Barcelona Sants to Zaragoza-Delicias train with AVE

My Journey from Barcelona Sants to Zaragoza Delicias by Train

Introduction

I recently traveled through northern Spain and decided to visit a city that not many tourists know about: Zaragoza. To get there, I traveled from Barcelona Sants to Zaragoza Delicias by train. It was an easy, quick journey with Renfe AVE. In this article, we'll look at what travel from Barcelona to Zaragoza is like!

Route Overview

When I took this train, I traveled from Barcelona Sants, the largest station in the city and the main hub for destinations outside of Barcelona. The train headed almost directly west, taking just 1 hour and 23 minutes to cover the 300-kilometer journey.

After passing the foothills of the Pyrenees, it arrived in Zaragoza.

This is the best way to travel between Barcelona and Zaragoza. It’s faster than traveling by road, and there are no flights between the two cities due to their close distance.

Transportation Experience

I bought my Barcelona Sants-Zaragoza Delicias train tickets using the Omio app. I selected my chosen journey, made a secure online payment, and had my tickets available in the app right away. I also received them as an email attachment. I've actually bought all my Renfe AVE trains in Spain on Omio because it's a fantastic way to have all your train tickets organized in one place.

There are no direct flights between Barcelona and Zaragoza, so flying would take much longer than the train. You can also travel from Barcelona to Zaragoza by bus, but it takes around 3 hours and 45 minutes, making the train the quickest route by far. I always prefer the train, as I can move around and have more space.

Route Details

Departure & Arrival Stations

Barcelona Sants is the largest train station in the city. Here, you’ll find a range of eateries, including Burger King, sandwich kiosks, and cafes. It’s easy to pick something up to take with you on the train. I purchased a cheese baguette from the sandwich stand. There are also information points, bathrooms, ticket offices, and ticket machines.

The station is around 4 kilometers from the city center. Either take the L1 metro or jump in a taxi for around a 15-minute ride to reach the center. I was staying near the Sagrada Familia, so I took an Uber to Barcelona Sants.

Zaragoza Delicias is also a big station, with many trains passing through on their way south. However, I found the dining options to be limited. There are some vending machines, along with ticket offices and restrooms. There are also some dining options, including Lizarran café, outside the station.

It’s around 2.6 kilometers to the city center and takes around 37 minutes to walk, or you could take a local train to Zaragoza Miraflores or take a 10-minute taxi ride. I stayed at the Eurostars Hotel right next to the station and walked into the old city the following day.

Schedule and Frequency

Around 40 high-speed and regional trains run between the two stations each day, operated by Renfe AVE, Avlo, Iryo, and Ouigo. You’ll almost certainly find one that fits your schedule. The first train from Barcelona Sants to Zaragoza Delicias departs at 5:40 AM and the last departs at around 8:55 PM. Many Barcelona to Zaragoza trains continue onward to cities like San Sebastián, Madrid, Seville, or Málaga, so there are fewer departures later at night. I took the 3 PM train, which arrived at 4:23 PM.

Onboard Experience & Services

The train from Barcelona Sants to Zaragoza Delicias was modern and clean, with comfortable seats even in Standard Class. Sometimes I pay for First Class on Renfe AVE, but it was quite expensive when I booked this trip. There was a restaurant car, however. I went there to purchase some sparkling water, but I didn’t need any food.

There was plenty of baggage storage space, and Renfe AVE allows passengers to bring one large suitcase along with two pieces of hand baggage (up to 25 kg total). There were also restrooms located at the ends of the carriages, and I found them to be clean and well maintained. Power outlets were available at the seats, which were helpful for charging my phone during the trip. Wi-Fi was available via the PlayRenfe system. The connection quality varied depending on the area we were traveling through, but it worked fairly well.

The route was quite scenic overall. I really enjoyed the views of the Catalan and Aragonese countryside. There were also occasional glimpses of the Pyrenees foothills around Lleida.

Ticketing Advice & Budget Breakdown

Since there are frequent trains between Barcelona Sants and Zaragoza Delicias and the distance isn’t too long, ticket prices are generally reasonable. However, I’d still recommend booking as early as possible to secure the best fares.

Budget breakdown:

Top Tips & Personal Recommendations

When taking the train from Barcelona Sants to Zaragoza Delicias, keep these tips in mind:

• Don’t rely on buying food at Zaragoza Delicias: Even though it’s a large station, food options are limited.
• Arrive at Barcelona Sants early: This is one of Spain’s largest stations, and you’ll need to pass through airport-style security before boarding. Be sure to bring an ID or a passport.
• Consider staying near the station: If you’re arriving late or prefer not to travel into the city right away, the Eurostars Hotel is located right next to Zaragoza Delicias.
• Check the station layout before exiting: Zaragoza Delicias has several exits, so confirm which one you need ahead of time to avoid confusion.

Conclusion

It’s easy to travel between these two Spanish cities with Renfe AVE. The journey is quick, affordable, and comfortable, with frequent departures throughout the day. Whether you're heading to Zaragoza for sightseeing or continuing onward to another destination, you'll find the train to be a smooth and efficient choice. Book your tickets on the Omio app today.

About the Author: Claire Martin

• Job Title: Travel Journalist and Content Creator
• Bio: Claire Martin is a full-time travel journalist, blogger, and videomaker who specializes in train and ferry travel around Europe.