Cokie1

We've finally got our itinerary set: 5 nights in Paris (Hotel D'Aubusson), 3 nights in Girona (Ciutat de Girona) as a base for Costa Brava, and 4 nights in Barcelona (Hotel Omm). The remaining question is how to get from Paris to Girona. To catch the RyanAir flight out of Beauvais we need to leave Paris 3:15 before, which means leaving the hotel by 5am for a 9am flight - which arrives Girona at 10:30. Are we better off taking a train or driving? Anyone know how long those options would take? How about the whole RyanAir luggage issue - what's the real story? Is it safe? Any recommendations on great out-of-the way neighborhoods or restaurants for our 3 spots would be appreciated. Thanks!
-Helene

blackduff

To drive from Paris to Girona will take a minimum of ten hours of hard slogging.

It depends at what time you get clear from the grasp of the Paisian traffic but you can just nine hours to the French/Spanish border and then one hour more to Girona.

The drive is nice and you get to view the new viaduct at Millau. A75 autoroute is free (although there's a toll for the viaduct). The autoroutes between Paris and Clermant Ferrand (sp?)are toll routes. You get starting tolls again when you near the A9 autoroute from Montpelier to Girona.

Like I said, it's a nice drive, especially after Clermant-Ferrand.

Blackduff

Intrepid1

The train trip could be a hassle although you could get a TGV to as far as the border (Irun-Hendaye). The overnight train Paris-Barcelona takes about 12 hours.

If you can meet the luggage restrictions I would definitely take the flight. OK, so you have to get up early...isn't it worth it to avoid an otherwise LONG LONG trip to Spain?

BTW have you input your itinerary at www.skyscanner.net to see if any of the other airlines might match a budget fare if you book far enough ahead? However, the options there would probably involve flying into BCN itself which for your accommodation plans may not suit you as well.

grsing

The direct night train leaves Paris (Austerlitz station) at 8:32 and arrives at 6:54 in the morning, so you still wind up with something of an early morning, but it might be worth it, depending on your preferences (and saves you a night's hotel stay). And you don't have to haul yourself to Beauvis, Ryanair's "Paris" airport.

grsing

Another option would be flying to Barcelona with easyJet, most of which depart at 10:30 from Orly, which is quite a bit easier to get to the Beauvais (it's on the RER line B). From Barcelona city it's an hour to an hour and a half to Girona. Takes more time than directly flying to Girona, but saves the early wakeup; up to you which matters more.

GeoffHamer

You can see all the train connections on www.bahn.de. As well as the direct overnight train, there is an overnight train (with couchettes and reclining seats but no sleepers) to Cerbère (arriving 0813) where you change for Girona, a TGV at 0824 from Paris to Perpignan with two changes for Girona, and a TGV at 1324 to Montpellier, where you change to the Spanish Talgo train which gets to Girona at 2019 - seven hours city-centre to city-centre.

alanRow

"How about the whole RyanAir luggage issue - what's the real story? Is it safe?"

If we knew what you were talking about we could answer

But assuming you mean weight limits, basically you follow them to the LETTER otherwise you pay for the privilege.

As for "is it safe", Ryanair hasn't killed anyone yet

londonlad

For those who are unaware, ryanair are now charging for checked luggage.

"Passengers travelling with checked in luggage will pay a nominal fee of £2.50 (€3.50) per bag, per one way flight if prebooked on our website at the time of reservation or via a Ryanair call centre (up to 4 hours prior to scheduled flight departure), or £5.00 (€7.00) per bag, per one way flight if presented unbooked at the airport."

All the FAQs about ryanair buggage charges are here:

http://tinyurl.com/m5uwb

Cokie1

Thanks to everyone. I guess we'll get up early and fly. I'll just go measure my luggage! Does anyone know how long the actual drive to Beauvais is? I assume the cab fare is outrageous. Any other shuttle options other than the bus?