Lorraine Williamson
Train travel has become one of the most popular ways to explore Spain, both for business and leisure. Renfe has revealed the top three tourist destinations for 2024, reflecting increasing demand for high-speed and long-distance rail services.
Four out of ten passengers use Renfe’s AVE and Larga Distancia services for leisure travel. To meet this demand, Renfe operates 335 trains daily, ensuring connectivity across Spain’s major tourist regions.
Top three destinations for 2024
The top three preferred tourist destinations for Renfe travellers in 2024 are:
- Andalucian Coast
- Valencian Community
- Costa Brava
Renfe also recorded its best summer ever last year, with a 21% increase in passengers, reaching 8.1 million users during the summer season.
Seasonal travel trends
The demand for travel peaks during summer holidays and weekends, when many Spaniards take the opportunity for short getaways. Popular destinations include major cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Málaga, and Murcia, as well as coastal areas in Andalucia, Catalonia, Valencia, Asturias, Cantabria, Galicia, and Murcia.
Younger travellers leading the trend
The 18-30 age group is the most active in leisure travel, largely due to the Verano Joven discount initiative. Since its launch, Renfe has sold over 2.6 million tickets to young travellers, making train travel more affordable and accessible.
Renfe expands internationally
Renfe is also strengthening its international presence. Recently, it launched operations on the Cuneo-Saluzzo-Savigliano line in Italy in collaboration with Arenaways. The company already runs Madrid-Marseille and Barcelona-Lyon routes, with a third route to Toulouse planned for this year.
With increasing demand, expanding services, and attractive pricing for young travellers, Renfe continues to position itself as a leader in European rail travel.
Also read: Renfe introduces fast train connection between Barcelona and Toulouse