Spain's incredible £17 train line spanning 312-miles from two famous cities

If you are looking to travel far on a , then set your sights on . The Spanish is increasingly being recognised and praised for the efficiency and connectivity of its medium and long-distance trains.

One of the best connections on the circuit is the service between the country’s capital of to . Two of Spain’s most popular destinations are connected through a direct line that runs multiple times a day. Iryo, Renfe, Ouigo and Avlo are just a few of the rail lines offering services between the two cities.

At peak times the train from Madrid to Barcelona departs every half hour and, according to Trainline, there are 35 trains per day running between the two cities. The journey is typically two hours and 45 minutes in length, though the fastest services shave off an extra 15 minutes.

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The best part of the service is most certainly the price. According to Trainline, you can save significant costs if you book in advance. The train booking service reports that tickets usually start from £6.32 but even if you only book a few weeks ahead you’ll be able to spot deals under £20.

Same-day ticket purchases are definitely an option if you are not able to book in advance, but it will cost you. Same-day tickets in April and May can run as high as £60 for Standard seats and nearly £100 for First-Class seats.

The first train usually departs at 6:12AM local time from Madrid, with the last train departing at 21:07PM from Atocha station. The high-speed train arrives at train station - known locally as Sants Estación.

Barcelona Sants is the city’s largest train station and services rail journeys both in and around Barcelona and the entirety of Spain. From here, travellers can also jump on high-speed trains to city and .

Keep in mind that, given its large size, Barcelona Sants can be quite busy and difficult for some to navigate so be prepared for a bit of bustle. The train station is located in the Sants neighbourhood of the city and is less than a 15-minute drive to the heart of the city.

Travellers can also purchase Cercanias tickets at the train station upon arrival. These tickets are for journeys in Barcelona and in the surrounding areas of the city.

Tickets for the local Cercanias and Media Distancia trains must be purchased from ticket machines which you can find dotted throughout the station. During peak times there is usually a staff member on standby to offer assistance and the machines accept cash, credit and debit cards.

There is also a coach service that runs from the capital to Barcelona, which includes an overnight service. Unsurprisingly, the coach journey is significantly longer, with the shortest journeys lasting a little over 7.5 hours.

Coach tickets can also get quite pricey, with same-day tickets running up to £38 and cheapest tickets starting at £20. While tickets purchased in advance are cheaper, it’s important to note that some luggage restrictions may apply on buses that could offset any savings.