Iryo, Spain’s half-privately owned high-speed rail operator, will add Ciudad Real and Puertollano to its destinations from 1st May, introducing two new stops on the Southern Corridor and bringing an end to Renfe’s monopoly at these stations.
Thanks to the new operator, both cities will benefit from a greater number of train services to Madrid, Córdoba, and Seville.
More services, more flexibility
Following approval from Spain’s National Markets and Competition Commission (CNMC), Iryo becomes the first operator to compete with Renfe on high-speed services between Madrid, Ciudad Real and Puertollano.
The authorisation — which allows for up to six services per direction per day — opens a new era of competition on a line historically dominated by Renfe, and which also has state-subsidised Avant services. Iryo highlights that this move translates into more choice and better fares for rail travellers.
Timetables in detail
In this first phase, two daily frequencies will be available from 1st May. Tickets are already on sale on Iryo’s website and through all usual booking channels.
| Route | Exit | Arrival | Intermediate stops |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madrid → Seville | 07:54h (Atocha) | 10:46 (Sta. Justa) | Ciudad Real 8:48 – Puertollano 9:10 – Córdoba 9:53 |
| Seville → Madrid | 06:47h (Sta. Justa) | 09:31 (Atocha) | Cordoba 7:30 – Puertollano 8:12 – Ciudad Real 8:26. |
Madrid in under an hour
One of the most compelling aspects of this new offer is the journey time to Madrid — under one hour from Ciudad Real.
This not only makes leisure and tourism trips to the region far more accessible, but also provides greater flexibility for those commuting or doing business between the two cities. Travelling by high-speed train, with no traffic jams or parking headaches, really is the smartest and most sustainable choice.
More frequencies on the way
Iryo has already announced that additional frequencies on this corridor will be introduced progressively over the coming months.
The company — backed by Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane, the shareholders of Air Nostrum and Globalvia — is Renfe’s closest competitor in terms of frequency of services in Spain, and this expansion reinforces its commitment to connecting the country through rail.