Zaragoza is currently one of the most important cities in Spain, thanks to factors such as its
geographical location. This aspect provides the Aragonese capital with a commuter train service that connects different key points in the city and its metropolitan area.
This railway system is managed by Renfe Cercanías, in this case Cercanías Zaragoza, and has become a fundamental part of the daily travel of thousands of citizens , especially those who live in rural, disconnected or peripheral neighborhoods. Through accessible, safe and, above all, sustainable transport, the Cercanías Zaragoza train has become a trusted benchmark , both in the urban and environmental fields.
Therefore, in this article we are going to break down the main aspects of the Zaragoza commuter train service, among which we will highlight its routes, its main stations and the prices that govern the use of this public transport service.
ZARAGOZA COMMUTER TRAIN STATIONS ON LINE C1
The Zaragoza commuter line, or line C1, connects the west of the city with the east via 16.6 kilometres of track , located between Miraflores station, located in San José , and the rural neighbourhood of Casetas.
Line C1 is the only and first intercity commuter train line that exists in the city, and has a total of six stations assigned to a total journey time of 27 minutes, between Miraflores station and Casetas station. Below, we will break down each of the stations on the line,
Miraflores
Miraflores stands out among the suburban stations in Zaragoza for being a stop and terminal for all the regional train lines that run through Aragon. In 2014, the station received a total of 20,000 passengers, and became the least used station in the network.
This station is accessible via Ducado de Atenas Street and via Parque de la Granja next to the San José Municipal Sports Centre. It takes between 20 and 25 minutes to get to Casetas station.
Zaragoza-Goya
This Renfe Zaragoza station is located in the heart of the city and is a key part of its urban transport. The building has two entrances: the main one is located at the intersection of Gran Vía and Fernando El Católico; while the second is located on Avenida de Goya, on the east side.
This is one of the most used Renfe stations for travelling within Zaragoza, as the station is connected to the commercial and administrative centres of the city. It takes between 18 and 21 minutes to get to Casetas station.
Zaragoza – El Portillo
This location is close to the historic centre, key buildings such as the CaixaForum or the Aljafería palace and the important residential areas of the city.
It can be accessed via Escoriaza y Fabro Street, and via pedestrian walkways that connect the station with Anselmo Clavé Avenue (next to CaixaForum) and Escrivá de Balaguer. The journey takes between 15 and 19 minutes to Casetas station.
Zaragoza – Delights
Zaragoza – Delicias is the main station and hub of the Zaragoza railway network, where long-distance and AVE trains also operate through an intermodal transport model.
In addition to its commuter trains, long-distance trains and AVE, the station also has urban and intercity bus services , allowing users to continue their journey to other cities or regions in a comfortable and fast way. The journey time to Casetas station is between 10 and 13 minutes.
Utebo
Utebo station is located in one of the largest municipalities in the metropolitan area, and has a strategic position that places it close to Utebo Town Hall, the Torre Mudéjar, the swimming pools and establishments and supermarkets such as Alcampo. In addition, it is one of the busiest stations outside of Zaragoza capital.
The station is exited from Zaragoza via an overpass over the Castejón line built when the station was opened in 2008, which connects the two platforms. The station has several parking spaces a few metres away and is a 3- to 4-minute walk to Casetas.
Casetas
Like Utebo, this is a station serving expanding residential areas and industrial zones. The station serves a population of 7,300 in Casetas.
The station is accessible via a recently built overpass over the Madrid road. The station has several parking spaces, and the old railway terminal is located next to the new station.
ZARAGOZA COMMUTER TRAIN SCHEDULES
The schedules of Cercanías Zaragoza vary throughout the day, depending mainly on whether it is rush hour or off-peak hours. It is best to check the official Renfe Cercanías website to confirm the exact schedules for the day. However, here are some approximate schedules:
– The first trains usually leave around 06:00 from Miraflores to Casetas; and from 07:00 from Casetas to Miraflores.
– The last trains usually leave around 10:00 p.m. from Miraflores to Casetas; and from 10:30 p.m. from Casetas to Miraflores.
During peak hours (7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.) trains usually run every 15 to 30 minutes . During off-peak hours (daytime and nighttime), trains usually run every 30 to 60 minutes .
On weekends and holidays, the frequency of trains is usually lower than on weekdays, and each train usually has an interval of 60 minutes.
Prices of local trains in Zaragoza
The prices of tickets for local trains in Zaragoza are affordable for everyone. Thus, the price of a single ticket for a single journey is 1.80 euros. However, to use it, it is necessary to issue a Renfe card that costs 0.50 euros, which can be reused later.
On the other hand, Renfe has also made the “Cronos” system available to users on commuter trains for direct access and payment of single tickets with a bank card. In this way, passengers on these services can access a commuter train by simply placing the physical or virtual card on a mobile device without having to issue an additional card.
Bonuses and discounts
However, for those who frequently use local trains, there are several types of passes that are cheaper than buying single tickets. These include:
– Bonotren: this pass allows you to make 10 trips on local trains at a reduced price of 9.65 euros. However, they expire one month after the first validation.
– Monthly pass: ideal for users who need to use the train on a daily basis. Priced at 42.70 euros, it is valid for two trips per day.
– Unlimited pass: Another option for users of Zaragoza commuter trains is the unlimited pass, which costs 47.85 euros and allows several trips a day for a month.
– Discounts: Renfe Cercanías and Cercanías Zaragoza offer discounts for certain groups, such as students, senior citizens, large families and people with disabilities, making the service more accessible for different population groups.
Through this railway system, the Zaragoza commuter train offers a fast, economical and sustainable alternative for getting around the city, especially for those living in the neighbourhoods furthest from the urban centre.
Furthermore, their integration with other means of transport, such as long-distance trains and buses, makes Zaragoza’s commuter trains a benchmark for intermodality, facilitating both local journeys and medium- and long-distance trips.