Renfe's Summer Surprise: Galicia-Madrid High-Speed Rail Upgrade

Galicia's Renfe Summer Train Tickets Now Available: Faster Journeys, More Seats, and New Routes Galicia, Spain – Renfe, Spain's national railway operator, has announced the release of train tickets for the entire summer season on the high-speed rail corridor connecting Galicia and Madrid. This follows months of anticipation and frustration for many travelers. The news is particularly welcome given the significant improvements Renfe has implemented. Travel times have been reduced by approximately 20 minutes between Galician cities and Madrid, thanks to the introduction of new S106 trains. These trains offer over 500 seats, a significant increase in capacity compared to the previous Alvia trains. "Since the introduction of the new S106 trains in Galicia in May 2024, connections with Madrid have improved significantly," stated the Ministry of Transport in a recent press release. "We've seen shorter travel times, more seats, better performance, increased frequencies, and the extension of AVE service beyond Ourense to Santiago, A Coruña, Vilagarcía, Pontevedra, and Vigo, all at more competitive prices thanks to the Avlo service." The increased availability of tickets is also a major boon for travelers. Renfe will offer 90% more seats on average compared to April 2024, before the S106 trains were put into service. The overall service between Galicia and Madrid will include 11 frequencies starting June 9th. One traveler commented on the convenience, saying, "It's great that I can finally plan my summer trips to Madrid without worrying about ticket availability." The improved service and increased capacity are expected to boost tourism and economic activity in the region. The increased frequency and earlier departure times from cities like Vigo and A Coruña, are expected to significantly improve connectivity and convenience for travelers.