AVE type S102 & S112
AVE is the brand name for Spanish Railways' high-speed trains, of which there are various types. It stands for Alta Velocidad Espaņola (Spanish High-Speed) and it's also the Spanish for bird. These luxurious type S102 (original batch) & S112 (later batch) AVEs are built by the Talgo company and used on the direct AVE trains between Barcelona and Granada, Cordoba, Seville & Malaga. You may also find them (along with type S100 & S103 AVEs) between Madrid and Malaga. Like the classic locomotive-hauled Talgo trains, these AVEs have relatively short compact coaches, each articulated to the next with just one axle per coach. You can check train times & buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
Travel tips
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Should you go Standard or Comfort class?
The classes on AVE are explained on the Train travel in Spain page. Standard is absolutely fine for most travellers. Seats are arranged 2+2 across the car width. Comfort class gives you more leg & elbow room with seats arranged 2+1 across the car width, as you can see from the photos above, and with a Premium fare you may get food & wine served at your seat on some trains.
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Boarding your train
At Spanish stations including Madrid Atocha & Barcelona Sants there is a simple and quick baggage X-ray check before entering the departures area and your ticket may be checked before boarding, it only takes minutes, but don't turn up with seconds to spare. How to board an AVE train at Madrid Atocha. Boarding an AVE at Barcelona Sants.
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Luggage
Like any European train, you take your luggage in with you and stick it on any suitable rack near your seat. Nobody weighs it or measures it, so no worries.
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Seat reservation
Seat reservation is compulsory on all Spanish high-speed trains and tickets come with a reserved seat automatically included.
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Infants need a ticket
Infants under 4 travel for free if they don't need their own seat, but unlike most other European trains, you can't just bring them along without a ticket. On Spanish high-speed trains they need a zero-fare ticket showing their name. You'll get this if you enter them as a passenger with their actual age when you buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.renfe.com.
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Food & drink
The cafe-bar car serves snacks, hot dishes, coffee. soft drinks, beer & wine. You are of course free to bring your own food and drink along to eat & drink in your seat, even a beer or bottle of wine if you like.
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WiFi & power outlets
There are power outlets at all seats of the usual European 2-pin type. You should now find free WiFi available on the Barcelona-Seville/Granada/Malaga route, the network name is PlayRenfe.
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Barcelona Sants & Sala Club first class lounge
See the Barcelona Sants station guide which explains the layout of the station and has information about the Sala Club 1st class lounge which you can use before your journey if you buy the Premium fare.