High-Speed Rail Revolution: Santiago de Compostela to Madrid
Traveling from Santiago de Compostela to Madrid in just over an hour is possible, but only by airplane . However, this travel time often doesn’t translate into a realistic experience for travelers, which is why the train has been gaining popularity in the Galicia-Madrid corridor . With a better service, enhanced comfort, and reliability, Renfe has emerged as a clear winner in this transportation competition.
More travelers. Specifically, 181,588 travelers chose one of Renfe’s trains in the first month of fully operational high-speed service, as reported by The Galician mail. This growth marks a monumental change in transportation preferences in the region.
The figure is impressive when compared to air travel. Airlines transported 155,715 people during the same month, indicating a historical milestone for train travel in Spain, a realm where trains have traditionally lagged behind airplanes.
Looking back. In a retrospective glance, The Galician mail notes that the evolution of train travel has been remarkable. Initial work on what would become the current high-speed line began in 2011 , and at that time, only 20,000 travelers chose the train for this route. Now, that number has soared to over 180,000 passengers.
Although the train has successively gained passengers over the years, the airplane still dominated until recent times. In 2019 , Renfe’s numbers ranged between 40,000 and 60,000 passengers, while air travel continued to exceed 200,000 passengers . Those days seem to be numbered.
Those times have been left behind.
<img alt="The center of Madrid is the last battle of Renfe and Ouigo: he wants to leave from Atocha and only Renfe has the approval" width="375" height="142" src="https://i.blogs.es/35c604/alta-velocidad/375_142.jpeg"/>Making the plane back. The advent of high-speed rail has resulted in a significant shift of travelers towards trains. Since last year, Galicia and Madrid have been connected by this high-speed rail service. Despite the delays and controversies surrounding the train’s launch, Renfe has steadily increased its passenger count.
Today, the train enjoys a comprehensive schedule, while airlines have canceled routes and opted for smaller aircraft to stay afloat. Yes, the train takes longer, but it departs from central cities in Galicia and arrives at Chamartín , a well-connected station in the heart of Madrid. To add to its allure, the train is cheaper.
<img alt="Airlines reduce flights and scale back services due to competition" width="375" height="142" src="https://i.blogs.es/a83ea5/nejc-soklic-e3btx9ibdsq-unsplash/375_142.jpeg"/>Less offer in the air. As reported in The Galician mail , the impact of the train’s rising popularity on air travel is noticeable. Galician airports are experiencing a partial reduction of flights by Ryanair, which has canceled some routes in protest against what they deem excessive airport fees from AENA .
Moreover, although Air Europa maintains its current service with 56 weekly flights connecting Vigo and A Coruña, Air Nostrum has resorted to smaller planes to adjust to the new travel reality.
<img alt="China’s bullet train has rendered airlines unprofitable on long routes" width="375" height="142" src="https://i.blogs.es/7bb3e6/cr450af-0201_at_cars_testing_track_-20250213160236-/375_142.jpeg"/>A reef. The end result has been beneficial for Renfe, which has discovered a niche in facing reduced competition. Recently, rumors circulated that Ouigo might attempt to acquire trains to operate on this corridor, leading to speculation about potential competition.
However, this conjecture was dismissed by Renfe’s president, who stated, “Anyone who wants to enter the Galician corridor must invest.” The line requires specialized trains able to accommodate a variety of gauges. Meanwhile, Talgo has its commitments filled and is unable to accommodate any new competitors for the foreseeable future.
Good numbers. Despite recent discussions surrounding Renfe’s operational challenges, the company has been receiving noteworthy news. In the first half of 2025 , Renfe has reportedly achieved a record in passenger travel, as per its own data.
This milestone is attributed largely to the surge in travel along the Galician corridor. High-speed services aimed at Galicia and the Extremadura corridor have significantly boosted travel figures. Renfe is currently not competing against Ouigo or Iro in these areas, allowing for more favorable pricing and an influx of passengers.
Photo | Eric Salard and Bene riobó.
In conclusion, the landscape of travel between Santiago de Compostela and Madrid is changing, with high-speed trains rapidly gaining a competitive edge over traditional air travel. As more travelers opt for the comfort and efficiency of Renfe, the future looks promising for rail travel in Spain.