​​​​​​​Map Shows Spain’s New High-Speed Rail Route

A map has been releasede showing Spain’s newest high-speed rail service, a 478-mile route connecting two of Spain’s major cities which is set to launch this December.

The low-cost train operator, Iryo, announced that daily services will begin on December 15, providing a much-anticipated connection between the northeastern city of Barcelona and the southern coastal city of Málaga.

Iryo will offer one outbound and one return trip every day of the week.

Since Iryo launched in Spain, it has expanded its low-cost network across the country, connecting some of the biggest cities, including Barcelona, Seville, Madrid, Zaragoza, and Valencia.

The new service, between Barcelona and Málaga, will depart from the southern city at 11:35 a.m., reaching the capital of Catalonia at 5:37 p.m., with the reverse journey departing at 11:50 a.m. and arriving at 5:42 p.m.

The journey, which will take approximately five hours and 50 minutes, will stop at key cities along the way, including Córdoba, Madrid, and Zaragoza.

The new route will further enhance Spain’s already robust high-speed rail network, which is the second largest in the world, trailing only China.

Spain’s high-speed rail system spans over 2,400 miles and links many of the country’s major cities. The addition of this Barcelona-Málaga route will provide an additional 336,530 seats for passengers each year, according to Iryo’s estimates.

Tickets for the new service will start at €24 (approximately $26.62) each way. Prices will rise slightly on weekends to start from €26.37 ($29.25).

This will be Iryo’s second high-speed route connecting the Catalonia region with Andalusia, following the successful launch of its Barcelona-Seville service in 2023.

The new Málaga route is poised to boost regional connectivity, providing a faster, more convenient travel option for both tourists and locals.

Spain has the most extensive and advanced high-speed rail network in Europe and has continued prioritizing linking its major cities with efficient, fast rail connections since the first line opened in 1992 between Madrid and Seville.

The network has since expanded to cover routes from the capital, Madrid, to key urban centers like Barcelona, Valencia, and Málaga. The high-speed trains travel at speeds of up to 193 mph.

As of 2023, Spain had more than 30 million passengers using the high-speed services annually. The focus on connecting major hubs like Madrid and Barcelona to southern cities like Málaga and Seville, and Valencia on the east coast has turned rail travel into a highly competitive alternative to flying.

Spain’s high-speed rail also links with neighboring countries, offering international connections into France via the Barcelona-Paris route, as well as services to Italy and the Netherlands.

Future plans for expansion continue, with the government prioritizing additional routes and improvements, such as further connections to Portugal.

Spain’s vast network not only benefits domestic travel, but also plays a critical role in European rail connectivity, making the country a key player in the European Union’s plans to improve cross-border, high-speed rail services.