We're thinking of doing a daytrip from Barcelona to Collioure, France. Anyone know if there is a train line that runs between the two cities frequently enough to go there and back in one day? I did some research on the Internet but couldn't find any train route from Barcelona to Collioure. Is there really no way by train between the two - or do I just suck at research?

Thanks!
Meredith

Hi Meredith,

Your question interested me because I have friends who are retired and live in Port-Vendre, 3 kilometers from Collioure.

I don't know why you can't find train connection for this route but I used the site (Swiss site but am used to it and works well.) :
http://www.cff.ch/pv/index_e.htm
and got timetable for Barcelona-Sants to Collieure with a change at Cerbere. Not very well connected it seems but with one of 2 morning trains, you can get to Collioure in 3 or 3 hours and half. Try this timetable site for details.

Thanks, kite! That is exactly what I was looking for, and for some reason, I couldn't seem to find it on my own! Thanks again!

You are very welcome Meredith. If you do visit Collioure, could you please post even a brief report? My retired friends in Port-Vendre keep inviting me but I have not been there yet.

Sure! We're not going until October, but I will definitely post when we get back!

We almost made that drive but when we got to the border found it would be too long a drive for a day trip. So we had a drink at a cafe in Spain at the border in Portbou, came back And found a room with a balcony over looking the beach in St Cyprian ( near kite's friends home.)

P.S. Meredith, the canned sardines whose tins are delightful, make great gifts.

Hi, Meredith,
Hmm, I wrote a reply which never got posted. I checked the French railway system, sncf.com, and found pretty much the same thing. You take the train from Barcelona to Cerbere, which is a little over 2 hours; then you need to change to another train to Collioure. The 2nd train doesn't take long, but it doesn't run too frequently (at least in the schedule that I was able to find), so you have to make your plans carefully. With connections and waiting, the trip can easily take 3 1/2 hours or so.

Kite, Collioure is a picturesque little seaside town, which has become touristy, but it still retains a certain charm, IMO.

Grandmere, thanks for your input. I think I should visit my friends one day soon.

You normally change at Cerbère going to France and at Port Bou going to Spain - this is because the railway tracks are a different gauge. The only through trains from Barcelona to France are Talgo trains which have wheels which can be adjusted at the border.