HEM23

I need to get from Paris to Barcelona in mid-July. Thought I might stop in Girona along the way. Is there a good way to get to Girona? Any comments on visiting Girona (is it worth the stop?)

Robert2533

The Paris-Barcelona train doesn't stop in Girona, but you can take a train from Barcelona to Girona for a day-trip.

alanRow

http://seat61.com/Spain.htm#Barcelona for the sleeper - day train is the next section

PalenQ

Paris-Barcelona trains do stop at Girona about 70 minutes before reaching Barcelona Sants - there is one change of train in Figueras Vilafant, where French TGVs currently terminate and you change to a Spanish train. Takes 6 1/4 hrs Paris to Girona with several departures each day. www.voyages-sncf.com has the schedules and fares, with some tasty online discounts usually available Paris to figueras if you act way early as they are sold in limited numbers - non-changeable non-refundable so locked in concrete however. If you are traveling much more on trains in France and Spain then check out the France-Spain railpass, valid on all trains in either country.

Great sources of info on French and Spanish trains and European trains in general - I always spotlight - www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.seat61.com.

PalenQ

The reason TGV trains currently terminated at Figueras is that the new high-speed rail line right into Barcelona itself is not finished - so you have to change to Spanish trains capable of going over current infrastructure - but this could change anytime, speeding up times and making everything all easier.

PalenQ

There are direct trains - two a day I believe between Montpellier and Barcelona - the old Talgo train which can go thru the border on the old railways - in France wheels are closer together to navigate normal gauge rails and to enter Spain, where the rails are wider apart - broad gauge - the wheels are cranked apart at the border - the new TGV trans-Pyrenees high-speed line that currently terminates service I believe at Figueras is built to normal gauge tracks used in practically of all of Europe (except Finland and Russia and Portugal and Spain) - thus in the future trains will be able to go direct between most of Europe and Barcelona, Madrid and Seville - the existing high-speed tracks between those cities having already been built to conventional European standards ( AVE trains - basically a French TGV I believe.

HEM23

Thanks for all the help. Very useful.

PalenQ

http://www.raileurope.com/train-faq/...w-to-book.html

Bit on the Talgo trains that go direct to Barcelona.