Barcelona to Paris train with TGV INOUI

Riding in Style: 1,000 Km From Barcelona to Paris in Under 7 Hours!

Introduction

Did you know that there are multiple high-speed trains connecting Barcelona to Paris? Today, I'll take you along on this amazing journey, which crosses the border in a high-speed tunnel and skirts bodies of water (where you can spot flamingos!) before reaching its top speed of 320 km/h, the fastest in Europe.

Route Overview

Previously, trains were operated by Ellipsos, a joint venture between the Spanish and French national operators. This agreement ceased in 2022, and it is now SNCF, the French state railway company, which operates the service under its own flagship TGV InOui brand. The journey takes a combination of high-speed lines and slower main lines, allowing the train to travel 1,081 kilometers (672 miles) in only 6 hours and 46 minutes, thanks to reaching its top speed of 320 km/h! I opted for the morning departure at 09:28.

This particular Barcelona–Paris route is, as you may imagine, very popular, and this is only amplified by passengers using trains for only the domestic leg of the trip (especially between Paris and Nîmes or Montpellier). As such, the train will be full some days before departure. Reservations, as on all French high-speed trains, are compulsory.

Transportation Experience

Buy your train ticket on Omio as far in advance as you can. Bookings generally open 3 months prior to departure. High-speed trains in France require reservations and can easily sell out days or even weeks in advance, especially on popular routes such as this one.

Route Details

Departure & Arrival Stations

Like all long-distance trains, SNCF’s TGV InOui to Paris departs from Barcelona-Sants station. Before boarding, you must pass through a small security check (like at all Spanish high-speed stations), so definitely don’t rock up at the last minute. Sants is centrally located and has good transport connections to the rest of Barcelona via the metro, commuter trains, and many bus routes.

The train terminates at Gare de Lyon in Paris, which is also centrally located in the French capital. The station is linked to two metro lines, local train lines, and many buses.

Schedule & Frequency

Two trains run from Barcelona to Paris each day, including one at 09:28 and another at 16:25. There's also an extra departure on summer weekends at 15:20. Heading north from Barcelona, the morning option is 15 minutes quicker.

Onboard Experience & Services

For this trip, I traveled in First Class, and it was a very pleasant experience. I have to say this from the start: in theory, First Class on French trains didn’t mean much, as there was no improvement in service over Second Class, such as complimentary food or drinks. Despite this, it is a fantastic option, as it generally costs just a few euros more! The seats are in a 2+1 configuration and are extremely wide and comfortable. They recline electronically and come with a gigantic table on which you could probably fit two laptops! There are individual plug sockets (although no USB ports) and free Wi-Fi. Also, First Class tends to be much quieter, although near-silence anywhere except in the vestibules is the accepted norm on French trains.

The train also has a bistro, where you can buy very tasty hot meals, as well as cold meals, snacks, and drinks. It’s on the pricey side but well worth it! I had a delicious chicken baguette and a freshly brewed coffee, which cost €10.50.

Luggage isn’t strictly limited, but you must be able to carry and safely store it yourself in the large storage areas in every coach. The overhead racks are very small on these TGV sets, usually big enough for only a handbag or coat.

Ticketing Advice & Budget Breakdown

I highly recommend planning your trip far in advance, as prices are dynamic and increase based on demand and the season. The earlier you book, the emptier your train will be and the cheaper your fare! Unfortunately, this is due to the low number of trains and an extremely expensive route, but I managed to bag a First Class fare two weeks in advance for €129. Second Class, at €119, was not much cheaper. I have seen them as low as €69 before, though!

Top Tips & Personal Recommendations

• Book in advance: this train can and will sell out or cost over €150.
• Don’t arrive too early in Barcelona-Sants: 30-45 minutes will be fine.
• Sit on the upper deck for the best views…
• … but for peace and quiet, opt for the less crowded lower deck.
• Look out for flamingos on the lakes between Perpignan and Sète.

Conclusion

This is an impeccable journey. This train has one of the best First Class seats in Europe, perfect for working or relaxing. Sitting on the top deck really makes you enjoy every bit of it even more. The bistro is a great place to have a snack and “break” the long journey. All in all, it’s impossible not to recommend taking the train between Barcelona and Paris!

About the Author: Nonstop Eurotrip

• Job Title: Travel Creator
• Bio: I create YouTube trip reports and reviews on trains, planes, buses, and ferries within Europe—and all around the world—and also share blog posts and travel deals on my website.