Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

France to Spain travel

Search

France to Spain travel

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 25th, 2008, 03:58 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
France to Spain travel

Going to Cassis, France on the Mediterranean next month. Thinking of going to Barcelona while we're there, but can't come up with the best way to get there. Any suggestions? I hear that driving in Spain is tough, especially in Barcelona. We may just drive up the French Rivieria toward Italy and forget Spain.
merlepearl is offline  
Old Aug 25th, 2008, 04:03 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 26,710
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Driving between cities in Spain is not difficult. Navigating and parking in the cities is difficult.

Aduchamp1 is offline  
Old Aug 25th, 2008, 04:23 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 13,491
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I agree with Aduchamp, the highways are not bad at all but negotiating the cities and parking are very trying. I drove out of Barcelona in a rental car and the first half hour was harrowing, with roundabouts and missed signs, then it was smooth sailing until we got to Perpignon, France, where once again the driving was not easy, street signs are tiny and on buildings, very hard to see, even a GPS, map and two other adults didn't make it easy. We did it, but just be aware of the parking limitations, study the French and Spanish road signs, and be sure to read the requirements for driving in each country. In Spain, a IDP is necessary, as are a spare pair of glasses if glasses are required by your license. Beware of parking restrictions, as well.
Challiman is offline  
Old Aug 25th, 2008, 06:32 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,422
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I don't think driving in Spain is difficult -- and that was even before I moved to Italy. And I thought Perpignan was pretty easy.

But even though the modernistic urban plan Barcelona is actually designed for auto traffic -- rare in Europe!!!!! -- I don't like driving there because of all the traffic. (Maybe the design of the city encourages car owning to a fault.)






zeppole is offline  
Old Aug 26th, 2008, 12:08 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You don't need an IDP in Spain but the spare pair of glasses may be needed. My Spanish driver license marked that I needed the second pair.

In both France and Spain now need a vest of bright yellow and must be wearing to climb out of the car on the highways. The triangle signs might be available and being used, when required.

I haven't any special problems driving in Spain nor France. Barcelona is a big city and the traffic needs some patience.

Blackduff

blackduff is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
beckysimms
Europe
27
Sep 2nd, 2016 12:12 AM
twoflower
Europe
10
Nov 9th, 2011 02:28 PM
cindyjo
Europe
5
Jan 7th, 2008 09:40 PM
FH77
Europe
7
Aug 7th, 2007 08:57 AM
travelerquestion
Europe
6
Nov 7th, 2003 12:09 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -