The EU’s Ambitious Train Connection: Madrid to Paris
The European Commission’s recent Action Plan for high-speed rail aims to expand the European train network from 12,000 to 36,000 kilometers by 2040. With the goal of making train travel a true alternative to flying for medium-distance journeys, this plan promises to significantly reduce travel times between major European cities. Spain is set to play a vital role in this development.
What Changes for Spain
This ambitious plan includes two key connections that directly impact Spain:
- Madrid to Lisbon: A target travel time of three hours, compared to the current journey of over eight hours.
- Madrid to Paris: An ambitious goal of six hours, a notable reduction from the current travel time exceeding twelve hours.
Additionally, travelers from Bilbao could reach Lisbon in less than six hours through Madrid. The proposal aims for these enhancements to be operational by 2035, although the Paris connection presents more uncertainties than the Lisbon route.
Importance of Connectivity
Currently, the European high-speed network is largely concentrated in Spain, France, Italy, and Germany, leaving Central and Eastern Europe poorly connected. Commissioner for Sustainable Transport, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, highlighted that regions like Central and Eastern Europe “remain woefully poorly connected.” Spain holds nearly 4,000 kilometers of operational high-speed rail, making it a leader in Europe and second only to China globally.
Financial Implications
Completing the planned rail network by 2040 entails an estimated cost of 345 billion euros. If the aim is to have trains operating at speeds exceeding 250 kilometers per hour, the costs could rise to 546 billion euros by 2050. The European Commission acknowledges that public funding alone won’t suffice and is exploring avenues for private investment and loans from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and other financial institutions. A comprehensive agreement is expected to be negotiated in 2026.
Timing and Feasibility
Despite the ambitious nature of the plan, Brussels admits that progress has been slow. Initially, the target was to double the network by 2030, but as of 2023, only 17% growth has been realized. France, crucial for the Madrid-Paris connection, has adopted a more cautious outlook, suggesting that a connection is unlikely before 2042. Spanish Minister Óscar Puente also conceded that we shouldn’t expect a direct link to Paris imminently.
Impact on Airlines
Traveling by air between Madrid and Paris takes just over two hours. However, once boarding, waiting times, and transfers are accounted for, the total travel time closely mirrors the six hours that a direct train would offer from city center to city center. Spain and France have already banned short flights where an efficient rail alternative exists, underscoring the commitment to greener travel options.
The Road Ahead
The roadmap for this ambitious train project remains flexible, influenced by political will and the ability to attract private investments. Spain is well-prepared to leverage new funds, with 700 kilometers currently under construction and another 700 projected to boost the high-speed network above 5,000 kilometers by 2032. The Commission plans to introduce a new ticketing strategy in 2026 to facilitate easier booking of multimodal tickets, with full sector liberalization aimed for 2040, which is expected to drive down prices for passengers.
Cover image | Tim Adams