Marbella to Valencia train with AVE

Traveling by Train from Marbella to Valencia

Introduction

Leaving sunny Marbella after a few relaxing days by the sea, I decided to make my way toward Valencia for a change of scenery and pace. Since Marbella doesn’t have its own train station, the easiest way is to first take a bus to Málaga, then connect to a Renfe AVE high-speed train to Valencia. I booked everything through Omio, which made it simple to plan the connection. It turned out to be a long but comfortable travel day that combined both my favorite modes, bus and train, with plenty of time for coffee breaks in between.

Route Overview

This route combines two segments: a Marbella to Málaga bus and a Málaga to Valencia train. Buses from Marbella to Málaga María Zambrano run roughly between 6:40 AM and 11:45 PM, depending on the day. The total journey takes around 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes. I took the 9:30 AM bus and arrived just after 10:30 AM, leaving me time to grab a snack before boarding my train. Once in Málaga, I switched to an 11:33 AM Renfe AVE train to Valencia, changing in Madrid. The full journey took a bit over 8 hours, but everything ran on time and felt seamless.

Transportation Experience

Because Marbella doesn’t connect directly to Spain’s high-speed network, I booked both my bus and train tickets on Omio. Checking out was easy using Apple Pay, and the Omio app had the tickets conveniently stored, with QR codes for quick scanning at boarding. The nice thing about the Marbella to Valencia trip is that the Málaga bus terminal and Málaga María Zambrano station are in the same complex, so the transfer is very convenient. You can walk between them in just a couple of minutes. After arriving in Málaga, I stopped at Orient Express Café inside the station for a quick pastry and water. There are plenty of options if you’re hungry: Santagloria, Tim Hortons and even a Carrefour Express, if you want snacks for the train.

Route Details

Departure & Arrival Stations

After taking the bus from Marbella to Málaga's María Zambrano Station, it was time to board my Renfe AVE train to Valencia. I took the 11:33 AM train from Málaga, which reached Madrid Puerta de Atocha–Almudena Grandes around 2:22 PM. The station is modern and organized, with cafés and restaurants, and it’s directly connected to the Vialia shopping mall, which has even more coffee shops, including Costa Coffee and other familiar chains. Check-in at María Zambrano is straightforward: scan your ticket, show your ID, and go through light security before heading to your platform.

Transfer: Madrid Puerta de Atocha–Almudena Grandes. My layover in Madrid was about 2 hours, enough time to stretch, work a bit, and grab a light lunch. I found Las Muns, a small empanada café inside the station, and bought two empanadas for €9. The Wi-Fi at Atocha is strong enough for messages and browsing, and there are plenty of seating areas to relax while waiting. At 4:30 PM, I boarded the connecting train to Valencia.

My Renfe AVE train from Madrid finally arrived at Valencia Joaquín Sorolla at 6:24 PM, roughly 2 hours later. It was in perfect time for a calm evening walk and dinner. The station is conveniently close to the city center, so getting to your accommodation or local transport is easy.

Schedule & Frequency

From Málaga to Valencia, Renfe's high-speed AVE service operates several daily trains, running from around 6 AM to 5:00 PM, typically with a transfer in Madrid. My combination (9:30 AM bus + 11:33 AM train) worked smoothly, with no rushing between connections. The total travel time was about 8 hours and 50 minutes, which felt well-paced with breaks along the way.

Onboard Experience & Services

Once I settled on the train, I was reminded why I prefer taking trains in Spain, especially on Renfe AVE services. The ride was smooth, quiet and designed for comfort. The large seats partially reclined and had fold-down trays and power outlets for topping up devices.

After connecting to the PlayRenfe portal, I accessed the fast, free Wi-Fi, which worked well for streaming my playlist and a podcast during the journey. I always choose a window seat when possible. The views from the large panoramic windows make the time pass more pleasantly. Between Málaga and Madrid, the scenery shifted between hills and olive groves. It was really beautiful to watch.

On Renfe AVE trains, you’re allowed up to three pieces of hand luggage (≤25 kg total). There was plenty of overhead storage available, so both my carry-on and backpack fit easily. The second leg from Madrid to Valencia was under 2 hours, and I spent it finishing my audiobook.

I bought another small bottle of water from the café cart mid-journey to stay refreshed. They also had salads and sandwiches available, but I was waiting to have a hot meal in Valencia. Once we pulled into the station, it was easy to exit and head to my hotel near the city center.

Ticketing Advice & Budget Breakdown

I recommend booking tickets for your Marbella to Valencia train journey as early as possible. I booked my seats two weeks in advance and paid €102.50 for the train portion. Booking through Omio.com helped me match the best bus-train connection times. Prices vary, so booking early helps secure better fares.

Budget breakdown:

Top Tips & Personal Recommendations

If you’re planning to travel from Marbella to Valencia by train (and bus), keep these tips in mind:

• Book both segments together on Omio: This ensures schedules align smoothly. It also helps avoid long waits between transfers.
• Arrive early for the bus: Morning departures can fill up, especially on weekends. Getting there 20–30 minutes early makes the start stress-free.
• Use the station cafés: Málaga María Zambrano has great coffee and food options. It’s worth grabbing something before boarding.
• Bring entertainment: It’s a full travel day but a scenic one. Podcasts, books, or music make it even more enjoyable.

Conclusion

Traveling from Marbella to Valencia by train (with a quick bus connection) is smoother than it sounds. The journey flows easily, from Marbella’s coast to Málaga’s cafés, and finally to Valencia’s warm evening streets. Spain’s high-speed rail network makes long distances feel effortless. Plan your journey on Omio to find the best times and enjoy a relaxed, coastal-to-coastal day of travel.

About the Author: Nancy Sevilla

• Job Title: Travel & Lifestyle Creator
• Bio: Nancy is a travel content creator who shares honest guides, helpful tips, and personal experiences from her global adventures. Based between Spain and the U.S., she specializes in creating visually compelling content for her blog and social platforms.