Laurel61

Is there an on-line site to book bus transportation from Barcelona to Girona, Stiges, or Montseraat? I will be based in Barcelona for 6 days and 5 nights and would like to day trip there or even overnight in 1 or more of these cities. Any idea's on cost needed as well or if there is a train /metro that goes there. All information is appreciated as well as other suggestions to make this week memorable.

P.S. Solo female traveler (mom)

Laurel61

Trip will be end of June early July 2009
Thanks

Maribel

Laurel61,
The easiest way to reach Sitges is by commuter train, line C2. These trains run from early morning until almost midnight, and the trip takes between 36 and 42 minutes. To see the train schedule go to www.renfe.es. Under Cercanías (the commuter lines), choose Barcelona from the drop down menu. Then under Horarios (schedules), choose Barcelona-Passeig de Gracia as your Origen and Sitges as your Destino.

To go to Monserrat there are two options-either take a Juliá bus or take the combo train/cable car or the train/funicular. See these options here:
http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...ontserrat.html

For Barcelona to Girona, you have the regional or Catalunya express train.
See the schedule at www.renfe.es

If I had to choose among the 3 above for an overnight, I would choose Girona, a really compelling city with great atmosphere. And I'd choose either the Ciutat de Girona or the Historic Apartments in the old quarter.
www.hotel-ciutatdegirona.com
www.hotelhistoric.com

Pvoyageuse

See www.renfe.es. Enter "cercanias" for Sitges, there are many trains a day from Barcelona Sants Station (less from Estacion de França)and it takes less than 40 minutes.

Enter "home renfe" for Girona - again more train (including the Catalonia Express) from Sants than from Estacion de França.

Cowboy1968

Unfortunately, for going to Sitges, it may have become somewhat confusing when Cercanias rearranged the network a bit. Also the Cercanias to the Airport and some which already terminate at Castelldefels are now line 2.
The services you want to take for Sitges show Sant Vicenç de Calders/ Vilanova i la Geltrú as destinations.
The good thing is that there are now 4 services per hour to Sitges (during the week).
I *think* the trains now start/stop at Sants on weekends and do not serve Pg de Gracia.

Just check the displays on the platform for mentioning Sitges as a stop when the train is about to arrive or ask someone also waiting on the platform.

And don't get confused when signs say Rodalies instead of Cercanias. It means the same, but in a different language

It will cost €2.80 one-way (Zone 4), and you can also get a return ticket from the machines, which can "communicate" in English.

danon

for bus service take a look at


http://www.alsa.es/portal/site/Alsa

Laurel61

Thank you, thank you
Maribel- Thanks for the Info. Montserrat seems like a must and good for a day trip. Love the hotel's but looking for much less as I will have already spent 2 months in Europe(next time though). I was somewhat confused on renfre-looks as though i can't book more than 60 days out

Pvoy/Cowboy- Thanks for the train info and pricing(VeryImportant

Danon- very easy site for the Bus Thanks.

Do you all agree Gerona should be an Overnight and Not just a daytrip or ? Any other suggestions?

danon

'Do you all agree Gerona should be an Overnight and Not just a daytrip or ?'
Some people love it, I thought a day there was enough.

The train station is about 20 min . walk from the "old town".

Maribel

Now I'm confused about Sitges Cowboy! I checked www.renfe.es before writing my response to Laurel, and it still showed C2 leaving from Passeig de Gracia. (I thought it might be easier for her from P de G rather than figuring out the many lines that leave from Sants.) Is that info inaccurate? Do the line 2 trains to Sitges no longer go through P de G? Renfe says yes, but am I missing something?

Maribel

Laurel61,
I forgot to add that I thought of an inexpensive lodging option in Girona's old quarter, since you need to economize (I completely understand with 2 months of hotel rooms to book!)
-the Hostal /Residencia Bellmirall. The '09 Lonely Planet (just came out last month) lists prices there from 40-75 euros (the least exp. have shared baths). It gets decent Trip Advisor reviews.

Lonely Planet also recommends the Bed and Breakfast Bells Oficis, just off the Placa de la Llibertat (handy location). Only has 5 rooms. www.bellsoficis.com

Just in case you want to spend the night...

Cowboy1968

Maribel - yes, you are (still) correct, #2 trains (usually) still serve Gracia, but:
Check the "plano" on renfe Barca's website - you will find now 3 lines (2 Nord, 2 Sud, and 2)

2 Nord (southbound) goes to the Airport.
2 Sud (southbound) to Sant Vicenc, and
2 (southbound) must just be for peak services on the central leg until Casteldefells.

And if you check weekend horarios you will find no daytime services between Gracia and Sitges but the regular number of services between Sants and Sitges. Thus, I was assuming that on weekends the lines terminate even differently.

Cowboy1968

And, by the way, they put the airport now in zone 4. No more cheap T-10 rides for 77 cents into the city.. ¡qué lástima!

Maribel

Thanks, Cowboy! These changes with the Rodalies make my head spin-can't keep up with it.
Yep, when I did that P de G to Sitges line 2 check, it was for a weekday-forgot to double check for a weekend. Now, I understand (well, maybe.... #-o)

Boo to them for putting El Prat in zone 4 and wiping away that cheap, cheap ride with the T-10.

Thanks, again. I knew I could rely on you way better than Renfe to sort all this out for me