Spain trains
 

Our group is catching the train from Madrid to Seville in late September. There are 2 choices 8.30 1st class and 9.00 Tourista Class- bit of a price difference but not that much if its worth it. Any advice? Is either class better. The journey is only about 2 2/1 hours. We will have luggage.

'There are 2 choices 8.30 1st class and 9.00 Tourista Class' -

Sorry, this does not make sense, as the classes are preferente and turista.

Additionally - you are looking at two different types of train in the ALVIA (0830) and the AVE.
Additionally - you cannot see the prices for September on the RENFE website yet for dates that far ahead. So, I do not believe that the price difference could yet be described as 'a bit of price difference', when likely to be scores of Euro.

I believe that you are making a elementary mistake in looking at a website of an agency rather than RENFE the national rail website, where huge savings can be made by purchase in advance.

And, to answer your question, for the negligible difference in the classes, I would not pay the extra, certainly not for a two and half hour journey. See the RENFE website.

I can see the timetable for the dates I need on Renfe website. What is the difference between AVE and ALVIA trains? The travel time doesn't seem much different.

The difference is probably negligible and subtle, as is the difference between preferente and turista. I have no recollection of travelling ALVIA and have only once travelled preferente on the AVE and determined those years ago not to waste my money in future. You will have to delve into the RENFE website, as I would, somewhere there is, from memory 'Our Trains'.

Not addressing your query much but by chance spotted this today - http://upstatewire.com/article/1706/...-services.html

The AVE is typically referred to as a long distance high-speed train, Madrid-Barcelona, Sevilla-Madrid, etc. ALVIA and AVANT are medium distance high-speed trains and make more stops than the AVE. Some routes are similar, but the final destination will be different.