This summer, Spanish train operator Renfe will introduce a new high-speed service connecting 17 cities across Europe in just three hours. The new route aims to improve travel connections, linking vibrant cities quickly and efficiently.
Renfe expands beyond Spain with this ambitious project, reaching southern France. A high-speed train will now run between Barcelona in Spain and Toulouse in France, making travel between the two cities fast and easy.
Along the way, passengers can stop at several picturesque cities, including Girona, Figueres, Perpignan, and Carcassonne. The new service will also connect key Spanish cities, such as Madrid, Zaragoza, Tarragona, Valencia, Lleida, and Castellón.
Safety Approval and Launch Timeline
Renfe is currently awaiting approval from the European Union Railway Agency to ensure the service meets safety standards. Once cleared, Renfe will begin staff training and finalize schedules. The company plans to run six daily trips, with three trains in each direction, between April and September. However, if demand is high, Renfe may extend operations. Each journey will take around three and a half hours.
This new route follows Renfe’s success in 2023, when it launched services to Marseille and Lyon, connecting cities such as Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, and Montpellier. The operator is also working closely with French rail services to improve connections for passengers.
Renfe’s French routes have seen high demand, with trains reaching 80% capacity last year. Customers appreciate the affordable fares and quality service Renfe offers.
Expanding European Rail Connections
Meanwhile, the UK is also working on expanding its rail network to Europe. Plans are underway to introduce new routes to seven cities in Germany, Switzerland, France, and Italy. These routes aim to make train travel a fast, eco-friendly alternative to flying.
London’s St Pancras International station is set to accommodate up to 5,000 passengers per hour, with a focus on sustainability. New services will connect cities such as Marseille, Bordeaux, Cologne, Frankfurt, Zurich, Geneva, and Milan, with trips taking under six hours.
While Eurostar currently dominates the UK-Europe rail market, Virgin and Evolyn are introducing new services to challenge that dominance. These new services promise faster, greener travel across the continent, meeting the growing demand for more convenient and eco-friendly travel options.
The expansion of train networks in Spain and the UK is part of a broader trend toward quicker, more sustainable travel across Europe. These new services will provide passengers with more travel options and connect cities like never before.
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