Renfe will launch a new high-speed direct train between Toulouse and Barcelona in April 2025

Written by Tolt

Published on October 7, 2024

Good news for train travel enthusiasts! Starting in April 2025, the Spanish railway company Renfe will launch a new high-speed line connecting Toulouse to Barcelona in just 3h30. Here’s everything you need to know about this new connection between France and Spain, which will offer a great alternative to driving or flying.

What is Renfe?

Renfe, the Spanish national railway company, is a key player in European transportation. Between 2013 and 2022, the company offered rail services between France and Spain in collaboration with the French national company under the commercial name Renfe-SNCF en Coopération. However, due to profitability issues and deteriorating relations between SNCF Voyageurs and Renfe, the alliance was dissolved in December 2022.

What international routes does Renfe operate between Spain and France?

Since 2023, Renfe has been operating several high-speed lines between France and Spain, facilitating cross-border travel:

• Lyon-Barcelona: This line connects Lyon Part-Dieu to Barcelona Sants, with stops in Montpellier, Perpignan, and other intermediate cities. The complete journey takes about 5 hours.
• Marseille-Madrid: The line from Marseille-Saint-Charles to Madrid connects cities like Montpellier, Nîmes, Perpignan, and Barcelona, with a journey time of around 7 hours.

What is the new Toulouse-Barcelona line by Renfe?

The new high-speed Toulouse-Barcelona line, operated by Renfe, will be launched in the second quarter of 2025. This AVE train will take approximately 3h30 to connect the two cities, with stops in Carcassonne, Perpignan, Figueres, and Girona. Initially, this connection is expected to be seasonal, from early April to mid-September, but could be extended to year-round operation depending on demand, especially from business travelers.

Renfe plans to operate three round trips daily on this route, totaling six trains per day. Tickets are not yet on sale, but prices are expected to start at affordable rates, in line with Renfe's current pricing policies for international lines, especially as new entrants on the French rail network benefit from reductions in track fees.

When can tickets be booked?

Ticket sales are expected to open a few months before the line launches, likely in early 2025. Renfe is expected to offer a range of fares suitable for all types of travelers, whether for economy tickets or business class for enhanced comfort.

Opening up to competition: a new step

This launch also marks a new phase of competition in the rail sector, particularly on cross-border routes between France and Spain. Renfe aims to attract not only French travelers but also international tourists looking for low-carbon transport options.

Why is this line important for decarbonizing our mobility?

By choosing to operate this line, Renfe cleverly avoids competing with the historic operator since, to date, SNCF Voyageurs does not offer a direct connection between Toulouse and Barcelona. This is great news for users in the Occitanie region!