Train from Paris to Barcelona (day time trip)
 

We are considering taking a day time train from Paris to Barcelona via Perpignan–Figueres in December. I understand there is a relatively new daytime TGV train from Paris to Figueres, where we change to a local train to Barcelona. The information I have is that the journey will be about 7.5 hours. Has anyone done this trip? I am interested to know if it is a scenic route and worth the extra time (versus flying). Thanks.

The most scenic part is when you reach the Mediterranean coast, especially between Narbonne and Perpignan with the sea on one side, salt water lakes on the other and the Canigou in the background. You will see flamingos, oyster parks, fishermen's boats etc. The Figueres/Barcelona part is not very pretty.
Personally, I would fly.

With flights taking 4 or even 5 hours what with all the security hassle and getting to and from remote airports, and the train being stress-free, scenic and a chance to chill out, definitely take the train.

The run down the Rhone valley past pretty French villages and picturesque churches is very nice indeed. Get a top deck seat on the double-deck TGV Duplex, take a bottle of wine (no rules against that on the rails!), a good book and your iPod, and relax. I doubt you can 'chill' at an airport or on a plane!

If you book at www.tgv-europe.com (select 'Canada' if you're from the US) you can get fares from just 67.70 euros in 2nd class, 83 euros in 1st class, city centre to city centre, no baggage fees or weight limits, no extra cost to get to and from the airport, no booking fees...

Thanks so much for the input. As we have the time, we will investigate the train trip further - certainly sounds feasible. My daughters are both keen to do it, so we may take in our surroundings as is not possible by plane. Thanks once again!

There is one particularly annoying problem I am having. The overnight train from Paris to Barcelona, has it been cancelled from the 19th of June onwards? I am trying to book the train for the 8th of July, but it is seeming almost impossible. About two months ago the train was showing on the system but couldn’t be booked because it wasn’t open. Now the time is ‘open’ but the train is not on the system from 19 June onwards. Anything prior to that, it is there.

I have checked the following websites:
• Raileurope.com
• Raileurope.co.za
• Bahn.de
• tgv-europe.com
• renfe.com

what should I do? There is a train via Geneva, but it is about 100 euro more expensive. Should I just rather use that one?

The Paris-Barcelona sleeper train is 'closed for sales' at the moment on many dates in June and July because of uncertainty over engineering works. Once theyve worked out what they will do with it (run it normally, divert or re-time, or a small % chance they'll have to cance it) it will reappear in the booking systems. Just wait, that's all you can do!

Fly. Check the cheapo airlines -- if there are flights from Orly to Barca it will be far quicker. It's not 4-5 hours. It's about a 70 minute flight and if you're flying intra-Europe only you don't need to arrive 2-3 hours ahead of time.

Plus, it's likely that the flight will be less expensive.

Less expensive, until you add the baggage fees, check-in fees, credit card fees, cost of getting to and from remote airorts, and then the cost of an extra hotel night!

Just wait a bit and the train should appear.

Where do you get the train in Paris. Assume taxi to station. Are there lots of steps ( I have knee problems and need to ma name suitcase). One more question, sorry, purchase ticket at station or online? Thank you