Flying into Madrid and taking the train down to the coast has become one of the most popular ways to travel to the Costa Blanca. The Spanish high-speed trains zip through the countryside at up to 300 km/h, making the journey from the capital to the beach both incredibly fast and very comfortable.
Here is our complete guide on how to get from Madrid (Atocha or Chamartín) to Alicante (Terminal) by train.
Quick Overview: Train Madrid to Alicante
- Travel time: Approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes.
- Train companies: Renfe (AVE/Avlo), Ouigo, and Iryo.
- Price: From €9 if booked well in advance, up to €70+ on the day of travel.
Which train company should you choose?
Just a few years ago, only the state-owned Renfe operated this route. Now, Spain has opened up to competition, which means fantastic prices for us travelers! You now have three main options:
- AVE / Avlo (Renfe): The classic Spanish high-speed train. Very reliable and offers many departures. Avlo is their new low-cost version.
- Ouigo: The French low-cost company with double-decker trains. Often the absolute cheapest tickets (can start at under €10), but they charge extra for large luggage.
- Iryo: The newest addition, operated by Italian Trenitalia. Known for excellent comfort and a fantastic café car.
The biggest mistake tourists make (and how to avoid it)
By far the biggest mistake tourists make is trying to book tickets directly on Renfe's own website. The site is notorious for crashing, struggling with foreign credit cards, and often mistranslating city names.
To avoid the stress, and to be able to compare the prices of all three train companies in one place, we always recommend using Trainline. The site is in English, the app is fantastic, and you get the ticket right on your phone with a QR code.
Search and compare train tickets at Trainline here
Need accommodation when you arrive? Check out our guide to the best hotels in Alicante, and see how to get around from Alicante Airport.
