13 February 2008
Spain's network of high-speed trains is continuing to expand with the launch of a new service between Madrid and Barcelona.
The new connection means that people will soon be able to travel all the way from the Catalan capital to the Costa del Sol by train via Madrid, as a high-speed link between the Spanish capital and the city of Malaga opened in December.
Development minister Magdalena Alvarez announced yesterday that the Madrid-Barcelona AVE service will be operational from February 20th, with tickets available for purchase on Thursday (February 14th), Typically Spanish reports.
A recent article in the Guardian stated that Spain's AVE network has enabled the country to become "a model for the rest of Europe and the world leader in high-speed trains" in recent years.
The Madrid-Malaga line connects the capital with the southern coast in just two hours and 30 minutes, meaning that property owners on the Costa del Sol can easily head to Madrid on business or for a short break without the inconvenience of flying.
Another high-speed line between Malaga and the Andalucian capital Seville is set to open later this month.
