![]() Gibraltar's famous apes, although strictly-speaking they are tailless monkeys. The stuffed black ape was my 6 year old son's new toy - a young ape mugged him for it 5 minutes after we bought it. Here, that young ape looks after the stuffed toy while his mother looks after his younger sibling. |
London this morning, Gibraltar tomorrow night, by train!
Gibraltar, named after the Arabic name for the Rock, Jebel Tarik, is just across the bay from the Spanish port of Algeciras, the railhead for anyone travelling to Gibraltar. It's easy to reach Gibraltar by train from London or Paris or Madrid, leaving any morning and arriving next day in the evening. It's a scenic ride too, especially in Andalucía, see the video. This page explains train times, fares & how to buy tickets.
COVID-19 update: See important COVID-19 travel information. Trains are running between London & Spain. However, Eurostar is running a much reduced service, so check times online. One daily TGV is running between Paris & Barcelona, the 10:14 Paris-Barcelona & 10:05 Barcelona-Paris (so southbound an overnight stop is needed in Paris at the moment). The other Paris-Barcelona trains will be reinstated as demand returns, check online.
Train times, fares, tickets & information...
Useful country
information: currency, dial code...
Video guide: Gibraltar to
Madrid by train
Starting from other
UK towns & cities
General information on
train travel in Europe
Luggage
Taking your bike
Taking your dog
Useful
country information
Train operator in Gibraltar: |
There are no trains in Gibraltar, but buses link La Linea (at Gibraltar's frontier with Spain) with Algeciras every 30-45 minutes, taking 45 minutes. For train times & fares in Spain, see www.renfe.com. Eurostar times & fares To check any European train times: http://bahn.hafas.de. To check for problems affecting trains through France (in French) see www.sncf.com/fr/horaires-info-trafic. |
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Time zone: |
GMT+1 (GMT+2 last Sunday in March to last Saturday in October). |
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Dialling code: |
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+350 |
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Currency: |
£1 = £1 |
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Tourist information: |
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Hotels: |
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Page last updated: |
15 February 2021. |
London
to Gibraltar
Gibraltar is just across the bay from the Spanish port of Algeciras, which is the railhead for anyone travelling to Gibraltar. It's easy to reach Gibraltar by train from London or Paris, this page will tell you train times, fares and how to buy tickets:
London ► Gibraltar
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Day 1, travel from London to Paris by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras at 10:24 & arriving Paris Gare du Nord at 13:47.
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Cross Paris by metro or taxi from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de Lyon, just 2 stops on RER line D. Why not take an earlier Eurostar and have lunch at the wonderful Train Bleu Restaurant inside the Gare de Lyon? The 3-course set menu is €65 including a half bottle of wine. If you'd like to spend time in Paris, there are left luggage lockers at both Paris Nord and Paris Gare de Lyon.
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 15:08 every day arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:46.
There's a café-bar on board and power sockets at all seats. Book an upper deck seat for the best views as the train speeds along the scenic Rhône valley past pretty French villages & picturesque churches, then look out for colonies of flamingos on the étangs in southern France. The train travels at up to 320 km/h (199 mph) on the Perpignan-Barcelona high-speed line. Map of Barcelona showing location of the station.
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Stay overnight in Barcelona. Suggested hotels close to Barcelona Sants station with good or great reviews include the Hotel Barcelo Sants (4-star, great reviews, directly above Barcelona Sants station itself, recommended), AC Hotel Sants by Marriott (4-star, just 50m from the station), Hotel Catalonia Roma (3-star), Hostal Baler (2-star), Hotel Transit (1-star), Meeting Point Hostel (inexpensive private rooms & dorm beds).
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Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Madrid by high-speed AVE, leaving Barcelona Sants at 11:00 and arriving Madrid Atocha at 13:45.
Tip: If you have a Preferente class ticket (including Promo+, but not a Promo fare) you can use the Sala Club at Barcelona Sants.
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Day 2, travel from Madrid to Algeciras by Intercity train, leaving Madrid Atocha at 15:05 arriving San Roque-La Linea 20:15 & Algeciras 20:30.
The Intercity train is an articulated Talgo train with cafe-bar. It's a lovely scenic ride - the train dashes along the high-speed line through the mountains to Cordoba, then it slows right down onto the scenic single-track to Algeciras on the Straits of Gibraltar. You'll see the scenery in this video guide. At Antequera-Santa Ana the train is propelled through a gauge-changing shed and its axles adjust from standard gauge (4'8½, used for Spanish high-speed lines) to Iberian gauge, 5'6".
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Day 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 (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 of you 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 actually San Roque-La Linea, and all trains to Algeciras call here around 20 minutes before arriving at Algeciras. So if you prefer, you could 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.
Gibraltar ► London
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Day 1 early morning, transfer from Gibraltar to La Linea to Algeciras:
Walk (15 minutes), take a taxi (£4-£6) or take one of the frequent buses (£1) from Gibraltar town to the border with Spain and walk through British and then Spanish passport control into La Linea. In La Linea, you'll find a taxi rank and bus stop right outside the border.
Now either take a taxi from La Linea to Algeciras railway station for a fixed price of €24.75 (taxis don't use the meter on this run) or take an M-120 bus from La Linea to Algeciras bus station.
On weekdays, buses leave La Linea every 30 minutes at xx.15 and xx.45 past each hour, at weekends they run every 45 minutes. La Linea to Algeciras takes about 45 minutes. The fare is €2.50. In Algeciras, the buses stop just 50 metres away from the railway station. For bus information see siu.ctmcg.es ..
Alternatively, your hotel may be able to arrange a private transfer direct from Gibraltar town to Algeciras station for around £50 - however, neither Gibraltar taxis nor Spanish taxis will normally cross the border.
Alternatively, San Roque-La Linea is actually the closest station to Gibraltar. If you prefer to pick up the train there, you can take a taxi the 16 km (10 miles) from La Linea to San Roque-La Linea station.
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Day 1, travel from Algeciras to Madrid by Intercity train, leaving Algeciras at 08:43 or San Roque-La Line 08:58 & arriving Madrid Atocha 14:05.
The Intercity train is an articulated air-conditioned Talgo train with cafe-bar. It takes the classic curvaceous line from Algeciras to Antequera-Santa Ana, where it is propelled through a gauge-changing shed. This adjusts axles adjust from Iberian gauge, (5'6") to standard gauge (4'8½), used for Spanish high-speed lines. It then joins the high-speed line for a scenic dash through the mountains to Madrid. You'll see the wonderful scenery shown in this Gibraltar to Madrid video guide.
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Day 1, travel from Madrid to Barcelona by high-speed AVE leaving Madrid Atocha at 15:00 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 17:30.
Tip: If you have a Preferente class ticket (including Promo+, but not a Promo fare) you can use the Sala Club at Madrid Atocha.
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Stay overnight in Barcelona. Suggested hotels close to Barcelona Sants station with good or great reviews include the Hotel Barcelo Sants (4-star, great reviews, directly above Barcelona Sants station itself, recommended), AC Hotel Sants by Marriott (4-star, just 50m from the station), Hotel Catalonia Roma (3-star), Hostal Baler (2-star), Hotel Transit (1-star), Meeting Point Hostel (inexpensive private rooms & dorm beds).
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Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by high-speed TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:05 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 16:46.
Book an upper deck seat for the best views as the train rolls past colonies of flamingos on the étangs in southern France, then speeds along the scenic Rhone Valley towards Paris. There's a cafe-bar on board and power sockets at all seats.
Tip: If you have a 1st class ticket for the TGV you can use the Sala Club at Barcelona, details here.
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Cross Paris by metro or taxi, just 2 stops on RER line D. Why not have an early dinner in Paris and catch a later Eurostar? The Brasserie Terminus Nord (www.terminusnord.com) is good and typically French, and it's directly opposite the Gare du Nord.
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Day 2, travel from Paris to London by Eurostar, leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 19:13 arriving London St Pancras at 20:46.
How much does it cost?
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London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in standard class, £115 one-way, £199 return standard premier (1st class).
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Paris to Barcelona by TGV starts at €39 each way in 2nd class, €59 in 1st class.
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Barcelona to Madrid by AVE starts at around €35 each way in Turista.
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Madrid to Algeciras by Intercity train starts at €25 in Turista or €38 in Turista Plus (1st class).
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Fares for each of these trains vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest fares.
How to buy tickets...
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The easiest way to book a London to Gibraltar train journey is at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
Both sites connect to the Eurostar, French & Spanish ticketing systems so you can buy all your tickets together in one place in plain English, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee. More about Trainline. More about Raileurope.
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Step 1, book the London to Paris Eurostar and the Paris-Barcelona TGV following the simple instructions on the London to Spain page. I recommend splitting the journey into London to Paris and Paris to Barcelona, adding each to your basket in turn, making sure you have at least 60 minutes between trains in Paris, ideally more.
Tip: If you are returning, Eurostar is best booked as a round trip because with Eurostar a return fare is significantly cheaper than two one-ways. However, for French and Spanish trains a return trip is usually ticketed as two one-ways, so you can book one way at a time, it makes no difference to the price.
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Step 2, now book the Spanish trains from Barcelona to Madrid and Madrid to Algeciras, also at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, adding that to your basket.
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Step 3, buy the bus ticket from Algeciras to La Linea on the bus.
How to buy tickets by phone...
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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.
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However, if you'd rather call someone, here is a list if UK ticketing agencies with phone numbers & opening hours. For a journey between the UK & Spain I'd call Ffestiniog Travel, International Rail or Trainseurope. Book early for the cheapest prices, ideally 2-3 months ahead, as prices increase close to departure, just like air fares. Eurostar, TGV, AVE & other Renfe tickets will usually be emailed to you as e-tickets, so there's no postage cost or delay.
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. Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00). There's a 30-minute minimum check-in (10-minutes for business premier) as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train. More information about Eurostar including check-in procedure. St Pancras station guide. Paris Gare du Nord station guide. How to change trains & stations in Paris by metro or taxi.
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A Eurostar e320 about to leave London St Pancras... |
Standard Premier/Business Premier. Larger photo. |
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Standard class seats. Larger photo. |
One of two cafe-bars, in cars 8 & 9. Larger photo. |
2. Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex: See TGV Duplex video guide
The train from Paris to Barcelona is an impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck high-speed train. You board the train through a wide sliding external door into a small hall at one end of the lower deck, where an internal door opens into a lower deck seating area. A wide, short & easy flight of stairs leads from the entrance door to a landing at one end of the upper deck. You walk along the train from car to car at the upper level, and the café-bar is also at the upper level. There are toilets both upstairs & downstairs. If you have problems with stairs or very heavy luggage, the lower deck might be best. But for the best views, definitely choose an upper deck seat. For couples in 1st class, an upper deck club duo table-for-two is the nicest option. More pictures & an account of what to see on the Paris to Barcelona journey.
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TGV Duplex at Paris Gare de Lyon. These 320 km/h double-deck trains link Paris with Barcelona. Watch TGV Duplex video. |
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Cafe-bar on upper deck car 4, serving tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine, beer, snacks & microwaved hot dishes.... |
2nd class seats on upper deck. There's a mix or tables for 4 and unidirectional seating. 360º photo. |
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1st class seats on upper deck, a club duo on the left, club quatre on the right. 360º photo. |
A TGV Duplex at Barcelona Sants. The red near the door indicates 1st class, pale green indicates 2nd class. |
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Crossing the Pyrenees... One of the highest peaks in the mighty Pyrenees, the 2,784m (9,137 feet) Mt Canigou dominates the skyline on the right of the train all the way from Perpignan to Girona. More pictures & an account of what to see on the Paris to Barcelona journey. |
3. Barcelona to Madrid by AVE...
These superb-quality AVE high speed trains are amongst the classiest trains in Europe. They have three classes, Preferente (premium 1st class seating), Turista Plus (1st class seating but without any food) and Turista (2nd class). AVE trains run at up to 300 km/h (186 mph) over the Spanish high-speed lines.
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An S103 AVE train as used between Barcelona & Madrid Atocha, seen at Madrid Atocha station.. Taking as little as 2h30, it's faster than flying. See virtual tour |
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Preferente class (1st class) seating (formerly Club) on the AVE train. A meal with wine is included on Mondays-Fridays. |
Madrid Atocha station. One of my favourite stations, the old trainshed has been preserved and turned into a tropical garden. AVE trains arrive in the adjacent modern extension. See the Madrid Atocha station guide. |
4. Madrid to Algeciras by Intercity train...
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An Intercity train (formerly branded Altaria), about to leave Madrid Atocha for Algeciras. |
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Andalusian scenery seen from the train to Algeciras. The rail line to Algeciras is one of my favourite routes, especially the last part from Antequera southwards, a scenic treat. Watch the video... |
5. Algeciras to La Linea by bus or taxi, gateway to Gibraltar...
In Algeciras, the bus station is just across the road (well, around the roundabout) from the railway station. This is an M-120 bus for La Linea boarding at the bus station. The bus links Algeciras with La Linea, 250m from the Gibraltar frontier, every 30 minutes on weekdays at xx.00 & xx.30 past each hour, every 45 minutes at weekends, fare €2.45, journey time 45 minutes. The bus station is directly across the road (well, around the roundabout) from Algeciras railway station, behind the Octavio Hotel.
Alternatively, a taxi from Algeciras station to Gibraltar town charges a fixed price (non-meter) of €24.75. There are normally plenty of taxis available when the train from Madrid arrives.
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Bus M-120 boarding at Algeciras bus station |
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Rock of Gibraltar, seen from a taxi near La Linea. |
Gibraltar - Tangier ferries...
A fast ferry occasionally operates from Gibraltar to Tangier, run by www.frs.es. There were Friday & Sunday evening crossings a few years ago, there may be none now. At other times, simply take the bus from La Linea (Gibraltar's frontier with Spain) round the bay to Algeciras (every 30 minutes, journey time 30 minutes) for the ferry from there to Tangier. See www.trasmediterranea.es, www.comarit.com or www.balearia.com to check sailing times & fares.
See the video: Gibraltar to Madrid by train...
This video shows the fabulous scenery between Gibraltar and Madrid. Although the video shows an Altaria train from Algeciras to Madrid, the trains from Algeciras to Barcelona take exactly the same route as far as the outskirts of Madrid.
In Gibraltar...
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The Governor's residence... |
Typically British telephone kiosk.... |
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The cable car up to the top of the Rock... |
The Rock of Gibraltar viewed from the top cable car station. It's a cloudy day, and we're above the clouds... |
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The famous apes. There's a fine for feeding them, but watch it, they'll pinch your own food right out of your hand! |
The Rock of Gibraltar, seen from one of the regular Dolphin safaris leaving from Marina Bay - www.dolphinsafari.gi |
European Rail Timetable &
map
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 for £9.67 at www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses).
Find hotels
in Gibraltar...
Rock Hotel, Gibraltar...
Opened in 1932, Gibraltar's Rock Hotel nestles under the Rock at the far end of town, with a relaxing pool area across the road, complete with poolside bar. Many famous people have stayed here, from Winston Churchill to Sean Connery to Errol Flynn. Don't expect cutting edge design - if anything the rooms are a little tired and in need of refurbishment - but it's one of the classic hotels in Gib, a stone's throw from the lower cable car station and a 10 minute walk from the heart of Main Street. In the summer, dinner is served al fresco by the pool. The breakfast buffet is good, but ask for fried egg rather than taste their powdered scrambled egg!
Travel insurance & VPN...
Always take out travel insurance...
Never travel without travel insurance with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover from a reliable insurer. It should also cover trip cancellation and loss of cash & belongings up to a reasonable limit. An annual multi-trip policy is usually cheapest even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy myself. However, 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, Seat61 gets a little commission if you buy through these links, feedback is always welcome.
In
the UK, reliable insurers include
Columbus Direct.
If you have a pre-existing medical condition or are over 65, see www.JustTravelCover.com - 10% discount with code seat61.
You
can use
www.confused.com to compare prices & policy features across
major insurance companies.
If you live in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland or the
EU, try
Columbus Direct's other websites.
If you live in the USA try
Travel Guard USA.
Get a Curve card to save on foreign transaction fees...
Banks often give a poor exchange rate, then charge a currency conversion fee as well. 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 balance 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 app for iPhone or Android. 2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to most European addresses including the UK. 3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app. 4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, just like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance onto whichever of your debit or credit cards you choose. You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.
I use a Curve Blue card myself - I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I'm recommending 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, too.
Get a VPN for safe browsing. VPNs & why you need one explained...
When you're travelling you often use free WiFi in public places which may not be secure. A VPN means your connection to the internet is encrypted & always secure, even using unsecured WiFi. In countries such as China where access to Twitter & Facebook is restricted, a VPN gets around these restrictions. And lastly, you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geographic restrictions which some websites apply - for example one booking site charges a booking fee to non-European visitors but none to European visitors, so if you're not located in Europe you can avoid this fee by browsing with a UK IP address using a VPN. VPNs & why you need one explained. ExpressVPN is a best buy and I use it myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using the links on this page, you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription, and I get a small commission to help support this site.