A change of course in Spain’s most important railway corridor. Renfe has decided to definitively withdraw the AVLO trains , the low-cost version of the high-speed service, from the line between Barcelona and Madrid. The reason: technical problems with the Talgo trains that were providing the service and which forced the suspension of circulation at the end of July.
The decision means a return to square one: as of September 8, all routes between the two capitals will once again operate with AVE trains, the same ones with which the service started in 2008.
Old trains, old prices
According to Renfe, the measure seeks to improve the passenger experience. AVE trains offer more space, larger seats and greater comfort, something especially valued in a corridor dominated by the corporate public and frequent travelers. Passengers who had already purchased AVLO tickets for later dates will be relocated to AVE trains.
The move will not affect frequencies or schedules: they will remain the same as with the AVLOs. What does change, and quite a lot, are the prices. In the first half of 2025, the average AVLO ticket was 37.8 euros, while the average AVE ticket was 61.9 euros. In other words, traveling between Barcelona and Madrid will be more comfortable, yes, but also considerably more expensive.
In the rest of the corridors, those linking Madrid with Andalusia and Galicia, AVLO trains will continue to run, despite being operated with the same Talgo model that has caused headaches in Barcelona.