Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

For the 2025 season, the Train de la Rhune is open daily until November 11th.
During the low season:
– The ticket office is open from 9:00 am to 4:10 pm
– 5 departures are scheduled each day: 9:30 am, 10:50 am, 12:10 pm*, 2:10 pm, and 3:30 pm.
*Please note: the 12:10 pm departure includes a 2.5-hour stop at the summit.

Check the timetable here.

Depending on visitor numbers, additional departures may be added throughout the day.
To check real-time availability, visit the “See today’s availability” tab or go to the “Online booking” section and select your preferred date. You’ll then see the departure times available for that day.

During the high season, from July 7th to August 31st:
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 additional departure at 8:20 am is available from July 28th to August 31st only.

Each excursion lasts 2.5 hours and follows this schedule:
Ascent: 35 minutes
Summit stop: 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 (2.5-hour stop at the summit).

The La Rhune massif is a protected Natura 2000 site — a European label for biodiversity conservation. To prevent overcrowding and preserve this exceptional natural environment, summit visits are limited to 1 hour and 20 minutes.
This time limit allows us to manage visitor flow and ensure that as many people as possible can enjoy this Basque treasure.

The group rate for parties of more than 20 people is €21 per adult and €12 per child, round trip.
One free ticket is granted for the driver and one for the guide.
During the high season, from July 7th to August 31st, the group rate only applies to the first train departure(s) of the day (depending on the chosen date).
Group reservations are mandatory and must be made exclusively by email at:

We do not apply a reduced rate for the people mentioned above. 

There are three types of tickets available:

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 onboard experience covering the train’s history, local wildlife and flora, and a summit tour revealing smuggling secrets — all led by a local guide.
Descent Ticket: This ticket covers only the return trip from the summit to the Col de Saint-Ignace station.
It is sold exclusively at the summit, depending on availability, and is intended for hikers who walked up and are unable to walk back down.
Tickets are sold at the summit ticket office subject to availability. We cannot guarantee a seat.

PLEASE NOTE: One-way ascent tickets are not available.

Children aged 0 to 3 travel for free.
However, a €0.00 ticket must still be booked for them.
Children aged 4 to 12 benefit from a reduced round-trip fare of €17.00.

If you already have your tickets, we recommend arriving 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time.
Make sure to allow enough time to park your vehicle and reach the ticket control area.
If you do not yet have your tickets, we advise checking availability first via the “See today’s availability” section on our website.
Depending on visitor numbers, you may have to wait in line to purchase tickets — please note that availability for your preferred departure time is not guaranteed.

To book and purchase your tickets, you have several options:
Online, via the “Purchase Tickets” tab on our website.
Online payment is by credit card only and available up to one hour before the train’s departure.
On-site, at the ticket counter, a few days in advance.
On the same day, depending on availability.
In this case, we recommend checking the “See today’s availability” section on our website to view real-time seat availability for each train departure.

It is not necessary to present printed tickets.
You can download them onto your phone or take a photo/screenshot.
The QR code, located in the box with the date and time, must be clearly visible for our ticket inspectors. 

There are two parking lots near the station, but they can fill up quickly during busy periods.
During school holidays and on sunny days, you may need to park along the departmental road and walk to the departure station.
Please allow enough time for parking. During peak times, we recommend arriving at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure.
To avoid parking difficulties, we suggest using the free Chantaco parking lot in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, or parking in the villages of Sare or Ascain, and taking bus line 45 to reach the Col de Saint-Ignace.

Bus line 45 of the Txik Txak network connects the Saint-Jean-de-Luz bus station to the village of Sare.
This line serves the departure station of the train. The relevant stop is “Col de Saint-Ignace,” located directly across from the Train de la Rhune station.
Please make sure to take your return time into account: add 40 minutes to the return time shown on your ticket to estimate your arrival back at the base station.
Also ensure that there are still buses running when you arrive at the bottom station at the Col de Saint-Ignace.
You can check the bus timetable here.

A safe route is available: a cycle path from Saint-Jean-de-Luz to Ascain, followed by a greenway from Ascain to Saint-Ignace.
Please note: there is a short section just before Ascain that requires extra caution, especially if you’re cycling with children.
You can start your ride from the free Chantaco parking lot.
Bicycles are not allowed on board the train.
A designated area for parking your bike is available at the station upon arrival.

An identity card is not required to board the train.
However, if our ticket inspectors have any doubts about the age of a child, they may ask to see it to verify the reduced fare.

You can travel with your baby.
It is recommended to use a baby carrier rather than a stroller. If you do bring a stroller, it must be foldable and stored in the designated compartment.
At the summit, there is a steep ramp, and the path includes pebbles and areas of grass.

Access to the train in a wheelchair is possible; however, it must be able to fold to fit in a designated area inside the train. This means that the wheelchair user must be able to board the train, either alone or with an accompanying person. There are two steps, each about twenty centimeters high, to be climbed inside the train, and a rather steep ramp at the summit of the Rhune, which requires assistance.
https://www.rhune.com/en/home-personal-situation-de-handicap/

The road from Ascain or Sare to the Col de Saint Ignace is wide and well-maintained.
Upon arrival at the station, there are two parking lots where you can park your camper van for the duration of the excursion.
Please note that these parking areas are not intended for overnight stays.
Campsites and parking areas are available in the nearby villages.

If you already have your tickets, we recommend arriving 30 minutes before your departure time. Make sure to allow enough time to park your vehicle and access the ticket control area. If you do not have your tickets, we recommend checking availability first via the ‘See today’s availability’ tab on our website. Depending on the number of visitors, you may have to wait in line to purchase your tickets, without any guarantee of availability at your desired departure time.

At the bottom station: You will find two snack bars (Le Pullman and Seminario) near the train station, and a restaurant, Le restaurant des 3 Fontaines, located behind the car park.
At the top: You will find three ventas (Spanish cafés/snack bars) serving tapas, sandwiches, tortillas, etc
These establishments are not managed by the Rhune train but by independent owners.

At the departure station, at the Col de Saint Ignace, there is a park with trees where you can picnic. Please be aware that we ask you to be respectful and take all your waste with you. Sorting bins are available.

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

Access to the train in a wheelchair is possible; however, it must be able to fold to fit in a designated area inside the train. This means that the wheelchair user must be able to board the train, either alone or with an accompanying person. There are two steps, each about twenty centimeters high, to climb inside the train, and a rather steep ramp at the summit of the Rhune, which requires assistance.

Bikes are not allowed on board.

Yes, you keep the same seats both ways. If you have taken seats in the direction of your journey to the summit, you will have the same seats for the descent on the return journey.

The weather in the Basque Country is unpredictable, especially in the mountains. In the low season, book the day before or buy your tickets the same day for reliable weather forecasts. In the high season (July/August), book 2-3 days in advance to make sure you have seats and favorable weather. Note that these tips are indicative and that attendance may vary.

Our tickets are neither exchangeable nor refundable except under certain conditions, with proof (e.g., illness, car breakdown, etc.). The Rhune train is a public institution, subject to oversight by a public finance officer, who requires proof for any reimbursement request. We offer a ticket postponement and/or a refund if we are forced to cancel departures due to extreme weather conditions, as ordered by the prefecture (storms, high winds, hail). Rain and clouds do not prevent the train from operating.

At the summit, you will have 1 hour and 20 minutes of free time to enjoy the mountain, its wildlife, and the panoramic landscape (weather permitting).
At the summit, you will find three ventas offering souvenirs, as well as a café/restaurant (these ventas are not managed by the Train de la Rhune, but by independent owners).
You can also (if you have reserved) participate in a guided tour on the theme of smuggling, led by one of our guides.
You can view our tours and activities on our website and social media: https://www.rhune.com/fr/animations/.

The hike of the Rhune is difficult, with a significant drop (736m) and very few shaded passages. It is imperative to be well equipped with closed hiking shoes and count from 2h to 2h30 ascent depending on your level of walking and the same time for the descent. It is essential to stay on the marked trails, so as not to damage the pastures and respect nature by recovering all your waste.The pottok (small Basque horses) and sheep are here at home, they live in freedom, you must not disturb them and not feed them. Keep your dog on a leash so as not to scare the animals. If you want more information about hiking, we invite you to contact the Departmental Tourism Agency of 64 Department: https://www.tourisme64.com/ and on Réussir ma rando: https://reussirmarando.com/