Barcelona Santsdep 16:20TGV 9706TGV Direction: Paris Gare de Lyon
Subject to compulsory reservation , Global price , Bar , Compartment for disabled travellersGironadep 17:01Figueres Vilafantdep 17:18Perpignandep 17:49Narbonnedep 18:26Beziersdep 18:43Montpellier Saint-Rochdep 19:24Nîmesdep 19:54Paris Gare de Lyonarr 22:48


This according to www.bahn.de/en is the most direct route - NOT via Toulouse. Toulouse is a detour off that line.

Is this not the most direct route?

And can take direct TGV Barcelona to Lyon or change at Nimes.

Maybe some of us have a different definition of "direct". The 9:25 to Paris does not stop in Toulouse. You need to change trains in Narbonne. Same with the 13:20 train. There is a no-train-change TGV that departs Barcelona at 18:30 & arrives in Toulouse at 21:42 - but that schedule is not a good one for an overnight stay itinerary.


IMO, it is a coin flip!!!! There is an intermediate train change necessary to get to Toulouse, and 2 taxi rides necessary for Lyon. Lyon has more frequent schedules to get to Paris.



Stu Dudley

Barcelona Santsdep 09:25TGV 9702TGV Direction: Paris Gare de Lyon
Subject to compulsory reservation , Global price , Bar , Compartment for disabled travellersNarbonnearr 11:27Transfer time 1:05 h
Adjust the transfer time Narbonnedep 12:32TER76208Train Express Regional Direction: Toulouse-Matabiau
2nd class only -

TOULOUSE IS A DETOUR OFF THAT MAIN ROUTE TO PARIS - TAKES ABOUT AS MUCH TIME BARCELONA-TOULOUSE AS BARCELONA-PARIS ON DIRECT ROUTE.

end of discussion. Check your facts.Toulouse-Matabiauarr 14:05

IMO, it is a coin flip!!!! There is an intermediate train change necessary to get to Toulouse, and 2 taxi rides necessary for Lyon. Lyon has more frequent schedules to get to Paris>

There is a 9:30 or so train direct to Lyon from Barcelona - no taxis required - takes about 5 hours - leaving lots of time in afternoon for Lyon - the hourly or more TGVs to Paris next day take about 2 hours. Where does the 'two taxis" come in?

The taxis are for getting to/from Old Lyon from/to the Part Dieu station in Lyon. It is too far to walk, IMO.



Stu Dudley

From Part Dieu after AVE from Barcelona arrives there is a connecting train to Lyon Perrache so no need for taxi and Perrache is in a nice area near Place Bellecour and a nice walk from the Old Town - get hotel near Perrache station so easy boarding train next day to Paris. No taxis needed.

Short taxi/train.....what's the difference? Except, IMO, a taxi is less hassle. We've taken a taxi from Part Dieu to our hotel, & also the train from Part Dieu to Perrache & walked to our hotel half way between Perrache & Old Town. It was farther than we wanted to walk carrying our small day-trip suitcase. I would choose to take a taxi to Old Town to drop me off in front of my Old Town hotel.


Stu Dudley

Same is true for most large cities - so irrelevant to discussion.

Taxis are irrelevant also because there is no need to get to Perrache. There are numerous direct trains all day from Lyon Part Dieu to Gare de Lyon in Paris. It's a waste of time to move but that's just my opinion. I just don't see the point, you're talking about part of a day, an overnight stay. In fact, I think it's the exact same trains, many TGVs from Perrache stop at Part Dieu before going on to Paris Gare de Lyon.

The Mercure right next to the Part Dieu train station is really nice, I stayed there a couple years ago, and it makes it very easy if you are only there one night to not waste time. There is a metro station right there, of course (and near some bus lines), for when you want to do tourist sightseeing, but you can just walk next door, checkin and get rid of the luggage. Also, it may be cheaper than some in the center.

Also, I think a lot of people would not want to walk between Perrache and Old town, it's over 2 km.

Well yes staying at Part-Dieu for just one night simplifies everything and use metro to get around -2 km would not be much of a walk for many but yes a long way for others - just get off train from Barcelona at Part-Dieu - settle into economic Mercure and have several hours to enjoy Lyon and next day be right at train station. Thanks for that info - makes it so simple for OP.

We are well past the point of diminishing returns on this thread - but...


My point was:

To visit Toulouse, you'll need to take 2 trains to the Toulouse train station, stay at a hotel near the station, and walk to Old Toulouse. We've done this 3 times.



To visit Lyon, you'll take 1 train to the Part Dieu station then:
- either stay near the station and take a taxi from the hotel to visit Old Lyon, and taxi back to the hotel after Old Lyon

- or take a taxi from Part Dieu to a hotel in Old Lyon & back to Part Dieu the next morning.


No need to visit the Perrache station, IMO. We actually did that twice & stayed near Perrache once for an overnight, and arrived from Roanne another time for a day trip - and it was more walking than I thought it would be. On our trip last year, we taxied to/from Part Dieu to our apt..


I'm guessing that the OP is not a seasoned traveler in France and won't want to try to figure out the Lyon metro system to visit Old Lyon from Part Dieu. Taxi is easier.


Stu Dudley

In any case a direct train to Lyon then 2-hour direct train ride to Paris is much better than three trains to Toulouse and still have 4.5 hours next day to Paris - thread got derailed when someone insisted Lyon was a huge detour from direct Barcelona to Paris route when in fact it is perfect. Thread was ruined by misinformation that I hope did not scare OP off.

>> three trains to Toulouse<<


Two trains to Toulouse.


Stu Dudley

I appreciate all the facts and info on these thread Fodorites! I am taking notes
And to answer Stu's comment.. Yes we are not seasoned travelers. So the simpler the route the better.

Nothing could be easier than direct train Barcelona to Lyon Part-Dieu - nice economic hotel right next to station - bop around Lyon - boom get back on train next morning to Paris. Take metro to Old Lyon area and spend afternoon there or if like to walk - Lyon is noted for its gastronomy so have a nice meal.

Book those trains online yourself for discounted fares- www.oui.sncf - French Railways site or Renfe for Spanish railways site - see which is best for that AVE direct train to Lyon. www.oui.sncf for Lyon to Paris - easy peasy. See www.seat61.com for sage advice booking those trains - some folks say www.thetrainline.com matches lowest prices and is easier to use - maybe start there. For general info trains like first and second class also check BETS-European Rail Experts and www.ricksteves.com.

That makes sense! Thanks PalenQ

Book Hotel Ibis Styles Lyon Centre-Gare Part Dieu just now for $88 (saved 45%) hotel is 6 min walk from station, 1.6 mi to historic old town.

Now book those train tickets starting 60 or is it 90 days out - don't dally as cheapest fares can go quickly. Sounds like you like to walk - I liked walking along the two rivers that hem in the old town.

90 days it is. We can take the Metro going to Old town right?

Yup- change to Green Line for "Vieux Lyon" - fun to take the funicula (also on map) up to the pilgrimage church high on a hill. Great area to walk around in - traboules, etc.

Lyon Subway Map for Download | Metro in Lyon - High-Resolution Map of Underground Network