High-speed train launched between Malaga, Alicante and Murcia
Malaga Alicante Murcia high-speed train launched: A new high-speed train (AVE or Alta Velocidad) from Malaga to Alicante is being rolled out by the Renfe railroad company. So reports The Olive Press.
No longer a transfer in Madrid
The high-speed line will not get there in a straight line, or along the coast, as the journey by car would. Instead, there will be a detour via Madrid, which would make the ride half an hour longer than by car. However, it is no longer necessary to transfer in the Spanish capital.
Timing of high-speed train
The new AVE service leaves Malaga daily at 8:05 a.m. with a stop at Atocha-Almudena Grandes in Madrid and arrives in Alicante at 1:39 p.m. The ride then continues to Murcia, where it should arrive at 2:37 pm. The reverse journey leaves Murcia at 3:32 p.m., stops in Alicante at 4:35 p.m. and arrives in Malaga at 10:36 p.m.
Not faster than the car, but more comfortable
However, if you are short on time, a car will still get you there faster than the high-speed train. It takes a traveler five and a half hours to get to Alicante by train. At best, the same trip by car takes only five hours. However, rest breaks, restroom breaks and driver changes are not included in this calculation.
To Murcia – even though it is geographically closer – the journey by high-speed train takes an hour longer (six and a half hours total). By car, the same trip would take four hours and 15 minutes – two hours faster than the train. Because of the cobweb design of the Spanish rail system, cities on the Costas usually need to go inland via Madrid. It does not look like this feature will be remedied soon for high-speed rail, as Malaga was once again left out of the EU’s plans for a Mediterranean corridor last December.
Source: The Olive Press
