Renfe, the Spanish rail company, has announced that it will be launching its high-speed trains on the French market starting from July 13. The initial services will include Barcelona-Lyon routes, followed by Madrid-Marseille services on July 28. This move is considered a significant milestone for Renfe, with the company aiming to provide services to Paris by 2024.
Renfe will become the second foreign company to enter the French market since the opening up of competition for high-speed lines, following the Italian company Trenitalia in December 2021. Renfe’s AVE trains, which are the Spanish equivalent of the TGV, will make multiple stops in both Spain and France. The company plans to start selling tickets for these services on June 21.
In France, Renfe will serve several stations including Valence, Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, Nîmes, Montpellier, Béziers, Narbonne, and Perpignan. The company aims to offer affordable ticket prices, with the cheapest tickets starting from 9 euros for connections between French stations. For trips between Spain and Marseille or Lyon, the starting price will be 29 euros, while for trips between Spain and Narbonne or Montpellier, the starting price will be 19 euros.
Renfe’s short-term objective is to become a prominent operator in the French rail market and obtain the necessary safety certificate to expand its AVE operations to other corridors such as Lyon-Paris. The company also plans to establish new international connections and position itself as a public service provider in France.
Renfe had previously announced its intention to enter the French market before the summer and has conducted several test runs on the Barcelona-Lyon line to familiarize its drivers with the French network. Since December, SNCF has been the sole operator between France and Spain, as the partnership between SNCF and Renfe ended in anticipation of Renfe’s launch in the French market.
With Renfe’s entry into the French market, travelers can expect more options and competition in high-speed rail services, providing greater convenience and affordability for passengers.
How does Renfe plan to differentiate itself from other high-speed rail operators in the French market?
Renfe, the Spanish rail company, has announced its plans to launch high-speed trains on the French market starting from July 13. The initial services will include Barcelona-Lyon routes, followed by Madrid-Marseille services on July 28. Renfe’s AVE trains, which are the Spanish equivalent of the TGV, will make several stops in both Spain and France.
Renfe aims to provide services to Paris by 2024, marking a significant milestone for the company. It will become the second foreign company to enter the French market for high-speed lines after Trenitalia, the Italian company, entered in December 2021. Renfe plans to start selling tickets for these services on June 21.
In France, Renfe will serve multiple stations, including Valence, Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, Nîmes, Montpellier, Béziers, Narbonne, and Perpignan. The company intends to offer affordable ticket prices, ranging from 9 euros for connections between French stations to 29 euros for trips between Spain and Marseille or Lyon, and 19 euros for trips between Spain and Narbonne or Montpellier.
Renfe’s short-term objective is to establish itself as a prominent operator in the French rail market and obtain the necessary safety certificate to expand its AVE operations to other corridors, such as Lyon-Paris. The company also plans to create new international connections and position itself as a public service provider in France.
Renfe has conducted several test runs on the Barcelona-Lyon line to familiarize its drivers with the French network in preparation for its entry into the French market. Since December, the partnership between SNCF and Renfe ended, making SNCF the sole operator between France and Spain, until Renfe’s launch.
Overall, Renfe’s entry into the French market will bring more options and competition in high-speed rail services, providing greater convenience and affordability for passengers.
“Exciting news from Renfe! Looking forward to witnessing their high-speed trains connecting France and eventually reaching the iconic city of Paris.”