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Some trains are more than just a means of transportation, and the Canfranero, which connects Zaragoza to Canfranc in Spain, is one of them. Affectionately nicknamed as such by the people of Aragon, this train winds through spectacular landscapes, passes by isolated villages, and takes you all the way to the Canfranc Station, an extraordinary railway landmark in the heart of the Pyrenees. Closed for two years for renovations, the line reopened in June 2025, and it has never been so inspiring.
How long does the train ride from Zaragoza to Canfranc take? About 3 hours and 45 minutes. Since the line reopened in June 2025, the trip has been about 30 minutes shorter than before.
How much does a train ticket from Zaragoza to Canfranc cost? Between €5.63 and €18, depending on the booking date. Book on the Renfe website for the best rates.
How many trains run daily on the Zaragoza–Canfranc line? Two round trips daily. Departures from Zaragoza-Delicias are usually around 8:55 a.m. and 4:29 p.m.
What is the Canfranc Express? A historic tourist train that connects Jaca to Canfranc in 35 minutes. Summer only (July–September), ~€18 round trip.
Is it possible to visit Canfranc Station without staying at a hotel? Yes. The facade (241 m, 365 windows) can be viewed for free from the outside. The interior of the hotel is accessible by reservation only.
It’s hard to talk about the Canfranero without mentioning its terminus: the Canfranc Station. A veritable palace of a train station nestled in the mountains! Opened in 1928, it was intended to symbolize the major rail link between Spain and France. With its 241 meters long and 365 windows...it impresses with its appearance as a railway palace.
But history had other plans: in 1970, an accident on the French side brought international traffic to a halt. The station fell into disuse, before being brought back to life recently thanks to an ambitious restoration project. Today, its main building has been transformed into luxury hotel, while the modern train station is located just behind it, still open for business to welcome travelers.
Don't expect a state-of-the-art train: the Zaragoza–Canfranc train is an old building with no bar or special amenities. As our reporter Elsa explains: "The train itself is quite old and doesn't look like much, but the trip is definitely worth it"First you cross the mountains, then the landscape becomes very desert-like—it’s pretty impressive!"
That's right, it really is the a panoramic view that is the highlight of the trip : steep-walled gorges, forests, villages perched on cliffs, and finally the arrival in the steep-walled Canfranc Valley, surrounded by peaks.
The Zaragoza–Canfranc line was conceived amid the euphoria of the 1920s, when Spain and France sought to link their rail networks via a major route through the Pyrenees. It was inaugurated in 1928 by King Alfonso XIII and French President Gaston Doumergue. During its early decades, the international station experienced a golden age: travelers, goods, customs officials, military personnel, and diplomats all passed through its doors. It even played a strategic role during World War II, serving as a transit point for refugees and spies, but also for more shadowy trafficking, including that of Nazi gold.
© Elsa Beaudeux
Everything came crashing down in 1970, when an accident destroyed a bridge on the French side, near L'Estanguet. International traffic came to a screeching halt and was never restored. The station, too large for a mere regional terminus, gradually emptied out and fell into disrepair. Yet its aura did not fade: Canfranc is becoming a symbol, both a ghost and a legend, for railway enthusiasts.
A century later, history is finally entering a new chapter. In June 2025, after two years of construction, the Huesca-Canfranc line reopened saving about 30 minutes. International service hasn’t returned yet, but all eyes are already on Pau: on the French side, SNCF Réseau launched a consultation process in 2024 to prepare for the future reopening of the Béarn section. The dream of a Zaragoza to Pau by train is thus gradually coming back to life…
Today, the Canfranero 2025 departs from the Zaragoza-Delicias train station, passes through Huesca, and then climbs into the Pyrenees to Canfranc. The trip takes about 3:45, which is half an hour less than before the construction work. Two round trips daily are covered, making it a line that’s still small but very much alive. Don’t expect a bar or special services on board: these are simple regional trains with no dining facilities. It’s best to bring your own snacks and drinks for the trip.
Tickets for the Zaragoza-Canfranc route are available on the Renfe website. Fares start at around €5.63 by booking in advance, for an average price of about €12. The first departure from Zaragoza-Delicias is usually around 8:55 a.m., the second line 4:29 p.m.. In the other direction (Canfranc → Zaragoza), departures are around 6:35 a.m. and 6:19 p.m..
If you want to plan your route, be sure to check the Train schedule for Zaragoza–Canfranc on the Renfe website.
Once in Canfranc, there is a second train option you won't want to miss: The Canfranc Express, a historic tourist train operated by Alsa that connects From Jaca to Canfranc (and vice versa) in 35 minutes. On board, the vintage 1930s cars—including a panoramic car, a dining car, and restored wooden compartments—transport passengers back to the golden age of rail travel in the Pyrenees. The train is a designated historic monument Historical Railway Heritage.
It's circulating from mid-July through September approximately (the 2026 dates will be announced on the Alsa website), mainly on weekdays and weekends. The fare is approximately €18 round trip, guide included. Reservations can be made at alsa.es or by email at info@elexpresodecanfranc.es.
Combined with the Canfranero, this train allows you to plan a trip that’s entirely by rail: arrive by regional train from Zaragoza, explore Canfranc, then take the tourist train down to Jaca to spend the night before heading back.
The arrival in Canfranc is a highlight. You step off the train at a modest station, built behind the former monumental building. The latter, restored and converted into a luxury hotel, stands proudly facing the mountains.
© Elsa Beaudeux
And even if you’re not staying at the hotel, the façade alone is worth the trip. You’ll see why this station, once nicknamed the “cathedral of the railways,” continues to fascinate travelers and photographers alike.
Taking the Canfranero is a unique experience that combines heritage, landscapes, and collective memory. The line’s history—marked by grand ambitions, past glories, and rebirths—lends a special depth to every kilometer traveled. The journey itself is an ode to the diversity of Aragon's landscapes : from the plains of the Ebro to the desert valleys, all the way to the rugged mountains of the Pyrenees. And the arrival at the monumental Canfranc station, now restored, adds a touch of legend to this journey.
It’s not the most comfortable train, nor the fastest. But it’s a train that tells a story and embodies the very essence of train travel: moving slowly, watching the scenery change, and feeling like you’re part of a larger narrative. Stepping aboard the Canfranero means taking part in the rebirth of a legendary line and supporting the hope that it will be extended into France. The Train trip from Zaragoza to Canfranc becomes an adventure in its own right, and an invitation to reconnect with the slow pace of rail travel.
This article was written in partnership with the Spanish Tourist Office and the Zaragoza Tourist Office. For more information, visit www.zaragozaturismo.es, a wealth of practical information to help you plan your stopover!
Issue du monde de la communication et des médias, Sophie est Responsable éditoriale chez HOURRAIL ! depuis août 2024. Elle est notamment derrière le contenu éditorial du site ainsi que La Locomissive (de l'inspiration voyage bas carbone et des bons plans, un jeudi sur deux, gratuitement dans ta boîte mail !).
Convaincue que les changements d’habitude passent par la transformation de nos imaginaires, elle s’attache à montrer qu’il est possible de voyager autrement, de manière plus consciente, plus lente et plus joyeuse. Son objectif : rendre le slow travel accessible à toutes et tous, à travers des astuces, des décryptages et surtout, de nouveaux récits.
