Journey times between Malaga and Seville will be significantly reduced by the launch of a new high-speed rail service in February, it has been announced.

Spanish development minister Magdalena Alvarez revealed that the new AVE train will cut the trip from its current time of two hours and 30 minutes to just one hour and 55 minutes, Typically Spanish reports.

The improved journey time will provide Costa del Sol homeowners with easy access to one of Europe’s most vibrant cities, while people living in Seville can travel down to the south coast for a leisurely weekend or mid-week break.

According to the news provider, there will be a daily service of six trains running in each direction. The train currently travels via Cordoba, although a direct connection will be introduced at a later date.

The growth of the AVE train network has seen transport links in Spain improve “by leaps and bounds”, according to the European Rail Guide website, which praises the service’s “excellent customer service, punctuality and easy to understand fares”.