Looking for advice about flight from Barcelona to Paris
 

In late May I'll be flying from JFK to Barcelona, then flying from there to Paris after a few days. I'd prefer to fly into Orly since I've read it's a bit easier to deal with than CDG and quicker to get to the Paris city center from. Here are a couple things I'm wondering about:

1. Between the carriers easyJet, transavia, and Vueling, is any one of them much better than the others? I'm leaning toward transavia at the moment.

2. With one bag to be checked for a Monday morning flight, ideally leaving between 9 a.m. and noon, how early should I be at the Barcelona airport? Assuming a taxi or an Uber is the fastest way to get there, what should I expect as far as traffic goes from the city center to the airport?

Any help appreciated!

1. Same. I took the 3 and I didn't nite any difference.
2. No idea - ask your hotel.
You must be at least 1 hour being flying time at the airport and it is a strict minimum. I never do the 2 hours most people recommend but it may be my mistake.

Ps. Orly isn't easier than CDG. Nor faster to reach town.
I would take the RER - 10 euros - easy with one bag.

Ps4 : no idea if Uber is more reliable than a taxi. Again your hotel might help.

I've used Vueling and EasyJet and didn't notice much difference between the two.

Since these airlines often have very fixed time periods as to when their check-ins at the airport open and close I'd make sure I knew what the <B>airline</B> recommends in terms of when to <B>be</B> at the airport.

There are several means of reaching BCN from the downtown and those include taxi as well as public transport. In terms of using a taxi or other road transport, once the vehicle gets "out of town" the airport is accessed by an expressway.

My own experience is that traffic has thinned out after the taxi has left town but then again I have often flown out of BCN rather early in the day.

I've also used rail and there were no traffic issues at all. I believe there may still be a bus service you can use, too.

Have you totally ruled out the train from Barcelona (city centre) to Paris (city centre)? Takes about six and a half hours, and you get to see some scenery en route - leaving Barcelona 0925, arriving in Paris around 1600.

I briefly considered the train, but decided against since I'd like to maximize the 10 days total I'll have to enjoy these destinations. Even if the flight only leaves me an extra two or three hours to see and do more around Paris, it's worth it to me.

Have flown all three and there isn't much difference. But, Vueling may be a better choice out of Barcelona simply because that is their home base. More flights, more customer service reps if there is an issue, etc.

My only experience is with Vueling and they are fine. I've always wondered about Transavia though, if you use them I hope you will report back.

If you decide on Vueling I would allow a lot of check in time especially on a Monday morning. They fly all over Europe and a lot of people use the airline to get to meetings, etc. I would allow two hours for check in. You may not need it (I did not need it in October on a flight to Orly) but better safe than sorry.

Taxis are everywhere in Barcelona and they are not expensive. Use a taxi, or take the Aerobus. It usually takes about 30 minutes but you could allow 45 in case of traffic. This is from the Plaza Catalunya area. It always seems to me there is more traffic coming in than going out.

I prefer Orly because overall it's much less hassle for me than CDG. Due to mobility issues I usually take taxis, Orly is slightly closer in and cheaper by taxi than CDG to the Left Bank.

But, I'd base my decision more on cost and timing of the flight you want than on the airport.

Both airports have public transport options into Paris centre:

http://www.airport-orly.com/trains-and-metro.php

I have to say this: you are probably talking about getting to BCN an hour or two prior to take-off.

Let's say you are getting there ONE hour before take-off and that it takes at least 30 minutes for you to get to BCN from wherever you are staying (and I somehow suspect it will be longer.

So we are talking about 1.5 hours to get to the airport,

The flight takes <B>one hour and 50 minutes</B> from BCN to Ory and that is, I believe wheels up to wheels down. <B>ADD</B> in the taxi time at each end as well as the time it takes you to <B>get off</B> the aircraft and make your way to that means of transport you will use. I'm saying that will be 30 minutes total.

So now we have

30 minutes to BCN
60 minutes wait
110 minutes to fly
30 minutes to taxi and also for you to deplane at ORY

That's almost <B>four hours</B> and you still aren't IN PARIS; the train takes a total of 6.5 hours and you get to see something besides clouds on the way.

You've "saved" what? A couple of hours <B>maybe</B>.

I know what I'd do but have a great trip regardless.

Dukey, how much time do you allow to get to a train station, find your track and board your train? Just curious.

People think there is no time to get to/from train stations and that you arrive when the train is leaving, which isn't so. lots of people leave out all those issues when comparing train to airport. BCN is an easy airport and isn't that far out.

So no, you haven't just saved a couple hours maybe because you are magically whisked from hotel onto the train without taking any time.

We took the train from Paris to Barcelona in December--maybe it took a bit longer (but that's debatable) but it was relaxing and comfortable (and cheap--I think it was only 25 Euros). That would be my preference.

oh, sorry, I've only flown Easyjet, I like them but I agree with the reasoning on Vueling (that it is their home country).

I suppose a taxi might take 30 minutes (it's 16 km). I would want to get there 90 minutes ahead, but I never risk close times at airports myself (or trains, for that matter, I am always at the train station at least 30 minutes or more early).

There's plenty of interesting scenery and towns to see along the train route, which counts towards visiting the two countries as well. And the ride is a whole lot more comfortable. Each to his own

We flew BCN to CDG, carryon only. They say they are VERY STRICT on size and weight, but did not find that that was the case. But this was about 3 years ago, so rules might have changed.

Also did the train vs fly debate, but decided to fly. We used public transportation to get to the airport, very easy and quick.

I did more seriously consider taking the train, but it turned out that tickets were going for around the same price as the flights. I ended up flying with Transavia and had no issues whatsoever. Thanks again everybody!