- Must visit
Musée Maritime
A leading maritime museum with preserved vessels, including a weather ship and fishing boat, moored in the old harbour area.
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Saintes to La Rochelle is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Saintes to La Rochelle will cost around £16 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £14.
On Sun 01 Nov, we found 16 trains from Saintes to La Rochelle, including 14 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 61 km distance in an average of 50 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 49 m .
The slowest trains will take 50 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
3858
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3852
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3854
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3856
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3858+
F15 (864022)
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D15 (864810)
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3854
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D15 (864814)
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Trains from Saintes to La Rochelle run on average 16 times per day, taking around 1h 3m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £8 but you can travel from only £3 by coach.
There are 14 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 05:25, the last at 22:08. The fastest train covers the 61 km distance in 48m.
Distance 61 km |
Average train duration 1h 3m |
Cheapest ticket price £8 |
Trains per day 16 |
Direct trains 14 |
Fastest train 48m |
First train 5:25 |
Last train 22:08 |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 1 day |
Use these quick route answers to check fares, travel time, departure options, and direct services before booking from Saintes to La Rochelle.
The table below shows live departures for Saintes to La Rochelle trains for today, Saturday 31 October. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
L15 (864766) | 18:12 Saintes station | 1h04 | 19:16 La Rochelle station | 0 changesdirect | |
L15 (864766) | 18:12 Saintes station | 1h12 | 19:24 La Rochelle Porte Dauphine | 0 changesdirect | |
3858 | On time 19:32 Saintes station | 0h52 | 20:24 La Rochelle station | 0 changesdirect | |
D15 (864814) | 20:38 Saintes station | 0h50 | 21:28 La Rochelle station | 0 changesdirect | |
| Sunday 1 November | |||||
3852 | 9:25 Saintes station | 0h50 | 10:15 La Rochelle station | 0 changesdirect | |
L15 (864756) | 10:06 Saintes station | 1h05 | 11:11 La Rochelle station | 0 changesdirect | |
3854 | 11:17 Saintes station | 0h49 | 12:06 La Rochelle station | 0 changesdirect | |
L15 (864760) | 12:27 Saintes station | 1h04 | 13:31 La Rochelle station | 0 changesdirect | |
L15 (864760) | 12:27 Saintes station | 1h12 | 13:39 La Rochelle Porte Dauphine | 0 changesdirect | |
L17 (864470)+ 8379 | 13:01 Saintes station | 2h16 | 15:17 La Rochelle station | 1 change | |
D15 (864806) | 14:35 Saintes station | 0h52 | 15:27 La Rochelle station | 0 changesdirect | |
3856 | 15:33 Saintes station | 0h50 | 16:23 La Rochelle station | 0 changesdirect | |
L15 (864762) | 16:34 Saintes station | 1h03 | 17:37 La Rochelle station | 0 changesdirect | |
L15 (864762) | 16:34 Saintes station | 1h10 | 17:44 La Rochelle Porte Dauphine | 0 changesdirect | |
D15 (864810) | 17:39 Saintes station | 0h49 | 18:28 La Rochelle station | 0 changesdirect | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Review the details behind your booking, from operators and ticket rules to luggage, onboard amenities, accessibility, and route-specific travel policies.
Discover the best of La Rochelle — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect La Rochelle trip today.
A leading maritime museum with preserved vessels, including a weather ship and fishing boat, moored in the old harbour area.
Natural history collections covering animals, ethnography and regional science, set in an elegant former governor’s residence.
Fine arts museum in a historic episcopal palace, showing paintings and decorative arts from the 15th to 20th centuries.
The city’s lively harbour lined with quays, cafés and historic towers; ideal for a first walk and classic La Rochelle views.
This old quarter of arcaded lanes, mansions and small squares captures the city’s mercantile character and rewards slow wandering.
A central pedestrian shopping street known for arcades, historic façades and easy access to the old town’s main sights.
Fresh oysters from nearby Marennes-Oléron, prized for their briny flavour and long oyster-farming tradition on the Charente coast.
Mussels cooked with pineau, cream or herbs are a Charente-Maritime staple, reflecting the region’s strong shellfish culture and Atlantic produce.
A rich fish stew from the Atlantic coast, usually made with local fish, shellfish, wine and aromatics, linked to old fishing traditions.
Smart contemporary restaurant focused on seasonal French cooking and carefully presented plates in an intimate old-town setting.
Elegant seafood restaurant by the harbour, known for oysters, fish and polished service in a refined but welcoming setting.
Historic brasserie on the Vieux Port serving seafood platters, regional dishes and classic French fare in a lively traditional room.
Moderate for a French coastal city: hotels rise in summer, but dining and local transport are usually manageable for most tourists.
Service is usually included. Round up or leave 5-10% for excellent restaurant service. Small change is fine in cafés; taxis are often rounded up.
Official public transport app
La Rochelle Airport -> Place de Verdun, La Rochelle
Get destination-focused answers for the end of your trip, including what to do, when to go, practical entry details, and tips for making the most of your time in La Rochelle.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Saintes to La Rochelle by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at La Rochelle, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Saintes to La Rochelle trains use the Saintes to La Rochelle station pair, with some services arriving at La Rochelle Porte Dauphine. Use this guide to compare Saintes and La Rochelle train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Saintes is 1 km from Saintes city centre. Public transport options include:
Saintes has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Le Parvis, La Table du Maroc
Free.
Ticket office support is available at Saintes. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Saintes. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Saintes: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Saintes: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Saintes: Elevators, ramps.
Nearby hotels include Comfort Inn Saintes, ibis Saintes, Campanile Saintes.
La Rochelle is 1 km from La Rochelle city centre. Public transport options include:
La Rochelle has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Les 4 Sergents, La Boussole
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at La Rochelle. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at La Rochelle. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at La Rochelle: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at La Rochelle: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at La Rochelle: Elevators, ramps.
Nearby hotels include Best Western Plus Masqhotel, Hotel Saint Nicolas, Ibis La Rochelle Vieux-Port.
La Rochelle Porte Dauphine has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Bike Parking and Bike Rental.
Food and drink options are available at La Rochelle Porte Dauphine.
ATMs are available at La Rochelle Porte Dauphine.
Available at La Rochelle Porte Dauphine: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at La Rochelle Porte Dauphine: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at La Rochelle Porte Dauphine.
Check train stations information for Saintes and La Rochelle, including where trains depart and arrive on this route.
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