Barcelona to Paris
Nov 2nd, 2015, 10:59 AM
#1
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Barcelona to Paris
I know that I am posting many questions but this is my first time to visit Spain, and I am not aware of
transportation between European Countries.
Can you help me find any night trains from Barcelona to Paris, the exact train station in both countries so I know where to buy tickets and find nearby hotels.
Any idea about the cheapest tickets, and length of trip? I can't check the fares and open train sites properly in my country!
Thanks a lot.
transportation between European Countries.
Can you help me find any night trains from Barcelona to Paris, the exact train station in both countries so I know where to buy tickets and find nearby hotels.
Any idea about the cheapest tickets, and length of trip? I can't check the fares and open train sites properly in my country!
Thanks a lot.
Nov 2nd, 2015, 11:29 AM
#4
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The site you were given on another post answers your question:
http://www.seat61.com/international-...tm#Spain-Paris
http://www.seat61.com/international-...tm#Spain-Paris
Nov 2nd, 2015, 11:33 AM
#5
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The former Elipsos overnight trains Barcelona to Paris are history but you can still do overnight on trains by taking a day train to Toulouse and then catching an overnight train to Paris. You may want to look around Toulouse, a neat large university town too.
What countries are you traveling in - each country has their own rail system and fares and online booking - Spain www.renfe.com; France www.voyages-sncf.com, etc.
For schedules of any train in Europe go to the German Railways site - www.bahn.de/en - fares given only for trains involving Germany however.
What trains are you thinking of taking - if several longish ones investigate some kind of railpass - if only a handful do the online route for discounted tickets if you book far enough in advance - often weeks to get the limited in number discounted ducats and realize that they are usually non-changeable non-refundable from the specific train you are booked on. For flexibility to chose which trains to take once there look at railpasses (if taking several trains).
Flying can be cheaper and faster as janis says for long train rides - but again book in stone far in advance - www.whichbudget.com and www.skyscanner.net are two sites cluing you in on budget flights - EasyJet and RyanAir are just two of many discount airlines.
For lots of great info on trains and overnight trains check www.seat61.com - great info on discounted tickets; www.ricksteves.comand www.budgeteuropetravel.com.
I love overnight trains and have taken a zillion of them over the years but not everyone can sleep on night trains as there is always a modicum of noise from inside and outside the train. But you do save the cost of a hostel or hotel and arrive in the city center not some remote airport like discount airlines often use for cheaper landing fees (like at Beauvais for Paris).
What countries are you traveling in - each country has their own rail system and fares and online booking - Spain www.renfe.com; France www.voyages-sncf.com, etc.
For schedules of any train in Europe go to the German Railways site - www.bahn.de/en - fares given only for trains involving Germany however.
What trains are you thinking of taking - if several longish ones investigate some kind of railpass - if only a handful do the online route for discounted tickets if you book far enough in advance - often weeks to get the limited in number discounted ducats and realize that they are usually non-changeable non-refundable from the specific train you are booked on. For flexibility to chose which trains to take once there look at railpasses (if taking several trains).
Flying can be cheaper and faster as janis says for long train rides - but again book in stone far in advance - www.whichbudget.com and www.skyscanner.net are two sites cluing you in on budget flights - EasyJet and RyanAir are just two of many discount airlines.
For lots of great info on trains and overnight trains check www.seat61.com - great info on discounted tickets; www.ricksteves.comand www.budgeteuropetravel.com.
I love overnight trains and have taken a zillion of them over the years but not everyone can sleep on night trains as there is always a modicum of noise from inside and outside the train. But you do save the cost of a hostel or hotel and arrive in the city center not some remote airport like discount airlines often use for cheaper landing fees (like at Beauvais for Paris).
Nov 2nd, 2015, 11:37 AM
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If you cannot purchase tickets online and in advance.. then you will not find a cheap ticket by train to Paris from Barcelona by walking up to the train station.
Easyjet is cheap and fast.. but once again.. you need to purchase your ticket in advance online to get best price.
Easyjet is cheap and fast.. but once again.. you need to purchase your ticket in advance online to get best price.
Nov 2nd, 2015, 12:02 PM
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Thanks for your advice, I will try to find the most suitable. It is not available to purchase rail passes from Egypt as far as I understood from the sites, and I think it is the same issue for reserving tickets or checking fares in most sites!
Nov 2nd, 2015, 12:02 PM
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You should take the daytime high-speed TGV trains, there's no sleeper, at least not direct.
There are two daily direct TGV trains all year, and up to 4 per day in the summer.
Journey time is 6h20 or so - but that's city centre to city centre with zero check-in, with some great scenery and a chance to relax.
As opposed to up to 5 hours by air, because you have to catch a train to the airport, spend hours checking in with all the security hassle, then the flight, then another grotty RER train the rest of the way to Paris.
Flying is more hassle than it's worth when you're on a leisurely vacation not a rushed business trip!
The main thing is, if you're here to SEE Europe not miss it all, the Barcelona-Paris train ride is PART of your trip, part of the experience. It's a really nice run: You'll round the southern end of the Pyrenees with great views of the massive and often snow-capped Mt Canigou, the Fort de Salses right by the tracks, the cathedral at Beziers on its hill, a glimpse of the Med, flamingos on the lakes in the south of France, vineyards, the odd chateau (such as the Chateau de Montfaucon as you cross the river Rhone) and the rural Rhone Valley. All with a good book and a glass of red.
Train fares start at €59 at www.captaintrain.com - you print your own ticket.
The train is a 200mph double deck TGV Duplex, select an upstairs seat for the best views. All seats have power sockets and there's a cafe-bar.
There are two daily direct TGV trains all year, and up to 4 per day in the summer.
Journey time is 6h20 or so - but that's city centre to city centre with zero check-in, with some great scenery and a chance to relax.
As opposed to up to 5 hours by air, because you have to catch a train to the airport, spend hours checking in with all the security hassle, then the flight, then another grotty RER train the rest of the way to Paris.
Flying is more hassle than it's worth when you're on a leisurely vacation not a rushed business trip!
The main thing is, if you're here to SEE Europe not miss it all, the Barcelona-Paris train ride is PART of your trip, part of the experience. It's a really nice run: You'll round the southern end of the Pyrenees with great views of the massive and often snow-capped Mt Canigou, the Fort de Salses right by the tracks, the cathedral at Beziers on its hill, a glimpse of the Med, flamingos on the lakes in the south of France, vineyards, the odd chateau (such as the Chateau de Montfaucon as you cross the river Rhone) and the rural Rhone Valley. All with a good book and a glass of red.
Train fares start at €59 at www.captaintrain.com - you print your own ticket.
The train is a 200mph double deck TGV Duplex, select an upstairs seat for the best views. All seats have power sockets and there's a cafe-bar.
Nov 2nd, 2015, 12:06 PM
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and I think it is the same issue for reserving tickets or checking fares in most sites!>
Many now let you print your own ticket and pay with a credit card - some given you a code to give to the conductor and others have you pick up your ticket at the station - very few if any send out a paper ticket anymore (except railpasses - these can be bought in Europe at Eurail Aide offices in many large stations but they are sold at about 20% higher last I checked than in non-European countries.
Many now let you print your own ticket and pay with a credit card - some given you a code to give to the conductor and others have you pick up your ticket at the station - very few if any send out a paper ticket anymore (except railpasses - these can be bought in Europe at Eurail Aide offices in many large stations but they are sold at about 20% higher last I checked than in non-European countries.
Nov 2nd, 2015, 12:09 PM
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Barcelona airport is very nice and not at all onerous to get to nor deal with, contrary to what man above says. I've flown out of it a couple times or arrived at it, it's not far out, a good cheap airport bus to/from it, and doesn't take hours and hours and security isn't a "hassle." Riding in a train as an adventure all day may appeal to some, not sure who, I guess someone who has plenty of time and has never ridden a train before.
Nov 2nd, 2015, 12:45 PM
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Its a field, its a highway ,its a field, its a highway.. you can see that at home too.. not every train ride is scenic.. some are very very boring.
Sometimes slower and more expensive is just slower and more expensive.
Sometimes slower and more expensive is just slower and more expensive.
Nov 2nd, 2015, 12:53 PM
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I went Paris to Barcelona by train and very much enjoyed the experience and yes I have been on a train before. I grew up 10 miles from NYC and have lots of train/subway rides under my belt.
I enjoyed relaxing and looking at the scenery which was very nice. I also enjoyed foregoing the hassle of the airport and everything that entails.
Barcelona does have a nice airport and it's easy to get to from the center of the city, however, why not try something different once in awhile.
I enjoyed relaxing and looking at the scenery which was very nice. I also enjoyed foregoing the hassle of the airport and everything that entails.
Barcelona does have a nice airport and it's easy to get to from the center of the city, however, why not try something different once in awhile.
Nov 2nd, 2015, 01:03 PM
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Note that if you fly Vueling out of Barcelona, it IS a good idea to allow a lot of time to check in with luggage. They have a lot of flights, and they have a lot of check in counters, but they have a TON of people waiting in line for them. If one is not checking bags, no worries. Other airlines don't have the long lines but Vueling... 'nother story.
Nov 2nd, 2015, 01:30 PM
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What do you come to Europe to see - airports and tarmacs and a few tourist meccas or to also see the lay of the land in between and farms and towns in between - every European train ride is eye candy to me - see France and Spain - how they look not just Barcelona and Paris and freeways or metro into town.
Especially when the difference in time is not that much difference - trains are also much less likely to be delayed than airplanes - now if someone has taken the train already then flying the next time yes makes sense - but to never see the countryside between large tourist meccas by flying to me is short-changing yourself.
Ideally break up that train ride by say staying overnight in an Avignon or some other gem and add a smaller town to your experience.
And with those discount airlines look at ALL the total costs involved not only on the plane - hefty baggage charges - fee for reserving seats - Ryan Air even wanted to put pay toilets in before that trail balloon was shot down.
Especially when the difference in time is not that much difference - trains are also much less likely to be delayed than airplanes - now if someone has taken the train already then flying the next time yes makes sense - but to never see the countryside between large tourist meccas by flying to me is short-changing yourself.
Ideally break up that train ride by say staying overnight in an Avignon or some other gem and add a smaller town to your experience.
And with those discount airlines look at ALL the total costs involved not only on the plane - hefty baggage charges - fee for reserving seats - Ryan Air even wanted to put pay toilets in before that trail balloon was shot down.
