Else Beekman
Spain’s high-speed rail network continues its impressive growth, breaking records in 2024 with nearly 40 million passengers—a 22% increase compared to the previous year.
The surge highlights high-speed rail as the driving force of Spanish rail transport. Key routes such as Madrid–Barcelona, Madrid–Valencia, and those serving Andalusia saw major gains, supported by increased service frequency and competitive pricing among operators. This rivalry has led to significant fare reductions.
Cheaper train tickets in Spain due to price war between Renfe, Ouigo, and Iryo
Fares drop as competition grows
For instance, prices on the Madrid–Barcelona route fell by up to 35% last year compared to 2019, the last full year before the pandemic and the liberalisation of the sector. On the Madrid–Valencia line, fares dropped by as much as 42%.
Passenger numbers soar across key corridors
According to the annual rail sector report by Spain’s National Commission on Markets and Competition (CNMC), all competitive corridors set new passenger records. Madrid–Barcelona topped 14.6 million passengers, while Madrid–Valencia reached 5.6 million. Routes to Sevilla, Málaga and Granada each approached 5 million, all registering a 28% rise. Meanwhile, Madrid–Alicante grew 33% to 4 million travellers.
National rail usage hits 549 million
In total, Spanish rail services carried 549 million passengers in 2024, 3% more than in 2023. The majority (82%) were Cercanías (commuter rail) users, with demand up by 1%. Regional medium-distance services, supported by public subsidies, exceeded pre-pandemic levels by more than 50%.
Market share shifts among operators
Competition among operators continues to reshape the market. Renfe retained a market share of between 50% and 73% depending on the corridor. Iryo captured around 28% of the traffic on routes to Andalusia, while Ouigo secured a similar share on Madrid–Alicante after gaining eight percentage points in just one year.
Rail gaining ground over air travel
High-speed rail is also steadily replacing air travel. On routes such as Madrid–Barcelona and Madrid–Málaga, the rail sector now accounts for 82% of all passenger journeys.
Freight transport lags behind
Not all segments of the industry are experiencing the same momentum. Rail freight transport fell by approximately 3%, slipping below 2020 levels. Renfe Mercancías lost four market share points, dropping to 42%—just half its share in 2011. Meanwhile, infrastructure managers collected €1.403 billion in fees and charges, a 5% increase year on year.
Source: Hosteltur
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