 Church of St Coloma, outside Andorra la Vella.
|
London to Andorra La Vella by train
A French count and a Spanish bishop disagreed over who should rule a small rural enclave high up in the Pyrenees. They decided to rule jointly, and the result was the Principality of Andorra, the only country in the world whose official language is Catalan. Today it's no longer rural - its spectacular scenery is home to more ski resorts and duty-free perfumeries than you can shake a stick at.
Andorra has no rail station or airport, but it's easy to get there by Eurostar from London to Paris, Intercités de Nuit overnight train from Paris to Andorre-l'Hospitalet (the nearest station to Andorra) and then by bus through the Pyrenees to Andorra la Vella. Or travel by train to Toulouse and bus to Andorra la Vella.
London to Andorra by sleeper via
l'Hospitalet
London to Andorra by sleeper
via Toulouse
London to Andorra by daytime
trains via Toulouse
Hotels & accommodation in Andorra
General European train
travel information
Luggage
Taking bikes
Taking dogs
Useful country information
Which route to choose?
There are no trains in Andorra. The nearest railway station is Andorre-l'Hospitalet (called l'Hospitalet près l'Andorre until 2023), a little station in France on the scenic line through the Pyrenees between Toulouse and Latour de Carol on the Spanish border.
-
Option 1, by sleeper via l'Hospitalet:
Take Eurostar to Paris, the Intercité de Nuit sleeper train to Andorre-l'Hospitalet, then a bus or taxi to Andorra.
This sleeper train normally runs daily, but in 2025 the sleeper is only running to l'Hospitalet on Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays due to trackwork, daily in summer June-September. But this is the nicest option with just a 47-minute bus or taxi journey at the end.
-
Option 2, by sleeper via Toulouse:
Take take Eurostar to Paris, the daily Intercité de Nuit sleeper train to Toulouse, then a bus to Andorra.
This is easy, the sleeper runs to Toulouse every day all year. But you swap a scenic train ride into the Pyrenees and a 47-minute bus ride for 3 hours on a bus from Toulouse. It's your call!
-
Option 3, by daytime trains via Toulouse:
if you prefer daytime trains to sleepers, take Eurostar to Paris and a high-speed TGV to Toulouse, then a bus to Andorra. It can just about be done in a long day (meaning a 4am start on the way back), you might prefer to break it up with an overnight stop in Paris or Toulouse.
Option 1, by sleeper via l'Hospitalet
This is the traditional route, a lovely journey into the Pyrenees by train, followed by a 47 minute 38 km bus or taxi ride from l'Hospitalet to Andorra la Vella. A bus connection between the station at l'Hospitalet and Andorra was reinstated in 2024 after a break of some years. However, due to trackwork, in 2025 the sleeper will only run on Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays and daily June-September.
London ► Andorra
-
Step 1, travel from London to Paris by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras at 16:31 arriving Paris Gare du Nord 19:58.
Eurostar has two cafe-bars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Plus & Premier fares include a meal with wine.
Cross Paris by taxi or métro to the Gare d'Austerlitz.
By all means book an earlier Eurostar for a more robust connection and time for dinner in Paris. You could dine at the Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon, then stroll across the bridge over the Seine to the Gare d'Austerlitz. Or try the restaurant Off Paris Seine near the Gare d'Austerlitz.
-
Step 2, travel from Paris to l'Hospitalet by Intercité de Nuit, leaving Paris Austerlitz at 22:13, arriving Andorre-l'Hospitalet 09:43.
The Intercité de Nuit has 1st class 4-berth couchettes, 2nd class 6-berth couchettes & reclining seats. The train has power sockets at all berths & free WiFi. More about Intercités de Nuit.
This sleeper runs Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays all year, daily from June to September.
It should run daily all year, but frequency is reduced in 2025 due to trackwork affecting both possible routes between Paris & Toulouse. Timings may vary. Check your date using www.raileurope.com, www.thetrainline.com or www.sncf-connect.com. This train should be bookable up to 4 months ahead, but the booking horizon is often much shorter for these overnight trains, sometimes as little as a month ahead.
-
Step 3, travel from l'Hospitalet to Andorra la Vella by bus or taxi.
A bus run by Hife (www.hife.es) leaves l'Hospitalet station at 10:15 every day, arriving Andorra La Vella bus station 11:30.
Alternatively, a taxi from Andorre-l'Hospitalet to Andorra la Vella costs around €80 per taxi, 38 km taking around 47 minutes, feedback appreciated. Pre-book with Altitud Taxis, 00 376 856255 or 00 33 561644714.
Andorra ► London
-
Step 1, travel from Andorra to l'Hospitalet by bus or taxi.
A bus run by Hife (www.hife.es) leaves Andorra la Vella bus station at 17:00 every day, arriving l'Hospitalet station 18:20.
Alternatively, a taxi from Andorra la Vella to Andorre-l'Hospitalet station costs around €80, journey time 47 minutes, 38 km. I recommend pre-booking the taxi, call Altitud Taxis, 00 376 856255 or 00 33 561644714.
-
Step 2, travel from l'Hospitalet to Paris by Intercité de Nuit, leaving Andorre-l'Hospitalet at 19:15, arriving Paris Austerlitz 07:03.
The Intercité de Nuit has 1st class 4-berth couchettes, 2nd class 6-berth couchettes & reclining seats. The train has power sockets at all berths & free WiFi. More about Intercités de Nuit.
This sleeper runs Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays all year, daily from June to September.
It should run daily all year, but frequency is reduced in 2025 due to trackwork affecting both possible routes between Paris & Toulouse. Exact times may vary. Check your date using www.raileurope.com, www.thetrainline.com or www.sncf-connect.com. This train should appear 4 months out, but usually doesn't, the booking horizon is often much shorter than that for these night trains, occasionally as little as a month ahead.
Cross Paris by taxi or métro to the Gare du Nord.
-
Step 3, travel from Paris to London by Eurostar, normally leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 09:12, arriving London St Pancras 10:30.
Eurostar has two cafe-bars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Plus & Premier fares include breakfast.
How much does it cost?
How to buy tickets
 |
-
Step 1, go to www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
First book from London or any station in Britain to Paris (and back, if returning), add to basket.
Then book from Paris to Andorre-l'Hospitalet (and back, if returning), add to basket & check out.
You can buy one-way or return tickets in either direction. Infants under 4 go free, no ticket needed, children under 12 pay the child rate.
Use the suggested times above as your guide, make sure you allow at least 90 minutes between trains in Paris, ideally more.
There's a small booking fee. You print your tickets or show them on your phone. About Raileurope.
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. Eurostar opens up to 11 months ahead, but I'd wait until the sleeper train opens for booking 4 months ahead so times & availability can be confirmed before buying a non-refundable Eurostar ticket. More about when booking opens.
Intercité de Nuit overnight trains often open significantly less than 4 months ahead, sometimes as little as 30 or 40 days due to trackwork planning, so don't be impatient!
Tip: Sole or dual occupancy of a couchette compartment on a French overnight train: On French overnight trains you can book sole or dual occupancy of a 4-berth couchette compartment, this facility is called Espace Privatif, see details of the cost & how to buy tickets here. You can book espace privatif on www.thetrainline.com, you can't do it on raileurope.com. If an espace privatif option shows up, fine, if it doesn't it's unavailable, then the solution is to book all the berths in a compartment by adding phantom child tickets.
Tip: Choose your seat on Eurostar: After booking, go to www.eurostar.com, click Manage your booking and choose a better seat from a seat map, see tips on choosing a seat.
Train seat maps: TGV seat maps. Couchette numbering system.
-
Step 2, book the bus at www.hife.es.
Or pre-book a taxi with Altitud Taxis, 00 376 856255 or 00 33 561644714.
Another way to buy tickets
-
You can also buy tickets from the relevant train operator with no booking fee, but the fares should be the same:
-
Step 1, book the night train from Paris to Andorre-l'Hospitalet at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com. You print your own ticket. Check the Paris departure/arrival times before booking the Eurostar.
-
Step 2, book the Eurostar from London to Paris & back.
You can stay on www.sncf-connect.com and book it there too, which keeps both bookings together or use www.eurostar.com.
Use the Eurostar times on this page as a guide, but by all means choose an earlier Eurostar from London or a later Eurostar back from Paris if it has cheaper fares available or if you'd like a stopover in Paris. You print your ticket or can load it into the Eurostar app on your phone. Easy!
How to buy tickets by phone
-
It's better to buy online, to avoid phone booking fees and see for yourself which departures are cheapest. Online booking is possible 24/7, but most telephone booking agencies only work office hours on weekdays. If you want to book by phone, someone, here's a list if UK ticketing agencies with phone numbers & opening hours. For a journey between the UK & Andorra I'd call Ffestiniog Travel, International Rail or Trainseurope.
What's the journey like?
1. London to Paris by Eurostar
Eurostar trains link London & Paris in 2h20, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph). There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi. Plus and Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00). There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train. More about Eurostar & check-in procedure. St Pancras station guide. Gare du Nord station guide. How to cross Paris by metro or taxi.
2. Paris to Andorre-l'Hospitalet by Intercité de Nuit
The train has air-conditioned couchette cars and a reclining seats car. Couchettes are flat padded bunks, each provided with a clean pillow and (on these French overnight trains) a special lightweight sleeping-bag, a welcome change from the traditional sheet and blanket. 2nd class couchettes have 6 bunks per compartment (upper, middle and lower on each side of the compartment), 1st class couchettes have 4 bunks (upper and lower each side). There are washrooms and toilets at the end of the corridor.
Each couchette passenger gets a small bottle of mineral water, earplugs (if you really feel you need them), and tissues. There's a security lock on the door which cannot be opened from outside, and staff are on hand if you need them. Only passengers with tickets and reservations are allowed on board, and there are minimal stops between midnight and 06:00 to ensure a safe and smooth journey through the night. Men and women share the same compartments in couchettes, as you don't normally fully undress, but on French night trains, women travelling alone can ask for a place in a ladies-only compartment. The train also has reclining seats, but a couchette allows you to sleep properly and is recommended. Watch the Intercités de Nuit video.
Intercité de nuit sleeper train at Paris Gare d'Austerlitz. More about Intercités de Nuit.
The sleeper train climbs into the Pyrenees south of Toulouse. This is Foix, between Toulouse & l'Hospitalet. The castle is on the right just south of the station.
Beyond Foix, the sleeper train climbs higher into the mountains...
...and arrives at Andorre-l'Hospitalet station, pictured above right.
3. l'Hospitalet to Andorra by bus
Below, the Hife bus to Andorra, at Andorre-l'Hospitalet station. Courtesy of Jim Bannerman.
Option 2, by sleeper via Toulouse
This option runs daily all year. The downside is 3 hours in a bus versus 47 minutes in a bus or taxi from l'Hospitalet.
London ► Andorra
-
Step 1, travel from London to Paris by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras at 16:31 arriving Paris Gare du Nord 19:58.
Eurostar has two cafe-bars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Plus & Premier fares include a meal with wine.
Cross Paris by taxi or métro to the Gare d'Austerlitz.
By all means book an earlier Eurostar for a more robust connection and time for dinner in Paris. You could dine at the Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon, then stroll across the bridge over the Seine to the Gare d'Austerlitz. Or try the restaurant Off Paris Seine near the Gare d'Austerlitz.
-
Step 2, travel from Paris to Toulouse by Intercité de Nuit, leaving Paris Austerlitz at 22:13, arriving Toulouse Matabiau 07:44.
The Intercité de Nuit has 1st class 4-berth couchettes, 2nd class 6-berth couchettes & 2nd class seats. More about Intercités de Nuit.
The sleeper runs every day all year, but times can vary so check your date at www.sncf-connect.com, www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com. It should open for booking 4 months ahead, but often less than this, sometimes as little as 30 days.
Tip: I can recommend the breakfast buffet at the Pullman Hotel, a few minutes walk from the station.
-
Step 3, travel from Toulouse to Andorra by bus, leaving Toulouse Matabiau 09:45, arriving Andorra la Vella bus station 14:00.
The bus is run by Andbus, check times at Andbus.net or Omio.com.
Make sure you have at least an hour between train and bus in Toulouse in case of delay.
The bus leaves from bus stand 15 in the Gare Routière (bus station) just outside Toulouse Matabiau station. Simply walk out of the station onto the forecourt and look to your right. The bus station is the modern building with the glass-and-blue-framework, see the photos below.
Andorra ► London
-
Step 1, travel from Andorra to Toulouse by bus, leaving Andorra la Vella bus station at 16:00, arriving Toulouse Matabiau 19:45.
On days when the train leaves Toulouse at 19:44 (see below), take the previous bus leaving Andorra at 12:00 arriving Toulouse Matabiau at 15:45.
The bus is run by Andbus, check times at Andbus.net or Omio.com.
I'd allow at least an hour between bus & train in Toulouse in case of delay. The bus arrives at Toulouse Matabiau Gare Routière, right outside Toulouse Matabiau railway station.
Have dinner in Toulouse, there are plenty of places near the station.
-
Step 2, travel from Toulouse to Paris by Intercité de Nuit, leaving Toulouse Matabiau at 22:23, arriving Paris Austerlitz 07:03.
This sleeper runs daily all year, but on certain days it leaves Toulouse Matabiau at 19:44, arriving Paris Gare d'Austerlitz 07:03.
Check times for your date at www.sncf-connect.com, www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com. It should open for booking 4 months ahead, but often less than this, sometimes as little as 30 days.
The Intercité de Nuit has 1st class 4-berth couchettes, 2nd class 6-berth couchettes & 2nd class seats. More about Intercités de Nuit.
Cross Paris by taxi or métro to the Gare du Nord.
-
Step 3, travel from Paris to London by Eurostar, normally leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 09:12, arriving London St Pancras 10:30.
Eurostar has two cafe-bars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Plus & Premier fares include breakfast.
How much does it cost?
How to buy tickets
-
Step 1, go to www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
First book from London to Paris (and back, if returning), add to basket.
Then book Paris to Toulouse (and back, if returning), add to basket & check out.
You can buy one-way or return tickets in either direction. Infants under 4 go free, no ticket needed, children under 12 pay the child rate.
Use the suggested times above as your guide, make sure you allow at least 90 minutes between trains in Paris, ideally more.
There's a small booking fee. You print your tickets or show them on your phone. About Raileurope. About Thetrainline.
-
Step 2, book the bus at Andbus.net or Omio.com.
-
Booking for trains opens up to 4 months ahead. Eurostar opens up to 11 months ahead, but I recommend waiting until onward French trains open for booking 4 months ahead so times & prices can be confirmed before you buy a non-refundable Eurostar ticket. More about when booking opens.
Intercité de Nuit overnight trains often open significantly less than 4 months ahead, sometimes as little as 30 or 40 days due to trackwork planning, so don't be impatient!
The annual timetable change happens on the 2nd Saturday in December, bookings for dates after that including Christmas & New Year open in early October, significantly less than 4 months ahead.
-
Fares vary like air fares so book as early as you can and search for the cheapest departures. Remember that the cheapest tickets mean no refunds, no changes.
-
Tip: Sole or dual occupancy of a couchette compartment on a French overnight train: On French overnight trains you can book sole or dual occupancy of a 4-berth couchette compartment, this facility is called Espace Privatif, see details of the cost & how to buy tickets here. You can book espace privatif on www.thetrainline.com, you can't do it on raileurope.com. If an espace privatif option shows up, fine, if it doesn't it's unavailable, then the solution is to book all the berths in a compartment by adding phantom child tickets.
-
Tip: Choose your seat on Eurostar: After booking, go to www.eurostar.com, click Manage your booking and choose a better seat from a seat map, see tips on choosing a seat.
-
Train seat maps: TGV seat maps. Couchette numbering system.
Another way to buy tickets
-
You can of course buy tickets from the relevant train operator with no booking fee, but the fares should be the same:
-
Step 1, book the night train from Paris to Toulouse at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com. You print your own ticket. Check the Paris departure/arrival times before booking the Eurostar.
-
Step 2, book the Eurostar from London to Paris & back.
You can stay on www.sncf-connect.com and book it there too, which keeps both bookings together or use www.eurostar.com.
Use the Eurostar times on this page as a guide, but by all means choose an earlier Eurostar from London or a later Eurostar back from Paris if it has cheaper fares available or if you'd like a stopover in Paris. You print your ticket or can load it into the Eurostar app on your phone. Easy!
How to buy tickets by phone
-
It's better to buy online, as you avoid phone booking fees and can see for yourself which departures are cheapest for each stage of the journey. Online booking is possible 24/7, but most telephone booking agencies only work office hours on weekdays. If you want to book by phone, someone, here's a list if UK ticketing agencies with phone numbers & opening hours. For a journey between the UK & Andorra I'd call Ffestiniog Travel, International Rail or Trainseurope.
What's the journey like?
1. London to Paris by Eurostar
Eurostar trains link London & Paris in 2h20, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph). There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi. Plus and Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00). There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train. More about Eurostar & check-in procedure. St Pancras station guide. Gare du Nord station guide. How to cross Paris by metro or taxi.
2. Paris to Toulouse by Intercité de Nuit
The train has air-conditioned couchette cars and a reclining seats car. Couchettes are flat padded bunks, each provided with a clean pillow and (on these French overnight trains) a special lightweight sleeping-bag, a welcome change from the traditional sheet and blanket. 2nd class couchettes have 6 bunks per compartment (upper, middle and lower on each side of the compartment), 1st class couchettes have 4 bunks (upper and lower each side). There are washrooms and toilets at the end of the corridor.
Each couchette passenger gets a small bottle of mineral water, earplugs (if you really feel you need them), and tissues. There's a security lock on the door which cannot be opened from outside, and staff are on hand if you need them. Only passengers with tickets and reservations are allowed on board, and there are minimal stops between midnight and 06:00 to ensure a safe and smooth journey through the night. Men and women share the same compartments in couchettes, as you don't normally fully undress, but on French night trains, women travelling alone can ask for a place in a ladies-only compartment. The train also has reclining seats, but a couchette allows you to sleep properly and is recommended. Watch the Intercités de Nuit video.
3. Toulouse to Andorra by bus
Option 3, by daytime trains via Toulouse
This option runs daily all year round except Christmas Day. You can travel from London to Andorra in a single day if you like (almost!).
London ► Andorra
-
Step 1, travel from London to Toulouse by train.
See the London to Toulouse timetable on the France page & check times for your date at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
You take Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord in 2h20, transfer from the Gare du Nord to the Gare Montparnasse by metro or taxi, then take a high-speed TGV from Paris Montparnasse to Toulouse Matabiau in around 4h25.
I'd allow at least 70 minutes between trains in Paris, ideally more.
-
Step 2, travel from Toulouse Matabiau station to Andorra la Vella by bus, taking 4 hours.
There are typically 3 services per day run by Andbus, check times at Andbus.net or Omio.com.
The buses leave from bus stand 15 inside the Gare Routière (bus station) immediately outside Toulouse Matabiau station. Simply walk out of the station onto the forecourt and look to your right. The bus station is the modern building with the glass-and-blue-framework upper section, see the photos below. I'd allow at least an hour between train and bus in Toulouse, just in case of delay.
-
You can do the whole journey in a single day on Mondays-Fridays for example, leaving London St Pancras at 07:55 (08:01 Sundays), have dinner in Toulouse, the evening bus will get you to Andorra la Vella 01:45. Or you could catch an evening Eurostar to Paris, stay in Paris overnight (see suggested hotels), catch a morning TGV high-speed train to Toulouse then the afternoon bus to Andorra arriving early evening.
Andorra ► London
-
Step 1, travel from Andorra to Toulouse Matabiau station by bus taking 3h45 - it's a little faster downhill!
There are 3 services every day run by Andbus, check times at Andbus.net or Omio.com. In Toulouse, I suggest allowing at least an hour between the bus arrival and your train departure, in case of any delay.
-
Step 2, travel from Toulouse to London by train.
See the Toulouse to London section on the France page, then check times for your date of travel at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
You take a high-speed TGV from Toulouse Matabiau to Paris Montparnasse in 4h25, transfer from the Gare Montparnasse to the Gare du Nord by metro or taxi, then take a Eurostar from Paris Gare du Nord to London St Pancras in 2h20.
-
You can do the whole journey in a day if you leave Andorra at 04:00 bus, reaching London St Pancras at 20:39. Or leave later and stay overnight in Paris.
How much does it cost?
-
London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in Standard, £97 one-way or £168 return in Plus (1st class).
-
Paris to Toulouse starts at €25 each way in 2nd class or €40 each way in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
-
Toulouse to Andorra la Vella by bus costs €36 one-way or €64 return.
How to buy tickets
-
Buy your train tickets at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
You can book from London to Toulouse all in one go, but if you'd like to allow more time between trains in Paris, first book from London to Paris (and back, if returning), add to basket, then book Paris to Toulouse (and back, if returning) and add to basket, then check out.
Eurostar opens for booking up to 11 months ahead, but I recommend waiting until onward French trains open for booking 4 months ahead so times & prices can be confirmed before you buy a non-refundable Eurostar ticket. More about when booking opens.
There's a small booking fee. You print your tickets or show them on your phone. About Raileurope. About Thetrainline.
Alternatively, you can book the Eurostar at eurostar.com and the French train at sncf-connect.com, with no booking fees.
Tip: If you use Thetrainline or sncf-connect.com to book the TGV, you can select your seat from a seat map when booking a 1st class ticket.
Tip: After booking, go to www.eurostar.com, click Manage your booking and choose a better seat from a seat map, see tips on choosing a seat.
-
Buy the bus ticket at Andbus.net or Omio.com.
What's the journey like?
1. London to Paris by Eurostar
Eurostar trains link London & Paris in 2h20, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph). There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi. Plus and Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00). There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train. More about Eurostar & check-in procedure. St Pancras station guide. Gare du Nord station guide. How to cross Paris by metro or taxi.
2. Paris to Toulouse by TGV
Most Paris-Toulouse TGVs are double-deck TGV Duplex, most with the Océane interior shown below, 1st & 2nd class, cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
A TGV Duplex at Paris Gare Montparnasse.
TGV Océane cafe-bar on the upper deck in car 4 or 14 (above left) and 2nd class seats (above right).
TGV Océane 1st class seats. All 1st class seats (except the end ones) rotate to face direction of travel. There are USB & 2-pin outlets above each drop-down table.
The TGV pauses at Bordeaux St Jean en route to Hendaye.
3. Toulouse to Andorra by bus
Moving on from Andorra
Andorra to Barcelona
 |
|
The Petit Train Jaune from Perpignan/Villefranche to Latour de Carol. |
There are 7 or 8 buses a day between Andorra and Barcelona Sants station taking 3 hours.
Buy tickets at www.andorradirectbus.es or Omio.com. Using Omio.com, enter Barcelona Sants as your starting point to avoid seeing buses that go from the airport. These buses appear on Omio as DirectBus.
If you don't mind paying for a taxi between Andorra and Latour de Carol (there's now no bus service), there are also trains
from Latour de Carol to Barcelona, you can look up times at rodalies.gencat.cat/en/horaris. Latour de Carol is listed as La Tor de Querol-Enveig, the main station in Barcelona is Barcelona Sants. These are local trains, 2nd class only, fare around €12, pay on the train.
Andorra to Perpignan: Le petit train jaune
If you don't mind paying for a taxi between Andorra and Latour de Carol (there's now no bus service), the scenic narrow gauge petit train jaune runs from Latour de Carol through the Pyrenees once or twice daily in winter, much more frequently in summer, connecting with a standard gauge service at Villefranche at the eastern end of the line into Perpignan. This makes for a very scenic and interesting alternative route into/out of Andorra. The petit train jaune is run by the French national train operator SNCF, so train times, fares and online ticketing for the petit train jaune can all be done through www.thetrainline.com. For info of the Petit Train Jaune, see www.ter.sncf.com/occitanie/decouvrir/le-train-jaune (let me know when they change this yet again!) For train times between London and Perpignan, see the London to France page.
European Rail Timetable & maps
The
European Rail Timetable
(formerly the Thomas Cook European Timetable)
has train & ferry times for every country in Europe plus
currency & climate information. It is essential
for regular European train travellers and an inspiration for armchair
travellers. Published since 1873, it had just celebrated 140 years of
publication when Thomas Cook decided to pull the plug on their entire publishing
department, but the dedicated ex-Thomas Cook team set up a private venture and
resumed publication of the famous European Rail Timetable in March 2014.
You can buy it online at
www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses) or
www.europeanrailtimetable.eu (shipping worldwide).
More information
on what the European Rail Timetable contains.
Rail Map Europe is the map I recommend, covering all of Europe from Portugal in the west to Moscow & Istanbul in the east, Finland in the north to Sicily & Athens in the south. Scenic routes & high-speed lines are highlighted. See an extract from the map. Buy online at www.europeanrailtimetable.eu (shipping worldwide) or at www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses).
Find hotels in Andorra
Travel insurance & other tips
|
|
|
|
|
Always take out travel insurance
You should take out travel insurance with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover from a reliable insurer. It should cover trip cancellation and loss of cash & belongings up to a reasonable limit. These days, check you're covered for covid-19-related issues, and use an insurer whose cover isn't invalidated by well-meant but excessive Foreign Office travel advice against non-essential travel. An annual policy is usually cheapest even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself. Don't expect travel insurance to bail you out of every missed connection, see the advice on missed connections here. Here are some suggested insurers, I get a little commission if you buy through these links, feedback always welcome.
www.staysure.co.uk
offers enhanced Covid-19 protection and gets 4.7 out of 5 on
Trustpilot.
www.columbusdirect.com is also a well-know brand.
If you live in the USA try
Travel Guard USA.
|
|
Get an eSIM with mobile data package
Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a European mobile data package and stay connected. Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list. There's no need to buy a physical SIM card! Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data.
|
|
Get a Curve card for foreign travel
Most banks give you a poor exchange rate then add a foreign transaction fee on top. A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month as I write this. The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards. And you can get a Curve card for free.
How it works: 1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android. 2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses. 3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card. 4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app. You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.
I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader. The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than getting a card out). I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great. See details, download the app and get a Curve card, they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.
|
|
Get a VPN for safe browsing. Why you need a VPN
When travelling you may use free public WiFi which is often insecure. A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi. It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply. See VPNs & why you need one explained. ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using this link you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription. I also get some commission to help support this site.
|
|
Carry an Anker powerbank
Tickets, reservations, hotel bookings and Interrail or Eurail passes are often now held on your mobile phone. You daren't let it run out of power, and you can't always rely on the phone's internal battery or on being near a power outlet. I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over. Buy from Amazon.co.uk or buy from Amazon.com.
Touring cities? Use hill walking shoes!
One of the best things I've done is swap my normal shoes for hill-walking shoes, in my case from Scarpa. They're intended for hiking across the Pennines not wandering around Florence, but the support and cushioning for hiking works equally well when you're on your feet all day exploring foreign cities. My feet used to give out first and limit my day, now the rest of me gives up before they do!