The resumption of the Madrid–Málaga high-speed train service now has a confirmed date. Adif, the body responsible for railway infrastructure, has announced the reopening of the affected line for midday on Thursday 30 April.
A disruption with two causes
The rail disconnection of the Costa del Sol from Madrid began on 18 January 2026, following the Adamuz accident. Two high-speed trains collided on the Madrid–Seville high-speed line near Córdoba, killing 46 people and injuring 292 others — Spain’s worst rail disaster since the Santiago de Compostela derailment in 2013. A preliminary Civil Guard investigation found the likely cause to be a faulty weld on a broken rail.
Then, on 4 February, a second blow: heavy rainfall triggered a landslide that brought down a retaining wall near Álora (Málaga), further blocking the line. Works to stabilise the terrain have been slow and technically demanding, involving the demolition of part of the retaining wall and the removal of a section of the embankment. All while managing the risk posed by a nearby high-voltage electricity line.
Services available from 30 April
The three operators competing on the Córdoba–Málaga stretch have put tickets on sale for the following services:
- Avant Málaga–Córdoba–Seville
- AVE Madrid–Málaga
- Avlo Madrid–Málaga
- Iryo Madrid–Málaga
- Ouigo Madrid–Málaga
Note that the AVE Barcelona–Málaga service is not yet on sale. Demand for the first days back is high, so booking early is strongly advised.
Renfe: the only operator that kept going
While trains could not run between Antequera and Málaga, Renfe maintained an active service from 19 February using a bus replacement service between both towns. Operators Iryo and Ouigo chose not to offer any equivalent alternative during the disruption.