Nice to Barcelona
 

Has anyone travelled by bus or train between Nice/Cannes to Barcelona during daylight hours. Could you please tell if it was scenic, comfortable, cheap, etc. Did you enjoy it, - any pitfalls?

We did it the other way around...Barcelona to Nice during the day. First of all, I should mention that we were told there was no direct train and we had to transfer in Montpilier (sp?). Also, were travelling during Easter break and even though we had lst class tickets and reservations, it was very crowded and not really all that scenic. No, we didn't enjoy it.

You may be better off with a discount airline--check out whichbudget.com...I think they have good rates between the two.

Thank you for your reply artlover. I take it there is a direct train even though the other way around. We have looked at flying. We would need to fly from Nice to London and then back to Barcelona and it doesn't hold much appeal, but will check whichbudget.com. Do you remember how long the train journey took? We will be travelling on a Saturday.

During the day, there's a train that leaves Nice at 10:10 a.m. It arrives in Montpellier at 2:25 p.m. The next train, a Catalan Talgo train (with dining car) leaves Montpellier around 5:15 p.m. and arrives in Barcelona at 9:48 p.m.

The trip between Nice and Montpellier should be very expensive, but the Talgo train has special fares, meaning more costly.

I've only taken night trains from Spain, so I can't help you with the scenery, except I recall there being a lot of nice sea views before it became dark.

If the train trip is close to a 12-hour ordeal, could be considered expensive, and there is no scenery enjoyment to speak off, WHY are you not flying, even if the alternative is Nice-London-Barcelona?