High speed train bites Barcelona-Madrid air service

Despite a 1.6 percent increase in the number of international flights to Barcelona, the airport’s traffic numbers have fallen overall by 5.3 percent during 2008. Most of the decline is due to the opening of the high-speed rail link between Barcelona and Madrid, which has seen demand for the shuttle service fall by 20 percent.

Demand for the new train service has taken RENFE, Spain’s national rail operator, by surprise and the number of passengers is expected to overtake that of the air shuttle later this year or early 2009. The number of trains operating daily has been increased from 17 to 50 to meet demand, carrying some 47 percent of the total passengers between the two cities.

While the high-speed train is some €60 cheaper than flying, it also takes 25 minutes longer. However, when you take into account travelling to and from the airports at either end the train is more comfortable.

Next: Barcelona’s train stations