Renfe France: Spanish train tickets in France!
Renfe France, timetables, info and train travel prices
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Renfe
Travelling with Renfe France by train
It's entirely possible to travel with Renfe France to reach Spain or get around between several cities in the south of France. The Spanish rail company operates high-speed AVE trains connecting French cities such as Lyon, Montpellier or Marseille to Barcelona and Madrid.
These trains offer a fast, comfortable alternative to traditional trains, with direct journeys between France and Spain. They also serve several intermediate cities in the south of France, making it possible to complete certain domestic journeys such as Lyon – Montpellier or Nîmes – Perpignan.
With Tictactrip, you can easily compare Renfe tickets with other rail operators such as SNCF or Trenitalia to find the best journey at the best price.
Main Renfe lines between France and Spain
Renfe operates several high-speed connections linking France to Spain thanks to its modern AVE trains.
- Lyon Part-Dieu ↔ Barcelona Sants with stops at Valence TGV, Nîmes, Montpellier-Saint-Roch, Narbonne, Perpignan, Figueres Vilafant and Girona.
- Marseille Saint-Charles ↔ Madrid Puerta de Atocha via Montpellier, Nîmes, Narbonne, Perpignan and Barcelona.
These trains also allow you to travel between several French cities located on these routes, in particular between Montpellier, Nîmes, Narbonne or Perpignan.
Why choose a Renfe France train?
Renfe is now a genuine alternative for rail connections between France and Spain. AVE trains offer a fast and comfortable travel experience comparable to other European high-speed trains.
- Promotional tickets sometimes available from as little as €5 to €9 on certain routes in France
- Journeys to Spain often available from €19 to €29 when booking in advance
- Modern high-speed trains
- Direct connection between several major French cities and Barcelona
- Convenient alternative to flying for France – Spain journeys
On-board Services on Renfe AVE Trains
Renfe AVE trains offer several services to improve travellers' comfort during the journey.
| Service | Availability |
|---|---|
| Free WiFi | Yes |
| Power sockets | Yes |
| Bar car / catering | Yes |
| Work spaces | Depending on class |
| Luggage spaces | Yes |
Can you travel with a bike on Renfe trains?
Yes, bikes are accepted on Renfe trains under certain conditions. Folding bikes are generally accepted free of charge, while standard bikes may require a specific space reservation depending on availability.
Is WiFi available on board?
Yes, most Renfe AVE trains offer a free WiFi connection allowing you to work, watch videos or simply browse the internet during the journey.
The Main Cities Served by Renfe France
Renfe trains connect several major French and Spanish cities on the high-speed routes.
- Lyon
- Marseille
- Montpellier
- Nîmes
- Narbonne
- Perpignan
- Barcelona
- Madrid
Book a Renfe Ticket with Tictactrip
To book a Renfe France train, simply enter your departure station, your destination and your travel date on Tictactrip. Renfe trains will appear directly in the results with their timetables and fares.
You can then easily compare the different options available (train, bus or carpooling) and choose the fastest, cheapest or most eco-friendly route.
Whether you are travelling between Lyon and Barcelona, Marseille and Madrid or between two cities in the south of France such as Narbonne and Perpignan, Renfe trains are now a fast and comfortable solution for travelling between France and Spain.
History of the Renfe France company
Renfe France is the French subsidiary of the Spanish national rail operator Renfe. It fits into the context of the opening of the rail market to competition in France and Europe, in particular on the high-speed lines linking France and Spain.
Thanks to its AVE trains (Alta Velocidad Española), Renfe offers fast, comfortable international connections between several major French and Spanish cities, providing an alternative to the historic operators.
Key dates for Renfe and its development in France
- 1941: Creation of Renfe (Red Nacional de los Ferrocarriles Españoles) following the nationalisation of Spanish rail companies.
- 1992: Inauguration of the first AVE line between Madrid and Seville, marking the start of high speed in Spain.
- 2005: Reorganisation of the group, separating Renfe Operadora (operations) and Adif (infrastructure manager).
- 2023: Launch of Renfe's AVE trains on the French market, notably on the Marseille – Barcelona – Madrid route.
- 2024: Official structuring of the Renfe France subsidiary to sustainably develop operations in France.
Renfe in numbers (Renfe group)
- Millions of passengers carried every year in Spain and internationally.
- One of the most extensive high-speed (AVE) networks in Europe.
- National and international connections linking Spain to France.
- A major player in the liberalisation of European rail.
| Founded | First AVE line | Arrival in France | Train type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1941 | 1992 | 2023 | AVE (high speed) |
Today, Renfe France actively takes part in opening up the French rail market by offering international high-speed connections, notably between France and Spain. Its goal: to strengthen cross-border mobility and offer travellers more choice.
See also
