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How to travel from Madrid Atocha to Ciudad Real by train
Want to find out more about taking the train from Madrid Atocha to Ciudad Real? Look no further.
There are around 21 trains per day running between Madrid Atocha and Ciudad Real, which usually take 57 minutes to complete the 99 miles (159 km) journey. It can take as little as 54 minutes on the fastest services though, if you want to get there as quickly as possible. As soon as you board the train, you'll be able to make yourself comfortable and enjoy the journey as there are direct services available. During your journey, you're likely to be travelling with AVE, Avlo or Renfe, as these are the main train operators on this route.
You can save money on train tickets from Madrid Atocha to Ciudad Real if you book in advance, as tickets usually start from £11.63. Use our Journey Planner at the top of the page to compare ticket prices and get the cheapest fares.
Want to book your train tickets now? Just start a search with us today. If you want to find out more about the journey, read on for timetables (including first and last train times), FAQs and tips on how to book cheap train tickets.
Madrid Atocha to Ciudad Real by train
It takes an average of 57m to travel from Madrid Atocha to Ciudad Real by train, over a distance of around 99 miles (159 km). There are normally 21 trains per day travelling from Madrid Atocha to Ciudad Real and tickets for this journey start from £11.63 when you book in advance.
| First train | 06:06 | |
|---|---|---|
| Last train | 19:35 | |
| Departure station | Madrid Atocha | |
| Arrival station | Ciudad Real | |
| Journey time | From 54m | |
| Distance | 99 miles (159 km) | |
| Frequency | 21 trains per day | |
| Changes | Direct trains available | |
| Price | From £11.63 | |
| Train and bus operators |
FAQs about the train journey from Madrid Atocha to Ciudad Real
Want to know more about your journey from Madrid Atocha to Ciudad Real? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
What is the quickest journey time between Madrid Atocha and Ciudad Real by train?
Are there direct trains from Madrid Atocha to Ciudad Real?
What's the distance between Madrid Atocha and Ciudad Real by train?
Who runs the trains from Madrid Atocha to Ciudad Real?
Can you travel from Madrid Atocha to Ciudad Real without taking a flight?
What is the best way to get to Ciudad Real from Madrid Atocha?
What time is the first train from Madrid Atocha to Ciudad Real?
What time is the last train from Madrid Atocha to Ciudad Real?
How often do trains go from Madrid Atocha to Ciudad Real?
Do you need to prebook train tickets from Madrid Atocha to Ciudad Real?
Is there a return trip from Madrid Atocha to Ciudad Real?
AVE, Renfe and Avant trains from Madrid Atocha to Ciudad Real
AVE
Renfe
Avant
AVE is Renfe's flagship high-speed service, with trains capable of reaching up to 193 mph (310 km/h). It’s one of the fastest trains in Europe and connects the main cities of Spain. Most AVE trains offer two comfort classes – Estándard (Standard Class) and Confort (First Class equivalent, with 1-1 configuration, ultra-wide seats, gourmet food and drink and lounge access). All AVE trains have air conditioning, power sockets, free WiFi and a buffet carriage serving a selection of food and drinks. There are three fares for AVE services: the cheapest but least flexible Básico fare, the Elige fare (slightly pricier but more flexible), and the Premium fare for seats in Confort Class.
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Renfe is the national train operator in Spain. It operates trains on the longest high-speed railway network in Europe, and the second-longest in the world. The country's major cities are linked up by the high-speed AVE and Avlo trains, while other long-distance routes are served by Altaria, Talgo, Alvia and Euromed trains. Renfe also operates cross-border services into neighbouring Portugal and France. Depending on which service you are travelling on, you'll usually find two classes on Renfe trains - Estándard (Standard Class) and Confort (First Class). Fare types range from the cheapest (but least flexible) Básico fare, to the more flexible Elige fares, to the Premium fare for seats in Confort carriages.
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Able to reach speeds of at 155 mph (250 km/h), Avant trains operate short and medium distance high-speed services. These trains are intended to cover journeys within the same autonomous community or in two neighbouring communities. For this reason, trains generally don’t offer catering services and travel less than 125 miles (200 km). They have two types of comfort classes – Turista (Second Class) and Preferente (First Class).
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AVE, Avlo and Avant classes from Madrid Atocha to Ciudad Real
Compare the different travel classes offered by AVE, Avlo and Avant when travelling from Madrid Atocha to Ciudad Real.
AVE
Avlo
Avant
Estándar (Standard Class)
In AVE's Estándar Class, you'll enjoy comfortable fuss-free travel. With luggage storage and air-conditioning throughout, there's access to their bar/restaurant carriage serving drinks and snacks and seats are usually in a row of 2 or 4 around a table. On board, you'll enjoy:
- Free WiFi
- Seat reservation
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Entertainment portal
- Fold-down table
- Reading light
- Power sockets at each seat
- Catering at your seat
- Lounge access
- Larger tables
Confort (First Class)
Onboard AVE's Confort Class, you’ll enjoy all the amenities of Estándar Class as well as extra perks, such as complimentary food and drinks, free newspapers and more. Don't forget to enjoy access to Renfe's Club Rooms before your trip to kick it off in style. On board, you'll enjoy:
- Free WiFi
- Seat reservation
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Entertainment portal
- Fold-down table
- Reading light
- Power sockets at each seat
- Catering at your seat
- Lounge access
- Larger tables
Economy Class
Travel in Avlo’s Economy Class and you can connect to the free WiFi and grab some snacks from the vending machine.
- Vending machine
- Luggage storage
- Entertainment portal
- Free WiFi
- Air-conditioning
- Fold-down table
- Adjustable seats/footrests
Turista
In Avant's Turista Class, you'll find most seats arranged in airline-style pairs rather than around tables, air-conditioning, vending machines and accessible toilets.
- Vending machine
- Luggage storage
- Seat reservation
- Fold-down table
- Reading light
Onboard services on AVE, Avlo and Avant
Discover more about the onboard services offered on trains from Madrid Atocha to Ciudad Real.
AVE
Avlo
Avant
With AVE, you can travel with up to 3 pieces of luggage that do not exceed 290 cm and 25 kg. In total, the maximum measurements of each piece of luggage are 85 x 55 x 35 cm. Musical instruments also count as hand luggage as long as they do not exceed the dimensions 30 x 120 x 38 cm and are stored in a case.
If you’d like to stretch your legs and grab a coffee during your journey, AVE trains have an onboard bar carriage serving drinks and snacks. If you’d prefer to stay in your seat, AVE staff sell food and drinks from a trolley that will pass through the train during the journey.
On AVE trains, you can take advantage of PlayRenfe – their free WiFi and entertainment service. Giving you access to exclusive content and fast connection speeds, PlayRenfe can be downloaded from the app store on your phone. Once you’re connected, you can access the PlayRenfe portal, where you’ll find exclusive live sport, news, films and TV series.
Children under 3 years old travel for free with AVE, as long as they do not occupy a seat and have their free child ticket. Children from 3 to 14 years old can take advantage of a 40% discount on ticket prices.
On all AVE trains, each passenger can take one bicycle or scooter on board, as long as it’s folded and carried inside a case. Also, the pedals must be removed and handlebars turned 90 degrees. Lastly, if the sum of the dimensions of the case is less than 180cm, it is considered as hand luggage. However, if it’s bigger, it will be considered as special luggage (max dimensions 120 x 90 x 40 cm).
With AVE, you can travel with a pet as long as it weighs no more than 10 kg and travels inside a cage or carrier (60 x 35 x 35 cm). Your pet must have their own pet ticket, unless you’re travelling with a Premium ticket, in which case the pet ticket is free. Guide and assistance dogs travel for free.
AVE offer a free assistance and care service for people with reduced mobility. To request the service, passengers should contact AVE directly.
If you are travelling with a Básica ticket on an Avlo train, you can travel with 1 piece of hand luggage and 1 suitcase. Both pieces of luggage are not subject to a weight limit, but the hand luggage cannot exceed 27 x 36 x 25 cm and the suitcase cannot exceed 55 x 35 x 25cm in dimensions. If you’d like to add 1 extra piece of luggage, you’ll need to pay a fee of €10 if you buy at the time of purchase and €30 if you get it at the station.
On Avlo trains, there is no onboard dining service. However, you will find a vending machine, serving a diverse variety of hot and cold drinks and snacks. Please note that the vending machine only accepts card payment.
If you’re travelling with Avlo, you can enjoy free WiFi through the PlayRenfe platform. As soon as you’re connected you can enjoy films, television shows, newspapers and much more.
Children under 3 years old travel for free with Avlo, as long as they do not occupy a seat. Children under 14 travel for €5 (maximum of 2 child tickets per adult).
Only folding bikes and scooters are allowed on board Avlo trains, as long as they do not exceed the dimensions permitted for suitcases – 55 x 35 x 25cm.
You can travel with your pet for only €10, provided that you have a small pet, such as a dog, cat, ferret or bird (not poultry). Your pet must not weigh more than 10 kg and must travel inside a cage or carrier, which must not exceed dimensions of 60 x 35 x 35 cm.
Please note there is a maximum of 1 pet per person and all pets must always travel with their own pet ticket and not take up a seat. Guide and assistance dogs are allowed on the train free of charge.
With Avlo, passengers with reduced mobility can request the assistance service. For more information, contact Avlo directly.
With Avant, you can take up to 3 pieces of luggage, as long as they do not exceed 290 cm and 25 kg in total. On Avant trains, pushchairs and instruments smaller than 30 x 120 x 38 cm are also considered hand luggage.
If you’d like to stretch your legs, most Avant trains have a café carriage, and in case you’d prefer to stay in your seat, a mobile bar service.
Avant trains do not offer Wi-Fi, but you can watch the films or documentaries that are broadcast in each carriage.
Children up to 3 years old travel for free as long as they don’t occupy a seat, but they will need a free child ticket. Children between 3 and 14 years old have a 40% discount on the general price.
You can take your bike or skateboard if it is folded, travels inside a cover and is less than 180 cm in total. If the dimensions exceed 180 cm, it will be considered special luggage and must travel with the pedals removed, the handlebars turned 90 degrees and dimensions less than 120 x 90 x 40 cm.
Your pet can accompany you as long as it weighs less than 10 kg, travels with a pet ticket, doesn’t occupy a seat and is inside a carrier (max dimensions 60 x 35 x 35 cm). The ticket price is 25% of the standard ticket price, except in first class, which will be free.
Avant has an assistance service for people with reduced mobility or disabilities, to request it contact Avant directly.
Cheap train tickets from Madrid Atocha to Ciudad Real
Book in advance
Most of the train companies across Europe release their tickets around three to six months in advance, many of which can be cheaper the earlier you book. If you know the dates you want to travel, you may be able to find some cheaper train tickets from Madrid Atocha to Ciudad Real by booking early.§
Be flexible with your travel times
Many of the train services in Europe are also popular commuter services, lots of train companies increase ticket prices during “peak hours” (generally between 06:00 – 10:00 and 15:00 – 19:00 on weekdays). If you can, consider travelling outside of peak hours to find lower priced tickets.
Choose a slower or connecting train
On some of the busier routes, you might also have the option to take a slower or connecting train. It may take a little longer than some high-speed or direct services, but if you have a little extra time on your hands, you might find a cheaper fare. Plus, you'll have more time to enjoy the view of the countryside!
Look out for special deals
Take a look at our handy guides to find out when train operators release their special deals and offers to see if you can find cheap European train tickets for your journey.
For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.