Madrid Chamartín to Vigo Urzáiz train with Renfe ALVIA

My Renfe AVE Journey from Madrid Chamartín to Vigo Urzaíz by Train

Introduction

When I was traveling around in Spain and Portugal, I took Renfe’s AVE train from Madrid Chamartín to Vigo Urzaíz. This high-speed journey was easy and quick, reaching Spain’s lesser-visited western coast in classic AVE comfort. If you’re planning a similar trip, this guide tells you all you need to know to get from station to station.

Route Overview

This AVE journey begins at Madrid Chamartín Station and takes about 3 hours and 53 minutes to reach Vigo-Urzaiz on Renfe’s high-speed network. The route leaves the plateau around Madrid and gradually enters the greener, more mountainous landscapes of Galicia, which feels like a completely different part of Spain.

For most travelers, this is the most practical way to go from Madrid to Vigo. Renfe operates both AVE and Alvia services on this corridor. I took AVE, but even Alvia is faster than taking the bus, and once you factor in airport transfers and waiting times, it is usually more convenient than flying. The train also lets you relax and enjoy the changing scenery along the way.

Transportation Experience

I purchased my Madrid Chamartín to Vigo-Urzaiz train tickets in advance on Omio. The platform makes it easy to compare departures and ticket types, and I liked having everything stored in one place. I simply selected the route, paid the fare online, and my tickets appeared in the app and in my email.

For me, taking the train is the most practical way to travel between Madrid and Vigo. Flights to Vigo take about 1 hour and 20 minutes, but once you account for getting to the airport, security, boarding and baggage collection, the total travel time ends up being similar. The bus from Madrid to Vigo takes roughly 7 hours and most services run overnight, which is a much less comfortable experience. The AVE train is faster overall and allows you to relax and enjoy the journey.

Route Details

Departure & Arrival Stations

My train to Vigo Urzaíz departed from Madrid Chamartín Station. This station is the second largest in the capital and mainly connects it with northern and western cities. There are a few coffee shops, including Café de la Estación Chamartín, and various food outlets inside and outside the station, such as Burger King.

To reach the station, it’s about 18 kilometers from the city center (around a 20-minute drive). You can also take a Cercanías train from Puerta del Sol (in the city center), which takes about 8 minutes. This is what I did, as I was staying at a central hotel.

Vigo Urzaíz is a modern station that serves the city’s high-speed routes. There’s a shopping center connected to the building, as well as a few cafés and restaurants inside. Just outside the main entrance, there is also a Burger King if you want something quick before heading into the city. The station is about 1.5 kilometers from the city center, which is roughly a 19-minute walk or a 7-minute taxi ride. Public transportation between the station and the center is limited, so walking or taking a taxi is usually the easiest option. From here, I took a nice stroll over to my coastal hotel.

Schedule & Frequency

The journey from Madrid Chamartín to Vigo Urzaíz by train covers around 600 km on Spain’s high-speed network. Renfe operates this route mainly with AVE and Alvia services. There are usually 3-4 direct departures each day. The first train leaves at 7:14 AM and arrives at 11:09 AM. The final service of the day departs at 4:05 PM and arrives at 7:58 PM. I took the 11:17 AM departure, which arrived in Vigo at 3:26 PM.

Onboard Experience & Services

The Renfe AVE trains on this route are modern high-speed trains with a clean and comfortable interior. I traveled in Standard Class, which features a 2+2 seating layout. The seats were well-padded and reclined slightly, and I was able to choose a table seat so I could work during the journey. There was free Wi-Fi fast enough for streaming YouTube videos throughout the trip, and each seat had access to a power outlet. Luggage was easy to manage. There are overhead shelves for smaller bags and luggage racks at the ends of each carriage for larger suitcases. I kept my small daypack with me at the seat and stored my soft suitcase in the rack without any issue.

The train also had a café car serving hot and cold drinks and light snacks like chips and pastries. I didn’t end up buying anything from here since I brought lunch with me. The bathrooms were small but clean and located at the ends of the carriages, so you never had to walk far. As the train approached Galicia, the scenery became noticeably greener, with rolling hills and terraced slopes that felt very different from central Spain. It was a nice change of landscape to watch from the window as we got closer to Vigo.

Ticketing Advice & Budget Breakdown

This journey from Madrid Chamartín to Vigo Urzaíz by train is usually quite affordable. I noticed that the first train of the day was often cheaper, but I decided to take the later train and sleep in. On some Renfe fares, a Cercanías connection is included, but for my trip on the AVE train, I paid for the short local train separately.

Budget breakdown:

Top Tips & Personal Recommendations

If you're planning to travel from Madrid Chamartín to Vigo Urzaíz by train with Renfe AVE, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind:

• Go to Chamartín, not Atocha: Travelers sometimes head to Madrid’s main station by mistake, but trains to Vigo depart from Chamartín.
• Carry your passport or national ID: You are traveling across regions, and identification may be requested during ticket checks.
• Plan your arrival in Vigo: Taxis are usually available outside the station at Plaza da Estación. Since public transport links to the city center are limited, knowing how you’ll get to your accommodation makes things easier.
• Choose the early train if you're watching your budget: The 7:14 AM departure is often cheaper than the later services.
• Check your ticket carefully: Both direct and connecting services are sold, so confirm that the journey you're booking is listed as direct if that's your preference.

Conclusion

This Renfe AVE journey from Madrid Chamartín to Vigo Urzaíz makes traveling to Galicia simple. The train is comfortable and avoids the airport transfers that add time and stress to flying. Just board in Madrid Chamartín and less than 4 hours later, you’ll be in a part of Spain that feels like a whole new country. Browse tickets on the Omio app and book 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.