The next, December 18 will open the line linking Madrid to Albacete, Cuenca and Valencia
I'm sorry, I love trains

That's great!!! While I'm always happy for faster service, the newer, (much) higher AVE prices always take some of the joy out of it.

Saludos, MadridMan

Tickets available tomorrow at Renfe. One way: 79,80 euros (online).

Better deals for early bookers: tarifa estrella (40% off - 7 days in advance), tarifa web (60% off - 15 days in advance).

Just checked. The AVE trains still aren't showing on RENFE.es but will check tomorrow as Antonio mentions. Now, just the fast-but-not-as-fast-as-the-AVE Alaris trains, taking about 3 hours 50 minutes. There are a couple "W" (WEB) fares left - the earliest and the latest train from Madrid to Valencia - at 19 Euros one way. Otherwise, the prices are generally 47.50 Euros one way.

The new AVE train trip from Madrid-Valencia will take 1 hour and 35 minutes. Wow, that's considerably faster than the already "swift" Alaris trains - taking 3h 50m. Doubt the AVE "W" fares will be anywhere near 19 Euros as it is now - probably double that. Let's see. Which means more people will be taking the bus to save (A LOT of) money.

I wonder how many (if ANY) of the "cheaper" Alaris trains they'll keep for this route after "hooking up" the AVE trains? Shame they have to charge us nearly double to save an hour or so.

Saludos, MadridMan

Tickets available now at Renfe. Cheapest fare ("tarifa web") at 31,90 euros one way.

good news for the train travelers, its about time they put Valencia in touch faster. Thanks for the news Antonio.

31.90 Euros isn't a bad price for one-way. Shame they didn't leave a few of the Alaris trains on the line, however, at 19 Euros one-way.

And the above are the "W" (Web) prices, too. If you're not quick you'll have to pay the regular prices - 80 Euros one-way! Train travel is quickly becoming travel for the well-to-do/rich. The buses will be more crowded than ever - which is great for the bus companies!

Saludos, MadridMan

FYI: The bus line making this route is Avanzabus (formerly called "Auto-Res"). The Express bus takes 4 hours and costs almost 34 Euros one-way.

So if get the "W" price of 32 Euros one-way for the AVE consider yourself fortunate.

A long, detailed blog entry (in Spanish) with lots of photos can be found at the EsPorMadrid.es website.

Saludos, MadridMan

Well, we have BEACH with AVE to Valencia,in one hour and forty minutes, now a cheaper ticket,PLEASE Pepe, and ...all FANTANSTIC...http://www.thereader.es/

Yes saw the welcome and all in teleMadrid TV nice and clean and only 1h30 so I imagine they will have more beach. Its about time.