How to take a train journey from Paris to Biarritz

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Paris to Biarritz by train

Taking the train from Paris to Biarritz is straightforward, and thanks to a recently extended high speed line, it's also likely to be faster than you may have presumed.

Though the lengthy distance from the French capital means that the trains are not particularly frequent.

Routes you can take to go from Paris to Biarritz

When travelling between most cities by train there is only one logical option, though on other journeys there is a choice between different trains or alternative routes. If different options are available you can use the info to decide which is best for you.

Choose one of the following options:

Looking for connections?

Journey guides for travel to Paris

Route Information

Station Guides

The exterior street view of Paris Montparnasse station - note the escalator heading up to the trains.

Paris Montparnasse Rail Station Guide

Biarritz Guide Coming soon...

Travel Time (approx)

4hr 8 min - 4hr 12min

Frequency

Daily

Travel Info

Mon-Thurs = 5 x trains
Friday = 7 x trains
Saturday = 4 x trains
Sunday = 6 x trains

Is the journey from Paris to Biarritz direct?
Yes, there is no need to make a connection when taking this route.

Is the journey scenic?
Not particularly, though more than 60% of the journey is on a high-speed line.

What other tourist locations are along the route from Paris to Biarritz?
Bordeaux and Dax and Bayonne

When is the usual approximate earliest arrival at Biarritz from Paris Montparnasse on this journey option?

Before 11:30 on Monday to Saturday
Before 14:30 on Sunday
Source = European Rail Timetable

When is the usual approximate latest departure from Paris Montparnasse to Biarritz on this journey option

After 16:00 on Monday to Wednesday
After 18:00 on Thursday and Sunday
Before 20:00 on Sunday
Source = European Rail Timetable

How easy is it to get to the station in Paris?
The Gare Montparnassse is served by four Metro lines including line 4 which provides a direct link from the Gare Du Nord and from the Gare de l'Est.
See the Station Guide above for more info, plus easy access to multiple options for booking somewhere to stay in the neighborhood.

Are tickets cheaper if booked in advance for the Paris to Biarritz trains?
Yes, and they can be purchased from a choice of booking agents - see below.
Click on the 'Good to know info' to access a guide to how rail tickets are managed in France, plus step-by-step guides on how to make a booking.

How soon ahead of travel are tickets typically placed on sale for the Paris to Biarritz trains?
Typically up to 6 months, but it varies according to when /if SNCF has a promotion in place; see the Ticket Information

What are the child ticket terms for this Paris to Biarritz trains?
The adult rate is charged for all travellers aged 12 and over.
Children aged 4-11 pay half fare

Does the ticket for the Paris to Biarritz train include assigned seats?
Yes - See the Train Guide in the Journey Information for insights on how to board the train.

Do rail pass users need to book reservations for the Paris to Biarritz train?
Yes - See the rail pass guide for France for info on the multiple booking options.

Is catering available on the Paris to Biarritz train on this journey option?
Yes, there is a bar/bistro car.
See the Train Guide in the Journey Information.

What else is good to know about French rail travel?
Check out the guide to travelling by train in France.

Travel Information

Note that these trains to Biarritz depart from the Gare-Montparnasse in Paris.

Final Destination: Hendaye or Irun

All Trains Also Call At: Bordeaux and Bayonne

This journey is an opportunity to experience the best of French high speed rail travel; you'll be travelling on the latest version of the TGV train on the newest high speed line in France.

These trains comprise the fastest ever Paris - Biarritz service because they use the full length of the new LGV Sud Europe Atlantique high speed line so are non-stop between Paris and Bordeaux.

This is a direct journey

You will be travelling on one of these trains...

A TGV Océane train has arrived in Toulouse

TGV InOui (Océane) Train Guide

Journey Features

Scenic - NoHigh Speed (partial journey)

Good to Know

Two TGV trains will usually be joined together for the part of the journey between Paris and Bordeaux, the coach number on your ticket will for a coach in the part of the train heading to Biarritz.

So don't be surprised to see a train, heading to a destination other than Hendaye/Irun and calling at Biarritz, departing at the same time AND from the same voie/platform/track as your train.

This will be the destination of the other TGV train that will be attached to the train heading to Hendaye/Irun, for the journey between Paris and Bordeaux.

This is an opportunity to experience the best of French high speed rail travel, you'll be travelling on the latest version of the TGV train on the newest high speed line in France.

It is a journey of two distinct parts.
Between Paris and Bordeaux the train will spend around 2hr 15mins travelling at more than 280 km/h on the extended high speed line

There isn't a high speed line between Bordeaux and Biarritz - and this part of the journey isn't particularly scenic either, don't expect coastal views.

The general guide to French rail travel Discover what's good to know about riding the trains, using the major stations, booking tickets and travelling with Eurail and InterRail passes

Tickets

Book early and save: Yes

Online bookings usually open: up to 6 months ahead of the travel date - but bookings can open sooner when SNCF is running a promotion.

When booking 2nd class tickets only one type of ticket will be available per departure, discounted 'Prems' tickets or 'Seconde' tickets; though the price of Seconde tickets are also typically cheaper when they are first placed on sale.
When booking 1st class tickets there will be a choice of Premiere tickets and Business Premiere tickets.

The two key T&Cs of booking Prems, Seconde, or Premiere tickets are:

Up until two days prior to departure, these types of tickets can be refunded for no additional charge (big tick), but a €15 fee will be payable for making a refund in the two days prior to departure.
It's also possible to exchange tickets to an alternative departure on the same journey, but you will have to pay any difference in price between the cost you paid and the cost at the time of the exchange.

Though if you book Business Premiere tickets, the key T&Cs are that tickets can be exchanged and refunded free of charge up to 30 minutes after departure, so if you get to the station just too late to miss the train you were originally booked on to, you won't lose out financially.

Seats will automatically be assigned when booking tickets for this journey.

Trains departing at different times can be cheaper than others leaving on the same day, so you may need to look through the day's departures to find the cheapest fares.

Expect to pay more for this journey between the beginning of June and mid-September, particularly if you will be travelling on a Friday or Saturday, as the most heavily discounted tickets inevitably sell out faster at times of particularly high demand.

Rail Pass Users:

If you will be travelling with an InterRail or Eurail pass, you will have to pay a reservation fee prior to boarding -more info is available on our guide to using rail passes in France.

The €10 rail pass reservations tend to sell out particularly quickly for this journey on Fridays-Sundays in the summer months.
However, there are no viable alternatives for avoiding these TGV trains on this route.

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