Barcelona to Girona by train

The fastest way from Barcelona to Girona is the Avant high-speed service, which takes between 38 and 57 minutes from Barcelona Sants. Slower regional trains on the Rodalies R11 line take around 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, with more stops. On most days, more than 20 services run in each direction, so this is not a journey you need to plan around.

Girona is a practical day trip. The old town, with its medieval walls, narrow lanes, and the row of coloured houses along the Onyar river, is about a 10-minute walk from the station. You can arrive mid-morning and be back in Barcelona for dinner.

Which station you leave from

For Avant and AVE services, the only option is Barcelona Sants. It is the main intercity hub, served by metro lines L3 and L5, and easy to reach from most parts of the city.

If you are taking the Rodalies R11 regional train, you can also board at Passeig de Gràcia or Clot-Aragó. These are more central for some neighbourhoods and avoid the need to go to Sants. No advance booking is required for Rodalies trains, so you can turn up and go.

All trains arrive at Girona station, a short walk from the old town.

Train types on this route

Renfe runs two high-speed services on the Barcelona to Girona corridor.

Avant is the one to book for most day trips. It is a short-distance high-speed service at up to 250 km/h, with journey times typically between 38 and 57 minutes. You must book a seat in advance, and you choose between Estándard (standard) and Confort (a premium tier with more space). Prices are dynamic, and the cheapest seats go first.

AVE trains also stop at Girona, mainly those heading north towards France. They run on the same high-speed line and have similar journey times to Avant. Booking in advance is required.

The Rodalies R11 is the no-reservation alternative. It takes around 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes and runs on the classic line with stops at towns along the way. Buy a ticket at the machine on the day.

Service	Journey time	Advance booking needed
Avant	38 to 57 minutes	Yes
AVE (northbound)	~38 to 55 minutes	Yes
Rodalies R11	1h10 to 1h30	No

Train times

More than 20 services a day connect Barcelona and Girona. Avant trains typically start from around 06:00 and run until around 21:00. Rodalies trains extend the window at both ends. Schedules change on weekends and public holidays, so check the timetable on renfe.com before early or late departures.

Ticket prices

Avant advance fares start from around €7 to €9 when booked early. Buy on the day and you are more likely to pay €10 to €18 for standard class. Confort class costs more. The same train can vary considerably in price depending on when you book, so if the date is fixed, booking weeks ahead rather than days ahead will usually save money.

Rodalies R11 uses a flat-rate tariff. A single journey from Barcelona to Girona costs around €8 to €10. There is no dynamic pricing and no advance booking.

Renfe opens Avant and AVE bookings up to 120 days before departure.

Discounts

Renfe runs several discount programmes on Avant services.

Children under 4 travel free on Renfe when accompanied by a fare-paying adult.

Families: Large families (three or more children) get 20% off. Families with special status receive 50% off.

Seniors: The Tarjeta Dorada (Golden Card) gives 40% off on long-distance services for travellers aged 60 and over, pensioners, and people with a recognised disability of 33% or more. The card costs approximately €6.50 and is available through Renfe. Verify the current cost on renfe.com before applying, as card fees and eligibility can change.

Youth: Travellers under 25 with a Carnet Jove or Tarjeta Joven Rail can get 20% off. Check current eligibility on renfe.com.

Booking early is the most reliable way to get a lower Avant fare. The cheapest seats on any given departure are limited and go first.

Train services on this route

Renfe operates all Avant and AVE services, and also manages Rodalies de Catalunya, the regional commuter network that runs the R11 line. There is one operator to deal with for all three service types.

Iryo and Ouigo, which compete with Renfe on other corridors in Spain, do not serve Barcelona to Girona.

How to buy tickets

The simplest route is renfe.com or the Renfe app. Both let you search times, choose a seat, and apply any discount cards. E-tickets are available immediately.

At Barcelona Sants, ticket machines and staffed counters cover both Avant bookings and on-the-day Rodalies tickets. If you are catching a Rodalies train from Passeig de Gràcia or Clot-Aragó, the machines at those stations sell Rodalies tickets directly.

Third-party booking sites also sell Avant tickets. They are convenient but generally add a booking fee. If you are applying a Renfe discount card, book directly with Renfe for the simplest experience.

Ticket types and changes

Renfe offers a range of fare types on Avant services. The basic fare (Básico) is non-refundable. The flexible fare (Elige) allows changes. Check the conditions when you book, as change and refund fees depend on the ticket type and how close you are to the departure time.

Rodalies R11 tickets are single-use, non-refundable, and non-reservable.

Baggage

On Avant services you can bring up to three items of hand luggage with a combined weight of 25 kg. Each piece must fit within 85 x 55 x 35 cm. Folded bicycles in cases are allowed as hand luggage when total dimensions stay under 180 cm.

Onboard

Avant trains have air conditioning, seat power sockets, and free Wi-Fi. A mobile bar service sells snacks and drinks. At under an hour, it is a short trip, but the facilities are useful if you are catching an early connection or arriving hungry.

Both Barcelona Sants and Girona station have accessible facilities: ramps, lifts, and accessible toilets on board.

Using a rail pass

Both Interrail (for European residents) and Eurail (for travellers outside Europe) are valid on Renfe services. The rules are the same for both.

On Rodalies R11, you can generally travel on a pass without paying a reservation fee. It is the pass-friendly option if you want to avoid extra charges.

On Avant and AVE trains, a reservation is compulsory even with a valid pass. Do not board a high-speed train on a pass alone. You need a separate reservation paid in EUR, in addition to your pass. Renfe sets reservation fees; check the current amount on interrail.eu or eurail.com before booking. Pass-holder seats are limited on some departures, so book as early as possible.

To make a pass reservation, use the Renfe website or go to a Spanish station counter. Booking at the station avoids the online processing fee.

Girona as a stop on the Barcelona to Paris route

Girona sits on the high-speed line between Barcelona and France. Through-trains to Paris, operated as part of the Renfe-SNCF or TGV network, stop at Girona before crossing the border. If you are using Girona as a stopover on a longer journey to France, be aware that the Barcelona to Girona leg and the Girona to Paris leg are separate bookings with separate ticket rules.