Lorraine Williamson
Spain’s high-speed train network, AVE, continues to attract more passengers. In January 2025, the number of long-distance high-speed train travellers increased by 20.6%, reaching 3.1 million passengers. This data, published by the Spanish National Institute of Statistics (INE), highlights the growing preference for high-speed rail travel across the country.
Public transport usage overall experienced an increase. In January 2025, more than 460.7 million passengers used public transport in Spain, marking a 3.7% rise compared to the same period in 2024.
Urban transport sees positive trends
According to INE, urban transport usage saw an increase of 4.2%, with 292.4 million passengers recorded in January. Bus transport rose by 4.5%, while metro systems across the country recorded a 3.7% increase. Almost all metro networks in Spain experienced growth, except for Valencia, where ridership dropped by 16.1%. The Málaga metro recorded the highest growth, with a 14.6% increase in passenger numbers.
Intercity and regional transport
Intercity transport also grew, with more than 130.9 million passengers, reflecting a 3.8% increase compared to January 2024. Maritime transport saw the highest growth at 6.8%, followed by bus transport (5.1%), air travel (3.7%), and rail transport (2.3%).
Rail travel remained a key component of the transport system. Commuter rail services carried 48 million passengers, while medium-distance trains saw a 4.9% decline, reaching 3.4 million travellers. However, long-distance rail travel grew by 13.9% to 3.7 million passengers, with the AVE leading the way, reporting the highest increase of 20.6%.
Air travel performance
Air travel within Spain also experienced growth, particularly on routes between different regions. Passenger numbers on domestic mainland routes increased by 1%, reaching 1.2 million, while flights to Spain’s island territories recorded a 5.6% increase, reaching 1.6 million passengers. Inter-island flights saw a 5.2% rise, carrying 438,000 passengers.
Regional transport variations
The use of regional buses saw significant increases, particularly in the Basque Country (12.8%), Galicia (9.5%), and Asturias (9.4%). The only region experiencing a decline was Extremadura, where bus travel dropped by 0.9%.
Special transport services
In January 2025, 37.3 million passengers used special and occasional transport services, reflecting a slight 0.8% decline compared to the previous year. Within this category, special transport—which includes school and work transport—decreased by 4.4% to 26.7 million users. School transport fell by 4.3%, and work-related transport declined by 4.8%. However, occasional services saw a 9.7% increase, with more than 10.6 million passengers recorded.
The future of AVE and public transport in Spain
With high-speed rail becoming increasingly popular, the AVE network is expected to continue its expansion, offering a fast, reliable, and sustainable alternative to other forms of transportation. The steady growth in public transport usage, particularly in urban areas and intercity travel, suggests that more people are choosing sustainable and efficient travel options over private vehicles. As Spain invests further in its transport infrastructure, the country remains committed to enhancing connectivity and accessibility across all regions.