Almería set to lose half its direct Madrid trains

Anyone organising an autumn trip to the capital may soon have only one direct departure each day. The expected cut would sharply reduce choice on a journey that already takes around seven hours or more.

Talgo VI withdrawal set for 6 September

The Talgo VI linking Almería and Madrid is expected to stop running from Sunday September 6, reducing the route to one direct service in each direction per day.

José Haro, president of Renfe’s Almería works committee and a local representative of the CCOO trade union, announced the change during a railway protest in Almería on July 21. He attributed the withdrawal to works beginning at Despeñaperros, where the conventional railway crosses between Andalucía and central Spain.

The change would remove one of the two daily options and leave less flexibility for reaching Madrid, returning to Almería or making an onward connection.

Renfe has yet to publish the revised timetable

Renfe has not yet published a passenger notice confirming the new departure times, how long the reduction would last or whether any alternative transport would be provided. The announcement should therefore be clearly attributed to the works committee rather than presented as a fully detailed operator timetable. Anyone considering travel from September 6 should check Renfe’s journey planner before booking, particularly if the arrival time in Madrid matters for another train or flight.

Campaigners say what is already a long journey is losing flexibility

The news emerged as around 100 people gathered outside Almería railway station to demand better services for the province. The Mesa en Defensa del Ferrocarril, a local rail campaign group, raised complaints about breakdowns, transfers to buses, faulty air conditioning and lengthy journeys. Its coordinator, José Carlos Tejada, said the Alvia takes around seven hours to reach Madrid and the Talgo almost eight.

“Almería cannot continue being the forgotten province on Spain’s railway map,” he said, calling for more competitive journey times and stronger links within the province.

The proposed cut would reverse the extra choice introduced in late 2024, when the Alvia became Almería’s second direct Madrid connection.

Despeñaperros works form part of a wider upgrade

Adif, Spain’s railway infrastructure manager, has confirmed substantial work on the conventional line through Despeñaperros, although its published project notices do not set out this specific September passenger reduction.

One €26.55 million project involves adapting 13 tunnels between Santa Cruz de Mudela and Córdoba for future freight services carrying road semi-trailers by rail. A separate €5.3 million contract also covers the rehabilitation of 15 metal bridges along a 20-kilometre section between Almuradiel and Calancha.

Until Renfe issues the revised schedule, the details currently available to Almería passengers are the proposed September 6 start and the expectation of one remaining direct train each way.