RENFE’s high-speed Avlo launches Madrid-Alicante route, with tickets as low as €7

The Avlo train service will initially offer four daily trips (two in each direction) between Madrid and Alicante, with a total of 1,436 seats available per day, RENFE announced in a statement.

The four services will stop in the city of Albacete (Castilla-La Mancha), and two trains, one in each direction, will stop in Cuenca (also Castilla-La Mancha) and the Valencian town of Villena.

Passengers are already able to buy tickets for the new low-cost route, which will start at just €7. On top of the basic price, clients can purchase seat selection, as well as pay extra changes or cancellations and additional luggage. RENFE said that the basic ticket includes one free cabin suitcase and a handbag.

Children under the age of 14 will be able to benefit from a basic ticket price costing €5, as long as it is bought with one adult ticket. A maximum of two discounted child tickets with each adult ticket is allowed.

Large families can also get a 20% discount on top of the price, or a 50% discount for those who qualify for special circumstances.

New low-cost train operator Iryo aims to launch its own Madrid-Alicante service on 2 June, with the same number of daily services as Avlo. Meanwhile, Ouigo will start its Madrid-Alicante (via Albacete) route in May. Tickets are now available for as little as €9 if bought in advance, but will cost around €30 one way if bought last minute.

RENFE also plans to launch new Avlo services in June that will link Madrid with Seville and Málaga. The trains will also stop at Ciudad Real, Puertollano, Córdoba, Puente Genil and Antequera. The initial services are thought to be two trains (one in each direction) to Seville and another two to Málaga although schedules have not yet been confirmed.