Train stations in Vitoria-Gasteiz

Vitoria-Gasteiz station, on Plazuela de la Estación, is where Renfe's Alvia and Intercity trains from Madrid, Barcelona, San Sebastián and León call, along with Media Distancia and Regional Exprés trains on the line between Miranda de Ebro, Altsasu and Pamplona.

The station

Vitoria-Gasteiz station is at Plazuela de la Estación 1 and is open every day from 06:00 to 24:00. Renfe runs every train that calls here. Madrid trains use Chamartín-Clara Campoamor, not Atocha, and the slower Media Distancia train goes to Príncipe Pío. Adif offers a free assistance service at the station for travellers with reduced mobility.

From the station to the old town

The way into town is on foot: Calle Eduardo Dato, a pedestrian street, starts in front of the station and runs straight north to the edge of the old town, where Plaza de la Virgen Blanca is the meeting point and the Cathedral of Santa María stands at the top of the hill. No bus or tram stops at the station; the nearest tram stop, Parlamento, is on the way into town. City buses are run by Tuvisa. A single ticket costs €1.40 as of October 2026, paid on board with cash, a bank card or a phone, or with a BAT, Barik or Mugi card. With a BAT General card you can change lines within 50 minutes.

Trains to Madrid

Times are as of October 2026, to and from Madrid Chamartín-Clara Campoamor.

• From Vitoria-Gasteiz: Intercity at 07:17 Monday to Friday (arrives 10:38, 3 hours 21 minutes), Alvia at 10:23 every day (13:51, 3 hours 28 minutes) and Alvia at 18:34 every day (22:20, 3 hours 46 minutes), the last Chamartín train. On Sundays an Intercity also leaves at 16:10 (19:39).
• To Vitoria-Gasteiz: Alvia leaving Madrid at 06:55 every day (arrives 10:38, 3 hours 43 minutes), Intercity at 14:50 Monday to Friday and Sundays (arrives 17:57, 3 hours 7 minutes) and Alvia at 17:48 every day (21:13, 3 hours 25 minutes).
• Slower trains: a Media Distancia train leaves at 07:40 Monday to Saturday for Madrid Príncipe Pío (arrives 13:25). From Príncipe Pío a Media Distancia train reaches Vitoria-Gasteiz at 23:00 every day except Saturdays.

Barcelona, Pamplona and Zaragoza

One Alvia a day each way links Vitoria-Gasteiz with Barcelona-Sants through Pamplona and Zaragoza Delicias. It leaves Vitoria-Gasteiz at 16:23 and arrives at 21:40 (5 hours 17 minutes); from Barcelona-Sants it leaves at 09:05 and arrives at 14:01 (4 hours 56 minutes). An Intercity leaves at 11:00 every day for Pamplona (11:57, 57 minutes) and Zaragoza Delicias (13:46, 2 hours 46 minutes), and the 16:23 train reaches Pamplona at 17:21 and Zaragoza Delicias at 19:23.

San Sebastián and Irun

The 10:40 Alvia is timetabled to reach San Sebastián-Donostia at 12:32 (1 hour 52 minutes) and Irun at 13:02, and an Intercity leaves at 16:45 for San Sebastián-Donostia (due 18:50). Track works between Hernani and Irun, which take in San Sebastián-Donostia, have been under way since 25 September 2026 with no end date announced. While they last, Madrid line trains such as the 10:40 Alvia run by Renfe coach between Tolosa and Irun every day, in both directions, so the trip to San Sebastián ends with a change to the coach at Tolosa. Times on the coach section can shift slightly, so allow extra time.

Burgos, Miranda de Ebro and León

Miranda de Ebro is 23 minutes away by the 10:23 Alvia, and Regional trains call at Miranda de Ebro and Altsasu several times a day. The 10:23 Alvia reaches Burgos-Rosa Manzano at 11:50 (1 hour 27 minutes) and Valladolid Campo Grande at 12:41. The Alvia from Barcelona-Sants leaves Vitoria-Gasteiz at 14:03 and reaches Burgos-Rosa Manzano at 15:28 (1 hour 25 minutes) and León at 16:53 (2 hours 50 minutes).

Holidays and bridge days

The 07:17 Intercity does not run on Monday 2 November, Monday 7 December, Tuesday 8 December, 25 December or 1 January. The 07:40 Media Distancia does not run on 25 December or 1 January, so on those two days the first train to Madrid is the 10:23 Alvia. The 14:50 Intercity from Madrid does not run on 1 November, 6 and 7 December, 24, 25 and 31 December or 1 January, and the 16:10 Intercity runs on Sundays except 1 November and 6 December, and also on Monday 7 and Tuesday 8 December. The 17:48 Alvia from Madrid does not run on 24 and 31 December, and the 23:00 Media Distancia arrival does not run on those two days either. On those two days and on Fridays (not 25 December or 1 January) a Regional Exprés leaving Madrid Príncipe Pío at 14:55 reaches Vitoria-Gasteiz at 20:50. The Alvia at 18:34 to Madrid runs on all of these days.

Tickets

Renfe tickets are sold on renfe.com and in the Renfe app, at station ticket offices and at self-service machines, which take cards only. Online and at stations you can buy up to 15 minutes before departure. Long-distance tickets carry the passenger's name, and you need photo ID.

Rail passes and reservations

As of October 2026, an Interrail pass needs a paid reservation on Renfe's Alvia and Intercity trains (€6.50 in second class, €10 in first) and on Media Distancia (€4 in second class). Regional Exprés reservations (€4) are not always mandatory, and Regional trains are not in Interrail's fee list. Reservations are made in Interrail's reservation system or at a Renfe ticket desk.