Madrid to Lleida train with AVE

My Journey from Madrid to Lleida by Train

Introduction

I traveled from Madrid to Lleida by train when I was planning to visit the Pyrenees. Taking the high-speed rail with Renfe AVE was fast and free from traffic, and I ended up at the gateway to the mountains. The route connects Spain’s capital with Catalonia’s scenic heartland and is a comfortable alternative to driving. From here, you can transfer to the Pyrenees or even Andorra. In this article, I’ll detail how you can take the same journey from Madrid to Lleida by train.

Route Overview

I boarded my Renfe AVE train to Lleida at Madrid Puerta de Atocha–Almudena Grandes, the city’s main high-speed rail hub. From there, the train heads directly north as it makes its way up to northern Spain and enters Catalonia. Taking just 2 hours and 8 minutes, the high-speed Renfe AVE train, reaching a top speed of 300 km/h, pulled into Lleida later that afternoon. I found this to be the best way to get to Lleida from Madrid, since the bus to Lleida takes around 5 hours. That’s almost 3 extra hours to spend exploring the town.

Transportation Experience

When I traveled from Madrid to Lleida by train, I booked my tickets a week in advance on Omio. Comparing train times and prices was easy, and checking out after selecting my journey was even easier. I made the payment with my debit card and then received the e-tickets in the Omio app. Now I had my entire Spain trip stored in one handy place. There aren’t any Madrid to Lleida flights, as the nearest airport to Lleida is in Barcelona. You can only travel by flying to a different airport and then taking another form of transport, which isn’t very practical. That’s why, for this route, the train was definitely the best and quickest option.

Route Details

Departure & Arrival Stations

Renfe AVE trains to Lleida depart from Madrid-Puerta de Atocha–Almudena Grandes, Spain’s largest and busiest train station. The station is 1.8 km from the city center and walkable in about 25 minutes. You can also take the Cercanías lines C4b, C3, or C4a, which reach Puerta del Sol in just 6 minutes. Madrid Atocha is a major hub for high-speed AVE trains connecting to major Spanish cities, so there are all kinds of shops, cafés, and eateries, including familiar fast-food options like Burger King. Supplies such as bottled water can be pricey here, so I filled up my bottle before traveling, although I did buy a baguette at a station kiosk.

Lleida Station is a much smaller station, with one café serving sandwiches and wraps. It’s a key transport hub for regional and long-distance trains in Catalonia, Spain. The station is an important stop on the high-speed rail line between Madrid and Barcelona and serves as a gateway to the Pyrenees and other parts of the region. From here, it’s about 1.4 kilometers or a 20-minute walk to the city center, or you can take the number 7 bus.

Schedule & Frequency

There are around 13 direct trains per day, with the first departing at 7:27 AM and the last at 8:27 PM. The Madrid to Lleida route is mainly served by Renfe’s high-speed trains, including AVE and Avlo services. With so many departures to choose from (running almost hourly during the day), I decided to book the 11:27 AM train about a week in advance, which arrived right on time at 1:25 PM in Lleida. I recommend checking times and prices on Omio for your specific travel date.

Onboard Experience & Services

To board the train from Madrid to Lleida, I had to go through a quick ticket and security check at Madrid Atocha. Having a QR code ticket made it painless, nothing like the airport. On board the modern high-speed AVE train, I quickly found my seat in Standard Class on the right-hand side of the train. The fare was nearly half the cost of a First Class ticket, but the seats were still very comfortable.

For this journey, I luckily had a spare seat next to me and a table where I did some work. I was able to plug my phone and laptop into the provided sockets, which kept me charged throughout the 2-hour trip. On my Renfe AVE train, there was Wi-Fi available as well. I connected while still near Madrid but lost the signal about halfway to Lleida, which is expected when passing through rural areas.

As usual on Renfe services, there were toilets at the end of each carriage. I also had a restaurant cart on this route, but I had already purchased a cheese baguette at Madrid Atocha before boarding. Since I didn’t need to buy anything on the train itself, I didn’t get a chance to look at the menu. On other Renfe AVE routes, the bar car usually sells hot and cold drinks (sometimes alcoholic beverages) and small snacks like chips, sandwiches, and salads.

Although technically limited to three pieces of luggage with a total weight of 25 kg, there were no strict baggage limits being enforced. Passengers are generally asked to take only what they can carry, whether it’s a small bag or several suitcases for a longer stay. I managed to find space near my seat for my backpack and a small soft suitcase. I was impressed with the amount of room available in the luggage rack.

As for views, the highlight was watching the Spanish countryside unfold outside the window. I enjoyed seeing the dry plains near Madrid and the rolling green hills as we approached Catalonia. Before I knew it, my Renfe AVE train came to a stop in Lleida. With a fully charged phone and laptop, I was ready to explore.

Ticketing Advice & Budget Breakdown

I purchased my Madrid–Lleida Renfe AVE train tickets just one week before travel, as my plans were confirmed quite late. This meant my ticket was slightly more expensive than usual but still affordable. I usually try to book at least a month before departure. Even with the later booking, I still think the price was very fair and excellent value. Here's what I spent on my trip from Madrid to Lleida with Renfe AVE.

Budget breakdown:

Top Tips & Personal Recommendations

Before you set off on your train journey from Madrid to Lleida with Renfe AVE, check out my top tips for a better experience:

• Plan your route in Lleida: The city center is around a 20-minute walk from the station. I recommend the number 7 bus if you're carrying luggage, which will take you directly there.
• Arrive early at Atocha: This station can be very busy, so give yourself plenty of time to get through. You’ll need to go through security, but it isn’t as strict as at airports.
• Sit on the right-hand side: When you’re traveling from Madrid, this side will give you the best views.
• Purchase food before boarding: There are plenty of options around Atocha. The train food is good and affordable, but the bar car is sometimes closed.
• Don’t forget to bring your ID card: Or a passport, but always carry one or the other when traveling.

Conclusion

This easy journey from Madrid to Lleida by train with Renfe AVE takes you from Spain’s lively capital to the edge of the Pyrenees in just a couple of hours. It’s a fast, comfy, and affordable way to reach northern Catalonia without bumper-to-bumper traffic or long airport queues. Once in Lleida, you can continue on to the mountains or explore the city’s medieval heart. Remember to book your train tickets early on the Omio app, as prices tend to rise closer to departure.

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.