The Canfranero: the rebirth of the Zaragoza-Canfranc line and the legendary station in the Pyrenees

Written by Sophie Renassia

Published today

Some trains are more than just a means of transport, and the Canfranero, linking Zaragoza to Canfranc in Spain, is one of them. Affectionately nicknamed by the Aragonese, this train crosses spectacular landscapes, passes remote villages, and takes you to Canfranc Station, an extraordinary railway monument nestled in the heart of the Pyrenees. After two years of renovation work, the line reopened in June 2025 — and it’s more dreamlike than ever.

A palace-station in the mountains

It’s impossible to talk about the Canfranero without mentioning its terminus: Canfranc Station. Inaugurated in 1928, it was designed to symbolize the grand railway link between Spain and France. Stretching 241 meters long and featuring 365 windows, the building’s architecture is worthy of a royal palace.

But history had other plans. In 1970, an accident on the French side ended international traffic. The station fell into slumber before recently being reborn through an ambitious restoration. Today, the main building has been transformed into a luxury hotel, while a new, modern station behind it continues to welcome travelers.

A spectacular journey

Don’t expect a state-of-the-art train: the Zaragoza–Canfranc service uses old rolling stock, with no bar or special amenities. As our reporter Elsa explains:

“The train itself is quite old and nothing fancy, but the journey is really worth it. You first pass through the mountains, then the scenery becomes very desert-like — it’s truly striking!”

Indeed, the landscape is the real star of the journey: deep gorges, forests, cliffside villages, and finally the narrow Canfranc valley surrounded by towering peaks.

A line steeped in history

The Zaragoza–Canfranc line was born in the enthusiasm of the 1920s, when Spain and France aimed to connect their rail networks through a major Pyrenean route. It was inaugurated in 1928 by King Alfonso XIII and French President Gaston Doumergue.

In its early decades, the international station experienced a golden age — bustling with travelers, goods, customs officers, soldiers, and diplomats. During World War II, it even played a strategic role as a crossing point for refugees, spies, and more secret dealings, including the smuggling of Nazi gold.

© Elsa Beaudeux

Everything collapsed in 1970 when a bridge on the French side, near Estanguet, was destroyed in an accident. International traffic stopped abruptly and was never restored. The station, far too large for a local terminus, gradually emptied and fell into disrepair. Yet its aura never vanished: Canfranc became both a ghost and a legend for railway enthusiasts.

A century later, the story has entered a new chapter. In June 2025, after two years of works, the Huesca–Canfranc section reopened, cutting travel time by about 30 minutes. International service hasn’t resumed yet, but all eyes are now on Pau: on the French side, SNCF Réseau launched a consultation in 2024 to prepare for the future reopening of the Béarn section. The dream of a Zaragoza–Pau train is slowly coming back to life…

Practical info for your trip

Today, the 2025 Canfranero departs from Zaragoza-Delicias Station, passes through Huesca, and climbs into the Pyrenees before reaching Canfranc. The trip takes about 3 hours and 45 minutes, roughly half an hour faster than before the renovation. There are two daily round trips, making it a modest but lively route.

There’s no bar or catering service onboard — these are simple regional trains. Bring your own snacks and drinks for the ride. To plan your trip, check the Zaragoza–Canfranc timetable directly on the Renfe website.

Arriving at Canfranc is a highlight in itself. You step off the train at a modest new station built just behind the old monumental building. That restored palace now stands proudly as a luxury hotel, facing the mountains.

© Elsa Beaudeux

Even if you’re not staying at the hotel, the façade alone is worth the trip. You’ll instantly understand why this station, once nicknamed the “cathedral of the rail”, continues to fascinate travelers and photographers alike.

Why this journey is worth taking

Taking the Canfranero means living a unique experience that blends heritage, scenery, and collective memory. The line’s story — full of grand ambitions, past glories, and rebirths — gives a special depth to every kilometer. The journey itself is an ode to the diversity of Aragon’s landscapes: from the Ebro plains to desert valleys, and finally the rugged peaks of the Pyrenees. And the arrival at the monumental, now-restored Canfranc Station gives the whole trip a legendary touch.

It’s not the fastest train, nor the most comfortable. But it’s a train that tells a story — one that embodies the very essence of rail travel: moving slowly, watching the landscape change, and feeling part of a larger narrative. Boarding the Canfranero means taking part in the revival of a mythical railway line — and keeping alive the hope of reconnecting with France one day.

The Zaragoza–Canfranc journey is more than a trip — it’s an adventure in itself, and an invitation to rediscover the slow rhythm of the rails.

This article was written in partnership with the Spanish Tourism Office and the Zaragoza Tourism Board.
For more information, visit www.zaragoza.es — a goldmine of practical tips to prepare your stopover!

Written by Sophie Renassia

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.