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Date Published: 16/09/2025

From Madrid to Murcia, Alicante and Málaga: Ouigo’s budget trains take Spain by storm in first year

Low prices and efficient service fuel strong growth on Spain’s high-speed trains

Ouigo is celebrating a successful first year on the Madrid-Murcia route, having transported over 350,000 passengers with an average occupancy rate of 80%. This French-owned, low-cost operator has attracted travellers with its budget-friendly fares and a direct route that bypasses Alicante city.

The route serves not only Madrid and Murcia but also important stops at Elche and Albacete. Meanwhile, Ouigo’s expansion to Málaga earlier this year has added another valuable connection on Spain’s high-speed network, offering two daily round trips between Madrid and Málaga with a stop in Córdoba, and plans to add more frequencies later in 2025.

Renfe remains a strong competitor on these corridors but faced challenges initially with pricing and frequency. Ouigo’s arrival prompted Renfe to enhance its timetable and fares, boosting passenger numbers overall. The Madrid-Alicante-Мurcia corridor is among the fastest-growing in Spain, with passenger numbers up nearly 17% in the first quarter compared to last year.

According to Federico Pareja, Sales and Marketing Director for Ouigo Spain, the company is "very proud" of its first-year success on Madrid-Murcia. He credits the ongoing cooperation with local authorities and organisations such as Murcia City Council and the Agrupación Sardinera for promoting tourism and creating economic opportunities.

One of Ouigo’s biggest draws remains price. Tickets for the midday Murcia-Madrid journey can start from as little as €15, considerably cheaper than Renfe’s Avlo and AVE services, which typically charge from €48 upwards for similar routes. The trip from Murcia lasts 2 hours 44 minutes, while Elche and Vega Baja passengers also benefit from attractive fares and good connectivity.

Ouigo currently holds a 36% market share on the Madrid-Alicante corridor, and 25% on Madrid-Valencia, with occupancy rates often exceeding those of Renfe. Its competitive pricing helped drive an 18.9% fall in average ticket prices on the Madrid-Alicante-Murcia route last year, according to the National Commission on Markets and Competition.

With ongoing strong demand and capacity to grow, Ouigo aims to continue providing affordable, efficient high-speed rail connections between key cities including Madrid, Murcia, Alicante, and Málaga.

You might also be interested in: Spain’s rail woes call for clear strategy as Renfe and ADIF face mounting challenges

Image: wikicommons

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