Spain's national railway operator Renfe announced free AVE high-speed access for Interrail Global Pass holders on May 26. The offer runs June 15 through September 15 2026 on 12 major routes. Reservations remain mandatory and open 48 hours before departure.
Eligible trains include Madrid-Barcelona, Madrid-Seville, Madrid-Valencia and Barcelona-Malaga services. Pass holders pay only a โฌ10 reservation fee per leg. Standard Interrail rules on seat reservations still apply.
The initiative follows last year's successful pilot that carried 180,000 passengers. Tourism officials expect 25 percent more young travelers from Germany, France and Italy this summer. AVE trains operate at up to 310 km/h with journey times under three hours.
Reservations can be made via the Renfe app or website using Interrail pass number. Seats are limited to 20 percent of capacity per train. No additional discounts apply to premium class.
Stations in Madrid and Barcelona added dedicated Interrail help desks from June 10. Luggage storage and bike transport remain available at standard rates. The program excludes night trains and regional services.
Spain's tourism ministry allocated โฌ12 million to compensate Renfe for lost revenue. Early booking data shows strong uptake from Scandinavian countries. Officials will evaluate extension into shoulder seasons after September.
Travelers should download the Renfe app for real-time seat availability. The offer complements existing Eurail-Interrail agreements across Europe. Full route list and terms appear on renfe.com from June 1.