Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

In 2026, the Train de la Rhune will be open daily from March 28 to November 1.

During the low season:
– The ticket office is open from 9:00 AM to 4:10 PM.
– There are 5 departures each day: 9:30 AM, 10:50 AM, 12:10 PM*, 2:10 PM, and 3:30 PM.
*With the 12:10 PM departure, the stop at the summit lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Check the timetable here.

Additional departures may be added daily depending on demand. To see availability on a specific day, visit View Today’s Availability or go to the Buy Tickets section and select your desired date. The available departure times for that date will then be displayed.

*During the high season, from July 6 to August 30:
– The ticket office is open from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
– Trains depart every 40 minutes from 8:50 AM to 5:30 PM.
*An extra departure at 8:20 AM is added only from July 27 to August 30.

Each excursion lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes and follows this schedule:

• Ascent: 35 minutes
• Stop at the summit: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Descent: 35 minutes

It is not possible to stay longer at the summit, except during the low season with the special 12:10 PM departure, when the stop at the summit lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes.

The Rhune massif is a Natura 2000 site (a European biodiversity conservation label) that must be protected from over-visitation. Limiting the time at the summit to 1 hour 20 minutes helps us manage visitor flows and allows as many people as possible to enjoy this Basque treasure.

To plan your excursion efficiently, you can find all the information you need in the Practical Information section.

We do not offer reduced fares for the individuals mentioned above.

• Children aged 0 to 3 years travel for free. However, a €0.00 ticket must still be issued for them.
• Children aged 4 to 12 years pay €18.00 for a round-trip ticket.

There are 3 types of tickets:

• Classic Journey: Includes a round-trip train ride and a stop at the summit.
• Privilege Journey: Includes a round-trip train ride plus a guided experience on board, covering history, wildlife, and flora, and a guided tour at the summit revealing local smuggling secrets with a local guide.
• Descent Ticket: Includes only the return from the summit to the Col de Saint Ignace station. It is sold only at the summit, depending on availability, for people who walked up and cannot walk down. A seat cannot be guaranteed.

There is no one-way ticket for the ascent.

The group rate applies to groups of more than 20 people: €21.50 per adult and €12.50 per child for a round-trip ticket. The driver and guide travel for free.

During the high season (July 6 to August 30), the group rate applies only to the first train departures (depending on the selected date).

Group reservations are mandatory and can only be made by email at: train.rhune@epsa.fr

If you cannot find the answer to your question on our website, please contact us via our form and select the subject of your request.

If you already have your tickets, we recommend arriving 30 minutes before your departure time. Please allow enough time to park your vehicle and access the ticket control area.

If you do not have tickets, we suggest checking the day’s availability on our website first. Depending on crowd levels, you may need to wait in line to purchase tickets, and we cannot guarantee availability for your preferred departure time.

You have several options for buying your tickets:

• Online: Via our website under the Buy Tickets section. Payment online is accepted only by credit card or e-vouchers and can be made up to 1 hour before the train departure.
• At the ticket office: A few days in advance, during pre-sale.
• On the day of your visit: Depending on availability. In this case, we recommend checking today’s availability on our website to see the number of seats available for each train departure in real time.

Please note: Reservations by phone or email are not possible.

We accept paper Chèques Vacances for purchases directly at the ticket office. You can come a few days in advance for pre-sale tickets or on the day of your visit, depending on availability. In that case, we recommend checking today’s availability on our website to see in real time the number of seats available for each train departure.

Payment with Chèques Vacances Connect is only possible on our website.

It is not necessary to present paper tickets. You can download them to your phone or take a photo/screenshot. The QR code, shown with the date and departure time, must be clearly readable for our ticket inspectors.

You can travel with your baby. The ticket is free, but a €0.00 ticket must still be issued. We recommend using a baby carrier rather than a stroller. If you use a stroller, it must be foldable and stored in the designated compartment. At the summit, there is a steep ramp and the path has rocks and grassy areas.

Tickets are non-exchangeable and non-refundable, except under certain conditions and with valid supporting documents (e.g., illness, car breakdown), which will be reviewed for refund eligibility.

As a public institution, the Train de la Rhune operates under a public finance officer. We may reschedule or refund tickets if train departures are canceled due to extreme weather on the order of the prefecture (thunderstorms, strong winds, hail). Rain and clouds do not prevent trains from running.

An ID card is not required to board the train. However, if our ticket inspectors have doubts about a child’s age, they may ask for identification to verify eligibility for reduced fares.

There are two parking lots near the station, which can fill up quickly during busy periods. During school holidays or on sunny days, you may need to park along the departmental road and walk to the departure station. Please allow enough time to park. During busy periods, we recommend arriving at least 30 minutes before your departure time.

To avoid parking difficulties, we recommend reaching the train departure station by bus. Lines 44 and 45 of the Txik Txak network, departing from Bayonne and Saint-Jean-de-Luz, are excellent options. More information is available here :   + d'infos juste ici.

You can also park at the free Chantaco parking in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, or in the villages of Sare or Ascain, and take bus line 45 to Col de Saint Ignace.

Two bus lines serve the Train de la Rhune departure station:

• Line 44 – departs from Bayonne
• Line 45 – departs from Saint-Jean-de-Luz

The corresponding stop is “Col de Saint Ignace”, located directly in front of the Train de la Rhune station. Please take your return time into account: add 40 minutes to the return time indicated on your ticket for the descent. Also, make sure buses are still running when you arrive at the bottom station at Col de Saint Ignace. Bus schedules are available here :  juste ici.

It is now possible to reach the Train de la Rhune station by bicycle from Saint-Jean-de-Luz via a safe route (cycle path from Saint-Jean to Ascain, then greenway from Ascain to Saint Ignace). A small section near Ascain requires caution, especially with children.

Take advantage of the free Chantaco parking as a starting point. Bicycles are not allowed on board the train, but there is a bike parking area at the station.

Wheelchair access is possible; however, the wheelchair must be foldable to fit on the train platform. The passenger must be able to board independently or with assistance. There are two steps of about 20 cm to enter the train, and the ramp at the summit of La Rhune is quite steep and requires assistance.

More information is available here :  en cliquant ici 

The departure station is accessible by camper van. The departmental road from Ascain or Sare to Col de Saint Ignace is wide and well-maintained. Upon arrival, there are two parking lots where you can park your camper van during the excursion. Overnight stays are not allowed. Campsites and designated parking areas are available in nearby villages.

If you already have tickets, we recommend arriving 30 minutes before departure to allow time to park and access the ticket control area.

If you do not have tickets, check today’s availability on our website. Depending on crowd levels, you may need to wait in line to purchase tickets, and availability is not guaranteed for your preferred departure time.

• At the lower station: There are two snack bars (Le Pullman and Seminario) near the train station and one restaurant (Le Restaurant des 3 Fontaines) behind the parking lot.
• At the summit: There are three “ventas” (Spanish cafés/restaurants/snacks) serving tapas, sandwiches, tortillas, etc.

These establishments are independently owned and not operated by the Train de la Rhune.

Picnic area: At the departure station, Col de Saint Ignace, there is a shaded park where you can picnic. Please be respectful and take all your trash with you. Recycling bins are available.

At the departure station, Col de Saint Ignace, there is a shaded park where you can enjoy a picnic. Please be respectful and take all your trash with you. Recycling bins are provided

Dogs are welcome on the Train de la Rhune. They must travel under the seat, between your legs, so as not to disturb other passengers. Space is limited, so please keep a close eye on your dog, especially at the summit of La Rhune, a Natura 2000 protected site with herds of sheep and pottok ponies. The round-trip fare for dogs is €6.50.

Bicycles are not allowed on board the train.

Yes, you keep the same seats for both the outbound and return trips. If you sit facing forward on the way up, you will be facing backward on the return.

The weather in the Basque Country can be unpredictable, especially in the mountains.

• Low season: Book the day before or purchase your tickets on the day for reliable weather forecasts.
• High season (July/August): Book 2 to 3 days in advance to ensure seats and favorable weather.

These recommendations are indicative; crowd levels may vary. You can check the weather on the site of Météo France.

At the summit, you have 1 hour 20 minutes of free time to enjoy the mountain, the local animals, and the panoramic views (weather permitting).

You will find three ventas at the summit, offering souvenirs and café/restaurant services. (These ventas are independently operated and not managed by the Train de la Rhune.)

If you have booked a guided tour, you can join one of our guides. Find our guided tours here :  juste ici 

The La Rhune hike is challenging, with a significant elevation gain (736 m) and very few shaded areas.

• Make sure you are properly equipped with closed hiking shoes.
• Allow 2 to 2.5 hours for the ascent, depending on your fitness level, and the same time for the descent.
• Stay on marked trails to protect the pastures and nature.
• Do not disturb the pottok ponies or sheep; they live freely, and do not feed them.
• Keep your dog on a leash to avoid frightening the animals.

For more information on hikes, please contact l’Agence Départementale du Tourisme du 64 and visit Réussir ma rando.