The AVE train is one of the quickest ways of getting around Spain, usually quicker than flying. How is that possible, I hear you ask. It is true that the journey time is quite a bit shorter by air, but if you take in all the other hassle of flying, the AVE train actually comes out on top.

Below is a comparison of all the times involved in flying from Madrid to Seville and in taking the AVE train from Madrid to Seville.

As you can see, the train is quicker than the plane.

Also, if you are traveling on short notice, the train is much cheaper than the plane too. See AVE v Plane Price Comparison.

Book tickets here: AVE Tickets (book direct)

Madrid to Barcelona? If traveling on between Spain's two most famous , the facts below don't apply as Spain's most important transport route has Iberia's Air Shuttle to compete with the AVE train. Read more about Madrid to Barcelona by Plane or Train?

Journey time for Madrid-Seville Flight

• Travel from city center to airport: 30 minutes (by taxi, perhaps longer by metro)
• Getting into the airport: 10 minutes (Madrid airport is big and laid back in such a way that you need to spend extensive time on conveyor belts).
• Check-in time: 45 minutes
• Taxiing time: 10 minutes
• Flight time: 1 hour
• Taxiing time: 10 minutes
• Baggage collection time: 15 minutes
• Getting out of the airport: 5 minutes
• Getting to the city center 15 minutes
  Total travel time: 3 hours 20 minutes

Journey time for Madrid-Seville AVE train

• Getting from the city center to the train station: 10 minutes

• Getting into the train station: 2 minutes
• 'Check-in' time: 5 minutes
• Journey time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Getting out of the train station: 2 minutes
• getting to the city center: 10 minutes
  Total travel time: 2 hours 59 minutes

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