Paris to Hendaye / Hendaia by train

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For rail journeys between Paris and north-east Spain, the first stage is to take the TGV to Hendaye / Hendaia, where simple connections are available into local metro services on to Irun and San Sebastian -Connect in San Sebastian for Bilbao.

Routes you can take to go from Paris to Hendaye / Hendaia

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:

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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

The TGVs to Paris usually depart from this voie attached to the main station building

Hendaye Rail Station Guide

Travel Time (approx)

4hr 42min - 4hr 47min

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 Hendaye 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 Hendaye?
Bordeaux and Dax and Bayonne and Biarritz

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

After 11:45 on Monday to Saturday
After 14:45 on Sunday
Source = European Rail Timetable

When is the usual approximate latest departure from Paris Montparnasse to Hendaye 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 Hendaye 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 Hendaye trains?
Typically up to 4 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 Hendaye 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 Hendaye 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 Hendaye train?
Yes - See the rail pass guide for France for info on the multiple booking options.

Is catering available on the Paris to Hendaye 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 depart from the Gare-Montparnasse in Paris.

Final Destination: Hendaye or Irun

If you will be travelling to destinations in Spain south of Irun, including Bilbao and San Sebastian/Donastia then leave the train in Hendaye

There are 1 or 2 x local 'Euskoren' trains per hour fom Hendaye/Hendaia to San Sebastian/Donastia; separate tickets required and connections will be available in San Sebastian into trains on to Bilbao.

To reach Bilbao by the end of the day, you will need to take trains which are schedule to depart Paris before 13:00.
If the train will be heading to Irun, the interchange into the local trains is easier at Hendaye/Hendaia, so book to Hendaye/Hendaia and make the first connection there.

All Trains Also Call At: Bordeaux, Bayonne and Biarritz

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 be 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 Hendaye.

So don't be surprised to see a train, heading to a destination other than Hendaye/Irun, 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.

On to Madrid

Compared to travelling from Paris to Madrid by connecting in Barcelona, this routing is typically cheaper option for rail pass users and is usually available if the Paris to Barcelona train has sold out; though the train from Irun to Madrid can also sell out around national holidays and on summer Sundays in particular.

Take the daily TGV train from Paris Montparnasse to Hendaye which usually departs the French capital at 10:11 and arrives in Hendaye at 14:47; this train also typically departs Bordeaux at 12:20.
On exiting Hendaye station, walk across to the right to the Hendaia station used by Spanish local, metro-style, trains branded Euskotren, the trains depart every 30 mins and the journey to Irun station Irun Colon station will only take 4 mins, it's a two stop journey.
The walk to the main station in Irun will take around 7 to 12 mins. Turn right from the main Euskotren exit and follow the road which will soon curve to the right over railway bridge, on the other side of the bridge, go left towards the domed building and then go straight ahead to the left of it, the main statin in Irun will then be ahead on the left.;
An Alvia train to Madrid usually departs Irun daily at 16:17 and typically arrives in the Spanish capital at 22:03.

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 - Hendaye 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.

There isn't a high speed line between Bordeaux and Hendaye - and this part of the journey isn't particularly scenic either, though they are occasional glimpses of the Atlantic Coast, as the train nears the end of its journey.

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

The general guide to Spanish 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

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