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AVE (103) (Spain)
These trains are most typically used for the fastest services operated by Renfe on the route between Madrid and Barcelona.
Welcome to the guide to taking AVE (103) train services within Spain, which will tell you the key things worth knowing so that you can enjoy a stress-free journey.
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At a Glance
Travel Pass Supplement
Rail Pass Reservation Fees
Reservations
Compulsory
Time of Day
Day
Catering
Food services available
Bar (sandwiches, snacks, salads)
Accessibility
Accessing the train
Wheelchair Spaces
Train Specification
Attributes of the train
High Speed (total journey)
Has a Conductor
Country
Which country these trains operate in.
Spain
Travel Passes
Eurail
InterRail
On Board
Confort / Comfort
Perks
Power Socket
The power sockets on this train are compatible with standard E.U. two point plugs.
At Seat Catering
According to the time of day of travel, passengers will be able to choose from a menu of catering options, which will then be served at their seats.
If you will be travelling in Preferente (1st class) on Mondays-Fridays and on some departures on Sundays, you will be served an at seat hot meal - similar to that which is served in airlines.
Note that this facility is not available on Saturdays, so on Saturdays the Preferente ticket prices should be cheaper than on the other days of the week.
On Saturdays a catering trolley is taken through the Prefente class coaches/cars.
Estander
Perks
Power Socket
The power sockets on this train are compatible with standard E.U. two point plugs.
Trolley Service:
A catering trolley with hot and cold drinks and snacks should be taken through the train at some point during its journey.
Good to know info
ShowMeTheJourney has anticipated what questions are most often asked about travelling on these trains used for some journeys on the Madrid ↔ Barcelona
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How fast does the train travel?
The trains are among Europe's most fastest, they typically travel at up to 320 km/h / 199 mph.
Are seats allocated when booking tickets?
Yes they are.
Can specific seats be selected from a seating plan?
Only if you opt to book Premium / Premiere tickets; With the other type of tickets it is only possible to select Window or Aisle seats
Can I choose forward facing seats?
Only if you opt to book Premium / Premiere tickets.
Do Eurail / InterRail Pass users need to make reservations?
Seat reservations are mandatory - See the guide to making rail pass reservations to discover more info on how to book
What catering is available on the train?
These trains have a bistro car which can be accessed by all passengers, but on Monday to Friday and Sunday, a complimentary at seat mal is served to those with Premium class tickets.
Are power sockets available?
Yes - They are available at each seat in Confort class / 1st class and for each pair or seats in Estander Class /2nd class.
Is Wi-Fi available?
RENFE offers its AVE passengers access to the internet via its 'PlayRENFE' app - note that it's not free to access if you're not a member of a RENFE Loyalty Program.
Is a Quiet Coach available?
No, this facility isn't available on Renfe's trains.
What is the luggage policy?
Up to three pieces of luggage per person with a maximum total weight of 25kg.
Are wheelchair spaces available?
Yes.
Can non-folding bicycles be taken on board?
No - only folded bicycles can be taken on board AVE trains as hand luggage, but they must be placed in a travel case, or bag which can have a maximum height/width of 180cm.
Can dogs be taken on board?
Dogs can only be taken on board if they can travel in a container measuring no more than 60x35x35 cm and do not weigh more than 10kg.
These AVE (103) trains, which come from the same family of high speed trains as the ICE 3 trains used in Germany, though in every day use they're faster than their German cousins.
That because they're used on all of the fastest non-stop services between Barcelona and Madrid, and they spend most of the journey travelling at more than 300 km/h
They're also used on some of the services that call at the stations between Barcelona and Madrid; though a few other of those slower AVE services are also operated by the other types of AVE train - the AVE 100 or the AVE 102/112 on this route.
They have been used on the route between Madrid and Malaga, but if they still are, they're only used on very occasional services.
Two AVE (103) trains can be joined together on some departures to make exceptionally long 16 coach/car trains.
Reservations:
Seats will automatically be assigned when booking tickets for journeys by AVE (103) trains
Rail pass users will need to have made reservations prior to boarding.
Info on how to book these rail pass reservations is available HERE on our Spanish train tickets and passes guide.
Boarding:
The Coche (coach/carriage) and Plaza (seat numbers) will be on your ticket - so check the plaza number before you step on to the train.
Each coach/carriage only has one door on each side on each side of the train.
The coach/carriage numbers will be on an electronic info panel beside the door.
The doors have a larger letter 'P' on then if the coach houses 'Preferente' class and a 'T' for Turista class.
The seat numbers are above the windows.
As all seats reserved there is nothing else to indicate which seats you should occupy, be guided by the plaza number on your ticket.
Stowing Luggage
The luggage racks are between the doors and the seating saloons, the only other luggage storage space is above the seats.
However, if you have a large or heavy bag you should make use of the racks by the doors - and accept that you won't be able to see your bag(s) from your seat.
If you see space on the racks, our advice is to stow your bags on it and then find your seat.
If you subsequently decide to move your bags by the seat, you'll be able to do that, but things can be more awkward if you head to your seat first - and then decide you want to use the rack after all.
The Seat(s) you have been allocated
You must travel in the seats you have been assigned.
This is because of the specific terms and conditions of booking tickets to travel by the larga-distancia train services.
When booking Basico or Elige tickets there will be an option to pay an additional charge in order to choose specific seats from a seating plan, while a benefit of booking Prémium tickets is the lack of a charge of using this seating plan.
So if you haven't taken advantage of the seat selection service when booking, you can't then choose to sit in an alternative seat when boarding.
If you opted to choose a seat, the logic is that you will therefore be satisfied with that seat, so won't be able to seat in an alternative. but if you have paid to use the seat selection service or booked Prémium tickets you can ask the conductor if you can move seats.
Catering:
If you have booked a Premiere ticket, which are only available on Mondays-Fridays and on some departures on Sundays, you will be served a complimentary at seat hot meal, similar to that which is served on airlines in Club Class.
On Saturdays a catering trolley is taken through the Prefente class coaches/cars.
If you book an Elige ticket to travel in either Comfort or Estander class, you can choose to add an at-seat food and drink service when booking, you can choose from a menu of snack and light meal options and add them as a 'Extra' on the booking confirmation booking screen.
A bar car is also available to all passengers where drinks, snacks, sandwiches etc can be purchased, you can consume these at the tables in the bar car or take them back to your seat.
A relatively new feature is that a catering trolley will now be taken through Estander class on these trains.
On board:
At-seat power sockets are fitted to these trains, but in common with other AVE trains, they don't have conventional on train Wi-Fi access.
Instead RENFE offers its AVE passengers access to the internet via its 'PlayRENFE' app - note that it's not free to access if you're not a member of a RENFE Loyalty Program.
These trains also have an entertainment system, films are shown on screens fitted to the roofs of the coaches.
You don't get to choose the film you will see and all of the films will of course be in Spanish.
Service information announcements will be made in Spanish and English.
Interior views of these trains are available on this official RENFE guide
Bicycles:
Only folded bicycles can be taken on board AVE trains as hand luggage, but they must be placed in a travel case, or bag which can have a maximum height/width of 180cm.
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