How Lisbon and Madrid, Two Tourism Giants of Europe, Enhance Travel with New £3.5bn High-Speed Train?
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Image generated with AiA new high-speed train line between Lisbon and Madrid promises to revolutionize travel, boosting tourism and connecting the two capitals in just three hours.
The new £3.5bn train line, set to link two major holiday cities 388 miles apart, is poised to further boost tourism in the region. By providing a fast and efficient travel option, this line will make it easier for tourists to explore both cities, enhancing their overall travel experience. The increased accessibility is expected to attract more visitors, thereby driving economic growth and supporting local businesses. This significant infrastructure investment underscores the commitment to improving travel and promoting sustainable tourism, ensuring that the region continues to thrive as a premier tourist destination.
Two capital cities will soon be connected by a high-speed train line, offering a quick three-hour alternative to flying.
The Portuguese Cabinet has approved plans for a new AVE line linking Lisbon in Portugal and Madrid in Spain.
Both cities attract numerous tourists annually. Currently, train journeys between the two capitals can take up to nine hours and involve multiple transfers.
The new high-speed train will offer a direct route, passing through Spain’s Extremadura region.
This initiative aligns with the Spanish government’s push to promote high-speed rail travel over flights, aiming to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Spain remains a top summer destination for tourists in 2024 across most analyzed markets. Notably, it outperforms its main competitors, including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, and the USA.
In relation to France, Spain continues to be the preferred holiday spot for the French, second only to domestic travel. Indicators from a Turespaña report highlight a promising summer season for French tourists visiting Spain.
In March, 6.3 million international tourists visited Spain, marking a 21% increase from March 2023, as reported by the National Institute of Statistics (INE). Additionally, Spain set a new record for tourist spending this month. Foreign visitors spent €8.652 billion, a 29.7% rise compared to March of the previous year. For the first quarter, international tourist spending increased by 27.2% to €21.948 billion, with visitor numbers up 17.7%, surpassing 16.1 million tourists.
Portugal also saw record-breaking tourism numbers in 2023, welcoming over 30 million visitors. The Secretary of State for Tourism, Commerce, and Services, Nuno Fazenda, announced over 30 million guests, 77 million overnight stays, and approximately €25 billion in tourism revenue for the year.
The 2023 figures reflect nearly 10% more guests than the previous record year of 2019. Overnight stays increased by 37%, and revenue grew by 18.5% compared to 2022.
Despite the approval, it will be some time before travelers can use the new route. The project targets a journey time of six hours by 2027, with full completion anticipated by 2034 due to the construction of a new bridge over the River Tajo, expected to take nine years.
A previous train service, operated by Renfe, connected the two capitals until it was discontinued in 2020. Since then, rail passengers have had to change trains, making the journey take up to nine hours. Most travelers prefer flying, which takes just one hour and 20 minutes.
The government aims to encourage train travel to lower emissions. Spanish MP Júlia Boada tweeted last November: “Recovering the night train that connects Lisbon with Madrid is vital to facilitate public transport mobility between the countries of the Iberian Peninsula.”
This new route will be the only direct rail link between Lisbon and Madrid and will be operated by Renfe, Spain’s state-owned rail company.
Portugal is also working on a new high-speed train line, with parts expected to open later this year and full operations starting in 2025.
According to the news website Portugal, the estimated cost of the new high-speed railway project ranges from €3.9 billion (£3.3 billion) to €4.1 billion (£3.5 billion).
