San Sebastián
 

Has anyone taken the bcn to San Sebastián train and is it beautiful ride?

Yes and I'd call it moderately scenic - would be the same driving route - via Zaragoza and Pamplona - nice but nothing to cause one to train over driving like you planned to do on other thread.

Barcelona to Zaragoza is typical arid wasteland scenes of much of Spain but around Pamplona things turn green and are more scenic.

But 'scenic' is subjective:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopi...Catalonia.html

If doing it there are two direct trains a day - 7:30a, and late afternoon and they take just over 5 hours - leave at other times and it's 7 hours plus plus a change of trains. Check www.renfe.com for schedules and fares and booking your own. For more possible details check www.seat61.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com.

Great info thanks��

I appreciate it:)

It's a lovely journey!

The train is a swish air-conditioned Alvia train with turista and preferente class seats and cafe.

It takes you out of Barcelona past Montserrat - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montserrat_(mountain) - on the high-speed line towards Zaragoza, this particular train travelling at up to 250km/h (155 mph).

Just beyond Zaragoza it slows to 30mph and passes seamlessly through a gauge-changing system where the wheels adjust from European standard gauge (the new high-speed lines are all standard 4' 8.5") to wider Iberian gauge (5' 6"). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iberian_gauge

It then rolls across the plains, calling at Pamplona, then climbs into the mountains to San Sebastian, twisting and turning. Lovely.

A few pics: https://www.seat61.com/international...n_to_Barcelona

I should add, easiest places to buy tickets www.loco2.com or www.trainline.eu - same prices as Renfe's own site renfe.com but far easier to use and no payment issues.

You print your own ticket.

I paid €28 for a preferente (1st class) ticket a few years ago, it hasn't changed much. Book ahead for the cheapest rates as they price dynamically, booking usually opens 60 days ahead.

With a group of ten I'd still do the van as planned unless you will only rent the van for that one trip - if keeping it start with it in Barcelona. May take a bit longer driving than faster trains however.

Could break up with stay in Pamplona?

I don't see where the OP ever mentioned a group of 10, and at any rate as far as I know the biggest van you can rent anywhere in Westrn Europe is a 9-seater, and even those are prohibitively big to deal with small roads and city streets.

We rented a 7 seater minivan. It was needed for the sights we saw like Rioja. so glad we did.