Trains from Aix-en-Provence to Santander
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Travel from Aix-en-Provence to Santander by train in 15 hours 15 minutes
If you want to know more about the journey from Aix-en-Provence to Santander by train, look no further!
The average journey time from Aix-en-Provence to Santander by train is 22 hours 22 minutes, although on the fastest services it can take just 15 hours 15 minutes. Around 3 trains per day travel the 464 miles (747 km) between these two destinations. You'll need to make 3 changes along the way to Santander. You're likely to be travelling with AVE, Renfe or SNCF to Santander. As the main train operators on this route, all offer plenty of space for luggage and comfortable seating as standard.
Book train tickets from Aix-en-Provence to Santander in advance instead of buying them on the day and you'll snap up the cheapest fares. You can check prices from Aix-en-Provence to Santander in our Journey Planner.
Ready to book? Start your search for cheap train tickets with us today. Keep reading for more information, including our timetable where you can view first and last train times, as well as tips on how to find cheap train tickets.
Aix-en-Provence to Santander by train
| First train | 07:10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Last train | 14:23 | |
| Departure station | Aix-en-Provence | |
| Arrival station | Santander | |
| Journey time | From 15h 15m | |
| Distance | 464 miles (747 km) | |
| Frequency | 3 trains per day | |
| Changes | 3 changes | |
| Train and bus operators |
TER, SNCF, Renfe and Avant trains from Aix-en-Provence to Santander
TER
SNCF
Renfe
Avant
TER (Transport Express Régional) trains are the regional service from SNCF that allow you to make trips to nearby towns and villages located within the same region. With 20 regions in France, TER trains are ideal for travelling to destinations not covered by high-speed services, although ticket prices vary between each region. TER trains have dedicated spaces for bicycles and allow animals on board. Not all TER trains include a First Class carriage.
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SNCF is the national train operator of France. It operates all domestic trains and routes across France, as well as international services to Spain and Germany. There are three different types of domestic trains that operate under the SNCF banner – TGV (high-speed, full-service trains that connect the major cities in France), Intercités (usually a more frequent stopping service, but with all the amenities), and TER (regional train services with basic onboard facilities).
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Renfe is the national train operator in Spain. It operates trains on the longest high-speed railway network in Europe, and the second-longest in the world. The country's major cities are linked up by the high-speed AVE and Avlo trains, while other long-distance routes are served by Altaria, Talgo, Alvia and Euromed trains. Renfe also operates cross-border services into neighbouring Portugal and France. Depending on which service you are travelling on, you'll usually find two classes on Renfe trains - Estándard (Standard Class) and Confort (First Class). Fare types range from the cheapest (but least flexible) Básico fare, to the more flexible Elige fares, to the Premium fare for seats in Confort carriages.
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Able to reach speeds of at 155 mph (250 km/h), Avant trains operate short and medium distance high-speed services. These trains are intended to cover journeys within the same autonomous community or in two neighbouring communities. For this reason, trains generally don’t offer catering services and travel less than 125 miles (200 km). They have two types of comfort classes – Turista (Second Class) and Preferente (First Class).
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AVE, TER, Avant and Alvia classes from Aix-en-Provence to Santander
Compare the different travel classes offered by AVE, TER, Avant and Alvia when travelling from Aix-en-Provence to Santander.
AVE
TER
Avant
Alvia
Estándar (Standard Class)
In AVE's Estándar Class, you'll enjoy comfortable fuss-free travel. With luggage storage and air-conditioning throughout, there's access to their bar/restaurant carriage serving drinks and snacks and seats are usually in a row of 2 or 4 around a table. On board, you'll enjoy:
- Free WiFi
- Seat reservation
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Entertainment portal
- Fold-down table
- Reading light
- Power sockets at each seat
- Catering at your seat
- Lounge access
- Larger tables
Confort (First Class)
Onboard AVE's Confort Class, you’ll enjoy all the amenities of Estándar Class as well as extra perks, such as complimentary food and drinks, free newspapers and more. Don't forget to enjoy access to Renfe's Club Rooms before your trip to kick it off in style. On board, you'll enjoy:
- Free WiFi
- Seat reservation
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Entertainment portal
- Fold-down table
- Reading light
- Power sockets at each seat
- Catering at your seat
- Lounge access
- Larger tables
Second Class
Most TER trains don't have First or Second Class so the services offered on board are the same for all passengers. Please note that WiFi is not available on TER trains at the moment.
- Luggage storage
- Fold-down table
Turista
In Avant's Turista Class, you'll find most seats arranged in airline-style pairs rather than around tables, air-conditioning, vending machines and accessible toilets.
- Vending machine
- Luggage storage
- Seat reservation
- Fold-down table
- Reading light
Estándar
Travel in Alvia's Estándar Class (Standard Class) and you'll enjoy many amenities, including air-conditioning, at-seat power sockets and footrests.
- Luggage storage
- Fold-down table
- Adjustable seats/footrests
- More legroom
Confort
Upgrade to Alvia's Confort Class (First Class) and enjoy comfier seats, more legroom, an at-seat catering service and access to Renfe's Club lounges.
- Luggage storage
- Fold-down table
- Adjustable seats/footrests
- More legroom
Onboard services on AVE, TER, Avant and Alvia
Discover more about the onboard services offered on trains from Aix-en-Provence to Santander.
AVE
TER
Avant
Alvia
With AVE, you can travel with up to 3 pieces of luggage that do not exceed 290 cm and 25 kg. In total, the maximum measurements of each piece of luggage are 85 x 55 x 35 cm. Musical instruments also count as hand luggage as long as they do not exceed the dimensions 30 x 120 x 38 cm and are stored in a case.
If you’d like to stretch your legs and grab a coffee during your journey, AVE trains have an onboard bar carriage serving drinks and snacks. If you’d prefer to stay in your seat, AVE staff sell food and drinks from a trolley that will pass through the train during the journey.
On AVE trains, you can take advantage of PlayRenfe – their free WiFi and entertainment service. Giving you access to exclusive content and fast connection speeds, PlayRenfe can be downloaded from the app store on your phone. Once you’re connected, you can access the PlayRenfe portal, where you’ll find exclusive live sport, news, films and TV series.
Children under 3 years old travel for free with AVE, as long as they do not occupy a seat and have their free child ticket. Children from 3 to 14 years old can take advantage of a 40% discount on ticket prices.
On all AVE trains, each passenger can take one bicycle or scooter on board, as long as it’s folded and carried inside a case. Also, the pedals must be removed and handlebars turned 90 degrees. Lastly, if the sum of the dimensions of the case is less than 180cm, it is considered as hand luggage. However, if it’s bigger, it will be considered as special luggage (max dimensions 120 x 90 x 40 cm).
With AVE, you can travel with a pet as long as it weighs no more than 10 kg and travels inside a cage or carrier (60 x 35 x 35 cm). Your pet must have their own pet ticket, unless you’re travelling with a Premium ticket, in which case the pet ticket is free. Guide and assistance dogs travel for free.
AVE offer a free assistance and care service for people with reduced mobility. To request the service, passengers should contact AVE directly.
There are no size limits for the luggage you take on board TER trains, so you can travel your way. However, you must be able to carry any luggage you bring unassisted, and it must fit into the dedicated luggage storage spaces on the train.
TER trains do not have any onboard catering facilities, so don't forget to pick up a snack at the station before you leave!
TER trains do not currently have WiFi available.
All children under 12 years old get 50% off the price of a TER ticket - input the age of your child when searching your journey and the discount will be applied automatically. Children under the age of 4 travel for free if they're sat on your lap throughout the journey.
On TER trains, it's free to take your bicycle on board. You can hang it up or store it in a dedicated bicycle area. There are a fixed number of spaces available on each train - they're first come, first served and can't be reserved.
Animals weighing less than 6kg must travel in an appropriate carrier (no larger than 45 x 30 x 25 cm), stored at your feet or on your lap. Tickets for small animals cost 7€. Animals weighing more than 6kg must wear a muzzle and be kept on a lead at all times. Tickets for larger animals cost 50% of the price of a second class ticket. Up to 2 animals or 2 carriers allowed per passenger. Guide dogs and assistance dogs travel free of charge on board all SNCF trains.
If you are disabled or have reduced mobility, you can reserve special assistance through 'Accès TER'. Someone can meet you at the station and accompany you to your train or TER bus, helping you to get around more easily.
With Avant, you can take up to 3 pieces of luggage, as long as they do not exceed 290 cm and 25 kg in total. On Avant trains, pushchairs and instruments smaller than 30 x 120 x 38 cm are also considered hand luggage.
If you’d like to stretch your legs, most Avant trains have a café carriage, and in case you’d prefer to stay in your seat, a mobile bar service.
Avant trains do not offer Wi-Fi, but you can watch the films or documentaries that are broadcast in each carriage.
Children up to 3 years old travel for free as long as they don’t occupy a seat, but they will need a free child ticket. Children between 3 and 14 years old have a 40% discount on the general price.
You can take your bike or skateboard if it is folded, travels inside a cover and is less than 180 cm in total. If the dimensions exceed 180 cm, it will be considered special luggage and must travel with the pedals removed, the handlebars turned 90 degrees and dimensions less than 120 x 90 x 40 cm.
Your pet can accompany you as long as it weighs less than 10 kg, travels with a pet ticket, doesn’t occupy a seat and is inside a carrier (max dimensions 60 x 35 x 35 cm). The ticket price is 25% of the standard ticket price, except in first class, which will be free.
Avant has an assistance service for people with reduced mobility or disabilities, to request it contact Avant directly.
On Alvia trains you can take up to three pieces of luggage on board, provided that they are less than 290cm long and weigh less than 25kg in total. Pushchairs and instruments smaller than 30 x 120 x 38 cm are also classed as hand luggage.
Most Alvia trains have an onboard café-bar, as well as an at-seat trolley service with a wide selection of food and drinks.
On board Alvia services, you can connect to PlayRenfe, a platform offering free WiFi and hours of entertainment.
Children under 4 travel free on Alvia services with a free child's ticket. Plus, passengers under 14 get a 40% discount on their chosen tariff.
With Alvia, folded bicycles that are less than 180cm long and are stored in a case count as hand luggage. If your bike is larger than this, it will count as special luggage and must be no larger than 120 x 90 x 40 cm - you must also detach the pedals and rotate the handlebars 90 degrees.
You can take your pet with you if they weigh less than 10kg, travel in a carrier no larger than 60 x 35 x 35 cm, and have a pet ticket. In Elige Confort a pet ticket is free, while in Básico a pet ticket costs 25% of the price of a ticket.
Alvia has an assistance service for passengers with reduced mobility or a disability. To arrange assistance, you can call (+34) 900 400 555 (international calling charges may apply).
Cheap train tickets from Aix-en-Provence to Santander
Book in advance
Most of the train companies across Europe release their tickets around three to six months in advance, many of which can be cheaper the earlier you book. If you know the dates you want to travel, you may be able to find some cheaper train tickets from Aix-en-Provence to Santander by booking early.§
Be flexible with your travel times
Many of the train services in Europe are also popular commuter services, lots of train companies increase ticket prices during “peak hours” (generally between 06:00 – 10:00 and 15:00 – 19:00 on weekdays). If you can, consider travelling outside of peak hours to find lower priced tickets.
Choose a slower or connecting train
On some of the busier routes, you might also have the option to take a slower or connecting train. It may take a little longer than some high-speed or direct services, but if you have a little extra time on your hands, you might find a cheaper fare. Plus, you'll have more time to enjoy the view of the countryside!
Look out for special deals
Take a look at our handy guides to find out when train operators release their special deals and offers to see if you can find cheap European train tickets for your journey.
For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.
Journey details
Want to know more about your journey from Aix-en-Provence to Santander? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
How long does the train from Aix-en-Provence to Santander take?
The average journey time by train between Aix-en-Provence and Santander is 22 hours and 22 minutes, with around 3 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.
What's the fastest journey time between Aix-en-Provence and Santander by train?
The fastest journey time by train from Aix-en-Provence to Santander is 15 hours and 15 minutes.
Is there a direct train from Aix-en-Provence to Santander?
No, there are no direct train services from Aix-en-Provence to Santander. Travelling from Aix-en-Provence to Santander by train will require a minimum of 3 changes.
What time does the first train from Aix-en-Provence to Santander leave?
The first train from Aix-en-Provence to Santander leaves at 07:10. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.
What time does the last train from Aix-en-Provence to Santander leave?
The last train from Aix-en-Provence to Santander leaves at 14:23. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.
What's the distance between Aix-en-Provence and Santander by train?
Trains travelling from Aix-en-Provence to Santander cover a distance of around 464 miles (747 km) during the journey.
Looking for more information?
If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Santander to Aix-en-Provence.