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Taking the train from Madrid to Saint-Jean-de-Luz in 14 hours 33 minutes

Thinking about taking the train from Madrid to Saint-Jean-de-Luz? We’ve got you covered.

It usually takes around 14 hours 33 minutes to travel the 231 miles (371 km) from Madrid to Saint-Jean-de-Luz by train, although you can get there in as little as 14 hours 33 minutes on the fastest services. You’ll normally find around 1 train per day running on this route. You’ll need to make 2 changes along the way as there aren't any direct services on this line. You can travel on this route with either Renfe and SNCF trains. Both train companies run modern comfortable services with plenty of room for luggage.

Train tickets from Madrid to Saint-Jean-de-Luz are usually cheaper when you book in advance compared to buying them on the day. Start a search in our Journey Planner to check out the latest prices.

Keen to book your train tickets to Saint-Jean-de-Luz? No need to wait, start a search with us today! If you want to find out a bit more about the journey first, you can find our train timetable below, tips on booking cheap tickets and our FAQs, including first and last train times.

Madrid to Saint-Jean-de-Luz by train

First train

21:43

Last train

21:43

Departure station

Madrid

Arrival station

Saint-Jean-de-Luz

Journey time

From 14h 33m

Distance

231 miles (371 km)

Frequency

1 train per day

Changes

2 changes

Train and bus operators

ALSA, avanza_auto_res, Renfe, SNCF

Renfe, Trenhotel, SNCF and AV-City trains from Madrid to Saint-Jean-de-Luz

You can travel from Madrid to Saint-Jean-de-Luz on Renfe, Trenhotel, SNCF and AV-City trains. When you search for times and tickets, we might also show you some other options with multiple connections or operators if they’re available.

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.

PhotoSmiley.toerist, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0

The Trenhotel is Renfe's night train service, which serves national and international routes in Portugal. The trains offer three classes with different levels of comfort for the beds and seats – Turista (Second Class), Preferente (First Class) and Gran Confort or Gran Clase. There are six different Trenhotel routes – Galicia (Barcelona – Vigo), Rosalía de Castro (Barcelona – A Coruña), Rías Gallegas (Madrid – Pontevedra), Atlántico (Madrid – Ferrol), Lusitania (Madrid – Lisbon) and Surexpreso (Irun – Lisbon).

PhotoCtruongngoc, under licence CC BY-SA 3.0

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).

Designed to complement its AVE high-speed service, Renfe’s AV-City trains usually offer cheaper fares than the AVE. The trains have two comfort classes available – Turista (standard) and Turista Plus (wider, more comfortable seats and extra legroom). All trains have air conditioning and WiFi on board, and most also have a buffet carriage serving food and beverages.

Cheap train tickets from Madrid to Saint-Jean-de-Luz

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 Madrid to Saint-Jean-de-Luz 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 Madrid to Saint-Jean-de-Luz? 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 Madrid to Saint-Jean-de-Luz take?

The average journey time by train between Madrid and Saint-Jean-de-Luz is 14 hours and 33 minutes, with around 1 train 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 Madrid and Saint-Jean-de-Luz by train?

The fastest journey time by train from Madrid to Saint-Jean-de-Luz is 14 hours and 33 minutes.

Is there a direct train from Madrid to Saint-Jean-de-Luz?

No, there are no direct train services from Madrid to Saint-Jean-de-Luz. Travelling from Madrid to Saint-Jean-de-Luz by train will require a minimum of 2 changes.

What time does the first train from Madrid to Saint-Jean-de-Luz leave?

The first train from Madrid to Saint-Jean-de-Luz leaves at 21:43. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.

What time does the last train from Madrid to Saint-Jean-de-Luz leave?

The last train from Madrid to Saint-Jean-de-Luz leaves at 21:43. 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 Madrid and Saint-Jean-de-Luz by train?

Trains travelling from Madrid to Saint-Jean-de-Luz cover a distance of around 231 miles (371 km) during the journey.

Looking for more information?

If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Saint-Jean-de-Luz to Madrid.

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