As Spain and Portugal prepare to co-host the FIFA World Cup in 2030 alongside Morocco, construction of a new high-speed train route is under way. The new route, linking the nation’s capitals, aims to be operational by 2030.

Madrid and Lisbon have not been linked by a direct train since 2020, when Spain’s state-owned rail company, Renfe, discontinued its overnight train-hotel service. The new train route will slash travel times from over 10 hours to just three. It has also received an official sign-off from the European Commission. 

"We’re working on a plan to strengthen high-speed connections between major European capitals - and Madrid–Lisbon is one of our top priorities," said EU Commissioner for Transport, Apostolos Tzitzikostas.

According to Portugal’s government, the train links are key to decarbonising transport and reducing flights between the capitals. That being said, the government is also planning a new airport in the Lisbon area to improve connections to the country. 

The first part of Portugal’s high-speed train line is due to be ready for its first journeys this year. The 62-mile line from Elvas to Evora will cut the journey time between Lisbon and Badajoz in western Spain from over three to under two hours. 

It will form part of a wider Iberian network and connect the Portuguese capital with Porto in around one hour and 15 minutes, less than half the time it currently takes.

According to Spanish news site El Español, the line is hoped to connect Madrid and Lisbon via Badajoz in six hours by 2027 and three hours by 2030 when the entire route is operational.

Before the cross-border trains can operate, various infrastructure issues must be addressed, according to La Información. This includes solving discrepancies in electrical voltages and signalling systems. On top of this, Renfe also needs to invest €15 million (£12.8 million) to adapt part of its rolling stock to Portuguese infrastructure. 

Due to the pandemic, Renfe stopped operating the Madrid-Lisbon Trenhotel Lusitania in May 2020 and never resumed the service.

According to The Man in Seat 61, Madrid Atocha to Lisbon Santa Apolonia is currently 458 miles by train via Badajoz and Entroncamento.