Madrid Puerta De Atocha

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

Travel Information

The only option for making a journey by train in a single day by train from Paris to Madrid involves departing the French capital at 10:14 (departure times can be altered on certain dates).

1 x connection per day

Change trains in: Barcelona

The TGV from Paris is typically scheduled to arrive in Barcelona at 16:54, but the end-to-end journey time of 10hr 1min and an arrival into Madrid at 20:15 is dependent on taking a more-basic, but still high speed Ouigo service and not a regular AVE train.
if you want to travel in the equivalents of 2nd class worth comparing the two services on the 'Trains Guides', but there is no equivalent of 1st class available on a Ouigo service

The Ouigo service will be typically scheduled to depart from Barcelona at 17:40 and the AVE service is scheduled to depart at 18:25, but not on Saturdays, when the first AVE departure after the arrival from Paris, wont be typically available until 19:00

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.

In the event of a missed connection:

The train operating companies on this route have signed up to the AJC; the relatively new ‘Agreement for Journey Continuation’ policy, which has also been introduced to protect travellers using international railway tickets.

In effect the AJC stipulates that no matter what type of ticket you have booked, or have been issued with, you can continue your DAYTIME journey by a different train to that specified on your ticket, in the event of a delay to a preceding train.

Meaning that the AJC can also offer protection if you are using separate tickets per train, which you purchased by making multiple bookings.
However, Ouigo services are not included within this AJC agreement, so if you book the end-to-end journey which involves taking the Ouigo service on from Barcelona and a delay to the train from Paris causes a missed connection, you will have to re-book tickets for the 20:45 departure.
In contrast, if you book tickets for the end-to-end journey by a combination of TGV + AVE trains, you can transfer tickets at no cost to the AVE departures at 19:00; 19:25 or 20:00.

Where to book
Ticket Provider Approximate Cost
SNCF Connect *

SNCF Connect Guide

SNCF is the national rail operator in France and not so long ago it recently simplified both the range of tickets and the term and conditions of using them.
Therefore the cheapest tickets also become more flexible too.

Other improvements included a simple integration of travelling with bicycles and rail pass users being able to book reservations for national journeys, without paying booking fees.

And it also recently launched SNCF Connect as replacement for its Oui.SNCF booking service.
You can set up a low price alert to let you know when the cheapest price is available for a future journey.

Something else to look out for is that simplest way of travelling with tickets is to use the SNCF Connect App, as booked tickets can therefore be stored on your mobile device, which can then be shown to the train conductors as proof of purchase.

SNCF Connect on Google Play

SNCF Connect in the App (Apple) store

SNCF also operates RailEurope, which is in effect a dedicated online booking service for making bookings from outside of Europe.
If you reside outside of Europe you may discover that SNCF Connect rejects phone numbers or card numbers, but RailEurope won't do so.
Though RailEurope will add booking fees when making a purchase

Trainline *

Trainline Guide

Rail Europe (UK) *
Rail Europe (UK) *

Journey Features

High Speed (partial journey)Coastal views

Good to Know

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.

Journey Description

This is a journey of three distinct parts.

1: Between the outskirts of Paris and Nimes the trains travel on the high speed line.

  1. 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 above, 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.

From the left of the train between Narbonne and Perpignan From the left of the train between Narbonne and Perpignan
From the left of the train between Narbonne and Perpignan From the left of the train between Narbonne and Perpignan
From the left of the train between Perpignan and Figueres From the left of the train between Perpignan and Figueres

Journey Features

High Speed (total journey)

Good to Know

Final Destination: Madrid-Atocha

Both the AVE and Ouigo services which the train from Paris connects into are non-stop to Madrid.

Comparison of AVE and Ouigo services:

  • 1st/Preferente/Comfort class; AVE = available; Ouigo = no
  • Catering: AVE = bar/bistro counter; Ouigo = none
  • Seat selection: AVE = Promo + ticket holders cannot choose seats (free for Flexible ticket holders); Ouigo = available with Plus tickets
  • On board entertainment: both AVE = free Wi-f and movies; Ouigo = none.

Luggage allowance on AVE trains:
Up to 3 pieces of hand luggage onto the train, provided that the sum of the three does not exceed 25 kg or 290 cm.
The maximum dimensions allowed are 85x55x35 cm
Though additional allowances cannot be purchased.

Luggage allowance on Ouigo trains:
Each ticket holder can either board with two pieces of hand luggage not exceeding 36 x 27 x 15 cm (height x width x depth) OR 1 piece hand luggage 36 x 27 x 15 cm (height x width x depth) + 1 piece of cabin luggage not exceeding 55 x 35 x 25 cm (height x width x depth).
So in essence this means 2 pieces of hand luggage per passenger OR 1 larger bag + 1 piece of hand luggage.
Though Plus tickets allow for double the luggage allowance.

Near Zaragoza the landscape which can be seen from both sides of the train has an other worldly quality Near Zaragoza the landscape which can be seen from both sides of the train has an other worldly quality
There are frequent distant view of mountains from both sides of the train There are frequent distant view of mountains from both sides of the train
This image captures the sense of speed amidst the landscape This image captures the sense of speed amidst the landscape
A typical distant view over the central Spanish plains from an AVE between Barcelona and Madrid A typical distant view over the central Spanish plains from an AVE between Barcelona and Madrid
Youu0027ll be travellng twice as fast as the traffic on the freeways - hence the cars and trucks become blurs Youu0027ll be travellng twice as fast as the traffic on the freeways - hence the cars and trucks become blurs

These Ouigo trains take the same route as the Ave and avlo trains.

Take the stress out of your journey Everything planned to your specification, so sit back and relax… Try Concierge
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