15 High-Speed Trains in Spain Worth the Ticket

1.Toledo Private Tour with Cathedral & High Speed Train from Madrid

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 218 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $314Our pick

Travel from Madrid to Toledo by fast, comfortable train, then explore the Jewish Quarter, convent district, old town, and Gothic cathedral with a private English-speaking guide. Guides such as Diana, Diego, Eduardo, Javier, Laura, and Natalia have been praised for clear history, good organization, and helpful Madrid tips. Expect hills, cobbled streets, and a brisk half-day pace.

“Germany (sorry, I think that was his name) was very informative. He did a great job of getting our group to the train station and on to Toledo. There was quite a bit of walking and some uphill. We were given a little over an hour of free time which was appreciated.”

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2.Segovia with Alcazar Guided Tour by High-Speed Train from Madrid

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 98 reviews · 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $362

Travel from Madrid to Segovia by high-speed train, then explore the Roman aqueduct, Alcazar, Gothic cathedral, Jewish Quarter, and medieval streets with a private guide. Guides such as Laura, Cristina, and Antonio are praised for clear, lively touring. Allow for steep steps, a brisk pace, and a strict meeting time at Chamartin.

“Antonio was an INCREDIBLE guide! He was passionate about the history, and constantly asked the group how he could taylor the information to the groups interest- whether we wanted more info or less. He went above and beyond! Personally, we would have loved to spend more time at the castle and in the town Segovia rather than the hike, but all in all we loved the tour.”

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3.Barcelona Day Tour by High-Speed Train from Madrid.

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 71 reviews · 13 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $414

Travel from Madrid to Barcelona by high-speed train for a tightly packed day of Gaudí architecture, the Gothic Quarter, El Born, MUHBA, Arc de Triomf, and an exterior view of Sagrada Familia. Guides such as Lucas, Mateo, Mirko, and Jimena lead the Barcelona walks. The tour is limited to 10 people, but you must buy your own Sagrada Familia entry.

“We had such a wonderful time on this tour. Luca was phenomenal as our guide. We had a family of five and he was so patient and kind with everyone. He’s a gem! I would recommend this tour to anyone.”

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4.Girona Private Guided Tour by High Speed Train from Barcelona

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 62 reviews · 5 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $289

Travel from Barcelona to Girona in about 35 minutes on Spain’s high-speed AVE train, then explore the medieval quarter with a private English-speaking guide. See the Eiffel Bridge, Arab Baths, cathedral, Jewish quarter, city walls, and Game of Thrones filming locations, with one hour of free time before returning.

“Definitely a highlight on our Barcelona trip! We didn't realize that it would be completely private! ( Just my husband, myself, and our tour guide, Mateo.) He was our favorite guide of all the various activities we did on our Spain trip! He was extremely knowledgeable which we very much appreciate, and his passion for history was very apparent. The bullet train to Girona was as easy as a train ride could be, we arrived in about 35 minutes! Everything we saw was so beautiful and full of history. If you're a Game of Thrones fan, it's definitely a plus as we were about to see multiple filming locations! We…”

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5.Girona Private Guided Tour by High-Speed Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 56 reviews · 5h 18m · from $283

Ride Spain’s high-speed AVE train from Barcelona to Girona in about 38 minutes, then explore the medieval center with a private English or Spanish-speaking guide. You’ll see El Call, the Arab baths, cathedral, Onyar River houses, Eiffel Bridge, and city walls. Guides such as Katja, Jimena, Roger, and Ricardo have earned especially warm praise.

“Katya was an amazing tour guide. She was very personable and relatable. The experience was like walking through Girona with a history major friend that we haven't seen in a while. She really made the city come to life with all the cultural knowledge and historical events that makes Girona what it is today. I highly recommend this tour and maybe you will be blessed with Katya as your tour guide.”

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6.Cordoba and Mosque Day Trip by High-Speed Train

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 33 reviews · 11 hours · from $199

Travel from Madrid to Cordoba by high-speed train, then tour the Roman Bridge, Jewish Quarter, courtyards, synagogue, and Mosque-Cathedral with a local English or Spanish-speaking guide. Tickets are included, but food, drinks, and your own return walk or transfer to the station are not.

“I had an amazing tour. The tour guides were excellent really love the city. I definitely recommend.”

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7.Madrid by High-Speed Train with Prado Museum Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 33 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $606

Travel from Barcelona to Madrid by high-speed train, then meet an English- and Spanish-speaking guide for a private Prado Museum visit and city walk. You will see San Miguel Market, the Royal Palace facade, Plaza Mayor, and Gran Vía before returning alone by train. Guides may include Laura, Cristina, Natalie, or Majed.

“The tour guide Cristina was kind and knowledgeable the tour itself felt rushed but really enjoyed spending the day with the couple that was a patt of the group tour.”

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8.Seville in One Day by High speed Train from Madrid Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 30 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $534

Take an early high-speed train from Madrid to Seville, then join an English and Spanish guided walk through Santa Cruz, the Old Town, and Jewish Quarter. You’ll see the Cathedral and Royal Alcazar from outside, with an optional interior Alcazar visit. Guide Estefania has led especially well-liked tours, but strict train times require careful planning.

“Absolutely loved Sevilla and walking around with our guide, Estefania. We had a super small group and it was perfect for seeing the city. Sevilla is exactly how I pictured Spain and now I want to come back for more than just one day. Taking the train from Madrid was so nice as well.”

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9.Segovia Private Guided Visit & Alcazar with High Speed Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 11 reviews · 6.5 hours · from $353

Travel from Madrid to Segovia in about 30 minutes by high-speed train, then explore the Roman Aqueduct, Old Town, and Royal Alcazar with a private English or Spanish-speaking guide. You also get a riverside walk and free time for lunch, shopping, or cochinillo. Guides Christina and Laura have received especially warm praise.

“Christina was a great guide and the hike was beautiful”

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10.Córdoba Private Day Tour by High-Speed Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 10 reviews · 12 hours · from $506

Join a small group of up to 15 for a full day from Madrid to Córdoba. Your guide leads you through the Mezquita-Catedral, Patios de San Basilio, and Jewish Quarter, with about three hours to eat and explore independently. English is provided, and guides such as Patricia have also offered explanations in Spanish.

“Absolutely phenomenal day! Córdoba left us awestruck, it is an amazing city and we loved the fact of visiting it in one day by seeing the most incredible things. The trip at all was really fast, and we were accompanied by our guide during all day. I wholeheartedly recommend this experience to anyone seeking a delightful and enriching adventure.”

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11.Córdoba Private Day Trip from Madrid by High-Speed Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 9 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $508

Travel from Madrid to Córdoba by high-speed train, then explore the old town, Jewish Quarter, and Mezquita-Catedral with an English and Spanish-speaking guide. Expect a long 13-hour day, self-check-in at Atocha, about three hours with your guide, and free time to eat or wander before returning to Madrid.

“Walking tour of Cordoba and cathedral and surroundings was good. Unfortunately it was raining all day however our guide did a good job trying to adapt to the weather.”

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12.Private Tour: Segovia Day Trip from Madrid by High-Speed Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 8 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $381

Travel from Madrid’s Chamartín station to Segovia by high-speed train, then meet your private guide at the station. A taxi takes you into town for a walking tour lasting three or five hours, covering the Roman aqueduct, Segovia Cathedral, and Alcázar. Theresa is one guide praised for bringing the city’s past to life.

“Segovia was beautiful, historical and interesting. Loved the castle and the climb up the tower. Bot the best part was Theresa our guide. She’s a bona fide historian, she really made the rich history of the city come alive.”

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13.Seville Day Trip from Cordoba by High-Speed Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 3 reviews · from $140Best value

You’ll leave Córdoba at 7:50 am, ride the high-speed train to Seville in about 45 minutes, then meet your local guide near Santa Justa Station. A minibus tour covers Maria Luisa Park and Plaza de España before walking through Santa Cruz, Seville Cathedral, and the Real Alcázar. Tickets are included, with free time before the return train.

“All went according to the advertised information The guide was very good The tour was worth its money Can recommend it”

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14.Private Tour: Cordoba Day Trip from Madrid by High-Speed Train

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $538

You’ll ride from Madrid to Córdoba in under two hours, meet a private guide such as Lola or Toñi, and spend three focused hours exploring the Mezquita, Jewish quarter, winding lanes, and medieval synagogue. Train tickets and admission are included, while lunch and the rest of your free time are your own.

“If you enjoy history and architecture, then this is a must. Cordoba gets very hot in the summer so we took the 7:30am train from Madrid and were greeted by our tour guide Lola at 9:15am. She made the experience extremely interesting by explaining the history as we walked the historical sites. The only downside of this was the guide at the mosque who was explaining things using paper and iPads while she could have done that while walking the mosque. After the 3 hour tour, we went on our own to explore the place on our own, followed by lunch and took the 4:30 train back to Madrid.”

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15.2-Day guided tour Caceres & Sevilla from Madrid by Bus and High Speed Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 2 reviews · from $371

Travel from Madrid to Cáceres by air-conditioned coach, explore its UNESCO-listed medieval center at your own pace, then continue to Seville for an overnight stay. A local guide covers María Luisa Park, Plaza de España, and Santa Cruz before you return to Madrid by AVE train. Dinner, breakfast, Wi-Fi, and insurance are included.

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