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This page explains how to travel by train from Barcelona to other cities all over Europe, and how to buy tickets the cheapest way. Information current for 2025.
Before you buy your tickets
Take a moment to read these tips for buying European train tickets. They answer the usual questions including "Do I need to book in advance or can I just buy at the station?", "Can I stop off?", "Are there Senior fares?" and the old favourite, "Should I buy an $800 railpass or buy a €35 point-to-point ticket online?". How far ahead can you buy train tickets?
European train travel FAQ
Barcelona to other Spanish cities
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Popular train routes from Barcelona:
Barcelona to
Malaga, Cordoba & Seville
Barcelona to Valencia & Alicante
Barcelona to San Sebastian
& Bilbao
Barcelona to Santiago de Compostela
Barcelona to Mallorca by ferryAll Spanish long-distance trains and even many regional trains require seat reservation, so yes, trains can sell out although although outside busy holiday periods it's easy to buy tickets at the station on the day of travel if you want.
Renfe long-distance trains have airline-style fares, so tickets are more expensive bought on the day, cheaper booked in advance.
For more information including an explanation of Renfe's fare types & classes, see the train travel in Spain page.
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How to buy tickets
The quickest & easiest way to buy Spanish train tickets is at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
Raileurope & Thetrainline link to Renfe's ticketing system and sell Renfe tickets at the same prices as Renfe in €, £ or $, in plain English without Renfe's quirky translation or credit card acceptance problems. There's a small booking fee. About Raileurope. About Thetrainline.
In Spain, although infants under 4 go free, for journeys on any mainline long-distance train wholly within Spain, you need to add them to the booking or get a free infant ticket at a Renfe ticket office before boarding, see the advice here.
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You can of course buy tickets direct from Spanish Railways at www.renfe.com, with no booking fee. But Renfe.com has more than its fair share of quirks, so read this advice on using it. Quirks include odd English translations and a reputation for rejecting some overseas credit cards with various error messages. Although I have to say it has always worked OK with my credit card and it now also accepts PayPal.
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You can also book Spanish trains online in US$ in plain English with no payment problems at www.petrabax.com. This US-based agency also links to Renfe's ticketing system, with a small mark-up.
Barcelona to Madrid
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Four competing high-speed operators link Barcelona Sants with Madrid Atocha in as little as 2h30, see the Barcelona to Madrid page.
The route has been opened up to competition, and as well as Renfe's AVEs you can now also choose a lo-cost Ouigo train, lo-cost Avlo train or competing full-service Iryo train. It's faster, cheaper and less hassle than flying.
A Barcelona-Madrid AVE (type S103) at Barcelona Sants. See virtual tour
Scenery from the high-speed AVE between Barcelona & Madrid. Photo courtesy of DiscoverByRail.com.
Madrid Atocha station: One of my favourite stations, the old trainshed has been preserved and turned into a tropical garden, see Madrid Atocha station guide.
Barcelona to Malaga, Cordoba & Seville
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AVE: Direct AVE high-speed trains leave Barcelona Sants at 08:35 and 15:15 every day for Cordoba, Seville & Malaga.
It's beats flying: City centre to city centre with no formal check-in. Flying is a relay-race of train, airport, flight, airport, bus, taking around 4 hours so saving very little time over the train and denying you the relaxing journey across Spain through the countryside at ground level, seeing the country you're supposed to be visiting.
These trains leave Barcelona Sants on the high-speed line towards Madrid - you get great views of Montserrat on your right (see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montserrat_(mountain) soon after departure. Just south of Madrid, a chord line allows the train to by-pass Madrid Atocha and join the Madrid-Andalucía high-speed line heading southwards. It's pretty scenic, especially where the train speeds through the mountains, short tunnels alternating with viaducts across rocky valleys.
Superb AVE-S103 trains are now used on this route, with Standard (2nd) class & Comfort (1st) class seats. The trains have a cafe-bar serving beer, wine, tea, coffee, snacks and some hot dishes. The train has power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. If you pay the Premium fare you get access to the Sala Club lounge in Barcelona, and a meal with wine served at your seat. More about Renfe's fares & classes.
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Iryo: Since 2023 you'll also find two direct Iryo trains competing with Renfe between Barcelona and Cordoba/Seville, use www.thetrainline.com to see times and prices and compare with Renfe AVE prices.
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Fares start at around €36 in standard (2nd) class or €64 in comfort (1st) class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead for the cheapest prices. Reservation is compulsory so trains can in theory sell out, and do so at very busy times, but there are usually places available even on the day.
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Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com and print your own ticket or show it on your phone.
More about buying Spanish train tickets. Booking usually opens several months ahead but Renfe's booking horizons vary enormously.
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Note that in Spain, although infants under 4 go free, for journeys on any mainline long-distance train wholly within Spain, you'll need to obtain a free infant ticket at a Renfe ticket office before boarding, see the advice here.
An AVE of type S103 at Barcelona Sants. See virtual tour
Barcelona to Granada
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There's one direct AVE S112 high-speed train from Barcelona to Granada every day, it's departure time has varied but as I write this it leaves Barcelona Sants at 06:45, arriving Granada 13:11.
City centre to city centre with no formal check-in, just a brief X-ray baggage scan at the entrance to the platforms. Flying is a relay-race of train, airport, flight, airport, bus, taking up to 4 hours.
These trains leave Barcelona Sants on the high-speed line towards Madrid - you get great views of Montserrat on your right (see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montserrat_(mountain) soon after departure. Just south of Madrid, a chord line allows the train to by-pass Madrid Atocha and join the Madrid-Andalucía high-speed line heading southwards. It's pretty scenic, especially where the train speeds through the mountains, short tunnels alternating with viaducts across rocky valleys.
Superb AVE S112 trains are used on this route, with standard (2nd class) and comfort (1st class). If you pay the premium fare you get a comfort class seat, access to Sala Club lounge and a snack or meal & wine served at your seat on some trains. More about classes. The trains have a cafe-bar serving beer, wine, tea, coffee, snacks and some hot dishes, and free WiFi.
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Fares start at around €36 in standard (2nd) class or €64 in comfort (1st) class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead. Reservation is compulsory so trains can in theory sell out, and do so at very busy times, but there are usually places available even on the day on most if not all trains.
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Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com and print your own ticket or show it on your phone.
More about buying Spanish train tickets. Booking usually opens several months ahead but Renfe's booking horizons vary enormously.
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Note that in Spain, although infants under 4 go free, for journeys on any mainline long-distance train wholly within Spain, you'll need to add them to the booking or get a free infant ticket at a Renfe ticket office before boarding, see the advice here.
A distinctive AVE type S112 at Valencia. Known by Renfe staff as Pato (duck), for obvious reasons.
Barcelona to Valencia & Alicante
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Fast Euromed trains link Barcelona Sants with Valencia & Alicante, and slower but cheaper articulated Intercity trains built by Talgo also operate on this route.
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Buy online at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com and print your own ticket or show it on your phone.
More about buying Spanish train tickets. Booking usually opens several months ahead but Renfe's booking horizons vary enormously.
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If you're going to Valencia, the slower Intercity trains use the classic Valencia Estació del Nord. The faster Euromed trains use Valencia Joaquin Sorolla station a little further from the city centre. In Alicante, both train types use Alacant Terminal.
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In Spain, although infants under 4 go free, for journeys on any mainline long-distance train wholly within Spain, you'll need to add them to the booking or get a free infant ticket at a Renfe ticket office before boarding, see the advice here.
Euromed train at Barcelona Sants. These S130 trains are known as Patito (little duck) by staff, no prizes for guessing why.
Barcelona to San Sebastian & Bilbao
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Every morning at 08:45 a high-speed Alvia train links Barcelona Sants with Bilbao, arriving 15:36.
Every afternoon at 14:32 a high-speed Alvia train links Barcelona Sants with San Sebastian, arriving 20:53.
There are other services during the day with a change of train.
The trains are fully-air-conditioned with Standard (2nd) class & Comfort (1st) class and a cafe-bar serving beer, wine, tea, coffee, snacks.
The train rolls out of Barcelona with views of Montserrat on your right (see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montserrat_(mountain) on the standard-gauge high-speed line towards Zaragoza, this particular type of train travels at up to 250km/h (155 mph). Just beyond Zaragoza it shows of its party trick: It slows to 50 km/h and passes seamlessly through a gauge-changing system where the wheels adjust from standard gauge (the new high-speed lines are all standard 4' 8.5") to wider Iberian gauge (5' 6"). It then rolls across the plains on the classic lines calling at Pamplona, then (on the San Sebastian route) climbs into the mountains, twisting and turning. A lovely run!
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Fares start at €22.90 in standard (2nd) class or €29.90 in comfort (1st) class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead. Reservation is compulsory so trains can sell out, and do so at busy times.
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Buy online at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com and print your own ticket.
More about buying Spanish train tickets. Booking usually opens several months ahead but Renfe's booking horizons vary enormously.
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In Spain, although infants under 4 go free, for journeys on any mainline long-distance train wholly within Spain, you need to add them to the booking or get a free infant ticket at a Renfe ticket office before boarding, see the advice here.
Barcelona to Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña & Vigo
Option 1, Barcelona to Galicia by direct train
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Every day, a comfortable Alvia train links Barcelona Sants with Galicia, leaving mid-morning and arriving late evening. It's not the fastest option, but at least it's direct, a chill-out day across Spain on an excellent air-conditioned train with cafe-bar. Sit back and enjoy the ride.
On Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays it leaves Barcelona Sants at 09:05 and goes to Vigo Guixar, arriving 23:35.
On Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays it leaves Barcelona Sants at 09:05 and arrives Santiago de Compostela 22:06 & A Coruña 22:38.
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Check times & buy tickets at either www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com and print your own ticket or show it on your phone.
More about buying Spanish train tickets. Booking usually opens several months ahead but Renfe's booking horizons vary enormously.
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Note that in Spain, although infants under 4 go free, for journeys on any mainline long-distance train wholly within Spain, you'll need to obtain a free infant ticket at a Renfe ticket office before boarding, see the advice here.
Option 2, Barcelona to Galicia with a change in Madrid - significantly faster and runs daily
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Travel from Barcelona Sants to Madrid Atocha by AVE, change trains & stations in Madrid, then take an afternoon Alvia or AVE from Madrid Chamartin to Vigo Urzaiz, Santiago de Compostela or A Coruña.
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Check times & buy tickets at either www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com and print your own ticket or show it on your phone.
More about buying Spanish train tickets. Booking usually opens several months ahead but Renfe's booking horizons vary enormously.
Tip: To find times/tickets for this trip you need to split the booking: First search trains from Madrid to your destination in Galicia. Then look for a train from Barcelona to Madrid arriving at Madrid Atocha at least 90 minutes before the onward train leaves Madrid Chamartin.
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In Spain, although infants under 4 go free, for journeys on any mainline long-distance train wholly within Spain, you need to add them to the booking or get a free infant ticket at a Renfe ticket office before boarding, see the advice here.
Barcelona to Ibiza by ferry
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Trasmed (formerly Acciona Trasmediterranea) offer an overnight ferry from Barcelona to Ibiza most nights, around 22:00, arriving 07:00.
The ferry has cosy cabins, bar & restaurant, it sails from the Trasmed terminal in central Barcelona, a few minutes' walk from the Columbus monument at the foot of La Rambla.
Check sailing dates & times at the Direct Ferries website or www.trasmed.com.
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Balearia also operate an overnight ferry to Ibiza on most nights of the week, times vary but it typically sails at 22:00, arriving in Ibiza town (Ibiza Ciudad) at 06:00. Check sailing dates & times at the Direct Ferries website or www.balearia.com.
Blue arrow = Balearia ferry terminal, white arrow = Trasmed terminal. Above right, the Balearia terminal. See map of Barcelona showing ferry terminals.
Balearia ferry in Ibiza harbour. Courtesy of Discoverbyrail.com.
Barcelona to Mallorca by ferry
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Overnight ferry: There are two overnight ferries from Barcelona to Palma de Mallorca, both with restaurants, bars & cosy en suite cabins. One is run by Trasmed (formerly Acciona Trasmediterranea) (www.trasmed.com
Both ships sail from Barcelona around around 22:00 arriving in Palma around 07:00. Check times & buy tickets at the Direct Ferries website.
The Trasmed & Balearia ferry terminals are located in central Barcelona, a few minutes' walk from the Columbus monument at the foot of La Rambla. I recommend Trasmed, as they have the bigger, nicer ships which usually sail from right alongside the terminal so you can walk straight onto the ship, whereas the smaller Balearia ship requires an awkward shuttle bus transfer between the ferry check-in and the vessel in both Barcelona and Palma.
Fast ferry: On many days in summer Balearia operate a daytime fast ferry (SeaCat) from Barcelona to Alcudia, on the northeast corner of Mallorca near both Alcudia and Pollensa, calling at Minorca on the way. This leaves from directly alongside the Balearia terminal in central Barcelona around 17:00 and arrives at 23:00. See www.balearia.com or use the Direct Ferries website to check whether it is running on your dates of travel. There will be plenty of taxis waiting at Alcudia ferry terminal, it's a 10 minute taxi ride to Pollensa.
Train service on Mallorca: There are two train lines on Majorca, from Palma to Inca & Soller, see www.tib.org & (for Soller) trendesoller.com.
Blue arrow = Balearia ferry terminal, white arrow = Trasmed terminal. Above right, the Balearia terminal. See map of Barcelona showing ferry terminals.
Balearia's fast ferry from Barcelona to Alcudia. That's the Columbus Monument at the foot of La Rambla in the background, the terminal is that central!
Balearia ferry. Photo courtesy of Luke Sibieta.
Grimaldi Trasmed's Ciudad de Barcelona, at Barcelona port. Photo courtesy of Luke Sibieta.
Barcelona to Tenerife, Gran Canaria & the Canary islands
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There are no direct ferries from Barcelona to the Canary Islands, but 3 ferry companies sail from southern Spain to the Canaries, all with comfortable ships with a choice of reclining seats or cosy cabins, bars & restaurants. The voyages takes 1 night & 1½ days or 2 nights, 1 day.
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Naviera Armas sail weekly from Huelva to Tenerife & Gran Canaria, see www.navieraarmas.com or book on the Direct Ferries website.
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Fred Olsen/Balearia ferries sail 2 or 3 times a week all year round from Huelva to Tenerife & Gran Canaria, see www.fredolsen.es or book on the Direct Ferries website.
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Trasmediterranea sail from Cadiz in mainland Spain with Arrecife (Lanzarote), Las Palmas and Tenerife once or twice a week, taking 2 nights, www.trasmediterranea.es.
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After checking ferry sailing dates & times, check train times & buy tickets from Barcelona to Huelva or Cadiz at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com. You may well need to stay overnight in Cadiz or Huelva.
Barcelona to Gibraltar
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Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Algeciras, leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:35 by AVE, change at Antequera-Santa Ana onto a 15:09 Media Distancia train arriving San Roque-La Linea 18:07 & Algeciras 18:23.
The high-speed AVE is air-conditioned with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
There's great scenery both on the high-speed line between Barcelona and Antequera and on the classic line twisting through the hills from Antequera to Algeciras, the Spanish town across the bay from Gibraltar. The Media Distancia is air-conditioned, but bring your own food & drink.
Fares start at around €70.
Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee, or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see this advice on using it). You print your own tickets. Booking opens anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead depending how Renfe are feeling.
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Step 2, take a bus or taxi from Algeciras to la Linea & walk into Gibraltar.
A taxi from Algeciras railway station to La Linea costs €24.75 and takes about 22 minutes. Taxis don't use the meter on this run, and aren't normally allowed to cross the border into Gibraltar.
To go by bus, cross the roundabout outside Algeciras railway station and enter the San Bernado bus station, then take bus M-120 to La Linea for around €2.50. Bus M-120 runs every 30 minutes Mon-Fri at xx.00 and xx.30 past each hour or every 45 minutes at weekends, journey time about 45 minutes to La Linea, for bus information see siu.ctmcg.es.
La Linea is the Spanish town outside the border crossing to Gibraltar, and La Linea's bus stop and taxi rank are right outside the entrance to Gibraltar. Walk through the Spanish then UK passport checkpoints into Gibraltar (5-10 minutes). Then either (a) keep walking straight ahead into Gibraltar town, it's takes about 15 minutes to the centre or (b) take a frequent local Gibraltar bus from the border into town or (c) look for the taxi stop on the right just after the passport check and wait for a taxi to your hotel for a few pounds - Gibraltar taxis will accept euros. The walk from the border to Gibraltar's Main Street takes you across Gibraltar airport's runway, though they stop cars and pedestrians when an aircraft is landing or taking off. Map of Algeciras - La Linea - Gibraltar area.
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Alternative via San Roque-La Linea station: The closest station to Gibraltar is San Roque-La Linea, and all trains to Algeciras call here around 20 minutes before arriving at Algeciras. So if you prefer, you can get off here and take a taxi to La Linea, or walk the 1.6 km (1 mile) to the Bar La Redonda bus stop on the main road on the M-120 bus route from Algeciras to La Linea. Buses run to La Linea every 30 minutes weekdays, every 45 minutes weekends. Taxis are usually available outside San Roque station, San Roque to the La Linea/Gibraltar border is about 16 km (10 miles) and it takes just over 30 minutes depending on traffic.
Barcelona to London from €96
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Barcelona to Paris by TGV, Paris to London by Eurostar, see the London to Spain page.
Barcelona to Dublin & Ireland
Option 1, Barcelona to Dublin using a direct ferry from Spain to Ireland
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Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Bilbao by train.
There's a daily 08:45 train from Barcelona Sants to Bilbao Abando station, journey time 6h50.
Check train times & buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easiest to use, in €, £ or $) or www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly). Look for a train which arrives several hours before the ferry sails, to allow for any delay and the transfer to the port. If necessary travel the day before.
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On arrival at Bilbao Abando, take the metro to Santurtzi metro station, 21-23 minutes, see www.metrobilbao.net. Then take a 5 km €18 taxi ride to the ferry terminal at Zierbena, 16 km northwest of central Bilbao.
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Step 2, sail from Bilbao to Rosslare with Brittany Ferries.
The ferry has restaurants, bar, lounges, and cosy private cabins all with shower & toilet.
Check sailing dates and book at www.brittany-ferries.ie.
The ferry sails twice a week for most of the year, typically sailing at 13:01 arriving 20:46 next day, or sailing at 18:00 arriving 06:00 2 nights later.
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Step 3, take a train from Rosslare to Dublin, www.irishrail.ie. Rosslare ferry terminal is a few minutes walk from the railway platform.
Option 2, Barcelona to Dublin via Paris and ferry from Cherbourg to Dublin
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Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV as shown below.
You can book this at www.thetrainline.com.
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Stay overnight in Paris, see suggested hotels near Paris stations.
Alternatively, travel from Barcelona to Paris using a sleeper, as shown on the Barcelona to Paris by sleeper page.
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Day 2, take a morning train to Cherbourg & ferry overnight to Dublin as shown in the Paris to Dublin section, arriving in the morning on Day 3.
Irish Ferries sails Cherbourg-Dublin several times a week. Start by booking the ferry at www.irishferries.com and add a train connection using www.thetrainline.com, see the Paris to Dublin section for details.
Barcelona to Paris from €39
Option 1, Barcelona to Paris by high-speed train in 6h30 from €39
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High-speed TGV Duplex trains link Barcelona Sants with Paris Gare de Lyon every day in around 6h30, with departures from Barcelona at 09:28 & 16:25 all year round, see the timetable here. An additional departure may run in July & August.
A flight from Barcelona to Paris takes up to 5 hours when ground transportation, check-in time and airport security are added. The train takes little longer but is the relaxing option with a chance to chill out and see Spanish & French countryside roll past your window, see here for the sights to see on the way. I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views on these impressive 320 km/h (199mph) double-deck trains, with a cafe-bar on board and power sockets at all seats.
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Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets at either www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee) or www.raileurope.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee, about Raileurope) or www.thetrainline.com (also easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee, about Trainline).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can it on your phone.
Tip: www.sncf-connect.com & www.thetrainline.com allow you to choose your seat from a seat map when booking 1st class tickets.
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See the Paris to Barcelona page for details of times, fares, how to buy tickets & photos & a video guide to the journey.
The morning TGV to Paris, boarding at Barcelona Sants. Courtesy of Brian's Coffee Spot. Watch TGV Duplex video.
Mt Canigou & the Pyrenees. One of the highest peaks in the mighty Pyrenees, the 2,784m (9,137 feet) high Mt Canigou dominates the skyline on the right all the way from Girona to Perpignan, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canigou. More photos of what to see on the Paris-Barcelona train journey.
Option 2, Barcelona to Paris by sleeper train via Latour de Carol
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The Barcelona-Paris Elipsos sleeper train was discontinued in 2013, but you can still travel overnight, using a local train through the Pyrenees from Barcelona to Latour de Carol, then the French overnight train from Latour de Carol to Paris. Departure from Barcelona around 14:00, arrive Paris around 07:00 next day. In 2025 it'll run Friday, Saturday, Sunday nights, daily June-September.
Option 3, Barcelona to Paris by sleeper train via Cerbère/Perpignan
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Similar to option 2, but uses the Cerbère-Perpignan-Paris overnight train rather than the Paris-Latour one, so you go along the coast rather than directly through the Pyrenees. This night train runs daily in summer, usually only Fridays & Sundays at other times. Departure from Barcelona around 15:15, arrival in Paris around 07:00 next day.
Barcelona to Perpignan, Narbonne, Montpellier, Nîmes
Option 1, Barcelona to southern France by high-speed train - the fastest option
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Up to 5 high-speed TGV Duplex & AVE services link Barcelona Sants with Narbonne, Perpignan, Montpellier & Nîmes.
SNCF (French Railways) run two daily TGV Duplex trains leaving Barcelona Sants at 09:28 & 16:25 en route to Paris, with a 3rd in July & August.
Renfe (Spanish Railways) run two cross-border AVEs leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:19 & 16:34, en route to Lyon and Marseille respectively.
Until December 2022, Renfe & SNCF co-operated in running and marketing all these trains, now each runs its own trains and you won't find the Spanish trains listed on the French Railways website, and vice versa.
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Fares start at around €29 in 2nd class or €39 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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You can buy tickets for both TGV and AVE at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee, international bank cards no problem).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Alternatively, you can book the French TGV trains at www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee) and the Spanish AVE trains at www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, in €, see advice on using it).
Tip: www.sncf-connect.com & www.thetrainline.com allow you to choose your seat from a seat map when booking 1st class on a TGV.
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Tip: Plain Nîmes is the main station in the city centre, sometimes called Nîmes Centre. Nîmes Pont du Gard is a new out-of-town station on the high-speed bypass line. If you are visiting Nîmes, the city centre station is far more convenient. Similarly, Montpellier Saint-Roche is the main station in the city centre, Montpellier Sud de France is a new out-of-town station on the high-speed bypass line.
Mt Canigou & the Pyrenees. One of the highest peaks in the mighty Pyrenees, the 2,784m (9,137 feet) high Mt Canigou dominates the skyline on the right all the way from Girona to Perpignan, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canigou.
Option 2, Barcelona to southern France by classic train - slower, but cheaper, scenic and with a much wider range of departures!
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With the high-speed service so sparse, the classic route is a useful alternative, Barcelona to Portbou on the border by Spanish local train, then Portbou to Narbonne, Perpignan, Montpellier & Nîmes by French TER regional train.
Furthermore, high-speed trains are cheap in advance, expensive at short notice. These local & TER trains have affordable fixed prices and unlimited availability, you can buy on the day of travel. And if you've an Interrail or Eurail pass, no reservation is needed.
The only catch? The Barcelona-Portbou local trains are in a totally separate database so they don't show up on normal booking systems such as www.raileurope.com, www.thetrainline.com or the French Railways site www.sncf-connect.com or the Spanish Railways site www.renfe.com. Stupid, eh? So you need to look up these trains on a special website, then look up onward trains from Portbou at the normal booking websites.
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Step 1, check times from Barcelona Sants to Portbou at the Barcelona suburban lines website rodalies.gencat.cat.
At the time I write this, you'll find departures from Barcelona Sants as follows:
Mondays-Saturdays at 06:16, 07:16, 07:46, 08:16, 09:16, 10:16, 11:16, 11:46, 13:16, 15:16, 15:46, 17:16.
Sundays at 07:46, 08:46, 09:46, 10:46, 11:46, 12:46, 13:46, 15:16, 17:16.
Journey time varies from 2h13 to 3h14.
All trains are air-conditioned.
The fare is €13.50 on most trains marked R (Rodalies, suburban), or €18.10 on a few fast services marked MD (Media Distancia).
These are fixed-price unlimited-availability fares, you can turn up on the day and pay this, it cannot sell out. You can check fares using the journey planner at rodalies.gencat.cat.
You can also join these trains at Barcelona Plaza Catalunya which might be more convenient for you.
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Step 2, check times from Portbou to Narbonne, Perpignan, Montpellier & Nimes at www.raileurope.com, www.thetrainline.com or the French Railways site www.sncf-connect.com.
I'd allow at least 10 minutes to change at Portbou.
Trains leave Portbou every 2 hours until early evening, taking 57 minutes to Perpignan, 1h47 to Narbonne, 3h to Montpellier, 3h41 to Nimes.
For example, you could leave Barcelona Sants at 11:16, change at Portbou, arriving Perpignan 15:01, Narbonne 15:51, Montpellier St Roche 17:04, Nimes 17:42.
These trains run along the coast via Port Vendres and Collioure, with great coastal scenery.
The fare is €9.90 from Portbou to Perpignan, €20.40 to Narbonne, €35.60 to Montpellier, €42.30 to Nîmes.
These are fixed price, unlimited-availability fares, cannot sell out, you can buy on the day at this price.
If you book in advance, you'll find some limited-availability fares from €1, only good for the specific train you book.
A local train from Barcelona to Portbou, seen at Portbou. Yes, these local trains do exist, and are very useful! But you can only find timetables at rodalies.gencat.cat, not on the main booking sites. You buy a ticket on the day at the station. Courtesy of Philip Dyer-Perry.
Barcelona to Lyon
Option 1, Barcelona to Lyon by direct AVE train - recommended
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A direct AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 08:19, arriving Lyon Part Dieu 13:20.
This comfortable Spanish AVE S100 high-speed train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Look out for the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses on the left just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see more about the journey.
Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €49 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, see advice on using it).
Booking normally opens 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Option 2, Barcelona to Lyon with a change of train
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There are two other good options, using French-run trains, with a change of train:
Leave Barcelona Sants 09:28 every day, change at Valence, arriving Lyon Part Dieu 15:50.
Leave Barcelona Sants 16:25 every day, change at Sète, arriving Lyon Part Dieu 21:36 (time may vary).
The TGV cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
As with the AVE, you'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses by the tracks after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral.
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Fares start at around €39 in 2nd class or €49 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).
Tip: www.sncf-connect.com & www.thetrainline.com allow you to choose your seat from a seat map when booking a 1st class TGV ticket.
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Barcelona to Bordeaux
Option 1, Barcelona to Bordeaux via Narbonne - this is fastest & easiest
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Take a high-speed TGV Duplex from Barcelona Sants to Narbonne then an Intercité from Narbonne to Bordeaux St Jean.
Leave Barcelona Sants at 09:28, change at Narbonne, arrive Bordeaux St Jean 15:39.
The TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. The Intercité has a refreshment trolley & free WiFi.
You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan.
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Barcelona-Narbonne starts at €29, Narbonne-Bordeaux at around €20.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Book from Barcelona Sants to Bordeaux St Jean at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).
Tip: www.sncf-connect.com & www.thetrainline.com allow you to choose your seat from a seat map when booking a 1st class TGV ticket.
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. In the search results, look for options with just 1 change. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Option 2, Barcelona to Bordeaux via San Sebastian - how about lunch in San Sebastian?
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This route takes longer, but it's usually cheaper. I'd be tempted to go this way with a stop for lunch and a wander (or overnight stop) in the lovely city of San Sebastian!
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Step 1, take an Alvia train from Barcelona Sants to San Sebastian Renfe station, journey time around 5h46.
If you take a morning train you can reach Bordeaux the same day, and could easily fit in a stop in San Sebastian for lunch and a look round. If you take the direct afternoon Alvia train you'll need to overnight in San Sebastian. See the Barcelona-San Sebastian section above.
Fares start at €28 in Standard class or €38 in Comfort class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy a ticket at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com. Booking normally opens 60 days ahead, but this varies. You print your ticket.
In San Sebastian it's an easy 10-minute walk from the Renfe station to Amara station, see walking route.
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Step 2, take the little Euskotren from San Sebastian Amara to Hendaye, trains leave every 30 minutes through the day, journey time 37 minutes, fare €2.75, no reservation necessary or possible, it's a metro, you just turn up, buy a ticket with cash or card and hop on.
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Step 3, take a train from Hendaye to Bordeaux, trains leave regularly through the day, journey time 2h40.
Some departures are TER regional trains, some are TGV. TER trains have a fixed price of around €41.50 which you can buy at the station on the day, it cannot sell out. TGVs require reservation and have dynamic pricing starting from €20.
Check times and buy at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).
You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Option 3, Barcelona to Bordeaux via Latour de Carol
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Step 1, take the slow, cheap & scenic route from Barcelona Sants to Toulouse Matabiau via Latour de Carol shown as option 2 in the Barcelona-Toulouse section.
This involves local trains with no reservation needed (or even possible) and fixed (cheap!) prices, so is good if you have to travel at short notice when TGVs are expensive. It's also good if you have a Eurail or Interrail pass and want to avoid hefty TGV reservation fees.
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Step 2, then take an Intercité from Toulouse to Bordeaux St Jean taking around 2h07 with fares from €15 upwards. Reservation is required for this bit, and prices are dynamic, cheaper if you book ahead, more expensive (over €40) bought on the day.
Barcelona to Toulouse & Carcassonne
Option 1, Barcelona to Toulouse via Narbonne - the high-speed option, reservation required, dynamic pricing so book ahead.
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There are two departures every day from Barcelona to Carcassonne & Toulouse with 1 easy change of train at Narbonne:
Leave Barcelona Sants 09:28, change at Narbonne, arriving Carcassonne 12:28 & Toulouse Matabiau 13:13.
Leave Barcelona Sants 16:25, change at Narbonne, arriving Carcassonne 19:40 & Toulouse Matabiau 20:41.
The TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan.
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Fares start at €29 in 2nd class or €49 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).
Tip: www.sncf-connect.com & www.thetrainline.com allow you to choose your seat from a seat map when booking a 1st class TGV ticket.
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Option 2, Barcelona to Toulouse via Latour de Carol - through the Pyrenees, slower, cheaper, always €12 + €30.40 any day, any date.
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Alternatively, there's a cheap & scenic option from Barcelona to Toulouse taking the slow but direct route through the Pyrenees via Latour de Carol, no pre-booking necessary and if you don't want to book in advance it's much cheaper than the high-speed route. It cannot sell out and you can even buy tickets on the day at the same price.
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You won't find this route listed on train booking websites because it involves two separate trains and two separate tickets, one of which is classed as a Spanish suburban train to cannot even be booked online, you just buy a ticket on the day at the station. But it's easy to check times and use it, buying tickets on the day at the station. Here's how:
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Step 1, travel from Barcelona Sants to Latour de Carol (Tor de Querol in Catalan) by local train.
Trains leave every couple of hours, journey time 3h05, a scenic ride into the Pyrenees!
The fare is €12, fixed-price, unlimited availability, cannot sell out.
Buy a ticket from the Rodalies (suburban) ticket office at Barcelona Sants, advance booking neither necessary or possible.
You will not find this train on normal journey planners, so read the following carefully!!!!
To check times for this train. use the Barcelona suburban train website rodalies.gencat.cat/en/inici.
Or you can use www.renfe.com, but ignore the main journey planner. Click Welcome at the top for English, then COMMUTER TRAINS AND FEVE then select Barcelona as this train is classed as a Barcelona suburban route. Then search for Barcelona Sants to Tor de Querol.
If there's a wait between trains at Latour de Carol - as there usually is, the French and Spanish don't co-ordinate timetables - simply enjoy lunch, coffee or a beer at the station bistro, www.facebook.com/bistrotdutrainjaune.
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Step 2, then take a local TER train from Latour de Carol to Toulouse.
Trains leave every 2-3 hours, journey time 2h56, fare €30.40 fixed-price, unlimited availability, cannot sell out.
Check times at www.raileurope.com, www.thetrainline.com or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com.
This journey is very scenic as the train snakes through the Pyrenees for the first hour. At Porté-Puymorens (the last station just before Latour) the train reaches the highest point on any normal standard-gauge railway in Europe, 1,562m (5,125 feet) above sea level. Look out for the castle at Foix on the left.
Barcelona to Avignon, Marseille, Cannes & Nice
Option 1, Barcelona to Avignon, Aix-en-Provence & Marseille by direct AVE train - the easiest option for these 3 cities, recommended
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Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Avignon & Marseille by AVE, leaving Barcelona Sants at 16:34, arriving Avignon TGV 20:54, Aix-en-Provence TGV 21:17 & Marseille St Charles 21:32.
This comfortable AVE S100 high-speed train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Look out for great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou on the left as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses on the left by the tracks after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes between Narbonne & Montpelier and Béziers cathedral on the left, see more about the train & journey here. Remember there's an X-ray bag check at Barcelona Sants.
Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €49 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly).
Booking normally opens 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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For Cannes, Nice or Monaco, stay overnight in Marseille. Inexpensive hotels with good reviews near Marseille St Charles station include the Ibis Marseille Centre Gare St Charles & Holiday Inn Express Marseille St Charles.
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Step 2, travel from Marseille to Toulon, Cannes, Antibes, Nice & Monte Carlo on any suitable train next day, for example:
Leave Marseille St Charles 07:57 by TER local train, arriving Cannes 10:02 & Nice Ville 10:38.
Leave Marseille St Charles 09:55 by TER local train, arriving Cannes 12:02 & Nice Ville 12:38.
But why not spend a morning in Marseille? An fascinating city, well worth a look around, see the Marseille St Charles station guide.
Book onward trains from Marseille at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).
Mt Canigou & the Pyrenees. One of the highest peaks in the mighty Pyrenees, the 2,784m (9,137 feet) high Mt Canigou dominates the skyline on the right all the way from Girona to Perpignan, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canigou.
Option 2, morning departure, Barcelona to Marseille, Cannes, Nice in a day
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Travel from Barcelona to Avignon, Marseille Cannes or Nice, leaving Barcelona Sants at 09:28 every day, change at Narbonne, arriving Marseille St Charles 14:38. Change at Marseille St Charles for Cannes & Nice, arriving Nice Ville 17:38.
Barcelona to Narbonne is by TGV Duplex with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes between Narbonne & Montpellier, and Béziers cathedral, see more about the journey here.
Narbonne to Marseilles is by Intercité with refreshment trolley & free WiFi. Marseille to Cannes & Nice is by TER regional train.
Fares start at around €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at either www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee) or www.raileurope.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee, about Raileurope) or www.thetrainline.com (also easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee, about Trainline).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Tip: www.sncf-connect.com & www.thetrainline.com allow you to choose your seat from a seat map when booking 1st class tickets.
Option 3, afternoon departure, Barcelona to Marseille in a day
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Travel from Barcelona to Marseille, leaving Barcelona Sants at 16:25 every day, on weekdays change at Valence TGV, arriving Avignon TGV 21:52 & Marseille St Charles 22:29. At weekends you change at Montpellier-Saint-Roch, arriving Marseille St Charles 22:43.
Times vary, so check your date online.
Barcelona to Montpellier or Valence is by TGV Duplex with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
In summer when it's light you'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes between Narbonne & Montpellier, and Béziers cathedral, see more about the journey here here.
Fares start at €29 in 2nd class or €49 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at either www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee) or www.raileurope.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee, about Raileurope) or www.thetrainline.com (also easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee, about Thetrainline).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Tip: www.sncf-connect.com & www.thetrainline.com allow you to choose your seat from a seat map when booking 1st class on a TGV or Intercité.
Barcelona to Brussels & Bruges from €68
Option 1, Barcelona to Brussels in a day, via Lyon - breakfast in Barcelona, dinner in Brussels, avoids crossing Paris
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Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Lyon by AVE, leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:19, arriving Lyon Part Dieu 13:20.
This comfortable AVE S100 high-speed train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Look out for great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou on the left as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses on the left by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral on the left, see more about the journey here. Remember there's an X-ray bag check at Barcelona Sants.
Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €49 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, more fiddly, see advice on using it).
Booking normally opens 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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Step 2, travel from Lyon to Brussels by French TGV, leaving Lyon Part Dieu at 13:59, arriving Brussels Midi 17:43.
The TGV has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It by-passes Paris using the high-speed line through Marne la Vallée & CDG.
If you'd like lunch in Lyon and a more robust connection, given that this involves two different operators, a later TGV leaves Lyon Part Dieu at 16:59 arriving Brussels Midi 20:43. Suggested restaurant near Lyon Part Dieu.
Fares start at €29 in 2nd class or €39 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).
Booking normally opens 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Mt Canigou & the Pyrenees. One of the highest peaks in the mighty Pyrenees, the 2,784m (9,137 feet) high Mt Canigou dominates the skyline on the right all the way from Girona to Perpignan, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canigou.
Step 2, Lyon to Brussels by TGV. Above left, 2nd class seats with a mix of unidirectional seats & tables for 4. Seats 2+2 across car width. Larger photo.
Option 2, Barcelona to Brussels in a single day, via Paris - slightly faster, but involves crossing Paris
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Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 09:28, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 16:12.
This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number above 60 is upper deck. Remember there's an X-ray bag check at Barcelona Sants.
You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses by the tracks after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see more about the journey.
Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Cross Paris by metro or taxi from the Gare de Lyon to the Gare du Nord. Always allow at least 60 minutes between trains.
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Step 2, travel from Paris to Brussels by Eurostar (formerly Thalys) leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 17:55, arriving Brussels Midi 19:17.
Eurostar trains have 3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).
Fares start at €35 in 2nd class or €79 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
You can book Barcelona to Brussels as one easy transaction, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee. Booking for the TGV & Eurostar usually opens 4 months ahead.
Alternatively, you can book at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, with no booking fee). Split the booking into Barcelona-Paris and Paris-Barcelona if you want longer to cross Paris, it makes no difference to the price as you get two tickets anyway. You print your tickets or can show them on your phone.
Tip: Using www.raileurope.com, you can click More options and add Paris (any station) as a via with a 1 hour duration to ensure a robust connection. Otherwise the French Railways system has been known to offer cross-Paris connections as tight as 42 minutes.
Tip: If you use www.thetrainline.com or www.sncf-connect.com you can select a seat on the TGV from a seat map if booking 1st class.
Step 1, Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, seen here at Barcelona Sants. Courtesy of Brian's Coffee Spot. Watch TGV video.
Mt Canigou & the Pyrenees. One of the highest peaks in the mighty Pyrenees, the 2,784m (9,137 feet) high Mt Canigou dominates the skyline on the right all the way from Girona to Perpignan, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canigou. More photos of what to see on the Paris-Barcelona train journey.
Step 2, Paris to Brussels by Eurostar, seen here at Brussels Midi. More about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).
Option 3, Barcelona to Brussels with overnight stop in Paris - as option 2, but with an overnight stop
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Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 16:25, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 23:18.
This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number above 60 is upper deck. Remember there's an X-ray bag check at Barcelona Sants.
At least in summer when it's light you'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes between Narbonne & Montpellier, and Béziers cathedral, see more about the journey.
Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Cross Paris by metro or taxi from the Gare de Lyon to the Gare du Nord.
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Stay overnight in Paris. If you want a hotel room on arrival at the Gare de Lyon, I suggest the Mercure Paris Gare De Lyon as it's part of the station complex. If you'd prefer to stay near the Gare du Nord I suggest the excellent 25 Hours Terminus Nord, directly across the road from the Gare du Nord with great reviews & great feedback from Seat61 users. See other suggested hotels near the Gare de Lyon or Gare du Nord.
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Day 2, travel from Paris to Brussels on any Eurostar (formerly Thalys) you like, they leave every hour or so.
The 06:22 from Paris Gare du Nord arrives Brussels Midi 07:44, but by all means book a later one.
Eurostar trains have 3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).
Fares start at €29 in 2nd class or €55 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
First book from Barcelona to Paris for day 1, add to basket, then book from Paris to Brussels for day 2, add to basket and check out. You can pay in €, £ or $, there's a small booking fee.
You can also book at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).
Tip: If you use www.thetrainline.com or www.sncf-connect.com you can select TGV seats from a seat map if booking 1st class.
Option 4, Barcelona-Paris using a French overnight train, then high-speed train to Brussels
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Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris overnight, taking a mid-afternoon local train from Barcelona Sants to either Latour de Carol in the Pyrenees or to Cerbère on the French border, then a French sleeper train overnight to Paris Gare d'Austerlitz.
See the Barcelona to Paris by sleeper train page for train times & how to buy tickets.
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Change trains & stations in Paris by metro or taxi from the Gare d'Austerlitz to the Gare du Nord.
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Step 2, travel from Paris Gare du Nord to Brussels Midi by Eurostar (formerly Thalys), these leave every hour or so taking 1h22 with fares from €29.
Allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Paris, ideally a little more.
Eurostar trains have 3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).
Book the Eurostar at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).
Barcelona to Amsterdam from €74
Option 1, Barcelona to Amsterdam in a single day
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Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 09:28, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 16:12.
This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number above 60 is upper deck. Remember there's an X-ray bag check at Barcelona Sants.
You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses by the tracks after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see more about the jounrey.
Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Allow at least 60 minutes to change trains & stations in Paris by metro or taxi from Paris Gare de Lyon to the Gare du Nord.
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Step 2, travel from Paris to Amsterdam by Eurostar (formerly Thalys), leaving Paris Nord at 18:25, arriving Amsterdam Centraal 21:50.
Eurostar trains have 3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).
Fares start at €35 in 2nd class or €79 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
You can book from Barcelona to Amsterdam as one easy transaction.
Prices are in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem. Small booking fee. Booking usually opens 4 months ahead.
Tip: If using www.raileurope.com, you can click More options and add Paris (any station) as a via with a 1 hour duration to ensure a robust connection. Otherwise the French Railways system has been known to offer cross-Paris connections as tight as 42 minutes.
Alternatively, you can book at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, with no booking fee). Split the booking into Barcelona-Paris and Paris-Barcelona if you want longer to cross Paris, it makes no difference to the price as you get two tickets anyway. You print your tickets or can show them on your phone.
Tip: If you use www.thetrainline.com or www.sncf-connect.com you can choose your seat from a seat map if booking 1st class.
Step 1, Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, seen here at Barcelona Sants. Courtesy of Brian's Coffee Spot. Watch TGV video.
Mt Canigou & the Pyrenees. One of the highest peaks in the mighty Pyrenees, the 2,784m (9,137 feet) high Mt Canigou dominates the skyline on the right all the way from Girona to Perpignan, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canigou. More photos of what to see on the Paris-Barcelona train journey.
Step 2, Paris to Amsterdam by Eurostar, seen here at Paris Nord. More about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).
Option 2, Barcelona to Amsterdam with overnight stop in Paris - as option 1, but with an overnight stop
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Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 16:25, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 23:18.
This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number above 60 is upper deck. Remember there's an X-ray bag check at Barcelona Sants.
In summer when it's light you'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses by the tracks after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see more about the journey.
Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Cross Paris by metro or taxi from the Gare de Lyon to the Gare du Nord.
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Stay overnight in Paris. If you want a hotel room on arrival at the Gare de Lyon, I suggest the Mercure Paris Gare De Lyon as it's part of the station complex. If you'd prefer to stay near the Gare du Nord I suggest the excellent 25 Hours Terminus Nord, directly across the road from the Gare du Nord with great reviews & great feedback from Seat61 users. See other suggested hotels near the Gare de Lyon or Gare du Nord.
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Day 2, travel from Paris Gare du Nord to Amsterdam Centraal by Eurostar (formerly Thalys) on any departure you like.
The 06:22 from Paris arrives Amsterdam 09:50, but by all means have a leisurely breakfast and take a later one, they leave every hour or two.
Eurostar trains have 3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).
Fares start at €35 in 2nd class or €79 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
First book from Barcelona to Paris, add to basket, then book from Paris to Brussels for the following day, add to basket and check out.
Booking usually opens 4 months ahead. You can pay in €, £ or $, small booking fee.
Alternatively, you can book at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com, in €, no booking fee.
Tip: If you use www.thetrainline.com or www.sncf-connect.com you can choose your seat on the TGV from a seat map if booking 1st class.
Option 3, Barcelona-Paris using a French overnight train, then high-speed train onwards to Amsterdam
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Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris overnight, taking a mid-afternoon local train from Barcelona Sants to either Latour de Carol in the Pyrenees or to Cerbère on the French border, then a French sleeper train overnight to Paris Gare d'Austerlitz.
See the Barcelona to Paris by sleeper train page for train times & how to buy tickets
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Change trains & stations in Paris by metro or taxi from the Gare d'Austerlitz to the Gare du Nord.
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Step 2, travel from Paris Nord to Amsterdam Centraal by Eurostar (formerly Thalys), they leave every hour or two, journey time 3h20.
Allow at least 60 minutes in Paris between trains.
Eurostar trains have 3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).
Fares start at €35 in 2nd class or €79 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book the Eurostar at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.in €, no booking fee).
Barcelona to Luxembourg
Option 1, Barcelona to Luxembourg in a single day
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Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 09:28, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 16:12.
This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number above 60 is upper deck. Remember there's an X-ray bag check at Barcelona Sants.
You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses by the tracks after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see more about the journey.
Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Allow at least 60 minutes to change stations in Paris by metro or taxi from the Gare de Lyon to the Gare de l'Est.
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Step 2, travel from Paris to Luxembourg by TGV, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 17:40, arriving Luxembourg 19:52.
The TGV has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at €25 in 2nd class or €45 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee.
Booking usually opens 4 months ahead. Try booking from Barcelona to Luxembourg as one transaction, if you have any problems, book each train separately, adding each to your basket and checking out at the end. You print your own tickets or can show them on your phone.
Tip: Using www.raileurope.com, you can click More options and add Paris (any station) as a via with a 1 hour duration to ensure a robust connection. Otherwise the French Railways system has been known to offer cross-Paris connections as tight as 42 minutes.
Alternatively, you can book each train at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com, in €, no booking fee.
Tip: If you use www.thetrainline.com or www.sncf-connect.com you can choose your seats from a seat map if booking 1st class.
Option 2, Barcelona to Luxembourg with overnight stop in Paris
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Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 16:25, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 23:18.
This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
In summer when it's light you'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses by the tracks after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see more about the journey.
Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Stay overnight in Paris. If you want a hotel on arrival at the Gare de Lyon, I suggest the Mercure Paris Gare De Lyon as it's part of the station complex. If you'd prefer to stay near the Gare de l'Est I suggest the Libertel Gare de l'Est Français or OKKO Hotels Paris Gare de l'Est, both right next to the station with great reviews. See other suggested hotels near the Gare de Lyon or Gare de l'Est.
Change trains & stations in Paris by taxi or metro from the Gare de Lyon to the Gare de l'Est.
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Day 2, travel from Paris to Luxembourg by TGV.
On Mondays-Fridays the 07:28 from Paris Gare de l'Est arrives Luxembourg 09:44.
On Saturdays & Sundays, check times online.
Or there are later trains. The TGV has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at €25 in 2nd class or €45 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
You can then buy all your tickets together in one place, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee.
Booking usually opens 4 months ahead. First book from Barcelona to Paris, add to basket, then book from Paris to Luxembourg for the following day, add to your basket and check out. You print your own tickets or can show them on your phone.
Alternatively, you can book each train at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com, in €, no booking fee.
Tip: If you use www.thetrainline.com or www.sncf-connect.com you can choose your seats from a seat map if booking 1st class.
Option 3, Barcelona-Paris using a French overnight train, then high-speed TGV onwards to Luxembourg
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Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris overnight, taking a mid-afternoon local train from Barcelona Sants to either Latour de Carol in the Pyrenees or to Cerbère on the French border, then a French sleeper train overnight to Paris Gare d'Austerlitz.
See the Barcelona to Paris by sleeper train page for train times & how to buy tickets.
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Change trains & stations in Paris by metro or taxi from the Gare d'Austerlitz to the Gare de l'Est.
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Step 2, next morning travel from Paris Gare de l'Est to Luxembourg by TGV in around 2h20.
Allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Paris.
The TGV has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at €25 in 2nd class or €45 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead.
Times vary, so check times & buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).
Barcelona to Geneva, Zurich & Switzerland
Option 1, Barcelona to Switzerland in a day, morning departure - recommended option, using the direct AVE to Lyon
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Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Lyon by AVE, leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:19, arriving Lyon Part Dieu 13:20.
This comfortable AVE S100 high-speed train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Look out for the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses on the left after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral on the left. More about the journey. Remember there's an X-ray bag check at Barcelona Sants.
Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €49 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, more fiddly, see advice on using it).
Booking normally opens 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
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Step 2, travel from Lyon to Geneva by TER regional train, leaving Lyon Part Dieu at 14:38, arriving Geneva 16:35.
These TER trains use former inter-city Corail carriages, old but comfortable. There's no catering, so bring your own food & drink. It's a lovely journey along the river Rhône and through the Jura.
Lyon to Geneva costs €33.40 in 2nd class, €50.80 in 1st class. Fixed-price, unlimited availability.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).
Booking normally opens 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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Step 3, take onwards trains from Geneva to anywhere in Switzerland.
Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Swiss Railways site www.sbb.ch.
Mt Canigou & the Pyrenees. One of the highest peaks in the mighty Pyrenees, the 2,784m (9,137 feet) high Mt Canigou dominates the skyline on the right all the way from Girona to Perpignan, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canigou.
Step 2, Lyon to Geneva by TER: This is a TER from Lyon at Geneva.
Option 2, Barcelona to Switzerland in a day, late morning departure
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Leave Barcelona Sants at 09:28, change at Valence & Lyon Part Dieu, arriving Geneva 18:35.
You travel from Barcelona to Valence by 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses by the tracks after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see more about the journey.
You travel from Valence to Lyon on another TGV with cafe-bar, power sockets & free WiFi, then Lyon to Geneva by TER regional train.
Take an onward train from Geneva to anywhere in Switzerland, check times at www.thetrainline.com or the Swiss Railways website www.sbb.ch.
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Fares from Barcelona to Lyon start at around €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Lyon to Geneva costs €33.40 in 2nd class, €50.80 in 1st class, fixed-price, unlimited availability.
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Book from Barcelona to Geneva at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee).
Then add an onward ticket from Geneva to anywhere in Switzerland also at www.thetrainline.com.
If you buy Swiss tickets in advance you may find Supersaver fares or a Saver Day Pass available, saving up to 50% off regular Swiss rail fares.
Alternatively, book Barcelona-Geneva at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee) and onward Swiss tickets at the Swiss Railways website www.sbb.ch.
Barcelona to Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome & Italy
So many people want to travel this route, and many of them mistakenly think you have to fly. You don't. You can travel cheaply and time-effectively by comfortable and civilised train with lots to see on the way, from the Pyrenees to the Alps.
Option 1, Barcelona to Turin or Milan in a single day - from the Pyrenees to the Alps in a day
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Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Lyon by AVE, leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:19, arriving Lyon Part Dieu 13:20.
This comfortable AVE S100 high-speed train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses by the tracks after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see more about the train & journey. Remember there's an X-ray bag check at Barcelona Sants.
Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
You now have time for lunch and a wander around Lyon, see suggested restaurant near the station.
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Day 1, travel from Lyon to Turin & Milan by Frecciarossa, leaving Lyon Part Dieu 17:20 & arriving Turin Porta Susa 21:18 & Milan Centrale 22:07.
The Frecciarossa has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. This is a lovely ride at low speed snaking through the Alps, sit back and enjoy the ride. More about this journey here.
Fares start at €29 in standard (2nd class) or €36 in business (1st class) or €165 in executive class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Update: The direct Paris-Milan line via Modane was blocked by a landslide in August 2023, and will probably remain blocked until March 2025. Until further notice, all direct Paris-Lyon-Milan trains are cancelled. Please use alternative routes, for example options 3 or 4. More information.
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Stay overnight in either Turin or Milan.
Personally I'd choose Turin, a lovely city even if you're not a fan of the 1969 Michael Caine film The Italian Job which was set there. I'd allow some time for a look around next morning.
In Turin I suggest the Hotel Torino Porta Susa or Hotel Diplomatic, Best Quality Hotel Dock Milano or small Al Porta Susa B&B, all right next to Turin Porta Susa station where the TGV arrives and where your onward train leaves next morning, with good or great reviews. Alternatively, the excellent Turin Palace Hotel is in the centre right next to Porta Nuova station, a 7 minute taxi ride, 3-stop €1.50 metro ride or 20 minute walk from Porta Susa, but next morning you can board your train to Venice, Florence, Rome or Naples at Porta Nuova station where these trains start their journey.
In Milan, hotels near Milan Centrale with good or great reviews include Made to Measure Business, 43 Station Hotel, Starhotel Echo or Starhotel Anderson.
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Day 2, take a morning train to anywhere in Italy.
For Florence, Rome or Naples take a 300 km/h (186 mph) Frecciarossa from Turin Porta Nuova, Turin Porta Susa or Milan Centrale to Florence SMN from €19.90, to Rome Termini or Naples Centrale from €29.90. There are regular departures throughout the day, Turin-Florence takes 2h48, Milan-Florence takes 1h40, Turin-Rome 3h55, Milan-Rome 2h55.
For Verona or Venice take a Frecciarossa from Turin Porta Nuova, Turin Porta Susa or Milan Centrale to Verona Porta Nuova or Venice Santa Lucia. Milan to Venice takes 2h35 from €19.90. Turin to Venice takes 3h25 from €19.90. It's easier to change in Turin as that's a same-station change. In Milan, a transfer from Porta Garibaldi to Centrale is a 25 minute walk or €8 8-minute taxi ride.
For Cinque Terre take a train from Milan Centrale to Monterosso, some direct in as little as 2h57 from €19.90, or there are other departures involving a change. There are also trains from Milan Centrale to Genoa (1h32) and Pisa (3h47).
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How to buy tickets
The easiest way to buy tickets is to use either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, as you can buy all the tickets together in one place, in plain English, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee. Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. About Raileurope. About Thetrainline.
Go to www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, book the direct morning train from Barcelona Sants to Lyon Part Dieu for day 1 and add this to your basket. Then book the direct afternoon train from Lyon Part Dieu to Turin or Milan and add that to your basket. Then book a train from Turin or Milan to your final Italian destination for the following morning, add to basket and check out.
You print your own tickets or can show them on your phone.
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How to buy tickets, advanced
You can of course book each train separately with the relevant operator. It's more work, same prices, but no booking fee.
Step 1, book from Barcelona to Lyon at the French Railways website, www.sncf-connect.com, or if using the direct Barcelona-Lyon AVE, at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com.
Step 2, now buy tickets from Lyon to Turin or Milan and from Turin or Milan to anywhere in Italy at either www.italiarail.com (easy to use, in plain English, they'll refund seat61 users their booking fee if you email seat61@italiarail.com afterwards) or Trenitalia's site www.trenitalia.com, you'll need to use Italian-language place names and it has a few quirks so see this advice on using it. Both sites sell the same tickets at the same prices and both usually offer ticketless travel, you print your booking reference or show it on your phone.
Option 2, Barcelona to Italy with an overnight stop in Lyon
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Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Lyon, leaving Barcelona Sants at 16:25, change at Sète, arriving Lyon Part Dieu 21:36 (time may vary).
You travel from Barcelona to Sète by impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, then on another TGV from Sète to Lyon, also with with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
In summer when it's light you'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses by the tracks after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see more about the journey.
Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee). You print your ticket or can show it on your phone.
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Stay overnight in Lyon, The Ibis Budget Lyon Centre - Gare Part Dieu is affordable & right next to Lyon Part Dieu station with good reviews, the Radisson Blu Hotel, Lyon also gets great reviews and is just a few minutes walk away.
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Day 2, travel from Lyon to Turin & Milan by Frecciarossa, leaving Lyon Part Dieu 09:30 & arriving Turin Porta Susa 13:18 & Milan Centrale 14:07.
The Frecciarossa has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. This is a lovely ride at low speed snaking through the Alps, sit back and enjoy the ride. More about this journey here.
Fares start at €29 in standard (2nd class) or €36 in business (1st class) or €165 in executive class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book from Lyon to anywhere in Italy at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Italian Railways website www.trenitalia.com (in €, no booking fee). You print your own ticket.
Update: The direct Paris-Milan line via Modane was blocked by a landslide in August 2023, and will remain blocked until March 2025. Until further notice, all direct Paris-Lyon-Milan trains are cancelled. Please use alternative routes, for example options 3 or 4. More information.
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Day 2, travel from Milan to Verona, Venice, Florence, Rome or Naples by connecting high-speed train.
Fares from Milan to Venice or Florence start at €19.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class. Milan to Rome or Naples starts at €29.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this as a single transaction from Lyon to anywhere in Italy.
Option 3, Barcelona to Italy with an overnight stop in Marseille
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Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Marseille by AVE, leaving Barcelona Sants at 16:34, arriving Marseille St Charles 21:32.
This comfortable AVE S100 high-speed train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Look out for great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou on the left as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses on the left by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes between Narbonne & Montpellier, and Béziers cathedral on the left, see more about the journey. Remember there's an X-ray bag check at Barcelona Sants.
Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €49 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, more fiddly, see advice on using it).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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Stay overnight in Marseille. Inexpensive hotels with good reviews near Marseille St Charles station include the Ibis Marseille Centre Gare St Charles & Holiday Inn Express Marseille St Charles.
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Day 2, travel from Marseille to Nice by TER regional train, leaving Marseille St Charles at 09:57, arriving Nice Ville 12:38.
This is a regional express train, there's no catering so bring your own supplies. It's a lovely run along the French coast, past rocky headlands, millionaires' villas and yacht-filled harbours.
Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).
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Day 2, travel from Nice to Genoa, Milan, Verona or Venice, leaving Nice Ville on the 13:19 departure shown on the Nice to Italy page.
You take the 13:19 double-deck TER regional train from Nice to Ventimiglia on the Italian border, then the 15:10 Trenitalia Intercity train from Ventimiglia to Genoa & Milan. Change in Milan for Verona, Venice, Florence & Rome, see the timetable on the Nice to Italy page.
Book from Nice to anywhere in Italy at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, but please read my booking advice for this route on the Nice-Italy page.
Option 4, Barcelona to Italy with an overnight stop in Nice
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Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Nice, leaving Barcelona Sants at 09:28, change at Nîmes & Marseille St Charles, arriving Nice Ville 17:38.
You travel from Barcelona to Nimes by TGV Duplex with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
There are great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses by the tracks after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see more about the journey.
You then travel from Nimes to Marseilles by Intercité with refreshment trolley & free WiFi, then Marseilles to Nice by TER regional train along the scenic Cote d'Azur past rocky headlands, millionaires' villas and yacht-filled harbours.
Fares start at around €49 in 2nd class or €69 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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Stay overnight in Nice. The Hotel 64 is just 3 minutes walk from the station, 15 minutes walk from the old town & sea front, and gets great reviews. The Hotel Paganini is also just outside the station with good reviews.
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Day 2, travel from Nice Ville to anywhere in Italy along the coast, using any departure shown on the Nice to Italy page.
You take a double-deck TER regional train from Nice through Monte Carlo to Ventimiglia on the border, then an Italian Intercity train to Genoa & Milan. Change in Milan for trains to Venice, Florence, Rome & Naples. If you left Nice soon after 07:00 you'd reach these cities late afternoon, if you left Nice after 09:00 you'd reach them early evening. See the timetable on the Nice to Italy page.
Book from Nice to anywhere in Italy at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, but please read my booking advice on the Nice-Italy page.
UK call 0207 864 4600,
US call free 1-888-829-4775,
Canada call free 1-855-882-2910,
Australia call toll-free 1300 971 526,
New Zealand call toll-free 0800 000 554 or
