Pamplona to Barcelona train with Renfe

My Journey from Pamplona to Barcelona by Train

Introduction

When I was traveling from the Basque Country to Catalonia, I took the Pamplona to Barcelona train with Renfe AVE as part of my journey. Pamplona (known as Iruña in Basque) is a small but fascinating city, best known for the San Fermín festival, which includes the famous running of the bulls. Barcelona, on the other hand, needs no introduction. If you’re traveling between these two spots, here’s everything you need to know.

Route Overview

The train route from Pamplona to Barcelona runs southeast across northern Spain, linking Navarre with Catalonia by rail. Trains on this corridor typically make stops in Zaragoza and Lleida, which sit on the fringes of the Pyrenees before continuing toward the Mediterranean coast.

On my journey, I departed from Pamplona Station and arrived at Barcelona Sants, the largest station in the city. The total journey time was about 4 hours and 4 minutes to cover roughly 351 km. I enjoyed watching the scenery shift as we crossed from one region into the next. In my opinion, taking the train is the best way to travel from Pamplona to Barcelona. It’s scenic, comfortable on board, and very easy to book with Omio.

Transportation Experience

I booked my Pamplona to Barcelona AVE train tickets on the Omio app. I liked having all my Renfe tickets stored in one place, which made the travel process simple and stress-free. There are a few different ways to travel between these two cities, but I was happy I chose the train.

The bus from Pamplona to Barcelona takes at least 5 hours and 50 minutes, and some services include transfers, which can add another hour or more. The train is 2–3 hours faster, and you can get up and stretch your legs whenever you like. As for flying to Barcelona, Pamplona does not have a major airport, so the train is generally the quickest and easiest option.

Route Details

Departure & Arrival Stations

My journey started at Pamplona Station, which is around 2 km from the city center. While it’s an important station for local and regional travel, it isn’t as large or busy as major intercity hubs like Madrid or Barcelona. That said, it can feel lively during peak travel times. The station itself is fairly small and has just one café, which had a long queue when I visited.

To reach the station, it’s about a 30-minute walk from the center or a 10-minute taxi ride. There’s also a local bus (L21) that serves the station. I was staying on the far side of the city, so I took a taxi.

Renfe AVE trains from Pamplona arrive at Barcelona Sants Station. This is the city's largest station and a major hub for national, international, and commuter trains. There are several cafés and restaurants inside, although prices tend to be higher than in the city, so I recommend grabbing food once you head out.

I enjoyed a poke bowl from Lush Poke and a coffee from Syra, both located nearby. The historic center is about 4 km from the station. I took the L1 metro to my accommodation, but taxis and Uber are also available and take around 15 minutes.

Schedule & Frequency

The main operator on the Pamplona to Barcelona train route is Renfe, running both AVE and Alvia services. There are usually around 3 to 9 departures per day, but only 2 to 3 of these are direct. On the day of my trip, one direct train left at 9:05 am (this is the one I took) and arrived at 1:09 pm. The second left at around 5:30 pm and arrived at about 9:45 pm.

Onboard Experience & Services

The Pamplona to Barcelona route is typically served by Renfe’s AVE or Alvia trains. These are comfortable high-speed services with a quieter atmosphere than buses or regional trains. The train I took was modern, though slightly older in design compared to some of the newer AVE trains I’ve ridden.

I traveled in Standard Class, where the seating layout was 2+2 across the aisle. The leather seats showed a bit of wear, but they were still well-padded and comfortable. They were fairly wide with decent legroom, and each seat had a fold-down tray table and power outlets for charging your phone. I had a window seat, which made it easy to enjoy the scenery. The Wi-Fi was not very reliable during my trip, so I was glad I had downloaded podcasts ahead of time.

For luggage, smaller bags fit easily in the overhead racks, and there were shelves at the ends of the carriages for larger suitcases. I didn’t see anyone struggling for space. Renfe typically allows up to 3 bags with a combined weight of up to 25 kg, included in the ticket price. There was a restaurant car on my train with coffee, soft drinks, and small snacks like chips and pastries. I’m a vegetarian, so I brought my own food, but it’s still convenient if you want something simple.

The scenery along the route is more varied than I expected. Leaving Pamplona, you pass through green hills before the landscape opens into the drier plains of Aragón. It then shifts again into the rolling countryside of Catalonia. If you enjoy scenery, try to choose a window seat on the right-hand side of the train when booking. I found the views slightly better on that side for most of the route.

Ticketing Advice & Budget Breakdown

Direct trains from Pamplona to Barcelona can become more expensive if booked closer to the travel date, so it’s best to reserve your ticket early. I booked my seat about 8 weeks in advance and was able to get a good fare. Here's what I spent on this trip. Budget breakdown:

Top Tips & Personal Recommendations

If you're taking the train from Pamplona to Barcelona, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind:

• Bring food with you: There may not be a buffet car on this route if you’re on an Alvia service instead of AVE. Pamplona Station also has limited food options, and the queues at the café can be long.
• Arrive early if you want coffee at Pamplona Station: There is only one café when I was there, and it was very busy. Arriving 30 minutes earlier makes it easier to grab something before boarding.
• Avoid buying food at Barcelona Sants: Prices are higher than in nearby cafés. It’s usually better to walk a few minutes into the neighborhood for more choice and better value.
• Carry your passport or national ID: You may be asked to show ID when traveling between regions in Spain. It’s not always checked, but you do need to have it with you.
• Check for festivals like San Fermín: Train demand increases significantly during festival periods. Tickets sell out faster and can be more expensive, so book early if traveling then.

Conclusion

Taking the train from Pamplona to Barcelona makes traveling across Northern Spain easy. The journey is quick and simple to book, and Renfe provides a very comfortable onboard experience. The scenery along the route is also lovely, so it’s a journey that feels enjoyable rather than just practical. Check routes and prices on the Omio app today, and get booking for your next trip!

About the Author: Claire Martin

• Job Title: Travel Journalist and Content Creator
• Bio: Claire Martin is a full-time travel journalist, blogger, and videomaker who specializes in train and ferry travel around Europe.