skihikejumpplay

Leaving in a few weeks for our first ever trip to Spain.

Staying in 4 cities and branching out from each for daytrips: Madrid, Sevilla, Valencia and Barcelona.

Can take AVE (high speed) trains from Madrid to Sevilla and Barcelona to Madrid.

The two trains involving Valencia appear to use older trains and I'm having trouble figuring them out.

I'm wondering if I'm not better off taking the AVE back to Madrid and then hop a train from Madrid to Valencia. Doesnt seem to make too much difference with total travel times. The gain would be traveling on newer, high speed trains instead of older ones.

Thanks!

danon

We took AVE in April and were very impressed.
Never took a non- AVE train, sorry.

Valencia seems to be hard to get to from Seville .
Vueling has flights but only until the 23rd of June.
If the cost (AVE) is not a problem : 3 hours to Madrid and almost 4 to Valencia + transfer time, if the connection is good - versus 8:30 minutes on one train.
The advantage of AVE combo may be more options (trains)

Valencia to Barcelona takes 3 hours. Or fly to Barcelona from Seville ( Vueling has cheap flights) and take a train to Valencia.

Robert2533

Have you booked any of your tickets yet? Or are you still trying to figure things out at this late date? You might want to note that Renfe changed/updated their system today.

Palenque

I took an overnight Talgo train from Granada to Valencia and i think there is one from Seville as well. If saving time (and hotel costs) is your goal.

Cowboy1968

When you check connections you will be given the type of train as well. The direct from Sevilla to Valencia should be an "Arco" train.
And here you will a description of the amenities of each type of train (on left side):
http://www.renfe.com/WebOfertaComerc...sp?destacado=N
There many non-AVE trains that are as comfortable or as new as the AVE but simply do not go that fast.

danon

The train seems comfortable , but from what I can understand only Clase Preferente has air conditioning.
Might matter for more than 8 hours . In June!

lincasanova

I think I would train Madrid-Valencia, then train Vlc-Barcelona and fly to Sevilla. AVE back to Madrid.

( Unless you are flying into Madrid and out of Barcelona, of course.)

CathyM

I've traveled in tourist on non-AVE trains and there has definately been air conditioning......

danon

Clase Preferente

Los clientes de este área podrán disfrutar de los servicios de aparcamiento y sala club.

Coches climatizados de tipo salón, con pasillo central, cada fila cuenta con tres asientos, dos formando pareja y otro independiente, con un amplio espacio entre ellos. La mitad de las plazas del coche están orientados en sentido de la marcha del tren.

En un extremo están situados dos maleteros laterales verticales además de estanterías superiores portaobjetos.

Cada uno de los asientos dispone de mesa auxiliar, conexión para audio/vídeo, papelera, apoyabrazos individuales, reposapies y la posibilidad de reclinar el respaldo y deslizar el asiento.

Clase Turista

Coche de tipo salón, con pasillo central y dos asientos a cada lado. La mitad de las plazas van orientadas en sentido de la marcha del tren.

En un extremo están situados dos maleteros laterales verticales además, dispone de estanterías superiores portaobjetos.

Cada uno de los asientos dispone de mesa auxiliar, conexión para audio/vídeo, papelera, apoyabrazos, reposapies y la posibilidad de reclinar el respaldo y deslizar el asiento.

lincasanova

There is AC in tourist..not sure why it is not mentioned.

Revulgo

Alaris trains from Madrid to Valencia
http://www.renfe.com/EN/empresa/comu...aris_s490.html

Euromed trains from Barcelona to Valencia
http://www.renfe.com/EN/empresa/comu...s/euromed.html

The new AVE line from Madrid to Valencia will be open in December.