Gibraltar ► London

• 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.

• 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.

• 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 Premium 1st class ticket you can use the Sala Club at Madrid Atocha.

• 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).

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by high-speed TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:33 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 17:18.

  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.

• 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.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to London by Eurostar, leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 19:03 arriving London St Pancras at 20:39.

How much does it cost?

• 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).

• Paris to Barcelona by TGV starts at €39 each way in 2nd class, €59 in 1st class.

• Barcelona to Madrid by AVE starts at around €35 each way in standard class, €58 in comfort class (1st class).

• Madrid to Algeciras by Intercity train starts at €25 in standard class or €38 in comfort class (1st class).

• Fares for each of these trains vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest fares.

How to buy tickets

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Step 3, buy the bus ticket from Algeciras to La Linea on the bus.

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.

• 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 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.

Eurostar e320 at St Pancras.  More about Eurostar.		1st class:  Standard Premier or Business Premier.

Standard class.  Larger photo.		One of two cafe-bars, 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.

TGV Duplex at Paris Gare de Lyon. These 320 km/h double-deck trains link Paris with Barcelona.  Watch TGV Duplex video.

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.

1st class upper deck seats, club duo on the left, club quatre on the right.  360º photo.		TGV Duplex.  The 1 near the door indicates 1st class, a 2 indicates 2nd class.

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, Comfort (premium 1st class seating with at-seat food & drink), Comfort (1st class seating) and Standard (2nd class).  AVE trains run at up to 310 km/h (193 mph) over the Spanish high-speed lines.

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

Standard class (2nd class) on an AVE S103.		Comfort class (1st class) seating.

Comfort class (1st class) seating (formerly Club) on the AVE train.  A meal with wine is included on Mondays-Fridays & Sundays.		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...

An Intercity train (formerly branded Altaria), about to leave Madrid Atocha for Algeciras.

Cafe-bar, with bar stools.		Comfort class seats.

Standard class seats.		Algeciras station, across the road from the bus station.

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.

Bus M-120 boarding at Algeciras bus station.		Rock of Gibraltar, seen from a taxi near La Linea.

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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.

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See the video: Gibraltar to Madrid

This video shows the fabulous scenery between Gibraltar and Madrid.  Although the video shows a train from Algeciras to Madrid, the trains from Algeciras to Barcelona take exactly the same route as far as the outskirts of Madrid.

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In Gibraltar...

The Governor's residence.		Typically British telephone kiosk.

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.

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

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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 at www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses).

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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!

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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!