Travel
Basque Country by train — the 2026 eco-friendly travel guide
How to explore the Basque Country by train: TGV, TER, Euskotren, Renfe, Bilbao Metro, little tourist trains and car-free itinerary ideas. The green option.
The Basque Country — Euskal Herria, on both sides of the Franco-Spanish border — lends itself well to car-free travel: a rail network on the Spanish side (Euskotren, Renfe), a direct TGV from Paris and little tourist trains. Here is our guide to exploring the Basque Country by train.
The network at a glance
French side (Iparralde)
- TGV Paris–Bayonne–Biarritz–Saint-Jean-de-Luz–Hendaye — the main line
- TER Nive line: Bayonne–Cambo-les-Bains–Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
- Little tourist trains: La Rhune (Larrun), Artouste
Spanish side (Hegoalde)
- Renfe: national and regional lines
- Euskotren: lines E1 (Bilbao–San Sebastián/Donostia), E2 (‘Topo’, Lasarte-Oria–San Sebastián–Hendaye) and E4 (Bilbao–Bermeo)
- Bilbao Metro (Metro Bilbao): across the metropolitan area (stations designed by Norman Foster)
Crossing between France and Spain
- Hendaye station = TGV terminus + connection with the Euskotren (Topo), the only cross-border line
TGV Paris — Basque Country
Route: Paris-Montparnasse → Bordeaux → Dax → Bayonne → Biarritz → Saint-Jean-de-Luz → Hendaye
Journey time: just under 4 hrs for the fastest Paris–Bayonne services.
Tip for cheap tickets: book early, travel midweek and avoid July–August.
Getting around Iparralde by train
Bayonne ↔ Biarritz ↔ Saint-Jean-de-Luz ↔ Hendaye
SNCF TER regional trains link the towns along the coast.
Bayonne ↔ Cambo-les-Bains ↔ Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
The Nive line — it follows the Nive for most of its route, with stops including Ustaritz, Cambo-les-Bains, Itxassou, Bidarray and Ossès.
Getting around Hegoalde by train
Euskotren — the coastal ‘metro’
- E2 (Topo): Hendaye–San Sebastián in about 36 min
- E1: San Sebastián–Bilbao in about 2 hrs 30 mins, calling at Zarautz and Zumaia among other stops
There is no direct train from Hendaye to Bilbao: change at San Sebastián (Amara station).
Renfe — the main lines
Cercanías (suburban) and Media Distancia (medium-distance) services, plus long-distance connections from Bilbao, Vitoria-Gasteiz, San Sebastián and Pamplona (Iruñea).
Bilbao Metro
Three lines: L1 and L2 (Metro Bilbao), L3 (Euskotren). Stations by Norman Foster (the ‘fosteritos’).
- Airport: no metro or train; the Bizkaibus A3247 bus links the airport with the city centre
The little tourist trains
La Rhune train (Col de Saint-Ignace)
A rack railway dating from 1924 that climbs Labourd’s iconic summit (905 m) in about 35 minutes. See our complete La Rhune guide.
Artouste train (neighbouring Béarn)
In the Ossau valley. Billed as Europe’s highest narrow-gauge tourist railway (at nearly 2,000 m above sea level), it takes you towards Lake Artouste in about 55 min, after a ride up by cable car.
Funicular de Igueldo (San Sebastián)
In service since 1912. A 3-minute ride to the top of Monte Igueldo.
Combining trains and activities
A car-free day in Bilbao from Biarritz
- SNCF train Biarritz → Hendaye
- Euskotren Hendaye → San Sebastián (E2), then San Sebastián → Bilbao (E1)
- Old town, the Guggenheim, pintxos
- Train back
It makes for a long day: allow about 3 hrs on the train each way from Hendaye.
A car-free trip to San Sebastián from Bayonne
- Train Bayonne → Hendaye
- Euskotren Hendaye → San Sebastián (about 36 min)
- La Concha beach, pintxos in the Parte Vieja
- Monte Igueldo (funicular)
- Train back
The Camino de Santiago without a car
- TGV Paris → Bayonne
- TER Bayonne → Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port (Nive line)
- Set off on foot
See our guide to the Camino de Santiago (the Way of St James).
Useful apps
- SNCF Connect — French TGV and TER trains
- Renfe — Spanish trains
Frequently asked questions
Can you visit all seven provinces by train?
Not all of them: Soule (Zuberoa) has no railway station, so you’ll need a bus or a car.
Should I book the TGV in advance?
Yes, prices generally go up as the departure date approaches.
Is the Interrail pass valid?
Yes on SNCF and Renfe trains, but not on Euskotren (buy your tickets locally).
Can I travel overnight?
Yes: an Intercités de nuit sleeper train links Paris-Austerlitz with Bayonne on certain days (an extension of the Paris–Lourdes/Tarbes night train).
What’s the best France–Spain border crossing by train?
Hendaye ↔ Irun — the Santiago bridge over the Bidasoa links the two towns, and the Euskotren leaves from Hendaye station.
Useful links
- Bayonne (main TGV station)
- Hendaye (border)
- San Sebastián (Euskotren + Renfe)
- Bilbao (Metro + Renfe)
- 7-day Basque Country itinerary
Bide onean — Have a good trip.