Getting from Madrid to Barcelona

Old Jul 30th, 2006, 08:06 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Getting from Madrid to Barcelona

We need to get from Madrid to Barcelona while on our trip. It's come down to flying or taking a train (driving is not an option). Which do you recommend? Do you really save that much time flying? Plus, are the trains that run between Madrid and Barcelona nice? I've heard that they are not up to the same standard as many other European trains. If it would be a nice trip, we would consider the train even if it takes a bit longer. Cost is not a large issue, so we're not factoring that into our decision. Thanks!
TravellingFromNYC is offline  
Old Jul 31st, 2006, 10:45 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You should definitely fly from Madrid to BCN. It is quite a long train, and yes, you do save a lot of time by flying. Plus, there are a ton of flights between Madrid and BCN daily (especially on Iberia). Don't waste your time with the train...you'll enjoy the extra time in BCN!
BCNGuy1982 is offline  
Old Jul 31st, 2006, 11:00 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,995
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I flew on Iberia and it was just fine. Check out SpanAir too as they compete on that route heavily with Iberia.
JoeTro is offline  
Old Jul 31st, 2006, 11:09 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,641
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Some of Europe's fastest and most modern trains now take about 4.5 hours on this route with the advent of the new high-speed rail line, which, alas, still has some problems that keep it from dropping the time even further, to about 3.5 hours in the near future i believe. These trains are as fast and modern or more so than French TGVs.
PalQ is offline  
Old Jul 31st, 2006, 10:11 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My daughter could not get to Barcelona on a flight from the US so I had her on a nonstop flight to Madrid from US with a connection on Spanair to Barcelona. I purchased the Madrid-Barcelona portion on Orbitz and it was about $180 USD. The flight was quick,easy and so much more bearable than a traintrip there.
dutyfree is offline  
Old Aug 1st, 2006, 12:18 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 17,549
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The trains are modsern and fast as PalQhas said and there is nothing "unbearable" about them IMO.

Both Spanair and Iberia compete heavily on this route and the flying time is a little over an hour. There are hourly departures.

You'd probably do better to book an e-ticket DIRECTLY with the airline rather than going through a search engine as far as prices go.

But be aware that the trains will get you pretty much city center to city center. You'll need to add on the extra time required to get yourself to the Madrid airport and then the time to check in and go through any necessary screening, waiting for luggage (if at all, at the BCN end and then transport into the city.

Be aware, also, of the luggage restrictions. Usually checked luggage is limited to 44 pounds per person.

In the end only you can decide if you the time you are saving, and it may not bne a lot, is worth it.
Dukey is offline  
Old Aug 1st, 2006, 01:51 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,396
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes on 4 Posts
I took several flights last month within Spain on Vueling Airlines for 10 euros per person plus tax. The website is www.vueling.com. There are assigned seats, so it is not like Easyjet where you have to scramble for seats, and the planes were new. Prices fluctuate and become higher as more seats are sold, so it is advisable to book as soon as you can.
Nikki is offline  
Old Aug 1st, 2006, 02:04 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I also flew on Vueling just three weeks ago and with taxes and fees the price worked out to 33 euro or a little over $40 per person from Madrid to Barcelona. The only issue is that their flights are usually early but it was a very clean pleasant flight. You will have to take a bus or taxi from the airport in order to get to the city but that is relatively easy also.

Baldworth
baldworth is offline  
Old Aug 1st, 2006, 02:57 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 933
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Much cheaper to fly.
We did that route on Air Madrid. www.airmadrid.com
carylspall is offline  
Old Aug 1st, 2006, 05:59 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'll taking a bus (I bought at Eurolines but I think it's Alsa). It departs at 23:00 and arrives at 07:00.
Three advantages:
- It's very cheap: 25 EU
- Save time because you travel at night
- Save the night in a hotel/hostel
hernanc2002 is offline  
Old Aug 3rd, 2006, 02:02 PM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 10,965
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
A fast train is in the works for between Madrid and Barcellona, but the current one isn't fast and it isn't much fun. Flying is a better option if cost is not a big factor. Iberia, Spanair, Delta are among the airlines that fly this route.
happytrailstoyou is offline  
Old Aug 3rd, 2006, 02:55 PM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,129
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
There is a new high-speed standard-gauge line from Madrid to Lleida, and trains average 100 mph for this journey (the actual speed between stations is higher). From Lleida to Barcelona, there is only the old broad-gauge line and trains' wheels need to be adjusted for the different track gauge; the average speed for this part of the journey is only about 50 mph.
GeoffHamer is offline  
Old Aug 3rd, 2006, 03:20 PM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,862
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I know little about Spain, but I'm curious about why so much disdain for a 4.5 train ride? Is the scenery so unbearably ugly? I'm just asking because there are so many fewer people singing the praises of train travel in relation to this particular route than any other. I've noticed it before.
Cimbrone is offline  
Old Aug 3rd, 2006, 05:23 PM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 10,965
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It's a pretty boring trip, but it is worthwhile if you break it up with a stop in Zaragosa.
happytrailstoyou is offline  
Old Aug 3rd, 2006, 06:52 PM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,000
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

I took the Estrella night train from Madrid to Barcelona. Excellent train, beds, and schedule. Departs Madrid Chamartin at 10 PM and arrives Barcelona Sants at 07 AM.

There is also a TrenHotel, an up-scale train, which runs an hour later. The TrenHotel has single and double compartments with toilet and shower in the room. It also has a dining car. Remember that Spaniards eat very late.

Even though this is a nine hour train trip you're not wasting any time because you would be sleeping anyway, and you save the cost of a night in a hotel. It's a no-brainer.
hopscotch is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
travlsolo2
Europe
5
Dec 29th, 2010 07:39 AM
rede440
Europe
27
Mar 29th, 2010 11:38 AM
kenderina
Europe
43
Feb 28th, 2008 10:38 AM
rozlands
Europe
4
Apr 25th, 2006 04:17 PM
sb1020
Europe
6
Apr 27th, 2003 12:12 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -