Spanish private train operator Iryo says it is set to launch a new north-south train service in Spain to make travel sustainable, cheaper and faster, with a new high-speed train set to link Barcelona and Malaga in under six hours.

According to a press statement by Iyro, the train, which will start from December 15, will ply on the north-south route that is an extension of Iryo’s Barcelona to Seville line, which debuted last December. 

It says that Iryo will initially run one trip per day in each direction. The service will depart from Barcelona at 11:50, stopping in Zaragoza, Madrid for 20 minutes, and Cordoba along the way. In the opposite direction, trains will leave Malaga at 11:35.

The new service from the low-cost private rail operator will compete with Spanish state-owned rail operator Renfe’s existing premier AVE high-speed service, expanding the timetable while reducing ticket prices.

Iryo says that with trains departing daily, travellers can take in Barcelona’s Gaudí architecture and Malaga’s beautiful south coast beaches in one trip.

It adds that tickets for Iryo’s Barcelona-Madrid trains are already on sale and show significant savings for passengers wanting to travel between Catalonia and Andalusia. 

It says that the prices currently start from as little as EUR 24 (USD 26.45) for a single journey in December. It says that a direct train on similar dates with AVE currently costs about EUR 62.

The statement adds that AVE’s services take between six hours and six hours and 45 minutes, while Iryo’s will take five hours and 50 minutes.

The new service builds on a promising trend for sustainable travel in Spain and beyond, with low-cost rail operators bringing competition to the market. 

Along with companies like France’s Ouigo and Spain’s Avlo, Iryo is helping trains compete with budget flights. Return flights between the two cities in December are currently available for EUR 42 with Ryanair. However, these only include an under-seat bag, with a cabin bag charged at an additional EUR 6.60 or a large checked bag at EUR 21 each way.

Iryo’s basic fare includes ​​a small carry-on bag and a cabin suitcase and large suitcases can be added for EUR 5 each way.