Barcelona is the beautiful capital city of Spain’s northeastern Catalonia region. As Spain’s second most populous municipality, it’s very easy to travel by train to Barcelona from many other major cities in Spain such as Seville or Valencia. In fact, Barcelona trains arrive regularly throughout the day at the city’s Sants Station not only from national departure points like Madrid but also from foreign cities such as Paris, France or Geneva, Switzerland.

Renfe to Barcelona

The primary provider of domestic trains to Barcelona from within Spain is Renfe, or sometimes Renfe Ave, its high-speed branch. Direct Barcelona trains are available from Renfe every day of the week, departing from major cities around the country, such as Valencia (Estacio Del Nord or Joaquin Sorolla), Madrid (Puerta de Atocha or Chamartin), or Seville (Santa Justa). Connecting trains to Barcelona are also provided by Renfe from cities such as Cadiz (connecting in Seville) or Salamanca (connecting in Madrid), all arriving within hours at Barcelona Sants Station.

Barcelona Photograph : Shutterstock

Main train station in Barcelona

Barcelona’s main railway station is Barcelona Sants Station, located on the Avinguda Roma right between the Joan Peiró and Plaça dels Països Catalans squares. Positioned as it is just a short distance to the western edge of the city's center, Barcelona Sants Station is very easily accessed by city bus or taxi, both of which stop just outside of the station.

After taking the train to Barcelona, you can also access any of the city’s major neighborhoods within minutes by taking the city Metro which departs from the nearby Barcelona Estació Metro Station. Visitors by train to Barcelona Sants Station will be able to utilize services at the station such as a tour desk, luggage storage, and car rentals, in addition to the typical shops and cafés. Departing passengers traveling in 1st Class may also relax in the station’s Club Lounge.

Onboard facilities Barcelona

Renfe passengers by train to Barcelona may enjoy PlayRenfe, the free onboard WiFi service which also includes onboard entertainment options. Barcelona train travelers may select between Economy (also called Tourist) and 1st Class (also called Preferential) seating. In Economy seating, rail passengers will be offered a mobile bar service and coffee shop, in addition to access to a Quiet Car for a more relaxing journey to Barcelona Sants. In this class of seating, passengers may bring along one pet (dog or cat) so long as it is small and remains within its travel carrier.

This pet will require its own "pet ticket" which generally costs about 25% of the owner’s ticket fare. In 1st Class seating, rail passengers also have access to a Quiet Car in addition to newspaper service on morning routes and food/drink catering at their seats. First Class passengers may also travel with their pet for free (a "pet ticket" is still required, although without cost) in addition to being granted access to the Club Lounge at the Barcelona Sants Station on their return trip.

Passengers on Renfe’s trains to Barcelona may bring up to three items of luggage onto the train to Barcelona just as long as these items do not total more than 55 pounds (25 kg) altogether. This includes foldable bicycles and musical instruments. Some non-foldable bikes may be permitted depending on the train in question. These onboard facilities are consistent regardless of regular, long-distance, or high-speed domestic Renfe trains to Barcelona. All passengers requiring the assistance of a service animal, such as a seeing eye dog, etc., may bring the service animal onto any Renfe train without restriction.

Train tickets to Barcelona: useful to know

Tickets for trains to Barcelona can be purchased either in paper form or as electronic tickets. Both can be changed or canceled up to 15min before departure, depending on the fare type. When traveling in Spain, it is advisable that rail passengers always carry a government-issued photo identification card in case a member of the railway staff asks for ID when presenting or validating their rail ticket.

Thankfully, Omio makes buying train tickets to Barcelona and many other destinations both fast and easy, and now it is even possible to store all of your tickets in your online Omio account for better peace of mind.

Barcelona Square : Shutterstock

To Barcelona by train: travel tips

Barcelona is a city of grand architectural displays and amazing history, all of which can be experienced for yourself when you book your trip by train to Barcelona through Omio! Visitors to the city on Spain’s northeastern coast will most surely want to take in the astonishing beauty of the city’s churches, such as the Basilica of the Holy Family or the Basilica of Santa Maria Del Mar.

To truly experience local culture and history, every visitor to Barcelona should also set aside time to wander the Palace of Catalan Music or perhaps savor some local flavors at the Mercat de la Boqueria farmer’s market! The National Museum of Catalonian Art will take your breath away, and of course, you just can’t leave town without first taking a selfie in front of the city’s famed Magic Fountain during one of its colorful nighttime displays!

Are you looking for something a little more modern to enjoy in Barcelona? Then be sure to make it to Camp Nou to catch a thrilling FC Barcelona soccer (football) match such as only the people of Catalonia can offer! Camp Nou can be reached from the Barcelona Sants train station by taking the Metro to the Les Corts, Palau Reial, or Maria Cristina stations. All of these amazing attractions and many more are so easy to visit and explore thanks to Barcelona’s incredible public transportation system which includes local and regional trains, buses, and an unbeatable Metro system, all easily accessed from the Barcelona Sants railway station!

Barcelona is a tourist’s dream destination, filled with exciting museums and world-famous architectural displays, but there is so much more to Barcelona than just flashy photo-ops and guided tours within ancient churches. To really experience this ancient city and its unique people, you have to hop into a local taxi or perhaps take the Metro to one of Barcelona’s diverse and vibrant neighborhoods.

For example, children and adults alike will never forget the exhibits and interactive displays at the CosmoCaixa in the Sant Gervasi-La Bonanova neighborhood of the city, while history buffs will marvel at the Casa Vicens, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2005 which features the Vicens family’s former vacation home in the city.

You can find this gem in the Gracia neighborhood. Looking for something a little more out of the ordinary? Then perhaps you should consider taking an aerial lift or the local funicular train to the Parc de Montjuïc, an inspiring mountain overlook and castle which is certainly one of Barcelona’s best-kept secrets, tucked away in the Sants Montjuïc neighborhood of the city.

All of these and so many other unforgettable experiences can be found when one takes the time to dig just a little deeper and truly explore Catalonia’s magical capital city. And when you book your train to Barcelona through Omio, you are not just buying a train ticket to another beautiful Spanish destination. You are taking the first step on a journey whose memories will last a lifetime!

Trains to Barcelona

Trains in Spain are a convenient way to travel, with companies offering a variety of domestic and international train routes. Most trains to Barcelona arrive at the city's Sants Train Station, which is located in the Sants district, to the west of the Gothic Quarter and south-west of the Eixample. It may also be possible to alight at suburban stations like l'Hospitalet de Llobregat (to the west) or Barcelona-Sant Andreu Comtal (for eastern districts). Trains to Barcelona from other Spanish cities are operated by the national train company, Renfe, while French national firm SNCF runs a TGV service from Paris as well. Barcelona Sants Station is well connected to other parts of the city. Metro Line 3 (green) takes passengers into the Gothic Quarter as well as Montjuic for the Olympic site. Line 3 or Line 5 will take you to the Nou Camp to watch FC Barcelona, and Line 5 also passes through Gracia and Eixample, where many of the city's hotels can be found. The Metro runs until 12 on weekdays and all night at weekends.

Barcelona

With its wildly imaginative architecture, superb restaurants, world-class football team and Mediterranean climate, Barcelona is the ideal destination for a relaxing city break. Architecture is one of the great attractions of the city, with the works of Antonio Gaudi taking centre stage. Tour the Sagrada Familia, Parc Guell and Gaudi's town houses, as well as the medieval streets of the Barri Gotic. Barcelona is also a sporting city, and visitors can tour the site of the 1992 Olympics or catch some Champions League Football. For others, there are fantastic artistic attractions such as museums dedicated to big names like Picasso and Joan Miro, as well as the superb Museum of Catalan Art. On top of that, the funfair at Mount Tibidabo may be Europe's most spectacular, with stunning views across the city.

Barcelona

With its wildly imaginative architecture, superb restaurants, world-class football team and Mediterranean climate, Barcelona is the ideal destination for a relaxing city break. Architecture is one of the great attractions of the city, with the works of Antonio Gaudi taking centre stage. Tour the Sagrada Familia, Parc Guell and Gaudi's townhouses, as well as the medieval streets of the Barri Gotic. Barcelona is also a sporting city, and visitors can tour the site of the 1992 Olympics or catch some Champions League Football. For others, there are fantastic artistic attractions such as museums dedicated to big names like Picasso and Joan Miro, as well as the superb Museum of Catalan Art. On top of that, the funfair at Mount Tibidabo may be Europe's most spectacular, with stunning views across the city.

Train companies: Renfe Torre del Oro, Renfe and Renfe AVE to Barcelona trains

Renfe Torre del Oro, Renfe and Renfe AVE will get you to Barcelona at great prices. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times, prices and tickets for your trip.

Renfe Torre del Oro is a high-speed train service that connect north to south of Spain operated by the Spanish national railway company, Renfe. The Intercity is the train that offers this service including high-speed and long distance, the most economical option and perfect for longer trips. Renfe Torre del Oro offers a variety of ticket types, including single tickets, return tickets, and group tickets. Onboard facilities include comfortable seating, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and power outlets. The most popular routes for Renfe Torre del Oro are Barcelona to Sevilla, Barcelona to Cádiz and viceversa and Valencia to Cádiz. These routes offer travellers the opportunity to explore some of Spain's most beautiful cities.

Renfe Intercity is a high-speed train service operated by the Spanish national railway company, Renfe. It operates throughout Spain, connecting major cities and towns with frequent departures throughout the day. The Intercity service offers a variety of train types, including the Alvia and Talgo, all of which offer comfortable seating and modern amenities. Alvia and Talgo offer fast trains but not as fast the high-speed trains like AVE, offering more stops. Passengers can choose from a range of ticket types, including Economy, Business, and First Class. Onboard facilities include Wi-Fi, power outlets, and a selection of snacks and drinks. The most popular routes for Renfe Intercity include Madrid to Barcelona, Madrid to Seville, and Barcelona to Valencia.

Renfe Alvia are high-speed trains with top speeds of up to 250km/h operated by Renfe, Spain’s national railway company. Alvia trains cover most cities in Spain, including Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, Valencia, Alicante, Zaragoza and Cadiz. They are somewhat slower than Renfe AVE and AVLO (high-speed and low cost) but cover more destinations and are a comfortable and effective way of travelling around Spain. Onboard facilities include free WIFI, bike storage and luggage allowance. Alvia trains have two seat classes – Estándar and Confort. Top routes for Renfe Alvia include Barcelona to Pamplona, Madrid to Cádiz and Alicante to Gijón.

OUIGO is a low-cost train company based in France. It offers high-speed trains that run between major cities in France, as well as international destinations. The trains are divided into two types: TGV and Intercités. The TGV trains are the fastest, with speeds of up to 320 km/h, while the Intercités trains are slightly slower but still offer a comfortable journey. OUIGO offers a range of ticket types, including Standard, Flexi and Premium. Standard tickets are the most affordable, while Flexi and Premium tickets offer more flexibility and additional benefits such as priority boarding and access to the OUIGO Lounge. Onboard, passengers can enjoy free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and a selection of snacks and drinks. The most popular routes for OUIGO are Paris to Lyon, Paris to Marseille, and Paris to Lille.

Renfe is a Spanish train company that operates throughout the country including trains to Barcelona. It offers a wide range of services, including high-speed AVE trains, regional trains, and night trains. The AVE trains are the fastest and most comfortable way to travel, with speeds of up to 300 km/h. Regional trains are slower but offer more stops and are ideal for shorter trips. Night trains are a great way to save money and time, as they allow you to travel overnight and arrive at your destination in the morning. Renfe offers several types of tickets, including single tickets, return tickets, and season tickets. Onboard facilities include comfortable seating, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and power outlets. The most popular routes for Renfe are Madrid-Barcelona, Madrid-Seville, and Madrid-Valencia. These routes offer travelers the chance to explore some of Spain's most beautiful cities in comfort and style.

Renfe Avlo is Renfe's low-cost high-speed AVE train provider offering trains to Barcelona. It's a new service operating on some of Spain's most popular long-distance lines like Madrid to Barcelona-Figueres line. Avlo trains can travel up to 300 km/h. There is a single Economy Class with assigned tickets called Básica but this includes power sockets at each seat and vending machines. Avlo trains run between popular Spanish cities like Madrid, Zaragoza, Tarragona, Barcelona, Girona and Figueres. The routes Renfe-AVLO serves are expected to expand.

Renfe Euromed is Spanish railway company Renfe's high-speed rail service along the beautiful Spanish Mediterranean coast. Running since 1997, Renfe Euromed trains run between Barcelona, Tarragona, Castellón de la Plana, Valencia and Alicante in the Catalonia and Valencia autonomous communities. The most popuar routes connect Barcelona to Valencia in under three hours and Barcelona to Alicante in just over four hours.

Renfe-SNCF is a joint venture between Spain's Renfe and France's SNCF, offering high-speed rail services between the two countries. The trains run at speeds of up to 300 km/h, with departures every two hours. Renfe-SNCF offers three types of trains: the AVE, the TGV and the EuroMed. The AVE is the fastest, with a journey time of just over three hours between Madrid and Paris. The TGV is slightly slower, but still offers a comfortable journey. The EuroMed is the slowest, but is the most affordable option. Renfe-SNCF offers a range of ticket types, including single, return and group tickets. Onboard facilities include comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, power sockets and a selection of snacks and drinks. The most popular routes for Renfe-SNCF are Madrid to Paris, Barcelona to Marseille and Madrid to Lyon.

Renfe Regional Express is a regional train service operated by Renfe, the Spanish national railway company. It operates throughout Spain, with services running from early morning to late evening. Renfe Regional Expres offers a variety of train types, including the Media Distancia, and Larga Distancia. The Media Distancia and Larga Distancia are medium- and long-distance trains, respectively. Ticket types include in this type of train is just Turista. Onboard facilities include air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and power outlets. The most popular routes for Renfe Regional Expres are Madrid-Barcelona, Madrid-Valencia, and Madrid-Seville.

Iryo is a new brand from railway operator ILSA operating in Spain since 2022. Iryo uses Frecciarossa 1000 trains which are modern, can travel at up to 360km/h and have a minimal environmental impact. Iryo’s Frecciarossa trains have different classes, all of which come with free unlimited WiFi, power sockets, toilets and an onboard entertainment portal where you can watch films and TV series. The main classes are: Infinita Class, Singular Café Class, Singular Class, Inicial Class. These new trains take 2 hours and 30 minutes to travel between Madrid and Barcelona. They depart from Madrid Atocha and Barcelona Sants stations, and stop in Zaragoza along the way. Iryo services also cover Madrid, Cuenca, Valencia, Alicante, Córdoba, Seville and Málaga.

Renfe AVE is a high-speed train service operated by the Spanish railway company Renfe with trains to Barcelona. It is one of the most popular train services in Spain, connecting major cities across the country. The AVE trains are some of the fastest in Europe, reaching speeds of up to 310 km/h. They offer a comfortable and convenient way to travel, with spacious seating, air conditioning, and onboard entertainment. Renfe AVE offers several types of trains, including the AVE S-100, AVE S-112, AVE S-130, and AVE S-120. The AVE S-100 is the fastest, while the AVE S-120 is the most luxurious. Passengers can choose from a variety of ticket types, including single tickets, return tickets, and group tickets. Onboard facilities include Wi-Fi, power outlets, and a selection of snacks and drinks. The most popular routes for Renfe AVE include Madrid to Barcelona, Madrid to Seville, and Barcelona to Valencia.

Train stations in Barcelona

Barcelona

Barcelona Sants is the most popular Barcelona train station for Omio travelers, but Barcelona has quite a few hubs. Find all the information you need to know about the main train stations in Barcelona for your trip.

Barcelona Sants Wifi

Amenities at station

Wifi

Lockers

Parking

ATM

Taxis

Accessibility

Address

Plaça dels Països Catalans, 1, 7, 08014 Barcelona, Spain

Phone Number

+34 934956020

Ticket Office Hours

Mon - Sun: 06: 00 - 22: 00

Public transit options for Barcelona Sants

Metro lines: L3, L5
Bus lines: A1, A2
Train lines: AVE, Alvia, Euromed, Talgo, Trenhotel, TGV, Avant, Intercity, R1, R2, R2 Nord, R2 Sud, R3, R4, RG1, R11, R12, R13, R14, R15, R16, R17

Barcelona Passeig De Gracia Parking

Amenities at station

Parking

ATM

Taxis

Accessibility

Address

08007 Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona

Barcelona Estació De França Parking

Amenities at station

Parking

ATM

Taxis

Accessibility

Address

08003 Barcelona, Spain

Phone Number

+34 902 32 03 20

Barcelona El Clot Aragó Parking

Amenities at station

Parking

ATM

Taxis

Accessibility

Address

08026 Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona Arc De Triomf Parking

Amenities at station

Parking

ATM

Taxis

Accessibility

Address

Pg. De Sant Joan, s/n, 08018 Barcelona, Spain

Accommodation
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1 adult

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