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Travelling from Madrid to Biarritz by train
Looking to travel from Madrid to Biarritz by train? You've come to the right place!
On average, it takes around 11 hours 30 minutes to travel from Madrid to Biarritz by train, the fastest services can get you there in as little as 7 hours 52 minutes though. You'll usually find 4 trains per day running along the 238 miles (382 km) route between these two destinations. You’ll need to make 1 change during the journey to Biarritz, as there currently aren't any direct services on this route. You'll be travelling with TGV, AVE or Renfe on your way to Biarritz, as these are the main rail operators on this route.
Plan your trip ahead and book your train tickets in advance if you want to snap up the cheapest fares. Just start a search in our Journey Planner to view the latest prices for trains from Madrid to Biarritz.
If you’re feeling ready to book, start looking for cheap train tickets with us today. Keep reading for more information on the journey to Biarritz by train, including our timetable where you can view first and last train times.
What do people frequently ask about the train journey from Madrid to Biarritz?
Want to know more about your journey from Madrid to Biarritz? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
Can you take a train directly from Madrid to Biarritz?
How close is Madrid to Biarritz by train?
Which train companies operate from Madrid to Biarritz?
Is it possible to get from Madrid to Biarritz without flying?
What is the best way to travel from Madrid to Biarritz?
What time does the first train from Madrid to Biarritz leave?
What time does the last train from Madrid to Biarritz leave?
How often are trains from Madrid to Biarritz?
Do you need to book the train from Madrid to Biarritz in advance?
Can you buy return train tickets from Madrid to Biarritz?
AVE, Renfe, Avant and Alvia trains from Madrid to Biarritz
AVE
Renfe
Avant
Alvia
AVE is Renfe's flagship high-speed service, with trains capable of reaching up to 193 mph (310 km/h). It’s one of the fastest trains in Europe and connects the main cities of Spain. Most AVE trains offer two comfort classes – Estándard (Standard Class) and Confort (First Class equivalent, with 1-1 configuration, ultra-wide seats, gourmet food and drink and lounge access). All AVE trains have air conditioning, power sockets, free WiFi and a buffet carriage serving a selection of food and drinks. There are three fares for AVE services: the cheapest but least flexible Básico fare, the Elige fare (slightly pricier but more flexible), and the Premium fare for seats in Confort Class.
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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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Renfe's Alvia services combine high-speed tracks with lower speed sections, reaching speeds of up to 155 mph (250 km/h) on international lines and 125 mph (200 km/h) on conventional lines. These trains connect the cities of Madrid, Barcelona and Alicante with the other main Spanish cities. Alvia offers two types of classes – Turista (Second Class) and Preferente (First Class). The latter has wider seats, carriages with fewer seats, offers complimentary food and drinks, free newspapers, and access to parking and Club meeting rooms.
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What TGV INOUI, AVE, TER and Avant classes are there from Madrid to Biarritz?
Compare the different travel classes offered by TGV INOUI, AVE, TER and Avant when travelling from Madrid to Biarritz.
TGV INOUI
AVE
TER
Avant
Second Class
In Second Class, TGV INOUI allows you to travel comfortably while enjoying the onboard services, such as free WiFi, power sockets and more.
- Free WiFi
- Adjustable seats/footrests
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Power sockets
- Fold-down table
- Luggage storage
- Reading light
- More legroom
- Quiet area
First Class
Want to travel in style? Upgrade to First Class and you’ll enjoy all the benefits of Second Class as well as some additional perks.
- Free WiFi
- Adjustable seats/footrests
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Power sockets
- Fold-down table
- Luggage storage
- Reading light
- More legroom
- Quiet area
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
What are the onboard services on TGV INOUI, AVE, TER and Avant?
Discover more about the onboard services offered on trains from Madrid to Biarritz.
TGV INOUI
AVE
TER
Avant
What luggage limits are there? | On board TGV INOUI trains, you can take up to 2 pieces of luggage measuring no more than 70 x 90 x 50 cm, plus one hand luggage measuring no more than 40 x 30 x 15 cm. If you are bringing an XL baggage (maximum 90 x 130 cm), it will replace one of the two 70 x 90 x 50 cm pieces of luggage authorised. All your luggage must be labelled before entering the train. |
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What food and drink is available? | All TGV INOUI trains are equipped with a café-bar carriage offering a range of food and drink to suit you at any time of day. The Bar is always situated in carriage 4 or 14 of the train. There's a range of local and responsibly sourced products on offer to whet your appetite. |
What onboard entertainment is available? | TGV INOUI trains have free WiFi on board for you to use throughout your journey, allowing you to stay connected, reply to emails or even relax and enjoy what's offered on the TGV INOUI entertainment portal. |
What facilities are there for travel with children? | Children under 12 can get a half price ticket on TGV INOUI trains. Children under 4 travel free when they travel on your lap. |
Can I bring a bike on board? | If you've got a foldable bicycle, you can take it on the train as hand luggage, so long as it's no larger than 130 x 90 cm once folded. Or, if you can dismantle your bike, you can transport it in a cover or case no larger than 130 x 90 cm. You can still travel with a bike that cannot be folded or dismantled - you'll need to reserve a bike space on the train when you buy your ticket. Bike tickets cost €10 per bike, per journey. |
Can I bring pets on board? | Small pets are allowed on board TGV INOUI trains provided they weigh less than 10kg. They must travel in a carrier no larger than 45 x 30 x 25 cm. Tickets for small pets cost €7. Larger dogs can also travel on TGV INOUI services, provided they are wearing a muzzle and are kept on a lead. Tickets for larger dogs cost €20. Guide dogs and assistance dogs travel free of charge on all SNCF trains. |
What special assistance is available? | For disabled passengers or those with reduced mobility, you can request assistance through 'Accès Plus'. With this service, a member of staff will meet you at the station and help you get to your seat on the train. To book assistance, contact Accès Plus after you book your tickets (and no later than 48 hours before your train is due to depart). |
What luggage limits are there? | 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. |
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What food and drink is available? | 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. |
What onboard entertainment is available? | 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. |
What facilities are there for travel with children? | 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. |
Can I bring a bike on board? | 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). |
Can I bring pets on board? | 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. |
What special assistance is available? | AVE offer a free assistance and care service for people with reduced mobility. To request the service, passengers should contact AVE directly. |
What luggage limits are there? | 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. |
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What food and drink is available? | TER trains do not have any onboard catering facilities, so don't forget to pick up a snack at the station before you leave! |
What onboard entertainment is available? | TER trains do not currently have WiFi available. |
What facilities are there for travel with children? | 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. |
Can I bring a bike on board? | 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. |
Can I bring pets on board? | 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. |
What special assistance is available? | 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. |
What luggage limits are there? | 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. |
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What food and drink is available? | 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. |
What onboard entertainment is available? | Avant trains do not offer Wi-Fi, but you can watch the films or documentaries that are broadcast in each carriage. |
What facilities are there for travel with children? | 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. |
Can I bring a bike on board? | 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. |
Can I bring pets on board? | 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. |
What special assistance is available? | Avant has an assistance service for people with reduced mobility or disabilities, to request it contact Avant directly. |
How do I find cheap train tickets from Madrid to Biarritz?
If you’re planning a trip to Europe soon, our Trainline team of experts have put together some tips to help you find cheap tickets. Booking on the day in Europe is usually more expensive and costs can vary depending on the time of day, route or travel class.
1. Book in advance
2. Be flexible with your travel times
3. Buy a rail pass
4. Choose a slower or connecting train
5. Look out for train ticket sales and discounts
6. Take a night train
For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.