Vigo-Guixar vs. Vigo-Urzáiz: Which Train Station Should You Use?

If you’re planning a trip to or from Vigo, you quickly run into a slightly annoying question: Vigo-Guixar or Vigo-Urzáiz – which station do you actually need?

Both stations serve Renfe trains, both say “Vigo” on your ticket, and both are in the city center area but in very different spots. Picking the wrong one can mean a stressed taxi dash across town or a missed train.

This guide walks you through the real-world differences between Vigo-Guixar and Vigo-Urzáiz: locations, destinations, train types, facilities, and how to read your ticket so you don’t show up at the wrong place. By the end, you’ll know exactly which station fits your trip and how to get there without confusion.

Quick Answer: How To Choose in 30 Seconds

If you only have a moment, use this rule of thumb:

Use Vigo-Urzáiz if you’re taking high-speed or long-distance trains (especially to Ourense, Madrid, or the rest of Spain) or modern AVE/Alvia-style services.
Use Vigo-Guixar if you’re on a regional/medium-distance train within Galicia or on the international Celta service to Porto (Portugal).

In practice:

You should choose Vigo-Urzáiz if:

Your ticket mentions “Vigo-Urzáiz” or a high-speed service (often labeled AVE / Alvia / Avant).
You care about easy access, modern facilities, and being connected to Vialia shopping center right above the platforms.

You should choose Vigo-Guixar if:

Your ticket says “Vigo-Guixar” or shows a Celta train to Portugal.
You’re on a conventional regional train and don’t mind a simpler, more functional station closer to the port.

When in doubt, always check the station name printed on your ticket or in the Renfe app. That’s the one you must go to.

Understanding Vigo’s Two Main Train Stations

Vigo isn’t a huge city, but it ended up with two central train stations because of how the rail network and high-speed line were developed.

Vigo-Urzáiz is the newer, modern underground station, built to handle the high-speed line toward Ourense and Madrid. Above it sits Vialia Estación de Vigo, a big commercial center with shops, restaurants, and services.
Vigo-Guixar is a surface-level station closer to the port and industrial area. It originally served as a temporary terminus while high-speed works were underway, and today it mainly handles regional/medium-distance trains and the Celta service to Portugal.

The key for you is this: they’re not interchangeable. Trains are scheduled to use one or the other, not both. So the right station isn’t about which one you prefer: it’s about where your specific train departs or arrives, plus how convenient that station is for where you’re staying in Vigo.

Location and Access: Which Station Is More Convenient?

Vigo-Guixar Location and Connections

Vigo-Guixar sits nearer the port and industrial docks, slightly downhill from the main commercial heart of Vigo. It’s closer to the waterfront and some residential neighborhoods but a bit less central if you want the main shops and hotels.

Walking-wise, it’s still very doable, but if you’re up in the historical or commercial center you’ll likely walk downhill to Guixar and uphill back. The immediate surroundings are more functional than picturesque, think warehouses, port-related activity, and some city streets rather than plazas and shopping.

For onward connections, you’ll usually rely on local buses or taxis rather than seamless intermodal links. It works fine, but it doesn’t feel like a polished transport hub.

Vigo-Urzáiz Location and Connections

Vigo-Urzáiz is more clearly positioned as the main passenger hub. It’s located closer to the commercial center and shopping streets, with the Vialia mall on top making it feel like a natural focal point.

From Urzáiz, you can walk easily to many hotels, shops, and restaurants. Because it’s a modern, planned interchange, you generally have better signage, buses, taxis, and services right outside. If you’re staying in central Vigo or want to explore the city right after your train, Urzáiz tends to be the more convenient arrival point.

Getting to Each Station by Foot, Bus, Taxi, and Car

On foot:

If your accommodation is closer to the waterfront or port area, walking to Vigo-Guixar may be slightly shorter.
If you’re near the city center, main shopping streets, or Vialia, Vigo-Urzáiz is more convenient and better integrated into pedestrian routes.

By bus:

Vigo has several urban bus lines serving both stations, but Urzáiz usually enjoys better, more frequent connections because it’s tied to Vialia and the main commercial area. If you’re coming from residential neighborhoods, check the EMT Vigo bus maps and look specifically for stops named after “Urzáiz” or “Guixar” so you don’t end up at the wrong one.

By taxi:

Taxis will happily take you to either. For most central hotels, the ride to Urzáiz is straightforward and often a touch quicker in normal traffic. From the waterfront or ferry terminals, Guixar is usually closer.

By car:

Both stations offer access roads and parking, but Vigo-Urzáiz/Vialia is designed with more modern car access in mind, including structured parking and clear signage. If you’re renting a car or being dropped off on a busy day, Urzáiz tends to be less confusing.

Destinations and Train Types From Each Station

Where You Can Go From Vigo-Guixar

From Vigo-Guixar, you typically find:

Regional and medium-distance (Media Distancia) trains within Galicia on classic tracks.
The international Celta service to Porto (Portugal), usually running a couple of times per day in each direction (schedules can vary seasonally, so always check).

These trains are ideal if you’re doing shorter hops within the region or heading across the border to Portugal without needing high-speed service.

Where You Can Go From Vigo-Urzáiz

From Vigo-Urzáiz, you mainly get:

High-speed and long-distance services (often branded Alvia, Avant, or AVE-style connections) toward Ourense and Madrid, with onward links to other parts of Spain.
Fast services to key Galician cities that are connected via the high-speed corridor.

These trains are the ones you pick if you want to cross Spain efficiently, connect to Madrid’s big stations and airport, or take advantage of shorter journey times to inland Galicia.

High-Speed vs. Regional Trains and What That Means for You

High-speed/long-distance trains (Urzáiz):

Usually faster, more comfortable, and you often need seat reservations.
Better if you have luggage, want a smoother ride, or have limited time.
Often slightly more expensive but save hours on long routes like Vigo–Madrid.

Regional/medium-distance trains (Guixar):

Slower, with more stops, but often cheaper.
Great for flexible, spontaneous travel within Galicia.
Ideal if you’re exploring small towns, doing day trips, or don’t care about shaving off every minute of travel time.

So, if you’re picking between Vigo-Guixar and Vigo-Urzáiz for a trip to, say, Madrid, the real choice is between speed and comfort (Urzáiz high-speed) vs. a theoretical regional route that’s slower and usually less practical for such long distances.

Station Facilities, Comfort, and Accessibility

What To Expect at Vigo-Guixar

Vigo-Guixar is functional and straightforward. You’ll usually find:

Basic ticket counters or machines for purchasing and collecting tickets.
A modest waiting area, some seating, and standard station amenities.
Limited shopping or food options compared with a major hub: think more practical than polished.

It works perfectly well if you’re catching a regional or Celta train, but you won’t plan to spend long here unless you have to. If you’re early, you may prefer to wait at a nearby café or explore the waterfront area rather than sit in the station itself.

What To Expect at Vigo-Urzáiz

Vigo-Urzáiz is more of a modern travel complex:

It’s located underground, with escalators and elevators up into Vialia Estación de Vigo, the large shopping and leisure center above.
You get plenty of shops, cafés, restaurants, and services, plus more comfortable waiting spaces.
Clear signage, better information screens, and a generally smoother passenger experience.

If you’re arriving early, traveling with family, or carrying heavy bags, Urzáiz is much more comfortable. You can grab food, browse shops, or just sit in a calmer, well-designed environment until your train boards.

Accessibility, Parking, and Services for Travelers

Both stations aim to be accessible, but Vigo-Urzáiz has the edge thanks to its newer design:

Elevators and escalators are built into the station layout at Urzáiz, making it easier for wheelchair users, strollers, or heavy luggage.
Parking is more extensive and structured at Urzáiz, with garage-style parking integrated into Vialia.
You’re more likely to find luggage-friendly routes, better lighting, and modern facilities there.

Vigo-Guixar does offer ramps and basic accessibility, but the overall experience is less seamless. If mobility or comfort is a priority, or if you’re coordinating with others (like meeting someone at a café before a train), Vigo-Urzáiz is usually the better choice.

Tickets, Schedules, and How To Avoid Confusion

Buying Tickets for Each Station (Online, App, and In Person)

You buy tickets for both Vigo-Guixar and Vigo-Urzáiz essentially the same way:

On the Renfe website.
Through the Renfe mobile app.
At ticket machines or counters at the station.

The crucial step is to pay attention to the station name when you select your train. On the site/app, departures will clearly say “Vigo-Guixar” or “Vigo-Urzáiz”. When you’re choosing between similar times, double-check you’re picking the right station for where you want to be in Vigo.

Reading Your Ticket So You Don’t Go to the Wrong Station

Many travelers get tripped up because their ticket simply says “Vigo” somewhere in the route description. Don’t rely on that. Instead, look for:

The departure station line, which should show “Vigo-Guixar” or “Vigo-Urzáiz” explicitly.
The arrival station, if you’re coming into Vigo, to know where you’ll end up.
Any train type code (Alvia, Avant, Celta, Media Distancia). High-speed names usually mean Urzáiz, Celta often means Guixar.

If you’re ever unsure, plug the train number into the Renfe app or website and confirm the station. A 10-second check can save a very stressful 10-minute taxi ride.

Schedule Patterns and Peak Travel Times

You’ll notice some patterns:

High-speed and long-distance trains to major cities cluster around morning and late afternoon/evening and leave from Vigo-Urzáiz.
Regional trains within Galicia and Celta services to Portugal often have fewer daily frequencies and run from Vigo-Guixar.

During weekends, holidays, and summer, trains can sell out or be very busy, especially high-speed ones. Book in advance when traveling to Madrid/Ourense from Urzáiz or on the Celta to Porto from Guixar.

If your schedule is tight, always allow a buffer to navigate the station, find your platform, and clear any security checks or ticket controls (more common on long-distance and high-speed services).

Example Itineraries: Which Station Is Best for Your Trip?

Traveling Within Galicia

If you’re bouncing between Galician cities and towns, you’ll likely mix both stations, but the pattern is:

For faster services along the high-speed corridor, you’ll leave from Vigo-Urzáiz.
For classic regional routes and some shorter hops, you’ll go from Vigo-Guixar.

Say you’re staying near the port and plan a day trip. If you see a convenient Media Distancia train from Guixar at a good time, it can be simpler to just walk downhill and catch it rather than trek up to Urzáiz.

Trips to Madrid, Barcelona, and the Rest of Spain

For Madrid and most long-distance connections across Spain, think almost automatically: Vigo-Urzáiz.

High-speed and long-distance services from Urzáiz link you to Ourense and Madrid, where you can connect to trains going further, to Barcelona, the Mediterranean coast, Andalusia, and beyond. These trains are built for longer journeys, with reserved seats, air conditioning, and comfortable interiors.

Trying to do these routes purely on regional trains from Guixar usually isn’t worth it. You’ll get longer journeys, more changes, and less comfort. Unless you have a very specific reason (like a scenic detour), you’re better off using Urzáiz and the high-speed network.

Cross-Border Trips to Portugal

For Portugal, especially Porto, you almost certainly want Vigo-Guixar.

The Celta international trains connecting Vigo and Porto generally depart and arrive at Vigo-Guixar, and they’re the simplest way to move between the two cities by rail.

A typical pattern:

You leave Vigo-Guixar, ride the Celta to Porto-Campanhã, and then either change to a local train or metro for central Porto.

Always double-check the latest timetable, because international services are the ones most likely to adjust for seasonal demand or infrastructure works. But as long as your ticket says Celta and Vigo-Guixar, that’s your station.

Conclusion

To decide between Vigo-Guixar vs. Vigo-Urzáiz, start with two questions: Where are you going, and what’s printed on your ticket?

If you’re on a high-speed or long-distance train within Spain, especially to Ourense or Madrid, you’ll almost certainly use Vigo-Urzáiz. It’s more central, more comfortable, and better connected.
If you’re on a regional train within Galicia or the Celta service to Portugal, you’ll most likely depart from Vigo-Guixar, closer to the port and more low-key.

Once you know your destination and train type, the choice becomes obvious. Just match it with the exact station name on your ticket, give yourself a bit of time to navigate, and you’ll have a smooth arrival or departure from Vigo, without any last-minute station scramble.