Trains, Metro and Railways in Madrid

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Trains, Metro and Railways in Madrid

• RENFE  (La Red de los Ferrocarriles Españoles) is the Spanish national rail train service. The English-language website can be used to plan trips and check fares and timetables: RENFE in English
• The commuter rail service Cercanías Madrid serves Madrid and its metropolitan area. This service is operated by Cercanías RENFE, the commuter rail division of RENFE. Timetables, fees, tickets and information are available on the website: Click here (in Spanish)
• Alta Velocidad (AVE) is a high-speed rail service which serves Madrid, Ciudad Real, Puertollano, Córdoba and Málaga. Special offers, timetables, fees and tickets can be found on the website: Click here
• RENFE's Media Distancia runs trains from Madrid across the country to other major cities in Spain: Click here
• Rail Europe has all the information about travelling by train across the continent

Madrid Trains: Useful Information

Train stations can get very busy, buying tickets online avoids long waits in queues. Tickets can be bought online for seats on AVE, AV Media Distancia, Talgo 200, TRD trains, R-598 and all Great Lines trains during the day.

• To buy, book, print, collect or cancel tickets, go to the RENFE ticket booking website: Click here 

RENFE Suburban Train System

The RENFE Suburban Train System in the Madrid Region consists of twelve basic lines, with a total length of 339.1 Km. The entire system is electrified.

• To see a list of the lines: Click here 

Madrid Metro

The Madrid Metro system has 12 metro lines. On the Madrid Metro system website, travellers can buy tickets and cards, see the Metro map, and check out routes.

• For a map of the Madrid metro system (in PDF format): Click here 
• A list of Metro lines is available online: Click here

Glossary for the Metro website

Pets On Trains

National RENFE train lines

Dogs, cats and domestic animals may travel on RENFE trains however the following restrictions apply for national RENFE trains (Grandes Lineas):

• Only one pet per accompanying passenger is allowed on board
• The person accompanying the animal is responsible for it and any damage caused by it on the journey
• Animals must weigh less than 6 Kg
• Animals must be kept in a cage (unless seats in a cabin are booked); the cage may be no larger than 65cm x 35cm x 35cm and must be able to contain any excrement made by the animal
• Where applicable, dogs must wear a muzzle
• A ticket must be purchased for the travelling animal; the fare is usually 50 percent of the accompanying human fare
• Guide dogs for the blind are allowed free of charge on RENFE trains
• For information from RENFE on travelling with animals on national RENFE trains: Click here

Local RENFE train lines

Dogs, cats and domestic animals may travel on RENFE trains however the following restrictions apply for local RENFE trains (trenes de Cercanías):

• There is no weight limit regarding dogs, cats and birds travelling on local RENFE trains
• Animals are not allowed on trains between 06:00-09:00, 16:30-18:00 and from 21:00 to the end of the service day
• It is not necessary to keep the animal in a cage although the animal must be leashed
• Dogs must wear a muzzle
• The person accompanying the animal is responsible for it and any damage caused by it on the journey
• Pets can travel for free
• For information from RENFE on travelling with animals on local RENFE trains: Click here

Bicycles on Trains

Bicycles may be taken on RENFE trains depending on the route. 

• For details on travelling with a bicycle on local RENFE trains: Click here 

Reductions & Discounts

• Children under six years of age travel free on RENFE trains
• A reduction of 50 percent is given on the price of a single or return ticket for children under twelve years of age
• Group discounts are available but apply only if the group is making the same journey at the same time on the same date
• A Tarjeta Dorada (Golden Ticket) is available for pensioners (over 60 years of age) and people with a 65 percent or more disability. The ticket qualifies holders for a 40 percent reduction on the price of single or return journeys any day of the week. Those accompanying a disabled traveller also receive the discount.
• Family discounts are also available but are dependent on family size and circumstance. Inquire at ticket offices.

Related Information

• The Comunidad de Madrid website has a section on transportation. It provides details about travelling by metro, bus, suburban rail and suburban buses, including fees and passes.
• See the AngloINFO INFOrmation page, Madrid Airports Contacts
• See the AngloINFO INFOrmation page, Bus Services in Madrid  
• See the AngloINFO INFOrmation page, Travel Passes for Public Transport

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