Renfe-SNCF trains are high-speed trains running between Spain and France. Renfe-SNCF is a joint venture between the two train operating companies, Renfe (Spain) and SNCF (France) and you can buy your train tickets here with Trainline. Whether you’re going from France to Spain or vice versa, go high-speed and start your journey with us.
Renfe-SNCF route map
Renfe-SNCF trains provide high-speed connections between some of Spain and France’s most important destinations. That includes historical cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Marseille and of course, the city of light, Paris.
If you want smooth links between France and Spain, Renfe-SNCF could be just the ticket. Forget checking-in and waiting around at the airport terminal, simply book your tickets and hop on a Renfe-SNCF high-speed train and glide cross-country for either work, leisure or an equal dose of both.
Have a look at our route map and discover other amazing locations made accessible by Renfe-SNCF. Barcelona to Lyon takes just under 5h, which makes the journey from Barcelona to Marseille possible in 4h 17m. The France-Spain high-speed train can also whisk you from Madrid to Marseille in 7h 3m.
Renfe-SNCF tickets
Travelling with Renfe-SNCF couldn’t be easier, and their choice of train tickets means there’s a seat to suit all budgets.
Essential (Esencial)
This is Renfe-SNCF's equivalent of a Standard train ticket. These fares are usually the cheapest but are limited in their flexibility. If you need to amend or cancel your train ticket, there’s a fee involved of at least 50% of the value of the fare.
Flexi
If your travel plans are pencilled in rather than rubber-stamped, then a Renfe-SNCF Flexi train ticket could be what you’re looking for. They’re normally more expensive than Essential tickets, but they’re perfect if your plans change at the last minute. With a Flexi, you can cancel your ticket for free up to a day before the train departs. However, if you cancel during the last 24 hours before departure, the cancellation fee is at least 10% of the value of the fare.
Discounts
As if there weren’t already a ton of benefits of using the Renfe-SNCF High-speed train service, there are some great discounts and offers up for grabs. Check them out below!
- Children under the age of 4 can travel for free, and kids under the age of 14 are eligible for a 40% discount on both Essential or Flexi fares
- Youths between the ages of 14 and 25 get 25% off their Renfe-SNCF train tickets. To benefit from this discount, the ticket holder has to have one of the following; a Youth Card, Youth Card Go (IYTC), a Young European Card or a Tarjeta + Renfe Joven card.
Renfe-SNCF First Class
Travel from Spain to France, or the other way around, in comfort and style. If you’re wondering why you should upgrade from a Second Class (Turista) ticket to a First Class one, here are a few reasons you should make the switch.
In First Class (Preferente), you’ll enjoy more space to stretch out and make the most of your journey, whether that means grabbing some rest all the way through or getting some work done.
All seats in First Class are leather and can be adjusted to recline backwards. They all come equipped with an individual head-and footrest, reading lights, power sockets and a table suitable for dining and laptop use. First Class seats on Renfe-SNCF come only in rows of three, meaning there’s more legroom and space between the rows for walking about.
If you’re travelling in a group for an important meeting or conference, there’s also the option of reserving the onboard Club Space. To use this service, you do have to be in a group of exactly eight people, but it does give you the accessibility of connecting your PCs to the large screens provided as well as working in privacy.
And you don’t have to be onboard the train to start to reap the benefits of a First Class ticket. At most Spanish stations, your ticket grants you access to the Club Room/Lounge where you can recharge before your journey with complimentary drinks, internet access and international newspapers.
Find out more about travelling Renfe-SNCF First Class.
Renfe-SNCF routes
Renfe-SNCF routes are a great alternative for those wishing to skip waiting around in airport terminals. Fancy taking the train from Paris to Barcelona? Have at it! With stops along the way in major cities in Spain and France, the Renfe-SNCF train is also a flexible and cost-effective way of moving between these two neighbouring countries.
Renfe-SNCF trains
Depending on the journey you take, you’ll either travel on a Renfe or an SNCF-marked train. Although they’ll look different, both types of train cruise along at similar high-speeds and offer the same high standards of service, comfort and affordability.
AVE Serie 100 (S100)
AVE S100 trains mainly serve the routes from Lyon to Barcelona and from Marseille to Madrid and operate at a maximum speed of 124 - 186 mph (200 - 300 km/h). All trains come with power sockets at each seat, a dining car offering hot and cold food and beverages, as well as an at-seat dining service option.
All AVE S100 trains connecting France to Barcelona are also equipped with free WiFi and onboard screens showing plenty of movies and TV shows for which headsets are provided, making your train travel a breeze.
Each AVE S100 train comes with 8 carriages:
- 2 First Class (or Preferente) carriages
- 4 Second Class (or Turista) carriages
- 1 Club Space, suited to business travellers, families or groups travelling together. It features 8 seats facing one another, as well as four screens that can be connected to a computer
- 1 dining car
TGV INOUI Duplex
The TGV INOUI Duplex is one of Europe’s most iconic double-decker trains. Serving routes along the Paris to Barcelona line, these TGV trains typically whizz through Europe at speeds of 124 - 186 mph (200 - 300 km/h) and are a fantastic way to travel long distances.
They provide an almost identical onboard service as the S100, but the real jewel in the crown is the upper deck. All views from the TGV INOUI Duplex are great and being on the top level gives the sensation of floating through the stunning countryside towards your destination.
Each TGV INOUI Duplex train comes with 8 carriages:
- 3 First Class (or Preferente) carriages
- 4 Second Class (or Turista) carriages
- 1 dining car
Renfe-SNCF security checks
Travel documents
We recommend you have your ID card or passport handy for passport control. If you're European, your identity card is sufficient. If you're a non-European citizen, you'll need to travel with your passport.
Baggage checks
Baggage checks are carried out at all Spanish stations before boarding the train. Make sure you're ready to show your ticket when needed if there's a ticket inspector or member of staff.
Tickets
At All Spanish stations, your ticket and travel documents will be checked before boarding. At the French stations of Paris Gare de Lyon, Marseille St-Charles, Avignon TGV, Valence TGV and Aix-en-Provence TGV, tickets will be checked at the ticket gates on the platform. You'll simply need to scan your ticket's barcode for the gates to open and give you access to your train.
Renfe-SNCF destinations
Good to know
Travelling on a Renfe-SNCF route? Find out the answers to frequently asked questions before you set off.