Seville Airport to Córdoba station train with AVE

My Journey From Seville Airport to Córdoba Central by Train

Introduction

As the nearest major airport, Seville Airport is the most convenient entry point into Spain if you're travelling to Córdoba. Getting from Seville Airport to Córdoba Central by train is simple and makes for a comfortable, enjoyable journey. With dozens of departures throughout the day, it’s also the most frequent option. In this guide, I'll tell you all you need to know about traveling by train from Seville Airport to Córdoba Central with Renfe AVE, and share a couple of helpful tips to prepare you for your trip.

Route Overview

First of all, it's important to note that there are no direct trains from Seville Airport to Córdoba Central, as the airport doesn’t have its own railway station. You'll first need to take a bus or taxi to Seville's main railway station, Sevilla Santa Justa, where you can catch one of the many trains to Córdoba Central. Once you reach the railway station, you can take one of the frequent trains from Sevilla Santa Justa to Córdoba Central. The fastest Renfe AVE high-speed train from Seville to Córdoba takes only 41 minutes to complete this 127-kilometer route.

Transportation Experience

It’s easy to book your Spanish train tickets on Omio. The booking platform is extremely user-friendly, even if you have no previous experience with train travel in Europe. With a single search, you can compare prices and departure times of all available trains for your chosen day. What I also appreciate about Omio is that it clearly shows the fare conditions when you select a specific train and compare ticket prices. This allows you to see what's included in your ticket, what to expect on board, and whether your chosen fare is changeable or refundable.

Although I always choose the train, buses from Seville Airport to Córdoba are worth considering. They depart less frequently than the train, but they have one major advantage: they travel directly from Seville Airport to Córdoba, saving you the minor hassle of transferring from the bus to the train at Sevilla Santa Justa station.

Route Details

Departure & Arrival Stations

To travel from Seville Airport to Córdoba Central by train, you first need to get to Sevilla Santa Justa station by bus or taxi. I chose to take the bus. Bus EA (Especial Aeropuerto) connects Seville Airport with Sevilla Santa Justa station and the city center. It runs approximately every 12 to 15 minutes between 4:30 AM and 12:05 AM, taking around 40 minutes to reach the station. This bus is not included with your train ticket and must be purchased separately. A ticket for the Seville Airport bus costs €6 for a one-way trip at the time of writing and can easily be bought with a contactless debit or credit card on the bus.

Exactly 45 minutes after leaving the airport, I arrived at Seville Santa Justa station. If you need to pick up supplies or want a quick snack or drink, this is the place to do it. In the main hall, you can check the departures board to see which platform your train will leave from. Once boarding begins, head down to the platform by escalator, where a ticket and security check take place. The security check consists of a quick scan of your bags and a brief body check with a handheld metal detector by a security officer. Unlike Spanish airports, there are no restrictions on taking liquids with you, and the procedure is usually completed within a couple of minutes. It's still worth allowing enough time, so don’t arrive at the last moment. Check your ticket to see which train carriage your seat is in, then walk along the train to the correct door to board.

The main railway station in Córdoba is officially called Córdoba–Julio Anguita, but most people simply refer to it as Córdoba station, as it's the only one in the city. Whether you take the bus or walk, it takes around 20 to 30 minutes to reach the city center and top Córdoba sights like the Mezquita from the station.

Schedule & Frequency

Several railway companies operate trains from Seville to Córdoba Central. Renfe AVE, Avant, and Alvia trains run the majority of services, around 30 departures per day. AVE trains provide the fastest and most comfortable service, while Alvia and Avant trains also offer high-speed connections with only slightly longer travel times. Media Distancia trains are the slower option, taking roughly twice as long as the high-speed services. The earliest trains often depart around 6 AM, while the latest direct high-speed services leave around 7:30 PM.

Onboard Experience & Services

On the train from Seville to Córdoba Central, the seats were arranged in a 2+2 layout. I had a window seat on the left-hand side of the train, which offers the best views along this route. From the window, I caught glimpses of olive groves, the Guadalquivir River, and the whitewashed town of Almodóvar del Río.

Renfe tickets include three pieces of luggage, with dedicated racks at the end of each carriage as well as overhead compartments above the seats. Smaller bags can be placed in the footwell in front of your seat. Bathrooms were also available, though I did not use them on this trip.

For the relatively short 45-minute journey to Córdoba, this train from Seville was perfectly comfortable. Each seat had a power socket, but there was no Wi-Fi. I also had access to a café-bar offering simple snacks such as sandwiches and a range of hot and cold drinks. They even had alcoholic options, but I didn’t purchase anything this time. Not long after departure, we arrived in Córdoba exactly on time.

Ticketing Advice & Budget Breakdown

Tickets for the Seville Airport bus, Bus EA (Especial Aeropuerto), can be purchased directly on board. There is no need, and it is not possible, to arrange this in advance. It’s worth noting that trains in Spain can sell out, so securing your ticket early is recommended.

Budget breakdown:

Top Tips & Personal Recommendations

Check out my tips to make your journey from Seville Airport to Córdoba smooth and comfortable:

• Allow enough time between your flight’s arrival and your onward journey: This includes potential delays at baggage claim or passport control (if you’re arriving on a flight from outside the Schengen Area), as well as the time needed to reach Sevilla Santa Justa station by bus or taxi.
• Sit on the left-hand side of the train: For the best views of the Andalusian countryside, including olive groves and the hilltop castle at Almodóvar del Río.
• Carry your passport or ID: Security staff or ticket inspectors may request to see it during boarding or inspection.
• Book a fully flexible or refundable ticket: This is useful if there’s a chance your flight might be delayed. It allows you to switch to a later train or request a refund without extra cost. Always check the fare conditions before booking.

Conclusion

Traveling from Seville Airport to Córdoba by train is straightforward. Since the airport doesn’t have its own railway station, you first take the airport express bus to Sevilla Santa Justa station. From there, you can board one of the many Renfe trains to Córdoba. Tickets are reasonably priced, and the high-speed service makes the journey quick and comfortable, getting you to your destination in under an hour. Book your trip today on the Omio app!

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.