Both SNCF and RENFE have a couple of daily high-speed trains connecting Spain and France. They allow you to travel fast and comfortably between cities like Paris, Lyon, Valence, Montpellier, Marseille, Madrid and Barcelona. Although both railway companies offer different routes.

Train routes to Spain

SNCF TGV INOUI trains run on the following route between France and Spain:

Paris - Barcelona

RENFE AVE trains run on the following route between France and Spain:

Lyon – Barcelona
Marseille – Madrid

Use the Intercités de Nuit as an alternative route to Spain:

Both the night trains to Latour de Carol and Cerbère are good alternatives for the busy TGV route to Barcelona. The night train to Bayonne is a good alternative to reach San Sebastian and Bilbao via Hendaye.

Search for Paris to Latour de Carol in our timetable and find the local train to Barcelona on the Rodalies website (‘La Tor de Querol-Enveitg’).
Search for Paris to Cerbere and Cerbere to Barcelona in separate enquiries in our timetable. This train only runs daily during summer season.
Search for Paris to Hendaye in our timetable and find the local trains to San Sebastian and Bilbao on Euskotren* to Spain. RENFE trains to San Sebastian and Madrid depart from Irun, which is a 30 minute walk across the border or a 4 minute train ride by Euskotren.*

*Euskotren is not part of the Interrail network. Buy your tickets locally in Hendaye in vending machines or at the ticket desk.

Reservations

Reservations on SNCF TGV INOUI and RENFE AVE high-speed trains to Spain are compulsory. Your Pass needs to be valid in both France and Spain.

How to make reservations for SNCF TGV INOUI and RENFE AVE trains to Spain

You can make your reservations on the day of travel or for up to 6 months in advance for TGVs and up to a year in advance for AVEs.

Interrail reservation self-service system
- TGV Paris–Barcelona
- International RENFE AVE Lyon-Barcelona and Madrid-Marseille
Administration costs when booking through Interrail self-service
- € 2,- p.p. per train
- Additional € 9,- per order (for paper tickets)
On other platforms
- Rail Europe
  - TGV Paris–Barcelona
- Happyrail
  - RENFE AVE Barcelona-Lyon and Madrid-Marseille
Locally at the train station
- The international AVEs connecting Lyon and Marseille in France with Barcelona and Madrid in Spain can be booked at train stations in Spain.
- The international TGVs connecting Paris in France with Barcelona in Spain can be booked at train stations in France

An explanation of how each booking platform works can be found here.

Facilities and services

Added value to your trip

The SNCF TGV INOUI and RENFE AVE trains are comfortable and popular trains, offering spacious seats with power outlets and free WiFi. This is why reservation fees for these trains are higher than average.