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Paris to Madrid by train
Taking an overnight train journey from Paris to Madrid isn't an option, but despite the distance, it's possible to travel between the two capital cites by high speed daytime trains in under 10 hours.
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Routes
From Paris Gare de Lyon/Paris Lyon to Madrid Atocha/Puerta De Atocha
Journey Summary
(from 9hr 41min)
Not Saturdays
Travel Information
Final Destination: Barcelone (Barcelona)
On departure the train heading to Barcelona will usually be attached in front of another train which will be terminating in Montpellier.
Therefore the coaches heading to Barcelona will usually be found towards the far end of the voie (platform/track).
So don't cut it too fine when boarding these trains, if you don't want to hurry, be at the Gare De Lyon at least 5 minutes before the train will be leaving.
1 x connection per day
Change trains in: Barcelona OR Girona
The only option for making a journey by train in a single day by train Paris to Madrid involves departing the French capital at 10:12 (departure times can be altered on certain dates).
But be aware that the end-to-end journeys that are timed to take around 9hr 40mins are dependent on making a 33min connection at Barcelona into the 17:25 train on to Madrid.
Note that this 17:25 departure isn't usually schedule to depart on Saturdays and neither is the following 18:25 departure.
And at Barcelona Sants station, the recommendation is to allow 15 mins to pass through the security checks, so that 33min transfer time won't allow much scope for the train from Paris to be delayed.
Though in the event of a delay, tickets for the Paris to Madrid journey can be transferred to later departures on from Barcelona.
When SMTJ was last at Barcelona Sants there were staff on the platform holding up signs for Madrid, so they could be approached by passengers who would then assist with the onward transfer.
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings usually open: 4 months ahead of the travel date
It's worth comparing prices across these agents when looking up this journey, though keep in mind that both RailEurope and Trainline will charge a booking fee on this route.
If the train doesn't arrive in Barcelona in time to make the booked connection (on the options with a journey time of around 9hr 40mins), you will be able to transfer ticket and reservations to a later departure at no charge, consult the train conductor to find out what steps you need to take.
If you don't want to gamble on making the usual 25 min connection between trains, then an option is to extend book separate tickets for the Paris to Barcelona and Barcelona to Madrid journeys, so that you spend around 90 minutes in Barcelona between trains.
Or look this journey up on Trainline, it tends to offer longer end-to-end journey times, particularly at weekends, but those options will allow more than an hour to make the transfer into the booked connection.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Oui.SNCF | * | |
| Trainline | * | |
| RailEurope (UK) | * | |
| RailEurope (UK) | * |
Train 1
Travelling On
Journey Features
This is a journey of three distinct parts.
1: Between the outskirts of Paris and Nimes the trains travel on the high speed line.
- From Nimes to Perpignan the trains follow the coast, but don't expect incredible seascapes, the sea is often just out of sight on the right, but you're more likely to see it from the upper deck
Though what makes the part of the journey between Sete and Perpignan unusual is that between these two towns there are often sea lagoons which can be seen from the left-hand side of the train, particularly south of Narbonne when the railway seems to skim across the surface of the water
As can be seen in the video, what's unusual and rather fabulous about this part of the journey, as the train leaves Narbonne behind, is that the 'sea' can be seen from both sides of the train.
3, Between Perpignan and Barcelona, the train reverts back to using a high speed line.
Train 2
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
These Ouigo trains take the same route as the Ave and avlo trains.
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