Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

For this 2024 season, the La Rhune train  is open every day from 30 March to 3 November.
In low season:  
– the counter is open from 09:00 to 16:10. 
– train departures are every 40 minutes from 09:30 to 16:10. 
During peak season, July 8 to September 1: 
– the counter is open from 8.30 to 17.30. 
– train departures are every 40 minutes from 8.50 am to 5.30 pm.

We only offer round trip tours that are all made up in the same way :
35 minutes of ascent
1h20 at the summit 
35 minutes of descent


The Rhune massif is a Natura 2000 site (Label for the European Biodiversity Conservation) that must be protected from over-frequentation. Limiting the time to 1h20 at the top allows us to manage the flow of visitors we welcome and allow as many people as possible to enjoy this Basque jewel.

The rate for groups of more than 20 people is € 20/ adult and € 12/ child, round trip. We give free tickets for the bus driver and for the guide. During the high season, from 8 July to 1 September, the group rate applies only on the first 2 train departures, 8:50 and 9:30. Booking for groups is mandatory and is done by email at:

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

The one-way ticket does not exist. We sell two types of tickets: 
–The excursion ticket: it includes the return trip by train with a free time of 1h20 at the top.
–The single return ticket: for people who have climbed on foot and are unable to walk back down it is possible to buy a ticket for the descent by train. This ticket is only available at the summit counter. We cannot guarantee you a seat.

For children from 0 to 3 years old inclusive, the ticket is free. However, you will need to take a free ticket. 
For children from 4 to 12 inclusive, the ticket price is € 16.00 each way/ return.

In case you already have your tickets, we advise you to arrive 30 minutes before your departure time. Allow enough time to park your vehicle and access the ticket control area. If you do not have your tickets, we advise you first to check the availability via the tab “see availability of the day” on our website. Depending on the attendance, it will be necessary to make possible the queue to buy your tickets, without any guarantee that there will be room at the desired time.

To book and purchase your tickets, you have several options: 
– on our website, in the tab “purchase tickets”.  Payment on the internet is only by credit card and up to one hour before the train departs
– on site at the counter a few days before presale. 
– or come the same day depending on availability. In this case, we advise you to consult the “see availability of the day” tab on our website to see in real time the number of seats available for each train departure of the day.

Paper tickets are not required. You can download them on your phone or take a photo/screenshot. The QR Code located in the frame with the date and time must be clearly readable for our screening officers. 

There are two car parks near the station that can be quickly saturated in case of high traffic. During school holidays and on a sunny day, you may have to park along the departmental road and walk to the departure station.  Plan the time needed to park. We advise you to arrive at least 30 minutes before your departure time. 
To avoid these parking difficulties, we advise you to park your vehicle at the free car park of Chantaco, in Saint Jean de Luz, or on the villages of Sare or Ascain, and take the bus, line 45, to come to the Col de Saint Ignace.

Bus line 45 of the Txik Txak network connects the Saint-Jean-de-Luz road stop to the village of Sare. This line serves the train station. The corresponding stop is “Col de Saint Ignace” which is located just opposite the Rhune Train station. Please note that you must take into account your return time: add 40 minutes to the return time indicated on your ticket for the descent. Also make sure that there are still buses available on arrival at the lower station at the Col de Saint Ignace. You can check the schedules right here.

It is now possible to reach the Rhune train station by bike from St-Jean-de-Luz following a secure route (bike path from St-Jean-de-Luz to Ascain and greenway from Ascain to St Ignace). There is a very small portion before arriving at Ascain which requires vigilance especially with children. Take advantage of Chantaco’s free parking as a starting point. Bikes are not allowed on board. 
Work is underway to redevelop the car park by The Atlantic Pyrenees Department (64) and a bicycle parking area is planned.

ID is not required to board the train. However, if our control agents have a doubt about the age of the children, they may ask you to justify the reduced rate.

You can travel with your baby. It is advisable to take a baby carrier rather than a stroller. If you are using a stroller, it must be foldable and stored in the compartment provided. At the top there is a steep ramp and the trail has pebbles and areas of grass.

Access to the train in a wheelchair is possible, however it must be able to bend to be put in a platform inside the train. This means that the wheelchair user must be able to board the train, alone or with an accompanying person. There are 2 steps of about twenty centimeters to climb inside the train and a rather steep ramp at the top of the Rhune which requires accompaniment. 
For more info: https://www.rhune.com/en/home-personal-situation-de-handicap/

The departure station is accessible by motorhome. The departmental road that goes up from the village of Ascain or Sare and that leads to the Col de Saint Ignace is wide enough and well maintained. Arriving at the station, there are two car parks where you can park your motorhome during the excursion. These car parks are not intended to stay overnight. Campsites and parking areas are present in the surrounding villages.

In case you already have your tickets, we advise you to arrive 30 minutes before your departure time. Allow enough time to park your vehicle and access the ticket control area. If you do not have your tickets, we advise you first to check the availability via the tab “see availability of the day” on our website. Depending on the attendance, it will be necessary to make possible the queue to buy your tickets, without any guarantee that there will be room at the desired time.

At the bottom station: You will find 2 snacks (Le Pullman and Seminario) near the train station, and a restaurant (Le restaurant des 3 Fontaines) behind the car park.
At the top: You will find 3 ventas (café restaurant/Spanish snack) that will serve tapas, sandwiches, tortilla, etc…

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

Dogs are allowed on the Rhune train. They must travel between your legs under the bench so as not to disturb other passengers. Space is limited, so be sure to watch your dog, especially at the top of the Rhune, Natura2000 label site protected with flocks of sheep and pottok (small Basque horses). The round trip price for dogs is 6,00€.

Access to the train in a wheelchair is possible, however it must be able to bend to be put in a platform inside the train. This means that the wheelchair user must be able to board the train, alone or with an accompanying person. There are 2 steps of about twenty centimeters to climb inside the train and a rather steep ramp at the top of the Rhune which requires accompaniment. 
For more info: https://www.rhune.com/en/home-personal-situation-de-handicap/

Bikes are not allowed on board.

Yes, you keep the same seats on the way back and forth. If you have taken places in the direction of the walk to go, you will have seats back to the descent on the return.

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 and on presentation of proof (illness, car breakdown, etc.). Indeed, the Rhune train is a public institution subject to an accounting officer of public finances who asks for proof for any file of reimbursement. We offer a ticket deferral and/ or a refund if we are forced to cancel departures for extreme weather reasons by order of the prefecture (storms, high winds, hail). Rain and clouds do not prevent us from circulating the train.

At the top, you will have 1h20 free time to enjoy the mountain, the animals that inhabit it and the panoramic landscape (under good weather conditions). At the top there are 3 ventas, which make souvenir shops and cafe/restaurants.
You can view events on our website and social media as the release of raptors.

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/