Robbietravels

We'll be touring the Dordogne and then visiting Barcelona with another couple in September. We were all routed to take the train from Narbonne (after overnighting in Cahors and driving to Narbonne) to Barcelona.

The other couple (ages 80 and 83) are now having more physical limitations and can't lift luggage; we can barely lug ours on trains so we can't provide porter service for them.

Are there any porters at the Narbonne and Barcelona stations? If so, how to nab one? If not, we'll have to drive to Lyon and fly Easy Jet (who messed us over two years ago) to Barcelona. My friend called Kayak (since Easy Jet didn't reply) about Easy Jet, got the run around and several price revisions and variation. Help!

StCirq

I can't speak to the train station in Narbonne, but I've rarely if ever seen a porter at anything but a huge French station, and even then, not so many. I definitely would not count on it.

Here's the website for the station, though. It may answer your question: http://www.gares-en-mouvement.com/in...r-1-frxna.html

Carlux

Like St Cirq, I think you will not find porters at Narbonne. In fact I am almost certain that you won't. The web site for the station certainly doesn't mention them, and the 5 photos indicate that it's not a large station. In fact we've used the station in Toulouse, which is a much larger city, and I don't remember ever seeing any.

Pvoyageuse

They will be able to find help in Narbonne provided they are at the station 45 minutes before departure time and ask for the "Accès Plus" service. It will cost them €5.

GeoffHamer

The train from Narbonne to Barcelona is a Talgo train, a Spanish train that has a much lower floor than other types of trains. The station platforms are usually at about the same height as the floor of the train, so boarding is much easier.
You can also ask other passengers to help with luggage. On trains throughout Europe, you'll see men helping older people lift luggage.

lincasanova

As mentioned, the trains have a service for the physically challenged. In Spain you should order this service in advance. Get in touch with Renfe.es. I believe the service is free.

kerouac

http://mission-voyageurs-handicapes....ice_acces_plu/

kerouac

The service is free in France.

http://tinyurl.com/munwey

Pvoyageuse

Kerouac :
The service is free provided
1.you have a "carte d'invalidité" or
2. you have a carte "réformé/pensionné de guerre" or
3. you are in a wheelchair.

This is apparently not the case with the OP's friends and this is why I have been told that
1. they have to show up 45 mn prior to departure time and
2. they'll have to pay €5.

Robbietravels

Thanks all. Now for the tricky part, booking the train. There have been some good train booking for dummies threads in years past. Can any one recall their favorites? I get on the sncf site and glaze over, I don't have enough French to understand their warning messages and reasons they can't fulfill request.

We're trying to book 4 1st class reserved seats (prem fares if possible) on direct train from Narbonne to Barcelona on 9/22/09.

StCirq

You can't book PREM fares until 3 months out, so you've got a couple of days before you can do that.

GeoffHamer

I booked on this train last December. I initially encountered errors on the SNCF website, because RENFE had not opened bookings for the train. You may therefore find that, even when the SNCF has opened bookings, you cannot book to Barcelona until the RENFE booking system is open.

lincasanova

and renfe is 60 days out, and not always that!

ira

Hi RT,

>I get on the sncf site and glaze over,......<

You need more practice.

I use http://imtranslator.com

Enjoy your trip.