flexible pass on a route when no low-cost train services are available.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Ouigo | from €15 | |
| Trainline | from €15 |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
Aside from the seating and the fact that avlo are single deck trains, the key differences in the on-board experience between the Ouigo and avlo services are:
- Wi-fi: Ouigo = not available; avlo = available
- Power sockets = Ouigo = coaches equipped with seats that have access to power sockets can be accessed for a surcharge of €2; avlo = sockets at every seat
- Catering: Ouigo =not available; avlo = vending machines
- Seat selection: Ouigo = available if you book Ouigo Plus tickets with XL seats available; avlo = available for a charge of €8.
Luggage allowance on Ouigo trains = 2 pieces of hand luggage not exceeding 36 x 27 x 15 cm (height x width x depth)
OR
1 Hand baggage not exceeding 36 x 27 x 15 cm (height x width x depth) + 1 Cabin baggage not exceeding 55 x 35 x 25 cm (height x width x depth).
An additional baggage item of no more than 30 kg and 2 m x 2 m, can be paid for as an added allowance for a fee of €20.
Luggage dimensions will be checked pre-boarding and sizes of bags which exceed the luggage limit will be charged at the €20 rate.
Ouigo Plus ticket purchasers can board with this additional baggage item at no extra charge.
Luggage allowance on avlo trains = 1 piece of hand luggage (bag, rucksack, etc.) subject to the following size limitations: 36x27x25 cm and 1 suitcase, subject to the following size limitations: 55x35x25 cm.
1 piece of additional, larger-sized luggage, measuring a maximum of 85x60x35 cm (or no more than 180 cm in total) can be be paid for as an added allowance, but the price for doing ranges from €10 if added when booking to €30 at the station just prior to boarding.
This journey showcases the best of high speed train travel, we nearly placed it in the scenic journeys category.
You won't see typical stunning views of mountains and coasts, but the combination of incredible speed and sweeping distant views over central Spain can be exhilarating.
Option 4: taking the Regional Express train
Journey Summary
4hr 1min - 4hr 27min
Daily
Travel Information
These trains are scheduled to depart from Madrid-Charmartin at:
07:15 on Mon - Fri
15:45 daily
Final Destination: Barcelona Franca (first train); Zaragoza-Delicias (second train)
Arriving in Zaragoza:
It's worth looking which station in Zaragoza would suit you best, before taking the 07:15 trains
After calling at Zaragoza-Delicias, it will also call at Zaragoza-Goya, which has a transfer available to the trams which serve the historic heart of the city; and at Zaragoza-Portillo.
Mon - Friday = 2 x trains per day
Sat/Sun = 1 x train
Tickets
Book early and save: No
If you haven't booked before your date of travel for an AVE train between Barcelona and Zaragoza and have time on your side, then it's likely that you'll be making a big saving by taking these trains.
Though if you can book even a couple of days ahead, it's likely that you'l find cheaper tickets for the AVE trains.
Rail Pass Users:
Reservations aren't available on these Regional Express train, so if you're travelling on a budget it's possible to to travel from Madrid to Zaragoza without paying any additional fees; if you'll be travelling with a valid Eurail or InterRail pass.
If you have a 2nd class pass you'll save €10 and if you have a 1st class pass you'll save €23.50 - though as this train is 2nd class only, there's quite a contrast between travelling on this train and in Comfort/1st class on the AVE trains.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Renfe | * |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
These trains are second class/Turista class only.
Note that these trains depart from Chamartin station in Madrid and not from Atocha station - which is where the AVE trains to Barcelona to depart from.
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