After getting bounced around (in a mostly fun way) on Feve’s slow, unpredictable, and stubbornly scenic northern routes, I figured it was time for something else. A reality check. Less nostalgia, more practicality.
Spain’s regional trains—the Media Distancia and local services—don’t get the glory. No AVE speeds, no sleek stations, no “look how fast we are!” moments. They’re the underdogs. The workhorses. The ones that actually connect the dots.
So, obviously, I had to see what they were made of.
The Strengths of Spain’s Regional Rail
1. It’s Cheap. So Cheap.
One of the biggest perks? The price.
Compared to AVE, these tickets feel like a steal. Renfe hands out discounts like it’s got too many. If you live in Spain? Some routes are literally free. Try pitching that idea anywhere else—good luck.
2. The Views Are Something Else.
Forget speed. Forget comfort. These trains deliver scenery.
- Andalusian olive groves rolling on forever.
- Costa Brava cliffs dropping straight into the sea.
- Misty green Galicia looking more like Scotland than Spain.
Yeah, they’re slow. A little shaky. But when you’re watching the world roll by like a living postcard, who cares?
3. They Go Where AVE Won’t.
Spain’s best towns? AVE doesn’t stop there. But these trains do.
- Ronda – Hanging off a cliff, one strong gust away from being history.
- Cuenca – Houses literally dangling over a gorge because why not?
- Cáceres – A medieval maze so untouched it might as well be a film set.
No regional trains? No way to get there. Simple as that.
The Not-So-Great Parts
1. Delays. Because Of Course.
Unlike AVE, where trains run like someone’s actually paying attention, regional trains? They do what they want.
Single-track sections. Freight trains in the way. Mystery “technical issues.” If you need to be somewhere at a specific time? Just… don’t count on it.
2. Some of These Trains Have… Character.
Renfe is upgrading. Some routes. Others? Not so much.
If you’re picturing shiny, modern trains? Reset your expectations. Basic seats. No frills. AC that works on its own schedule. Functional, but only just.
3. Schedule? What Schedule?
Check the timetable. One train in the morning. One in the afternoon. That’s your lot.
Miss it? Hope you like waiting. Some rural routes run twice a day if you’re lucky. And if the train’s late? You’ve got plenty of time to think about your life choices.
Our Journey: Barcelona to Tarragona
To get a proper feel for Spain’s regional trains, Sue and I took a Media Distancia from Barcelona to Tarragona. No AVE. No first-class nonsense. Just old-school rail travel.
The train? Does the job. The seats? Functional. The ride? A little bumpy. But the views? Worth every second.
- Mediterranean flickering through the trees.
- Hills stacked with vineyards.
- Tiny stations where time forgot to speed up.
Sue was happy. I was entertained. Tarragona? Definitely worth the ride.
Let’s be real. Regional trains are a mixed bag.
- They run late.
- Some look like they belong in a museum.
- The schedules are an idea more than a fact.
BUT.
They also take you places no other train will. They’re cheap. They show you a different Spain—the one beyond the tourist posters.
So, are they worth it? Absolutely. Just don’t expect perfection.
Next stop? A border crossing. Time to ditch Renfe and see how things work on the other side. Portugal? France? A surprise detour somewhere weird? No clue yet, but it’s happening.
One way or another, I’m getting on a train.
And wherever it goes, you’ll hear about it. Stay tuned.
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