carlycat

Should we reserve our train tickets now for early June for Perpignan France to Barcelona or should it be easy enough to just get them at the train station? There is one connection in Figueres (15 minutes to transfer) This will be midday on a monday, if this makes a difference.

Man_in_seat_61

You'll get cheaper fares if you pre-book, but there will be plenty of space (at full price, of course) if you buy at the station on the day.

Check prices at www.tgv-europe.com (say you're from Canada if you're from the USA to avoid being bumped to Rail Europe)

PalenQ

marking

Pvoyageuse

"but there will be plenty of space (at full price, of course) if you buy at the station on the day."

I would not count of it, especially at the beginning of June i.e. in-between the 2 long week-ends of Ascension Day and Whitsun. The TGV is coming from Paris and is usually crowded
(I live in Perpignan).

uhoh_busted

I LOVE Perpignan! If you know when you are going to go, and can save $ booking ahead, go for it!

PalenQ

If you want to take a morning train then there is only one option it seems - at 8:56am - the next connection (according to bahn.de) is after noon - and like Pvoyageuse says don't count on walk up tickets, even in first class on this service being available just before the train. This train requires seat reservations and IME they can indeed sell out. this is one train, if you need or want to go in the morning at least you should book early. Check out www.voyages-sncf.com for online tikceting and discounts.

Pvoyageuse

The 8.55 am train is the Talgo - reservations required, no need to change train in Figueres. There is another Talgo at 4.51 pm

jyeh3112

Hi. I am also attempting to book a train from Perpignan to Barcelona on the 18th. I'm not getting too far using the website though. Tgv-europe.com transfers me to www.voyages-sncf.com (which isn't translated), and i managed to find the train i THINK want:


12h24 DE LA GARE DE : PERPIGNAN Arrivée à : 12h47> 13h03 via A LA GARE DE : FIGUERES VILAFANT
Transporteur :Numéro du train : 06203 Confort2e classe
Durée 02h22 Arrivée à : 14h46 A LA GARE DE : BARCELONA SANTS

But whenever i try to book it i get an error. Also, looks like this train has a connection. Are there any direct trains?

Thanks so much for the help!

Pvoyageuse

The only direct train is the Talgo : one at 8.55 am, one at 4.51 pm. The TGV goes from Perpignan to Figueres Vilafant and stops there. There is a 20 min. wait and a transfer to a local Spanish train.
Enter Barcelona Sants as you final destination, I just tried and have had no problem with www.sncf.com

Man_in_seat_61

OK, here's the solution to the error problem when booking Paris or Peprignan - Barcelona via Figueres at www.tgv-europe.com or www.voyages-sncf.com

Try selecting the second-from-cheapest price, not the cheapest price. There's only a few euros difference, usually. This then normally works!

jyeh3112

Hi Pvoyageuse, can you please explain a bit further about how you got the Talgo train to show up? I can't seem to get the Talgo trains to show up. If i switch the site to english, i can get to the raileurope site, but no trains show up. If i try to look for the trains on the french site, it brings me to voyages-sncf.com, but only the TGV train shows up there.

So confused!

PalenQ

since the opening of the new Pyrenees rail tunnel i think the Montpellier Talgo train may terminate at Figueras or perhaps some French TGVs do since the new line is built to the same gauge of tracks that are in France and the rest of Europe - before only Talgo trains with moveable wheel bases could actually cross the border - cranking wheels close or farther apart there to do so. Now even French TGV trains can roll all the way to Figueras and soon when new tracks with European standard gauge are finished all the way into Barcelona itself - excpect many more trains than the limited number now.

Pvoyageuse

jyeh : I have had no problem finding the Talgo timetable a minute ago : http://www.voyages-sncf.com/billet-t...%20ici&hid=KPA
If it does not work from you, try entering Montpellier as your departure point (it leaves Montpellier at 7.27 am, then switch back to "Perpignan".

Palenq : the TALGO does not terminate at Figueres. It uses a different route than the new TGV i.e. it goes along the coast to Cerbere and Portbou (Spanish border) then on to Figueres. The new TGV goes directly to Figueres via Le Pertus tunnel without getting near the coast.

StCirq

She's probably already back from this trip, folks. She was going in early June.

Pvoyageuse

StCirq
I'm answering to jyeh's post dated July 16.

PalenQ

Pvoyageuse - I am wondering how much longer they will use the Talgo in light of the new direct trans-border TGVs to figueras - changing there seems better than cranking wheels apart at Port Bou or Cebere, etc. I know when the line is finally finished all will go via the new high-speed line, at least talking about France to Barcelona trains - and Talgo will cease - any insights on a timetable for new line to be fully finished and thanking you and your expertise in advance!

Pvoyageuse

"any insights on a timetable for new line to be fully finished"

We are told end of 2012.
I don't know what they'll decide re the Talgo. I suppose they won't replace the old machines and it will disappears though people here want to keep the old line which will continue to be used for local and freight trains.

PalenQ

thank you Pvoyageuse, as always great info!

jyeh3112

wow... so finally got it to work. i guess sometimes it would just give an error about not being able to book the international train, but then, i tried again and it worked!

so now, my only question is, what's the address of the rail station in perpignan? my confirmation, which is all in french btw, doesn't seem to say:


CONFIRMATION DE VOTRE COMMANDE

Bonjour Monsieur YEH JUSTIN
Vous avez effectué une commande sur notre site le 03/08/2011 à 01h05 et nous vous en remercions. Vous trouverez ci-dessous le détail de votre commande ainsi que la démarche à suivre pour la suite de votre voyage.
Vous êtes invité(e) à retirer cet article, dans une boutique SNCF ou dans une gare SNCF.
Pour le retrait de votre commande, vous devez présenter la même carte de paiement que celle que vous avez utilisée lors de l'achat (avant la date d'expiration de votre carte).

PERPIGNAN BARCELONE 2 passagers 76.00 €
Aller : 08h56 PERPIGNAN 0463 2e Classe Dimanche 18 Septembre
11h48 BARCELONA SANTS
1er passager
(26 à 59 ans)
NORMAL ADULTE: Billet échangeable sans frais avant le départ et non échangeable après. Remboursement sous conditions avant et après départ.
Voiture 7 - Place 04D
- Salle Fenêtre
2e passager
(12 à 25 ans)
NORMAL ADULTE: Billet échangeable sans frais avant le départ et non échangeable après. Remboursement sous conditions avant et après départ.
Voiture 7 - Place 04C

Pvoyageuse

The old train station is located avenue du Général de Gaulle and the new TGV station is located Place Salvador Dali. There is an underground passage way between the two. There is also an SNCF boutique Place de la République in the center of town.
In which area of town will you be spending the night?