France-Spain AVE
Renfe is progressively entering Europe offering International routes to France since June 2023. Travel on the International High-Speed service between Spain and France with Renfe!
I. Routes and Travel Times
Network
AVE trains between Spain & France on two main routes:
- Barcelona to/from Lyon via Girona, Figueras Vilafant, Perpignan, Narbonne, Béziers, Montpellier, Nîmes, Valence TGV
- Madrid to/from Barcelona via Guadalajara, Zaragoza, Camp Tarragona, and then to Marseille via Girona, Figueras Vilafant, Perpignan, Narbonne, Béziers, Montpellier, Nîmes, Avignon TGV, Aix-en-Provence TGV
These trains call at up to 10 stations in France and up to 7 stations in Spain.
| Route | Journey time |
|---|---|
| Lyon - Barcelona | 4h57 |
| Montpellier - Barcelona | 3h03 |
| Lyon - Figueras | 4h04 |
| Nîmes - Girona | 2h45 |
| Madrid-Barcelona | 2h30 |
| Barcelona-Marseille | 4h30 |
II. Onboard services
The rolling stock can travel at 300 km/h
- A single train consists of 8 carriages = 347 seats
- 2 Confort class carriages = 80 seats, including an area "Club Space" with an offer of 8 facing seats and the possibility to connect a computer on the screens
- 5 Standard carriages = 267 seats
- 2 spaces in coach #8 for wheelchair
- 1 bar carriage
Seats map available here
Confort class
• Access to RENFE Sala Club lounge for up to 2 hours before departure at all AVE stations except for Figueres. Travelers with a Promo fare do not have access to the lounge, even if they are in first class
• Large leather seats
• 3 seats per row, click here to see the seat configuration
Standard class
• Comfortable seats
• 4 seats per row, click here to see the seat configuration
Onboard services
• Screens showing films with audio channel
• Access to the bar car: Open for the duration of the journey. You will find a variety of food and refreshments to enjoy in the bar car: meals, hot & cold dishes, sandwiches, desserts, snacks and beverages. Click here to see the Menu for Individuals.
• FREE WiFi on board
Luggage Allowance
• Travellers are allowed up to 3 pieces of luggage.
• Bicycles can be transported in a folding bag (120cm x 90cm) by paying a supplement
• Travelling with pets : Pets must be under 10 kg and be placed in a travel container or bag that does not exceed 60 x 35 x 35 cm
III. Individual FareTypes
| Fare type | Conditions |
|---|---|
| Premium Adult/Child* | No specific condition, travel in ‘Confort’ |
| Elige Comfort Adult/Child* | No specific condition, travel in ‘Confort’ |
| Elige Adult/Child* | No specific condition, travel in ‘Estandar’ |
| Basico Adult/Child* | No specific condition, travel in ‘Estandar’ |
| Pass Adult/Child* | Holder of an Eurail / Interrail Global pass covering the whole route - Not available yet |
(*Child: Travellers 4-13 years old inclusive)
- For information on how to book on the Rail Europe Booking tool 'Easy Rail Access'; User Manual is available here
IV. Booking Horizon
These trains can be booked up to 183 days in advance
V. Ticketing Time Limits
30 minutes from booking time
VI. Exchange/Refund
- Cancellation fees may apply
- Exchange and refund policies vary depending on the type of fare purchased
- Refunds can only be performed in the issuing country, up to 60 days after departure date as long as the seat has been released before the train departure
VII. Specific to this train
- Ticket control will take place before boarding the train when you pass through the gates in France and the check-in desk in Spain.
- You can board the train up to 5 minutes before departure, however be aware that the queue to board the train could take a long time as every passenger need to go through individual gates in France
- In Spain, passenger will also have to go through a check-in procedure with ticket/IDs controle followed by a security controle, where all luggage will go through x-ray, similar to the airport.
- The platform number is announced at the station 20 minutes before departure.