Madrid to Córdoba train with AVE

My Journey From Madrid to Córdoba by Train With Renfe AVE

Introduction

If you need to travel from Madrid to Córdoba in Spain, the train is your best option. Madrid and Córdoba are connected by a high-speed railway, the first to open in Spain in 1992, and trains whisk you between the two cities in no time! Besides being fast, Spanish high-speed trains are also affordable and very comfortable, no matter which travel class you book. In this guide, I'll share my experience traveling from Madrid to Córdoba by train and offer some tips to make your journey as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

Route Overview

The distance from Madrid to Córdoba by rail is 345 kilometers, and the fastest high-speed trains on this route take just 1 hour and 46 minutes to cover it. Four different railway companies operate on the Madrid-Córdoba route, with Renfe, Spain's national railway company, being the main one.

My trip from Madrid to Córdoba by train was on a Renfe AVE high-speed train. AVE is an abbreviation for Alta Velocidad Española, or “Spanish High-Speed”. It's the premier class of trains operated by Renfe, offering the fastest speeds and the highest level of comfort on board. In addition to AVE high-speed trains, Renfe also runs other services on the Madrid-Córdoba high-speed line, such as Alvia, InterCity, and the low-cost Avlo trains. Although these services are less premium than the AVE high-speed trains, they can still be worth considering if they offer better prices or travel times.

Transportation Experience

If you plan to take the train from Madrid to Córdoba, Omio is a great site for comparing connections offered by all the companies operating on this route. With a single search, you can view not only the available trains from Renfe but also those of its competitors. You can easily filter the results by departure time, travel duration, price, or many other criteria to find the option that best suits your needs.

Another useful feature of Omio is that it clearly displays the fare rules for each train ticket. You can see what is included in your ticket and whether your fare is refundable or changeable.

Omio also shows you buses from Madrid to Córdoba if you prefer this transport mode. Buses certainly take much longer than the high-speed train from Madrid to Córdoba, but they can be cheaper.

Route Details

Departure & Arrival Stations

Madrid Atocha Station is Spain’s busiest rail hub and the main departure point for trains to Córdoba. It’s easy to reach by metro or bus from central Madrid and is even within walking distance from many hotels. Inside, you’ll find cafés like Rodilla and Starbucks, plus familiar chains like Burger King if you need a quick breakfast or lunch.

Córdoba Central Station is compact, modern, and located about a 15-minute walk from the old town. There’s a small Café Expresso inside, plus some vending machines with the usual soft drinks and snacks. Taxis and local buses wait just outside when you arrive, and the city’s bus station is across the street for easy onward connections. From here, it’s easy to continue your trip to sights like the Mezquita-Cathedral or nearby hotels.

Schedule & Frequency

Renfe’s AVE high-speed trains between Madrid and Córdoba run frequently throughout the day, starting around 6:15 AM and continuing until about 9:45 PM. The fastest trains make the journey in just 1 hour and 46 minutes. As I wasn’t visiting on a day trip, I chose a 1:00 PM departure, which let me skip the rush of early-morning travelers and still reach Córdoba before 3 PM. Other operators like Iryo and OUIGO also run on this route, so there’s plenty of flexibility to match your schedule.

Onboard Experience & Services

The Renfe AVE high-speed train has two travel classes: Standard (second class) and Comfort (first class). For this trip, I was in second class, where seats are arranged 2+2, with some grouped around tables for four. Comfort class offers wider leather seats and a quieter environment. My seat had a power socket, and like most AVE services, there was Wi-Fi, which worked well enough during the trip.

Since I wasn’t traveling in Comfort (first class), I didn’t receive the complimentary meal and drinks. There is, however, a Café-Bar coach where you can buy snacks and drinks and even relax at one of the standing tables. I bought a coffee for €3 and took it back to my seat. Besides soft drinks, coffee and tea, and beer and wine (all reasonably priced), the menu offered small dishes such as sandwiches and salads.

Each passenger can bring up to three pieces of luggage with a combined weight limit of 25 kg, and extra baggage can be added for a small fee. Overhead racks and shelves at each carriage end make it easy to travel with luggage. Restrooms are available at the end of every coach. I didn’t use them during this short trip, but in my past AVE journeys, they’ve always been clean and orderly.

The scenery between Madrid and Córdoba is quietly impressive, with wide stretches of dry plains, olive groves, and distant hills that create a real sense of Spain’s interior landscape. After a comfortable journey, we arrived on time at Córdoba's central railway station, within walking distance of the city centre.

Ticketing Advice & Budget Breakdown

I traveled on a Renfe AVE high-speed train in second class, which cost €20 when booked about a month in advance. My train left Madrid Atocha at 1:00 PM and arrived in Córdoba at 2:47 PM.

High-speed train fares in Spain fluctuate much like airline tickets. Generally, it's cheaper to book in advance, especially during peak hours and major holidays or events. That said, if you travel in the low season, last-minute deals are not uncommon.

Budget breakdown:

Top Tips & Personal Recommendations

These are my top tips to make the most of your Madrid to Córdoba train journey.

• Don’t go through security too early: Most cafés and shops at Madrid Atocha are before the checkpoint, and the waiting area afterward has limited seating.
• Bring your own drinks and snacks: You can take liquids on board, so feel free to bring your own picnic or bottled drink for the trip.
• Sit on the right-hand side: It’s the best spot for enjoying views of the Andalusian plains as the train heads south.
• Use the Omio app: Great for storing your e-ticket and getting platform updates or delay notifications in real time.
• Carry an ID or passport: It’s not usually checked on domestic routes, but Renfe AVE staff may occasionally ask for it during ticket verification.

Conclusion

Taking the high-speed train from Madrid to Córdoba is the best way to travel between the two cities. I traveled in the Renfe AVE Standard class, which was spacious and extremely comfortable, and arrived in just under two hours. With other operators like Iryo, OUIGO, and Avlo also serving this route, you have plenty of options and great fares throughout the year. Ready to go? Book your train tickets on Omio and enjoy your journey through southern Spain.

About the Author: Koen Berghuis

• Job Title: Travel Creator and Rail Writer
• Bio: Koen Berghuis is a rail expert and passionate train traveler who logs about 20,000 kilometers by train each year, exploring routes across Europe and beyond. Koen writes about his travels on his website, Paliparan, where you find dozens of train reviews and trip reports.