Barcelona to Provence
Apr 5th, 2010, 05:16 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Barcelona to Provence
My husband and I are planning a trip to Provence in October. We are wondering if its feasible to fly into Barcelona (where we would spend a few days), then travel to Provence by train. Once there, we plan to rent a car to tour the area.
Apr 5th, 2010, 07:02 AM
#3
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That's a longish train ride, 8 or 9 hours with multiple changes -- depending on your destination in Provence. You could train non-stop to Montpellier (only 5+ hours) and pick up a car there. Or continue on to Avignon TGV or Aix TGV, both good places to pick up rental cars (not in town).
Apr 5th, 2010, 07:05 AM
#5
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It'quite feasible. The rail trip is not by TGV or other fast train, but if you can look at the countryside for about seven hours and read a good book, it can be a pleasant day. We had one train change, at Montpellier, for our trip last June from Barcelona to Nimes, a rather low-key Roman ruins-oriented Provence town, and our hotel the Hotel La Baune, was comfortable and well-located.
Apr 5th, 2010, 07:32 AM
#6
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 897
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Until they finish the high speed train link between France and Spain (sometime way off in the distance) train travel between Barcelona and Provence will remain slow and painful.
Spanair (a low cost European airline) just started flying driect from BCN to Marseille. I'd look into that.
-Kevin
Spanair (a low cost European airline) just started flying driect from BCN to Marseille. I'd look into that.
-Kevin
Apr 5th, 2010, 05:19 PM
#7
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We've taken the train to Perpignan (morning run leaves about 8:30 a.m. and arrives at about noon), rented a car at the station, had lunch in town then driven on. Not a bad trip and taking the train the first half removes some of the strain.
We stopped in Arles for a couple of hours before heading on to Orange and it was not uncomfortable.
We stopped in Arles for a couple of hours before heading on to Orange and it was not uncomfortable.
