Video guide: Barcelona-Paris by TGV

The video takes you on a journey by TGV Duplex from Barcelona to Paris, showing the train & scenery...

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Option 2, London to Barcelona via Lyon in a day, avoiding Paris...

Crossing Paris by metro or taxi isn't that difficult when you know how, and lunch at the Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon can be wonderful.  But if you have lots of luggage, small kids or mobility problems you can avoid having to cross Paris by going via Lille.  Southbound, you can use Eurostar's direct train from London to Lyon, then a direct AVE high-speed train from Lyon to Barcelona.  A simple same-station change at Lyon Part Dieu with time for lunch!  The new London to Lyon Eurostar runs up to 4 days a week from May to September.  It's an early 7am start from London and you arrive In Barcelona only an hour earlier than leaving London at a more civilised 09:22 via Paris, but it's a useful option.  Did I mention that there's no need to cross Paris..?

On what dates does this option run, southbound?

• Until 2 May 2019:  No service.

• From 3 May 2019 until 16 September, it runs on Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays.

• Also runs on Sundays from 30 June to 1st September 2019.  Also runs Sunday 26 May.

• From 17 September 2019 until 2020:  No service.

On what days does this option run, northbound?

• In the northbound direction a daily Barcelona to London connection is possible with an easy same-station change in Lyon and in Lille which works well and avoids Paris nicely.

London ► Barcelona

• Step 1, take the direct Eurostar from London to Lyon, leaving London St Pancras at 07:19 (07:15 on Sundays) or Ashford at 07:54, arriving Lyon Part Dieu at 13:00.  This train only runs on the days listed above.  Remember that there's a 30 minute check-in in London or Ashford.  What's it like on board Eurostar?

• Step 2, travel from Lyon to Barcelona by direct AVE-S100 high-speed train with cafe-bar, leaving Lyon Part Dieu at 14:24 and arriving Figueres Vilafant 18:32, Girona 18:49 and Barcelona Sants at 19:30. 

  See photos & information about AVE-S100 trains here.  Apart from the Paris by-pass line and the loop through central Lyon, this journey takes the same route as a Paris-Barcelona TGV and you'll see the same enjoyable scenery, see the journey photos & video above.

Barcelona ► London

• Step 1, take a direct AVE-S100 high-speed train from Barcelona to Lyon with cafe-bar, leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:25, Girona at 09:06, Figueres Vilafant at 09:23 and arriving Lyon Part Dieu at 13:20.  See photos & information about AVE-S100 trains here.  Apart from the loop through central Lyon and the Paris by-pass line, journey takes the same route as a Barcelona-Paris TGV and you'll see the same enjoyable scenery, see the journey photos & video above.

• Step 2, take the daily 14:00 TGV from Lyon Part Dieu to Lille Europe, arriving 16:57. 

• Step 3, take the 17:35 Eurostar from Lille Europe to London St Pancras arriving at 18:06.

• Alternatively, if you'd prefer to have lunch and perhaps a look around Lyon, take the direct Eurostar from Lyon to London leaving Lyon Part Dieu at 17:25 and arriving Ashford 21:34 and London St Pancras at 22:12.  This train runs only on the same days & dates listed above as for the southbound journey.  There's no check-in for the Eurostar in Lyon, as customs and security are carried out during a stop at Lille from 20:21 to 21:36.  In this direction, you need to get off with your bags at Lille, pass through security and passport control and re-board the train as explained here.  What's it like on board Eurostar?

How much does it cost?

• London to Lyon starts at £45.50 one-way in standard class, or £95 one-way in 1st class (standard premier) with light meal & drinks included.

• Lyon to Barcelona starts at €39 one-way in 2nd class or from €59 one-way in 1st class.

• Northbound, Barcelona to Lyon starts at €49 one-way, Lyon to Lille starts at €20 one-way, Lille to London starts at £45 one-way.

• Fares work like air fares, rising as departure date approaches and the cheaper tickets sell out.  Book early for the best prices.

How to buy tickets...

This is the 08:25 Barcelona to Lyon about to leave Barcelona Sants, a Spanish S100 AVE.  It's cool, smooth and quiet on board...		2nd class seats on the S100 AVE.  All seats have power sockets. Panorama photo of 2nd class

1st class seats on an S100 AVE.  All seats have power sockets.  Panorama photo of 1st class		Cafe-bar on an S100 AVE serving tea, coffee, beer, wine, soft drinks, snacks & hot dishes...

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Option 3, London to Barcelona with overnight stop in Nîmes...

This is well worth considering as it runs daily, avoids having to cross Paris and you can spend a pleasant evening in Nimes if you like.  I think Nîmes makes the best stopover point given the timings and the fact that the station is right in the centre (unlike Avignon TGV, for example), but as the AVE from Nimes to Barcelona also calls at Avignon TGV, Montpelier and Perpignan, you could equally well stop for the night at any of those places instead.

London ► Barcelona

• Day 1, travel from London to Lille Europe by Eurostar then Lille Europe to Nîmes by high-speed TGV, leaving London St Pancras at 12:58 and arriving Nimes at 20:33.  At Lille Europe it's an easy same-station change.  By all means take an earlier departure and have a pleasant evening in Nimes, there's even a later departure from London on certain days if you like though I'd stick with the 12:58, see the UK to France page for full details of London-Nimes departures.

• Stay overnight in Nîmes.  The very inexpensive Ibis Budget Nimes Gare is just 50 yards from the station and gets good reviews.  The Ibis Styles Nimes Gare next door is a more upmarket option, but also inexpensive with good reviews.

• Day 2, travel from Nîmes to Barcelona by direct AVE-S100 high-speed train with cafe-bar, leaving Nimes at 09:04 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 12:38.

Barcelona ► London

• Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Nîmes by direct AVE-S100 high-speed train with cafe-bar, leaving Barcelona Sants at 16:45 and arriving Nimes at 20:22.

• Stay overnight in Nîmes.  The very inexpensive Ibis Budget Nimes Gare is just 50 yards from the station and gets good reviews.  The Ibis Styles Nimes Gare next door is a more upmarket option, but also inexpensive with good reviews.

• Day 2, travel from Nîmes to Lille Europe by high-speed TGV then Lille Europe to London St Pancras by Eurostar then, leaving Nimes at 09:26 arriving London at 16:05.  Or spend a morning and lunchtime in Nimes, leaving Nîmes at 15:26 and arriving London 21:33.  At Lille Europe it's an easy same-station change from TGV to Eurostar.  By all means take a later departure and have an morning & lunchtime at leisure in Nimes, see the UK to France page for full details of Nimes-London departures.

How much does it cost?

• London to Nimes by Eurostar & TGV starts at £69 one-way or £121 return, £138 one-way or £244 return in 1st class.

• Nimes to Barcelona by AVE high-speed train starts at €39 each way in 2nd class or €79 in 1st class.

• Fares work like air fares, so book ahead and avoid busy days or dates for the cheapest rates.

How to buy tickets...

• Book London to Nimes at www.loco2.com and add it to your basket.  If making a round trip, book this as a return and add to your basket.

• Still on www.loco2.com, now book Nimes to Madrid, add to basket and check out.

• You print your own tickets.  When does booking open?

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Option 4, London to Barcelona overnight via Latour de Carol & the Pyrenees...

The scenic route!  Although the Elipsos sleeper trains from Paris to Barcelona & Madrid were sadly discontinued in December 2013, it's still possible to leave London in the late afternoon by Eurostar, sleep in a couchette on an overnight train from Paris to the Pyrenees, then take a scenic local train into Barcelona.  It's an interesting alternative to the high-speed option with great scenery through the Pyrenees, watch the video here.  Note that this Paris-Toulouse-Latour night train continues to run even after other French sleeper trains were discontinued in October 2016, as it has been deemed socially necessary for the region.

London ► Barcelona

• Step 1, travel from London to Paris by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras at 15:31 arriving Paris Gare du Nord at 18:47.  Cross Paris by métro to the Gare d'Austerlitz.

• Step 2, travel from Paris to Latour de Carol-Enveitg overnight by Intercité de Nuit overnight train, leaving Paris Gare d'Austerlitz at 22:08 and arriving at Latour de Carol at 09:15.  This train has 1st class 4-berth couchettes, 2nd class 6-berth couchettes and 2nd class reclining seats, see the photos here.  This train should run daily all year, but engineering work can affect it so check that this train is running on your specific date of travel using www.loco2.com or www.trainline.eu.  Also note that booking often opens late, less than the usual 90 days ahead.

  The last 90 minutes of the journey are a treat.  After leaving Foix station at 07:30 the train passes Foix castle on the right and starts its climb into the Pyrenees, twisting and turning between the mountains to summit at l'Hospitalet (the station for the bus to Andorra) before descending to Latour de Carol.  At Porté-Puymorens (the last station before Latour) the train reaches the highest point on any normal standard-gauge railway in Europe, 1,562m (5,125 feet) above sea level.  The railway from Toulouse to Foix opened in 1862, but the difficult line beyond Foix through the Pyrenees to Latour de Carol only opened in 1929.

  The remote and lonely international station at Latour de Carol is surprisingly grand and imposing, and although seeing only a trickle of passengers, it's almost unique in being served by trains of three different track gauges:  Spanish broad gauge from Barcelona, French standard gauge to Toulouse and Paris, and French narrow gauge as it's also the terminus for the celebrated Petit Train Jaune.

  You can have a late breakfast in the Bistro de la Gare on the station forecourt, www.facebook.com/bistrotdutrainjaune.

• Step 3, travel from Latour de Carol to Barcelona by local train, leaving Latour de Carol at 10:48 Monday-Friday or  11:13 at weekends, arriving Barcelona Sants at around 13:54 Mon-Fri or 14:11 at weekends.  This train ride is also lovely & scenic, twisting through the Spanish side of the Pyrenees before reaching the Barcelona suburbs.

  Important:  You will not, repeat, not find this train listed on normal journey planners, so read the following paragraph carefully!!!!

  You can check times for the La Tor de Querol to Barcelona Sants train for your date of travel at the special Barcelona suburban trains website, rodalies.gencat.cat/en as this route is classed as a Barcelona suburban train in spite of being very rural.  You  can also check it at www.renfe.com, but it will not be shown in the main Renfe journey planner, you have to do it like this:  Click welcome at the top for English, ignore the main journey planner, scroll down a bit and click Commuter trains & FEVE.  Now click on Barcelona and use the Barcelona suburban (= rodalies) journey planner to search from La Tor de Querol-Enveig to Barcelona Sants.

Barcelona ► London

• Step 1, travel from Barcelona to La Tour de Carol  (La Tor de Querol-Enveig in Catalan) by local train, leaving Barcelona Sants at 15:01 (15:10 on Saturdays) and arriving Latour de Carol around 18:06 (18:17 on Saturdays).  It's a scenic run up into the Pyrenees. 

  There's not much at Latour de Carol, it's something of a one-horse town in a broad valley ringed by mountains, so bring your own supplies or check that the Bistro de la Gare on the station forecourt will be open, see www.facebook.com/bistrotdutrainjaune - it gets good reports!

  You can check times for the Barcelona Sants to La Tor de Querol train for your date of travel at rodalies.gencat.cat/en.  You  can also check it at www.renfe.com, but it will not be shown in the main Renfe journey planner, you have to do it like this:  Click welcome at the top for English, ignore the main journey planner, scroll down a bit and click Commuter trains & FEVE.  Now click on Barcelona.  Use the Barcelona suburban (= rodalies) journey planner, where you'll find Latour listed in Catalan as La Tor de Querol-Enveig.

• Step 2, travel from Latour de Carol-Enveitg to Paris by Intercité de Nuit overnight couchette train, leaving Latour de Carol-Enveitg at 18:51, arriving Paris Gare d'Austerlitz at 06:52 next morning.  This train has 1st class 4-berth couchettes, 2nd class 6-berth couchettes and reclining seats.  This train should run daily all year, but engineering work often affects it so check that it is running on your specific date of travel using www.loco2.com or www.trainline.eu.  Also note that booking often opens late, less than the usual 90 days ahead.  In summer when it's light, enjoy the first hour and a half twisting and turning through the Pyrenees, it's very scenic.  In Paris, cross by métro or taxi to the Gare du Nord.

• Step 3, travel from Paris to London by Eurostar, a Eurostar leaves Paris Gare du Nord at 09:13 and arrives London St Pancras at 10:39.

How much does it cost?

• London to Paris starts at £44 one-way or £58 return in 2nd class, £112 one-way or £168 return in 1st class.

• Paris to Latour de Carol starts at £18 in a reclining seat, £26.50 in a 6-berth 2nd class couchette or £45.50 in a 4-berth 1st class couchette.  A couchette is recommended whatever your budget, for comfort & security.

• Latour de Carol to Barcelona costs a fixed-price €12, no reservation or pre-booking necessary or possible.

How to buy tickets...

• Book from London or any station in Britain to Latour de Carol at www.loco2.com.  Anyone can use Loco2 as all international credit cards are accepted, and you'll usually get print-at-home or collect-at-station tickets.  Although you can book from London to Latour all in one go, I recommend splitting the booking, first booking from London (or any station in Britain) to Paris, add to basket, then book the overnight train from Paris to Latour de Carol, add to basket and check out.  This way you can mix and match a 2nd class seat on Eurostar with a 1st class 4-berth couchette on the overnight train, and you can book an earlier Eurostar if you like, if it has cheaper seats available or if you'd like some time in Paris.

• Alternatively, you can book from London to Paris at www.eurostar.com, then book the Paris to Latour couchette train at www.loco2.com or www.trainline.eu,  All three sites accept international credit cards and give print-at-home or collect-at-station tickets.

• The local ticket from Latour de Carol to Barcelona doesn't cannot be booked in advance, indeed it can't even be bought from the French-run ticket office at Latour de Carol.  Southbound, just get on the train and pay the conductor on board, no reservation is necessary or possible, it cannot sell out.  I repeat, simply get on the train and pay on board!  Northbound, buy a ticket to Latour de Carol on the day at Barcelona Sants station and hop on the next train.

Travel tips...

• Why not take a slightly earlier Eurostar and have dinner in Paris, perhaps at the amazing Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon, 5-10 minutes walk across the Seine bridge from the Gare d'Austerlitz?  When using www.loco2.com, simply click 'add via/stopover' and enter 'Paris' and a duration of (say) 2 hours.

• On Intercité de Nuit trains you can book sole or dual occupancy of a 1st class 4-berth compartment, this facility is called Espace Privatif, see details of the cost & how to buy tickets here.  Espace Privatif (if available) can be booked online at www.trainline.eu & www.oui.sncf but not at Loco2 or other websites selling French train tickets.

What's the journey like?     Watch the Intercités de Nuit video guide

The intercité de nuit overnight train from Paris to Latour de Carol has 1st class 4-berth & 2nd class 6-berth couchettes, each with lightweight sleeping-bag & mineral water...

Into the Pyrenees.  For the last hour & a half of the journey, the train climbs into the Pyrenees...

Latour de Carol, where two nations, two trains and two track gauges meet.  On the right, the French standard-gauge overnight couchette train arrived from Paris.  On the left, the Spanish broad-gauge suburban train about to leave for Barcelona.  In Fact, there's also a third train & gauge at Latour, the narrow-gauge Petit Train Jaune to Perpignan, its platform is behind the couchette cars shown here.

The snow gives way to autumnal browns & golds as the train to Barcelona wends its way south...

Watch the video here - By slow train across the Pyrenees

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London to Madrid & Zaragoza

The Paris to Madrid Elipsos sleeper train was sadly discontinued from 15 December 2013 and will be missed, but it's still easy to travel from London or Paris to Madrid by train.  You can get from London to Madrid in a single day by high-speed trains, or break the journey up with an overnight stop in Paris or Barcelona.  If you'd prefer not to have to cross Paris, no problem, option 2 takes you London-Lille-Nimes on day 1 and after an overnight stop in Nimes, by direct high-speed AVE train from Nimes to Madrid.

Option 1, London to Madrid by high-speed train via Paris...

London ► Madrid - with morning departure, London to Madrid in a day!

• Day 1, travel from London to Barcelona as shown in the London to Barcelona section above, leaving London St Pancras at 09:22 by Eurostar to Paris Nord in 2h30, then taking a double-decker TGV Duplex from Paris Gare de Lyon to Barcelona Sants in 6h27, arriving at 20:34.  A slightly later departure is also available from early June until early September.  Relax and enjoy the ride across southern France...

Now choose one of these three options:

• Option 1, the fastest, change at Barcelona onto an AVE-S103 high-speed train leaving Barcelona Sants at 21:15 (21:00 on Fridays & Sundays) arriving Zaragoza Delicias at 22:40 and Madrid Atocha at 00:02.  London to Madrid in a day!

• Option 2 is to stay the night in Barcelona and travel onwards next day, see suggested hotels near the station in Barcelona.  There's a roughly hourly service from Barcelona Sants to Madrid Atocha throughout the day, taking only 2½ hours at up to 320km/h.  For example, an AVE-S103 high-speed train leaves Barcelona Sants at 09:00 arriving at Madrid Atocha at 11:45, or there are earlier or later trains.  See www.loco2.com or www.renfe.com for train times & fares.

• Remember that at Spanish stations there's a brief X-ray baggage check at the entrance to the platforms for long-distance & high-speed trains.  If you have a 1st class ticket you can use the Sala Club 1st class lounge at Barcelona Sants (and at Madrid Atocha on your return) for up to 2 hours before your train leaves.

London ► Madrid - with evening departure & overnight stop in Paris

• Day 1, travel from London to Paris on any evening Eurostar you like.  The last one usually leaves London St Pancras at 20.01, arriving Paris Gare du Nord at 23:17.  Cross by metro or taxi to the Gare de Lyon.

• Stay overnight in Paris.  Suggested hotels near the Gare de Lyon with good reviews.

• Day 2 morning, travel from Paris to Barcelona by double-deck high-speed TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon daily at 10:07 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 16:34.  From 1 June to 1 September 2019 there's also an earlier 07:15 TGV from Paris, arriving Barcelona at 13:34.  A café-bar is available on board, 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.

• Day 2 afternoon, travel from Barcelona to Madrid by AVE-S103 high-speed train, leaving Barcelona Sants at 17:25 daily except Saturdays non-stop to Madrid arriving Madrid Atocha at 19:55.  Alternatively, you can leave Barcelona Sants at 18:00 every day, arriving Zaragoza Delicias at 19:40 and Madrid Atocha at 21:10.

• If you have a 1st class ticket you can use the Sala Club 1st class lounge at Barcelona Sants (and at Madrid Atocha on your return) for up to 2 hours before your train leaves.  Remember that at Spanish stations there's a brief X-ray baggage check at the entrance to the platforms for long-distance & high-speed trains.

Madrid ► London - Madrid to London in a day, with evening arrival in London!

• Step 1, travel from Madrid to Barcelona by AVE-S103 high-speed train, leaving Madrid Atocha at 06:10 on Mondays-Fridays arriving Barcelona Sants at 08:40.  No departure early enough at weekends.  Coming from Zaragoza, a high-speed AVE train leaves Zaragoza Delicias at 06:20 arriving Barcelona Sants at 08:10.

• Step 2, travel from Barcelona to London as shown in detail in the London-Barcelona section above, leaving Barcelona Sants at 09:25 by TGV Duplex to Paris Gare de Lyon, changing trains & stations in Paris, then taking a Eurostar from Paris Nord to London St Pancras arriving at 19:39 (20:39 on Saturdays).

Madrid ► London - with overnight stop in Paris & morning arrival in London...

• Day 1 morning, travel from Madrid to Barcelona by AVE-S103 high-speed train leaving Madrid Atocha at 09:30 or Zaragoza Delicias at 10:46, arriving Barcelona Sants at 12:34.  If you have a 1st class ticket for the TGV to Paris you can now use the Sala Club 1st class lounge at Barcelona Sants.

• Day 1 afternoon, travel from Barcelona to Paris by double-deck high-speed TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 13:20 and arriving at Paris Gare de Lyon at 19:53.  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.  A cafe-bar is available.  If you have a 1st class ticket for the TGV you can use the Sala Club 1st class lounge at Barcelona Sants for 2 hours before the TGV leaves.

• Stay overnight in Paris.  Suggested hotels near the Gare de Lyon with good reviews.  Next morning, cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare du Nord.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to London by any morning Eurostar you like.  The first Eurostar of the day usually leaves Paris Gare du Nord at 07:13 on Mondays-Saturdays or 08:13 on Sundays, arriving London St Pancras at 08:30 Mondays-Saturdays or 09:30 Sundays.  You can be in central London for the start of the working day!

How much does it cost?

• London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £44 one-way or £58 return in 2nd class, £112 one-way or £168 return in 1st class.

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

• Barcelona to Madrid by AVE high-speed train starts at around €32 each way in turista, €58 in Turista Plus, €68 in Preferente.

• Fares vary like air fares, so book as early as you can and shop around for the cheapest departure.

• Free suburban train travel in Barcelona & Madrid:  Remember that if you have a long-distance Barcelona-Madrid train ticket you can get free suburban train (Cercanias) travel between any Renfe Rodalies (suburban) station in the Barcelona area and Barcelona Sants, and between Madrid Atocha and any Renfe Cercanias (suburban) station in the Madrid area, see details of the CombinadoCercanias offer here.

How to buy tickets?

• Buy tickets from London or any station in Britain to Madrid using Loco2.com as explained here.

• If you want to go from London to Madrid in a single day, book from London to Madrid all in one go.

• If overnighting in Barcelona, you should book from London (or another British station) to Barcelona on day 1, add to basket, then book from Barcelona to Madrid on day 2, add to basket and check out, paying for both journeys as one transaction.

• If overnighting in Paris, you should book from London (or any other station in Britain) to Paris on day 1, add to basket, then book from Paris to Madrid as one journey on day 2, add to basket, and check out, paying for both journeys as one transaction.

• Book a hotel in Barcelona here.

London to Paris by Eurostar:  See the Eurostar page

Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex:  See the photos above...

Barcelona to Madrid by AVE...

AVEs are now being fitted with WiFi.  It's free to all travellers in preferente class or those in turista who have signed up to Renfe's free +Renfe loyalty scheme.  Internet access costs a few euros for other passengers.

Preferente class (1st class) seating (formerly Club) on the AVE train.  A meal with wine is included on Mondays-Fridays.		An S103 AVE train as used between Figueres, Barcelona & Madrid, seen here at Madrid Atocha station...  See virtual tour

Turista (2nd class) on the AVE train.		Turista Plus (premium 2nd class)  seating.

Madrid Atocha station...  One of my favourite stations, the grand old trainshed has been preserved and turned into a tropical garden complete with turtle pool.  See the Madrid Atocha station guide for more information.

Classes on AVEs...

AVE trains originally had Turista, Preferente & Club class seating.  However, Club class has been discontinued and the trains are now classified as Turista, Turista Plus and Preferente, where Preferente passengers now get the former Club seating and Turista Plus is the former Preferente seating without any extra preferente service.  Meals are included in preferente class, but only on Mondays to Fridays.

Option 2, London to Madrid with overnight stop in Nîmes...

This is well worth considering as it avoids having to cross Paris and can give you a pleasant evening in Nimes if you like.  I think Nîmes makes the best stopover point given the timings and the fact that the station is right in the centre (unlike Avignon TGV, for example), but as the direct AVE from Nimes to Madrid also calls at Avignon TGV, Montpelier and Perpignan, you can equally well stop for the night at any of those places instead.

London ► Madrid

• Day 1, travel from London St Pancras to Lille Europe by Eurostar then Lille Europe to Nîmes by high-speed TGV, leaving London at 12:58 and arriving Nimes at 20:34.  By all means take an earlier departure and have an evening in Nimes, see the UK to France page for full details of London-Nimes departures.

• Stay overnight in Nîmes.  The very inexpensive Ibis Budget Nimes Gare is just 50 yards from the station and gets good reviews.  The Ibis Styles Nimes Gare next door is a more upmarket option, but also inexpensive with good reviews.

• Day 2, travel from Nîmes to Madrid by direct AVE-S100 high-speed train with cafe-bar, leaving Nimes at 09:04 and arriving Zaragoza at 14:23 & Madrid Atocha at 15:45.

Madrid ► London

• Day 1, travel from Madrid to Nîmes by direct AVE-S100 high-speed train with cafe-bar, leaving Madrid Atocha at 13:25 and Zaragoza at 14:51, arriving Nimes at 20:22.

• Stay overnight in Nîmes.  The very inexpensive Ibis Budget Nimes Gare is just 50 yards from the station and gets good reviews.  The Ibis Styles Nimes Gare next door is a more upmarket option, but also inexpensive with good reviews.

• Day 2, travel from Nîmes to Lille Europe by high-speed TGV then Lille Europe to London by Eurostar then, leaving Nimes at 07:26 arriving London St Pancras at 14:05, or have a leisurely breakfast and leave Nimes at 09:24 arriving London St Pancras at 16:06.  By all means take a later departure and have an morning & lunchtime at leisure in Nimes, see the UK to France page for full details of Nimes-London departures.

How much does it cost?

• London to Nimes by Eurostar & TGV starts at £69 one-way or £121 return, £138 one-way or £244 return in 1st class.

• Nimes to Madrid by AVE high-speed train starts at €49 each way in 2nd class or €89 in 1st class.

• Fares work like air fares, so book ahead and avoid busy days or dates for the cheapest rates.

How to buy tickets...

• Book London to Nimes at www.loco2.com and add it to your basket.  If making a round trip, book this as a return and add to your basket.

• Still on www.loco2.com, now book Nimes to Madrid, add to basket and check out.

• You print your own tickets.  When does booking open?

On board the Nimes to Madrid AVE...

This is a Spanish S100 AVE at Barcelona Sants, ready to leave for France.  It's cool, smooth and quiet on board...		2nd class seats on the S100 AVE.  All seats have power sockets. Panorama photo of 2nd class

1st class seats on an S100 AVE.  All seats have power sockets.  Panorama photo of 1st class		Cafe-bar on an S100 AVE serving tea, coffee, beer, wine, soft drinks, snacks & hot dishes...

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London to Malaga & Seville

Andalucía & the Costa del Sol by train...

You can easily travel from London to Seville or Malaga by high-speed trains with an overnight stop in Barcelona.  Here's how...

London ► Malaga, Cordoba, Seville (morning departure)

• Day 1, travel from London to Barcelona as shown in the London-Barcelona section above, leaving London St Pancras at 09:22 by Eurostar to Paris Nord in 2h30, then taking a double-decker TGV Duplex from Paris Gare de Lyon to Barcelona Sants in 6h27, arriving at 20:34.  A slightly later departure is also available from early June to early September.  Relax and enjoy the ride across southern France & past the Pyrenees, see the photos here...

• Stay overnight in Barcelona, see suggested hotels near the station.

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Cordoba, Seville or Malaga by AVE-S112 high-speed train, leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:30 and arriving Cordoba at 13:12, Seville Santa Justa at 14:02 and Malaga Maria Zambrano at 14:30.  This train is an AVE-S112 Pato with Turista, Turista Plus & Preferente class seats and a cafe-bar, see the photos & information here.  If you'd like to spend a morning in Barcelona, no problem, there's an afternoon AVE to Malaga, Cordoba & Seville leaving Barcelona at 15:50.  On Saturdays there's an additional AVE train from Barcelona at 09:40 arriving Seville 14:55 & Malaga at 15:16.

• Remember that at Spanish stations there's a brief X-ray baggage check at the entrance to the platforms for high-speed trains.  If you have a 1st class ticket you can use the Sala Club 1st class lounge at Barcelona Sants, Malaga, Cordoba or Seville for up to 2 hours before your train leaves.

London ► Malaga, Cordoba, Seville (evening departure, runs 1 June to 1 September 2019)

• Day 1, travel from London to Paris on any evening Eurostar you like.  The last one usually leaves London St Pancras at 20.01, arriving Paris Gare du Nord at 23:17.  Cross by metro or taxi to the Gare de Lyon.

• Stay overnight in Paris.  Suggested hotels near the Gare de Lyon with good reviews.

• Day 2 morning, travel from Paris to Barcelona by double-deck high-speed TGV Duplex in just 6h19, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon daily at 07:15 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 13:34.  This train will run from 1 June to 1 September 2019.  There's a café-bar on board.  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 & for Mt Canigou in the Pyrenees, see the photos here.  Have lunch in Barcelona.

• Day 2 afternoon, travel from Barcelona to Malaga, Cordoba or Seville by AVE-S112 high-speed train, leaving Barcelona Sants at 15:50 and arriving Cordoba at 20:28, Seville Santa Justa at 21:15, and Malaga Maria Zambrano at 21:40.  This train is an AVE-S112 Pato with Turista, Turista Plus & Preferente class seats and a cafe-bar, see the photos & information here.

• Remember that at Spanish stations there's a brief X-ray baggage check at the entrance to the platforms for high-speed trains.  If you have a 1st class ticket you can use the Sala Club 1st class lounge at Barcelona Sants, Malaga, Cordoba or Seville for up to 2 hours before your train leaves.

Malaga, Seville, Cordoba ► London (morning departure, runs 1 June to 1 September 2019)

• Day 1 morning, travel from Malaga, Seville or Cordoba to Barcelona on the morning AVE-S112 high-speed train, leaving Malaga's main Maria Zambrano station at 08:40, Seville Santa Justa station at 08:50 or Cordoba at 09:44, arriving Barcelona Sants at 14:25.  This train is an AVE type S112 Pato with Turista, Turista Plus & Preferente class seats and a cafe-bar, see the photos & information here.  Have lunch in Barcelona.

• Day 1 afternoon, travel from Barcelona to Paris by double-deck high-speed TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 16:20 and arriving at Paris Gare de Lyon at 22:45.  This train runs daily from 1 June to 1 September 2019.  There's a cafe-bar on board.  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.  If you have a 1st class ticket for the TGV you can use the Sala Club 1st class lounge at Barcelona Sants for 2 hours before the TGV leaves.

• Stay overnight in Paris.  Suggested hotels near the Gare de Lyon with good reviews.  Next morning, cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare du Nord.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to London by any morning Eurostar you like.  The first Eurostar of the day usually leaves Paris Gare du Nord at 07:13 on Mondays-Saturdays or 08:13 on Sundays, arriving London St Pancras at 08:30 Mondays-Saturdays or 09:30 Sundays.  You can be in central London for the start of the working day!

Malaga, Seville, Cordoba ► London (afternoon departure)

• Day 1, travel from Malaga, Seville or Cordoba to Barcelona on the afternoon AVE-S112 high-speed train, leaving Malaga at 14:35, Seville Santa Justa at 14:50 or Cordoba at 15:42, arriving Barcelona Sants at 20:22.  On Sundays there's also an additional AVE leaving Malaga at 15:35, Seville Santa Justa at 15:55 and Cordoba at 16:41, arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:15.  These trains are AVE-S112 Patos with Turista, Turista Plus & Preferente class seats and a cafe-bar, see the photos & information here.  Alternatively, if you'd like an afternoon in Barcelona, by all means take the morning AVE train from Malaga, Seville or Cordoba to Barcelona instead.

• Stay overnight in Barcelona, see suggested hotels near the station.

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to London as shown in the London to Spain by high-speed train section above.  You leave Barcelona Sants at 09:25 by direct TGV Duplex to Paris Gare de Lyon, change trains & stations in Paris, then take a Eurostar from Paris Nord to London St Pancras arriving at 19:39 (20:39 on Saturdays).

How much does it cost?

• London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £44 one-way or £58 return in 2nd class, £112 one-way or £168 return in 1st class.

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

• Barcelona to Malaga, Seville or Cordoba by AVE starts at around €46 each way in turista, €56 in Turista Plus, €78 in Preferente.

• Fares vary like air fares, so book as early as you can and shop around for the cheapest departure.

How to buy tickets online...

• Buy tickets from London or any station in Britain to Malaga, Cordoba or Seville as explained here.

• If overnighting in Barcelona, you should book from London (or another British station) to Barcelona on day 1, add to basket, then book from Barcelona to Malaga, Cordoba or Seville on day 2, add to basket and check out, paying for both journeys as one transaction.

• If overnighting in Paris, you should book from London (or any other station in Britain) to Paris on day 1, add to basket, then book from Paris to Malaga, Cordoba or Seville on day 2, add to basket, and check out, paying for both journeys as one transaction.

• Book your hotel in Barcelona here.

How to buy tickets by phone...

• To buy tickets by phone, call International Rail on 0844 248 248 3, lines open 09:00-17:00 Monday-Friday.  Overseas callers call +44 844 2482483.  Remember to book early for the cheapest prices, ideally 2-3 months ahead, as just like air fares prices increase closer to departure.  Unlike some other agencies, International Rail are equipped with both the French and Spanish rail ticketing systems, so can sell the cheapest fares for all the trains from the UK to Spain and within Spain.  They charge a £10 booking fee for bookings under £100, £20 for £100-£300, £30 above £300.  Eurostar, TGV & Renfe tickets will usually be emailed to you as e-tickets, so there's no postage fee or delay.  For more information on buying European train tickets, see the How to buy European train tickets page.

Get Railbookers to sort it...

• If you need hotels as well, the easy option is to get specialist agency Railbookers to arrange your whole trip as a package, with trains, hotels & transfers sorted in one phone call.  As they are selling you a package they'll look after you if anything happens such as a strike or major delay.  Tell them when and where you want to go and they'll advise you on the best trains, routes & hotels and sort it out for you.  They get positive reviews.

    UK call 020 3327 0761, www.railbookers.co.uk. 

    US call free 1-888-829-4775, see website.

    Canada call free 1-855-882-2910, see website.

    Australia call toll-free 1300 971 526, see website. 

    New Zealand call toll-free 0800 000 554 or see website.

Torremolinos & Fuengirola connection...

• Local Cercanias trains link Malaga's main Maria Zambrano station with Torremolinos (journey time 23 minutes, fare €1.95) and Fuengirola (journey 47 minutes, fare €3.50). They run every 20 minutes from 05:30 to 22:30.  If you need further information, see www.renfe.com, click 'welcome' for English, click 'Commuter trains' then select 'Malaga'.  You won't need to pay for a local train ticket if you have a Spanish long-distance train ticket, see the advice here about Renfe's CombinadoCercanias offer.

Marbella & Estepona connection...

• Option 1 is to take a train from Malaga to Fuengirola then a frequent connecting bus.  Option 2 is to take a direct bus from Malaga to Marbella.  Buses run from Malaga bus station (right next door to the railway station) every hour or so, fast buses take 45 minutes, slow buses take 75 minutes, fare about €6.74.  See www.avanzabus.com.  There are also buses from Malaga to Estepona, journey time 2 hours, fare about €9.90, see www.avanzabus.com.

Alternative routes & options...

• You can of course use any of the routes & options between London & Barcelona suggested in the London to Barcelona section above, including options using the overnight couchette train between Paris and Latour de Carol, and there's even an option that avoids having to cross Paris using a direct London-Lyon Eurostar.  Then use either the 08:30 or 15:50 direct trains between Barcelona and Cordoba, Seville & Malaga, booked at www.loco2.com.

London to Paris by Eurostar:  See the Eurostar page

Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex:  See the photos above

Barcelona to Malaga or Seville by AVE

These superb-quality AVE high speed trains are amongst the classiest trains in Europe.  They have three classes, Preferente (true 1st class with real leather seats), Turista Plus (1st class seating) and Turista (2nd class).  AVE trains run at up to 186 mph over the new high-speed lines from Barcelona to Malaga & Seville.  Most trains on this route are the S112 type shown below, little articulated single-axle Talgo carriages sandwiched between strange-looking duck-billed power cars, hence the nickname pato, Spanish for duck.  AVEs are now being fitted with WiFi, free to all travellers in preferente class or those in turista who have signed up to Renfe's free +Renfe loyalty scheme.  Internet access costs a few euros for other passengers.

AVE S112...  Known to staff as pato (duck).  No prizes for guessing why!		AVE Preferente class...  Leather reclining seats, all with power sockets...

AVE Turista class...  Comfortable seats, 2 abreast each side of the aisle, mainly unidirectional but some bays of 4 around a table like this...		AVE Turista Plus...  Reclining seats, power sockets for laptops & mobiles, mainly unidirectional but some tables for 2 and tables for 4...

1st class lounge:  Preferente ticket holders (including Promo+ tickets, but not Promo) may use the Sala Club 1st class lounge at Barcelona Sants, Cordoba, Seville & Malaga, with coffee, juice & beer.		All aboard the train to Malaga & Seville!  This is an S112 AVE high-speed train.  All AVE trains have a cafe-bar serving drinks and snacks, or feel free to bring your own food, wine or beer on board.

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London to Granada

London ► Granada

• Day 1, travel from London to Barcelona as shown in the London-Barcelona section above.  You leave London St Pancras at 09:22 by Eurostar to Paris Nord in 2h30, then take a double-decker TGV Duplex from Paris Gare de Lyon to Barcelona Sants arriving at 20:34.  A slightly later departure is also available from early June to early September.  Relax and enjoy the ride...

• Stay overnight in Barcelona, see suggested hotels near the station.

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Granada by AVE-S112 high-speed train & regional train with a simple change at Antequera-Santa Ana, leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:30 and arriving Granada 16:10.

• Remember that at Spanish stations there's a brief X-ray baggage check at the entrance to the platforms for high-speed trains.  If you have a 1st class ticket you can use the Sala Club 1st class lounge at Barcelona Sants for up to 2 hours before your train leaves.

Granada ► London

• Day 1, travel from Granada to Barcelona by train, leaving Granada at 12:45 with a simple change of train at Antequera-Santa Ana onto an AVE-S112 high-speed train arriving Barcelona Sants at 20:22.

• Stay overnight in Barcelona, see suggested hotels near the station.

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to London as shown in the London to Spain by high-speed train section above.  You leave Barcelona Sants at 09:25 by double-decker TGV Duplex to Paris Gare de Lyon in around 6h30, then take Eurostar from Paris Nord arriving at London St Pancras at 19:39 (20:39 on Saturdays).

How much does it cost?

• London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £44 one-way or £58 return in 2nd class, £112 one-way or £168 return in 1st class.

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

• Barcelona to Granada by day train starts at around €55 in Turista.

• Fares vary like air fares, so book as early as you can and shop around for the cheapest departure.

How to buy tickets...

• Buy tickets from London or any station in Britain to Granada using Loco2.com as explained here.

• If overnighting in Barcelona, you should book from London (or another British station) to Barcelona on day 1, add to basket, then book from Barcelona to Granada on day 2, add to basket and check out, paying for both journeys as one transaction.

How to buy tickets by phone...

• To buy tickets by phone, call International Rail on 0844 248 248 3, lines open 09:00-17:00 Monday-Friday.  Overseas callers call +44 844 2482483.  Remember to book early for the cheapest prices, ideally 2-3 months ahead, as just like air fares prices increase closer to departure.  Unlike some other agencies, International Rail are equipped with both the French and Spanish rail ticketing systems, so can sell the cheapest fares for all the trains from the UK to Spain and within Spain.  They charge a £10 booking fee for bookings under £100, £20 for £100-£300, £30 above £300.  Eurostar, TGV & Renfe tickets will usually be emailed to you as e-tickets, so there's no postage fee or delay.  For more information on buying European train tickets, see the How to buy European train tickets page.

Get Railbookers to arrange your trip...

• If you need hotels booked for you as well, the easy option is to get specialist agency Railbookers to arrange your whole trip as a package, with train bookings, hotels & transfers all sorted in one phone call.  Tell them when and where you want to go and they'll advise you on the best trains, routes & hotels and sort it all out.  They get very positive reviews.

    UK call 020 3327 0761, www.railbookers.co.uk. 

    US call free 1-888-829-4775, see website.

    Canada call free 1-855-882-2910, see website.

    Australia call toll-free 1300 971 526, see website. 

    New Zealand call toll-free 0800 000 554 or see website.

Alternative routes & options...

• You can of course use any of the routes & options between London & Barcelona suggested in the London to Barcelona section above, including options using the overnight couchette train between Paris and Latour de Carol, and there's even an option that avoids having to cross Paris using a direct London-Lyon Eurostar.  Then use onward trains between Barcelona and Granada, booked at www.loco2.com.

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London to Valencia & Alicante

London to the Costa Blanca by high-speed train...

You may prefer comfortable high-speed daytime trains, with an overnight hotel stop in Barcelona.

London ► Tarragona, Salou, Valencia, Alicante (morning departure)

• Day 1, travel from London to Barcelona as shown in the London-Barcelona section above.  You leave London St Pancras at 09:22 by Eurostar to Paris Nord in 2h30, then take a double-decker TGV Duplex from Paris Gare de Lyon to Barcelona Sants in 6h27, arriving at 20:34.  A slightly later departure is also available from early June to early September, see above.

• Stay the night in Barcelona, see suggested hotels near the station.

• Day 2, for Tarragona, Valencia & Alicante: A EuroMed train leaves Barcelona Sants at 07:00 Mondays-Fridays arriving Tarragona 07:52, Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 10:12 and Alicante at 11:56.  Or have a leisurely breakfast, then take the EuroMed train leaving Barcelona Sants daily at 10:00 and arriving Tarragona 10:53, Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 13:08 and Alicante at 14:55.  You can check train times at www.loco2.com or www.renfe.com, you can book any train you like through the day.

  Says one recent traveller:  "Barcelona to Valencia was mostly very scenic - mountains and pine trees on one side and the sparkling Mediterranean on the other..."

• Day 2, for Tarragona, Salou or Valencia:  An air-conditioned articulated Talgo train leaves Barcelona Sants at 09:27 arriving Tarragona 10:24, Salou 10:39 and Valencia Nord at 12:47.  You can check train times at www.loco2.com or www.renfe.com, you can book any train you like through the day.

• Remember that at Spanish stations there's a brief X-ray baggage check at the entrance to the platforms for high-speed trains.  If you have a 1st class ticket you can use the Sala Club 1st class lounge at Barcelona Sants or Alicante for up to 2 hours before your train leaves.

London ► Tarragona, Salou, Valencia, Alicante (evening departure)

• Day 1, travel from London to Paris on any evening Eurostar you like.  The last one usually leaves London St Pancras at 20.01, arriving Paris Gare du Nord at 23:17.  Cross by metro or taxi to the Gare de Lyon.

• Stay overnight in Paris.  Suggested hotels near the Gare de Lyon with good reviews.

• Day 2 morning, travel from Paris to Barcelona by double-decker TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon daily at 10:07 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 16:34.  A café-bar is available on board.  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.

• Day 2, an articulated air-conditioned Talgo train leaves Barcelona Sants at 17:00 arriving Tarragona 17:53, Salou 18:05, Valencia Nord at 20:43 and Alicante at 22:47.  You can check train times at www.loco2.com or www.renfe.com.

• Alternatively, from 1 June to 1 September 2019 there's also an earlier 07:15 TGV from Paris arriving Barcelona 13:34, connecting with a Talgo leaving Barcelona Sants at 15:00 and arriving Valencia Nord at 18:28 and Alicante at 20:20.

• Remember that at Spanish stations there's a brief X-ray baggage check at the entrance to the platforms for high-speed trains.  If you have a 1st class ticket you can use the Sala Club 1st class lounge at Barcelona Sants or Alicante for up to 2 hours before your train leaves.

Alicante, Valencia, Salou, Tarragona ► London (morning departure)

• Day 1 morning, travel from Alicante, Valencia or Tarragona to Barcelona by comfortable air-conditioned EuroMed train, leaving Alicante at 06:40, Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 08:22 or Tarragona at 10:42 arriving Barcelona Sants at 11:41.  Have lunch in Barcelona.

• Day 1 afternoon, travel from Barcelona to Paris by double-deck high-speed TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 13:20 and arriving at Paris Gare de Lyon at 19:53.  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.  A cafe-bar is available.  If you have a 1st class ticket for the TGV you can use the Sala Club 1st class lounge at Barcelona Sants for 2 hours before the TGV leaves.

• Alternatively, from 1 June to 1 September 2019 you can also leave Alicante at 09:13 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 10:53 arriving Barcelona Sants at 14:09.  A summer-only TGV Duplex then leaves Barcelona Sants at 16:20 arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 22:45.

• Stay overnight in Paris.  Suggested hotels near the Gare de Lyon with good reviews.  Next morning, cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare du Nord.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to London by any morning Eurostar you like.  The first Eurostar of the day usually leaves Paris Gare du Nord at 07:13 on Mondays-Saturdays or 08:13 on Sundays, arriving London St Pancras at 08:30 Mondays-Saturdays or 09:30 Sundays.  You can be in central London for the start of the working day!

Alicante, Valencia, Salou, Tarragona ► London (afternoon departure)

• Day 1, from Alicante, Valencia or Tarragona:  A fast EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 16:10, Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 17:56 or Tarragona at 20:26 and arrives Barcelona Sants at 21:39.  Or take an earlier EuroMed train leaving Alicante at 13:53 (not Saturdays), Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 15:43, Tarragona at 18:10 arriving Barcelona Sants at 19:09 in time for dinner and an early night.  Or there are earlier trains, of course.  You can check train times at www.loco2.com or www.renfe.com and book any train you like.

• Day 1, from Valencia, Salou or Tarragona:  An air-conditioned articulated Talgo train leaves Valencia Nord at 17:15, Salou at 19:27 or Tarragona at 19:40 arriving Barcelona Sants at 20:39.  But by all means take an earlier train, they run regularly.  You can check train times at www.loco2.com or www.renfe.com and book any train you like.

• Stay the night in Barcelona, see suggested hotels near the station.

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to London by TGV & Eurostar as shown in the London-Barcelona section, leaving Barcelona at 09:25 and arriving London St Pancras at 19:39 (20:39 on Saturdays).

The Benidorm connection...

• To reach Benidorm, first travel to Alicante by train as shown above.  On arrival at Alicante mainline station, walk a few minutes along the Avenida de La Estacion to the Luceros tram station in the Plaza de los Luceros.  Trams leave Luceros tram station every 30 minutes or so throughout the day for Benidorm, journey time 1 hour 12 minutes, fare €3.75 one-way, €6.40 day return (the tram was extended to Benidorm in early 2009, so there's no longer any need to switch to a conventional local train to reach Benidorm).  You can find tram timetables & fares at www.fgvalicante.com.  Alternatively, buses are available to Benidorm from just outside Alicante station. 

• Money-saving tip:  If you bought your Barcelona-Alicante ticket from renfe.com or loco2.com or petrabax.com, there will be a code printed on it which you can tap into the tram ticket machine at Alicante Luceros tram station to get a free ticket valid on any Alicante-Benidorm tram the day you arrived in Alicante.  In the return direction, your Renfe Alicante to Barcelona ticket will be accepted on the tram from Benidorm to Alicante on the day you are booked to leave Alicante.  When you arrive at Alicante Luceros tram station you need to tap the code into a tram ticket machine to get a free ticket to exit through the barriers.  This is part of the Renfe CombinadoCercanias (free suburban connection) offer explained on the Train Travel in Spain page.

How much does it cost?

• See the London to Spain by high-speed train section for fares between London & Barcelona.

• Barcelona to Alicante by EuroMed train starts at around €23 in Turista or €47 in Preferente with a cheap pre-booked Promo fare.

• Barcelona to Valencia by EuroMed starts at around €18 in Turista or €37 in Preferente with a cheap pre-booked Promo fare.

• Fares vary like air fares, rising as the cheaper tickets are sold, so book early for the best prices.

How to buy tickets online...

• Buy tickets from London or any station in Britain to Valencia, Alicante or any station in Spain using Loco2.com as explained above.

• If overnighting in Barcelona, you should book from London (or another British station) to Barcelona on day 1, add to basket, then book from Barcelona to Valencia, Alicante or wherever on day 2, add to basket and check out, paying for both journeys as one transaction.

• If overnighting in Paris, you should book from London (or any other station in Britain) to Paris on day 1, add to basket, then book from Paris to Valencia or Alicante on day 2, add to basket, and check out, paying for both journeys as one transaction.

How to buy tickets by phone...

• To buy tickets by phone, call International Rail on 0844 248 248 3, lines open 09:00-17:00 Monday-Friday.  Overseas callers call +44 844 2482483.  Remember to book early for the cheapest prices, ideally 2-3 months ahead, as just like air fares prices increase closer to departure.  Unlike some other agencies, International Rail are equipped with both the French and Spanish rail ticketing systems, so can sell the cheapest fares for all the trains from the UK to Spain and within Spain.  They charge a £10 booking fee for bookings under £100, £20 for £100-£300, £30 above £300.  Eurostar, TGV & Renfe tickets will usually be emailed to you as e-tickets, so there's no postage fee or delay.  For more information on buying European train tickets, see the How to buy European train tickets page.

Ask Railbookers to sort it...

• If you need hotels as well, the easy option is to get specialist agency Railbookers to arrange your whole trip, with trains, hotels & transfers sorted in one phone call.  As they are selling you a package they'll look after you if anything happens such as a strike or major delay.  Tell them when and where you want to go and they'll advise you on the best trains, routes & hotels and sort it all out for you.  They get positive reviews.

    UK call 020 3327 0761, www.railbookers.co.uk. 

    US call free 1-888-829-4775, see website.

    Canada call free 1-855-882-2910, see website.

    Australia call toll-free 1300 971 526, see website. 

    New Zealand call toll-free 0800 000 554 or see website.

Alternative routes & options...

• You can of course use any of the routes & options between London & Barcelona suggested in the London to Barcelona section above, including options using the overnight couchette train between Paris and Latour de Carol, and there's even an option that avoids having to cross Paris using a direct London-Lyon Eurostar.  Then use any suitable train between Barcelona and Valencia or Alicante, booked at www.loco2.com.

On board the EuroMed train from Barcelona to Valencia & Alicante...

At Barcelona Sants, that's a EuroMed train to Alicante on the right and a TGV Duplex to Paris on the left.		Turista (2nd class) seats on a EuroMed train from Barcelona to Alicante.  The Euromed train is a type S130 pato or little duck.

Preferente (1st class) seats on a EuroMed train.		An S130 EuroMed train at Barcelona Franca.

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London to Cadiz, Algeciras etc.

London ► Cadiz, Jerez, Almeria, Murcia, Cartagena, Ronda, Algeciras

• Day 1, travel from London to Barcelona as shown in the London-Barcelona section above, leaving London St Pancras at 09:22 by Eurostar to Paris Nord in 2h30, then take a double-deck TGV Duplex from Paris Gare de Lyon to Barcelona Sants in 6h27 arriving at 20:34.  A slightly later departure is also available from early June to early September.  Relax and enjoy the ride...

• Stay overnight in Barcelona, see suggested hotels near the station.

• Day 2, for Algeciras & Ronda:  Travel from Barcelona to Ronda or Algeciras leaving Barcelona Sants by AVE high-speed train at 08:30, making a simple change of train at Antequera-Santa Ana and arriving Ronda at 15:45 and Algeciras at 17:40.

• Day 2, for Cartagena or Murcia:  Travel by direct Talgo train leaving Barcelona Sants at 12:00 arriving at Murcia at 18:49 and Cartagena at 19:52.

• Day 2, for Almeria:  Travel from Barcelona to Almeria leaving Barcelona Sants by articulated air-conditioned Talgo train at 09:27, making a simple change of train at Linares-Baeza and arriving Almeria at 21:14.

• Day 2, for Jerez & Cadiz:  Travel from Barcelona to Jerez or Cadiz with a simple change at Seville, leaving Barcelona Sants by AVE high-speed train at 08:30 and arriving Jerez de la Frontera at 15:52 and Cadiz at 16:32.

• Remember that at Spanish stations there's a brief X-ray baggage check at the entrance to the platforms for long-distance & high-speed trains.  If you have a 1st class ticket you can use the Sala Club 1st class lounge at Barcelona Sants for up to 2 hours before your train leaves.

Algeciras, Ronda, Almeria, Cartagena, Murcia, Cadiz, Jerez ► London

• Day 1, from Algeciras or Ronda:  Travel by daytime trains leaving Algeciras at 11:45 or Ronda at 13:32 with a simple change of train at Antequera-Santa Ana onto an AVE high-speed train arriving Barcelona Sants at 20:22.

• Day 1, from Cartagena or Murcia:  Take the direct Talgo train leaving Cartagena at 12:55 or Murcia at 13:53 arriving Barcelona Sants at 20:39.

• Day 1, from Almeria:  Leave Almeria at 07:30, change trains at Linares-Baeza to arrive Barcelona Sants at 19:39.

• Day 1, from Jerez or Cadiz:  Leave Cadiz at 12:35 or Jerez de la Frontera at 13:13 by Media Distancia regional, making a simple change of train at Seville onto an AVE high-speed train arriving Barcelona Sants at 20:22. 

• Stay the night in Barcelona, see suggested hotels near the station.

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to London as shown in the London-Barcelona section above, leaving Barcelona Sants at 09:25 by double-deck TGV Duplex to Paris Gare de Lyon in around 6h30, then take Eurostar from Paris Gare du Nord arriving at London St Pancras at 19:39 (20:39 on Saturdays).

How much does it cost?

• London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £44 one-way or £58 return in 2nd class, £112 one-way or £168 return in 1st class.

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

• Barcelona to Cadiz, Jerez, Algeciras or Ronda by AVE+regional train starts at around €55 in Turista.

• Fares vary like air fares, so book as early as you can and shop around for the cheapest departure.

How to buy tickets online...

• Buy tickets from London or any station in Britain to any station in Spain using Loco2.com as explained here.

• If overnighting in Barcelona, you should book from London (or another British station) to Barcelona on day 1, add to basket, then book from Barcelona to Cadiz, Algeciras etc. on day 2, add to basket and check out, paying for both journeys as one transaction.

• If overnighting in Paris, you should book from London (or any other station in Britain) to Paris on day 1, add to basket, then book from Paris to Cadiz, Algeciras etc. on day 2, add to basket, and check out, paying for both journeys as one transaction.

How to buy tickets by phone...

• To buy tickets by phone, call International Rail on 0844 248 248 3, lines open 09:00-17:00 Monday-Friday.  Overseas callers call +44 844 2482483.  Remember to book early for the cheapest prices, ideally 2-3 months ahead, as just like air fares prices increase closer to departure.  Unlike some other agencies, International Rail are equipped with both the French and Spanish rail ticketing systems, so can sell the cheapest fares for all the trains from the UK to Spain and within Spain.  They charge a £10 booking fee for bookings under £100, £20 for £100-£300, £30 above £300.  Eurostar, TGV & Renfe tickets will usually be emailed to you as e-tickets, so there's no postage fee or delay.  For more information on buying European train tickets, see the How to buy European train tickets page.

...or ask Railbookers to arrange it for you.

• If you need hotels as well, the easy option is to get specialist agency Railbookers to arrange your whole trip as a package, with trains, hotels & transfers sorted in one phone call.  As they are selling you a package they'll look after you if anything happens such as a strike or major delay.  Tell them when and where you want to go and they'll advise you on the best trains, routes & hotels.  They get very positive reviews.

    UK call 020 3327 0761, www.railbookers.co.uk. 

    US call free 1-888-829-4775, see website.

    Canada call free 1-855-882-2910, see website.

    Australia call toll-free 1300 971 526, see website. 

    New Zealand call toll-free 0800 000 554 or see website.

Alternative routes & options...

• You can of course use any of the routes & options between London & Barcelona suggested in the London to Barcelona section above, including options using the overnight couchette train between Paris and Latour de Carol, and there's even an option that avoids having to cross Paris using a direct London-Lyon Eurostar.  Then use any suitable train between Barcelona and your final Spanish destination, booked at www.loco2.com.

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London to San Sebastian

To Basque country by train...

San Sebastian is a popular destination, and rightly so, it's a wonderful city to visit.  It can help to know that it's Basque name is Donostia, as you'll often see it shown as Donostia not San Sebastian.  If your budget allows, look no further than the wonderful Hotel de Londres y Inglaterra, located right on the seafront.  The times below show the new faster TGV service from Paris to the Spanish border starting on 2 July 2017, made possible by the new Tour-Bordeaux high-speed line.

London ► San Sebastian in one day

London ► San Sebastian with overnight stop in Paris

• Day 1, travel from London to Paris by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras on any evening Eurostar you like -or earlier, if you want some free time in Paris.  Journey time around 2h20, the latest departure is the 20:01 (20:31 on Sundays).  Cross Paris by metro to the Gare Montparnasse.

• Stay overnight in Paris.  See suggested hotels.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Hendaye on the Spanish frontier by high-speed TGV, leaving Paris Montparnasse at 07:52 Mondays-Saturdays and arriving Hendaye at 12:31.  Times vary and different times apply on Sundays, so check train times for your date of travel using www.loco2.com or www.trainline.eu.  See the TGV photos below.

• Step 3, travel from Hendaye to San Sebastian on the excellent air-conditioned metro run by Euskotren, www.euskotren.eus.  At Hendaye, you simply walk out of the main station exit and the tiny Euskotren station is to your right in the corner of the forecourt branded Metro Donostialdea, see the photo below.  Buy a ticket from the machines or staffed ticket office, go through the ticket gates and hop on the next train.  The station only has one platform and all trains go to San Sebastian, a 37 minute journey.  Metro trains leave every 30 minutes until about 23:00, there's one leaving Hendaye at 13:33.  The station in central San Sebastian is San Sebastian-Donostia Amara, called San Sebastian-Donostia on the information screens but plain 'Amara' on the station nameboards when you get there.  The final destination of the train is usually shown as Lasarte.  See the Euskotren photos below.

San Sebastian ► London in a day by 09:19 TGV...

• Step 1, travel from San Sebastian to Hendaye on the excellent air-conditioned metro train run by Euskotren.  These run every 30 minutes from Sebastian Amara station to Hendaye (Hendaia in Spanish), journey time 37 minutes.  At Hendaye, the mainline SNCF station is just across the forecourt from the little Euskotren station.  Always allow plenty of time for the connections!  You'll find the Euskotren stations branded Metro Donostialdea.  See the Euskotren photos below.

• Step 2, travel from Hendaye to Paris by high-speed TGV, leaving Hendaye at 09:19 daily except Saturdays and arriving Paris Gare Montparnasse at 14:08, see the TGV photos below.  Times vary, so check train times for your date of travel using www.loco2.com or www.trainline.eu.  Cross Paris by métro to the Gare du Nord.

• Step 3, travel from Paris to London by Eurostar, leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 16:13 arriving in London St Pancras at 17:39.

San Sebastian ► London in a day by 13:19 TGV...

• Step 1, travel from San Sebastian to Hendaye on the excellent air-conditioned metro train run by Euskotren.  These run every 30 minutes from Sebastian Amara station to Hendaye (Hendaia in Spanish), journey time 37 minutes.  At Hendaye, the mainline SNCF station is just across the forecourt from the little Euskotren station.  Always allow plenty of time for the connections!  You'll find the Euskotren stations branded Metro Donostialdea.  See the Euskotren photos below.

• Step 2, travel from Hendaye to Paris by high-speed TGV, leaving Hendaye at 13:19 every day and arriving Paris Gare Montparnasse at 18:08, see the TGV photos below.  Check train times for your date of travel using www.loco2.com or www.trainline.eu.  Cross Paris by métro to the Gare du Nord.

• Step 3, travel from Paris to London by Eurostar, leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 20:13 arriving in London St Pancras at 21:39.

San Sebastian ► London by 18:19 TGV with with overnight stop in Paris

• Step 1, travel from San Sebastian to Hendaye on the excellent air-conditioned metro train run by Euskotren.  These run every 30 minutes from Sebastian Amara station to Hendaye (Hendaia in Spanish), journey time 37 minutes.  At Hendaye, the mainline SNCF station is just across the forecourt from the little Euskotren station.  Always allow plenty of time for the connections!  You'll find the Euskotren stations branded Metro Donostialdea.  See the Euskotren photos below.

• Step 2, travel from Hendaye to Paris by high-speed TGV, leaving Hendaye at 18:19 and arriving Paris Gare Montparnasse at 23:08, see the TGV photos below.  By all means take an earlier train to enjoy an evening in Paris if you like, check train times for your date of travel at www.loco2.com or www.trainline.eu.  Cross Paris by métro to the Gare du Nord.

• Stay overnight in Paris.  See suggested hotels.

• Step 3, travel from Paris Gare du Nord to London St Pancras by Eurostar on any morning train you like.  The earliest is usually the 07:13 arriving London at 08:32, an earlier train is available on most Mondays arriving in London at 08:02.

How much does it cost?

• London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £44 one-way or £58 return.  Fares work like air fares, so book early for the cheapest prices.

• Paris to Hendaye by TGV starts at €25 each way.  Fares work like air fares, so book early for the cheapest prices.

• The Euskotren local train from Hendaye to San Sebastian costs only around €2.55 one-way. 

How to buy tickets online...

This is the cheapest way to buy tickets, and it's really easy.

• 1.  Go to www.loco2.com.  Anyone can use Loco2, as international credit cards are accepted and you'll usually get print-at-home or collect-at-station tickets.  And it'll sell tickets to Hendaye from any station in Britain, not just London.

• 2.  Simply enter 'London' or the name of your local station to 'Hendaye' and your dates of travel.  Select a morning departure.  It will book your whole trip in one go, Eurostar and TGV.

• 3.  Just buy the local ticket from Hendaye to San Sebastian at the station when you get there.  Tickets are easily bought using the self-service ticket machines at the Hendaye Euskotren station, these accept euro coins and notes, but not credit cards.

How to buy tickets by phone...

• To buy tickets by phone, call International Rail on 0844 248 248 3, lines open 09:00-17:00 Monday-Friday.  Overseas callers call +44 844 2482483.  Unlike some other agencies, International Rail are equipped with both the French and Spanish rail ticketing systems, so can sell the cheapest fares for all the trains from the UK to Spain and within Spain.  They charge a £10 booking fee for bookings under £100, £20 for £100-£300, £30 above £300.  Eurostar, TGV & Renfe tickets will usually be emailed to you as e-tickets, so there's no postage fee or delay.  For more information on buying European train tickets, see the How to buy European train tickets page.

See the London to Paris page for information about Eurostar...

From Paris to Hendaye by TGV...

Most Paris-Hendaye trains are now TGV Duplex double-deck high-speed trains like this one.  On this route, most TGV Duplex units have the new Océane interior shown here, they have free WiFi and carry the latest grey, silver & red TGV colours. Other trains on the Paris-Hendaye route are single-deck TGV Atlantique units.  There are now automatic ticket gates at the entrance to the platforms at Paris Montparnasse, just scan the barcode on your ticket.

TGV Océane cafe-bar, upper deck car 4 (or 14)		TGV Océane 2nd class seats...

TGV Océane 1st class seats.  An innovation on TGV Océane, all 1st class seats (except the very end ones) rotate to face the direction of travel, or can be rotated to make a face-to-face group of 2 or 4 seats.  The drop-down tables open to reveal USB and 2-pin power sockets.

The TGV Duplex arrives at Hendaye after a dash across France at up to 186mph.  Photo courtesy of Alan Uxbridge.

From Hendaye to San Sebastian by Euskotren...

At Hendaye station, the little Euskotren station is outside to your right, 50 yards across the forecourt.  Buy a ticket from the easy-to-use ticket machines, which have a touch screen with English-language button and accept euro coins & notes.  There's also a staffed ticket office.  Then go through the gates onto the one and only platform.  All trains from this platform go to San Sebastian-Donostia Amara, shown on screens and timetables as San Sebastian-Donostia, shown on the ticket machines as just Donostia and shown on the station name boards when you get there as plain Amara.  It's all the same place!  The final destination of the train is usually shown as Lasarte.

These modern air-conditioned metro trains run every 30 minutes, a turn-up-and-go metro service branded Metro Donostialdea.  There's plenty of space for luggage and they even have a wheelchair-accessible toilet.  The metro trains also call at Irun, but Irun's Euskotren station is some 5-10 minutes walk from Irun Renfe mainline station, so it's much better to change at Hendaye even if your TGV goes through to Irun.

San Sebastian...  The sea front is 10 min walk from San Sebastian-Donostia Amara station, where the Euskotren arrives...

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London to Pamplona & Bilbao

This is a fast and comfortable option, with all-daytime travel by Eurostar & TGV high-speed train and an overnight stop in wonderful San Sebastian on the Basque coast.  The times below show the new faster TGV service from Paris to the Spanish border starting on 2 July 2017, made possible by the new Tour-Bordeaux high-speed line.

London ► Pamplona, Bilbao

Pamplona, Bilbao ► London

• Day 1 from Pamplona, travel from Pamplona to San Sebastian by smart modern air-conditioned Alvia train, leaving Pamplona at 19:24 and arriving San Sebastian-Donostia Renfe station at 21:10.  If you'd like an afternoon in San Sebastian, there's also a daily 11:19 Alvia train from Pamplona arriving San Sebastian-Donostia Renfe station at 13:03.

• Day 1 from Bilbao, hop on one of the hourly narrow gauge trains run by Euskotren from Bilbao Matiko station to San Sebastian Amara station, journey time 2 hours 35 minutes, fare €5.15, buy a ticket at the station and hop on the next train.  You can check train times from Bilbao to San Sebastian at www.euskotren.eus, remember that Bilbao to San Sebastian will be listed as Matiko to Amara as those are the station names.

• Spend the night in a hotel in San Sebastian...

• Day 2, travel from San Sebastian to Hendaye on the excellent air-conditioned metro train run by Euskotren.  These run every 30 minutes from Sebastian Amara station to Hendaye (Hendaia in Spanish), journey time 37 minutes.  At Hendaye, the mainline SNCF station is just across the forecourt from the little Euskotren station.  Always allow plenty of time for the connection, there are places you can have a coffee at Hendaye!  You'll find the Euskotren stations branded Metro Donostialdea.  See the Euskotren photos above.

• Day 2, travel from Hendaye to Paris by high-speed TGV, leaving Hendaye at 09:19 daily except Saturdays and arriving Paris Gare Montparnasse at 14:08, see the TGV photos above.  Times vary (and later departures are available, including on Saturdays), so check train times for your date of travel using www.loco2.com or www.trainline.eu.  Cross Paris by métro to the Gare du Nord.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to London by Eurostar, leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 16:13 arriving in London St Pancras at 17:39.

How much does it cost?

• London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £44 one-way or £58 return in 2nd class, £112 one-way or £168 return in 1st class.  Like air fares, the price rises as cheaper seats are sold, so book early for the best price.

• Paris to Hendaye by TGV costs from as little as £23 one-way, £46 return if you book in advance.  The price varies like air fares, so book early for the cheapest prices.

• Hendaye to San Sebastian Amara by Euskotren costs just €2.55.

• San Sebastian to Pamplona costs around €23 each way in turista class, €30 each way in preferente class, but if you pre-book, cheaper Promo fares are often available from just €14 in turista or €18 in preferente.

How to buy tickets online...

• Step 1, go to www.loco2.com and book from London or any station in Britain to Hendaye, one-way.  Anyone can use Loco2 as international credit cards are accepted and you'll usually get print-at-home or collect-at-station tickets.  Add this journey to your basket.  If you're returning, also book Hendaye to London one-way and add that to your basket.

• Step 2, still on www.loco2.com, now book from San Sebastian to Pamplona or Zaragoza and add to basket.  Then check out, paying for all bookings as one transaction.

• Alternatively, you can book like this:

  Book from London to Paris at www.eurostar.com with print-at-home tickets.

  Book from Paris to Irun and from Hendaye to Paris at www.trainline.eu with print-at-home or collect-at-station tickets.  Make sure you allow at least 60 minutes to change trains and stations in Paris. 

  Book the trains from Irun to Pamplona/Zaragoza and Pamplona/Zaragoza to Hendaye using the Spanish Railways website, www.renfe.com, see this step-by-step guide to booking tickets with renfe.com.  If you have any problems with Renfe.com, you can also use www.loco2.com (prices in €, £ or $, no booking fee) or www.petrabax.com (in US$, with a small mark-up).

How to buy tickets by phone...  Call 0844 248 248 3 (UK), +44 844 2482483 (overseas)...

• To buy tickets by phone for Eurostar, the Paris-Spain TGV plus onward trains in Spain, call International Rail on 0844 248 248 3, lines open 09:00-17:00 Monday-Friday.  Overseas callers call +44 844 2482483.  Unlike some other agencies, International Rail are equipped with both the French and Spanish rail ticketing systems, so can sell the cheapest fares for all the trains from the UK to Spain and within Spain.  They charge a £10 booking fee for bookings under £100, £20 for £100-£300, £30 above £300.  Eurostar, TGV & Renfe tickets will usually be emailed to you as e-tickets, so there's no postage fee or delay.  For more information on buying European train tickets, see the How to buy European train tickets page.

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London to Segovia, Toledo, Avila & Salamanca

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London to Santiago de Compostela, Vigo & A Coruña

The rail way to Galicia...

This is a comfortable all-daytime journey through interesting scenery with an overnight stop in a hotel at Irun on the Spanish border.  Alternatively you could also stay overnight in San Sebastian instead.

London ► Santiago de Compostela, Vigo, A Coruña

Santiago de Compostela, Vigo, A Coruña ► London

• Day 1, travel from North-West Spain to Hendaye by air-conditioned InterCity train Camino de Santiago, leaving A Coruna at 09:30 or Santiago de Compostela at 10:06 or Vigo Guixar at 09:16, arriving at Hendaye on the French side of the French border at 21:22.  Coming from Vigo, you need to switch cars en route as the Vigo cars go to Bilbao, the A Coruna cars to Hendaye.  The train has comfortable and spacious turista class seats, but no preferente class.

• Spend the night in a hotel in Hendaye.  Try the Campanille Hendaye, or stay in Irun at the Pension Lizaso (cheap, gets good reviews and only 6 minutes walk from Irun station) or the Alcazar (also getting good reviews 14 minutes walk from the station).

• Day 2, travel from Hendaye to Paris by high-speed TGV, leaving Hendaye at 09:19 and arriving Paris Gare Montparnasse at 14:08, see the TGV photos above.  Times vary (and earlier or later departures are available, including on Saturdays), so check train times for your date of travel using www.loco2.com or www.trainline.eu.  Cross Paris by métro to the Gare du Nord.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to London by Eurostar, leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 16:13 arriving in London St Pancras at 17:39.

Or travel with overnight (or longer) stop in Barcelona...

• You may prefer to stay overnight (or longer) in Barcelona rather than the border town of Irun.  It takes about the same time, but may cost a bit more (but only a bit) as it's a longer distance.  But it involves fewer changes, and all changes apart from Paris are same-station ones so it may be an easier route if you have heavy luggage or mobility problems.

• Step 1, travel from London St Pancras to Barcelona Sants by Eurostar & TGV as shown above.

• Stay overnight in Barcelona.

• Step 2, there's a daytime and sleeper train from Barcelona Sants station direct to Vigo, Santiago & Galicia, just use www.loco2.com to find times, fares & book online - look for the direct train with 0 changes.

How much does it cost?

• London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £44 one-way or £58 return in 2nd class, £112 one-way or £168 return in 1st class.  Like air fares, the price rises as cheaper seats are sold, so book early for the best price.

• If you book in advance, Paris to Hendaye to Paris by TGV costs from as little as £23 one-way, £46 return.  The price varies like air fares, so book early for the cheaper prices.

• Irun or San Sebastian to Santiago de Compostela costs from €20 Promo fare or €49.90 Flexible in turista class, or from €26 Promo fare or €66 Flexible in preferente class.  These are one-way fares, double them and deduct 10% for returns.

How to buy tickets online...

• Go to www.loco2.com.  Anyone can use Loco2 as international credit cards are accepted and you'll get print-at-home or collect-at-station tickets.  As Loco2 links to both the British National Rail ticketing system, the French (SNCF) system and the Spanish (Renfe) system you can easily buy all your tickets at the cheapest prices in one place.

• Step 1, book from London or any station in Britain to Hendaye (and back, if you're returning) and add this to your basket.

• Step 2, now book from Irun or San Sebastian to Santiago de Compostela, Vigo or Coruna one-way and add this to your basket.  If returning, book Coruna, Vigo or Santiago to Hendaye one-way and add that to your basket.  Then check out and pay for all journeys as one transaction.

• Alternatively, you can book each train separately at the relevant website like this (I recommend doing a dry run on all three sites first):

  Book from London to Paris at www.eurostar.com with print-at-home tickets.

  Book from Paris to Hendaye and (and back, if returning) at www.trainline.eu, with print-at-home or collect-at-station tickets.  Make sure you allow at least 60 minutes to change trains and stations in Paris southbound, 90 minutes northbound as this needs to include the 30-minute Eurostar check-in.

  Book the train from Irun or San Sebastian to Santiago de Compostela, Vigo or Coruna using the Spanish Railways website, www.renfe.com, see this step-by-step guide to booking tickets with renfe.com.  If you have any problems with Renfe.com's quirky English translations or credit card payment stage, you can also use www.loco2.com (prices in €, £ or $, no booking fee) or www.trainline.eu (small booking fee) or www.petrabax.com (in US$, small mark-up) in plain English with no payment problems.

How to buy tickets by phone...  Call 0844 248 248 3 (UK), +44 844 2482483 (overseas)...

• To buy tickets by phone, call International Rail on 0844 248 248 3, lines open 09:00-17:00 Monday-Friday.  Overseas callers call +44 844 2482483.  Unlike some other agencies, International Rail are equipped with both the French and Spanish rail ticketing systems, so can sell the cheapest fares for all the trains from the UK to Spain and within Spain.  They charge a £10 booking fee for bookings under £100, £20 for £100-£300, £30 above £300.  Eurostar, TGV & Renfe tickets will usually be emailed to you as e-tickets, so there's no postage fee or delay.  For more information on buying European train tickets, see the How to buy European train tickets page.

The InterCity train Camino de Santiago from Irun to Santiago de Compostela, Coruna, Vigo...

Cafe-bar on the InterCity train from Irun to Santiago & Vigo.  Courtesy of Martin Hill		Turista seating on the InterCity train from Irun to Vigo.  Courtesy of Martin Hill

Scenery as the train enters Galicia on its way to Vigo.  Photo courtesy of Martin Hill.

Traveller's report...

Traveller Martin Hill went from the UK to Vigo this way:  "In Irun we stayed at the Alcazar hotel, a €5 taxi ride from the station. It's very quaint and basic as it's stuck in a time-warp of about 30 years ago. The staff speak little English but are very obliging. Unfortunately there was no restaurant open when we arrived around 9pm from Paris, though there is a bar.

The scenery from Irun to Vigo is very varied. The first hour or two the line follows river valleys through the Pyrenees. Due to recent storms the rivers were severely flooded and quite spectacular. Much of the journey is then across a plain with distant views of snow-capped mountains, including the southern edge of the Picos de Europa.  As you reach Galicia the journey gets exciting, as the line climbs through mountains, and at one stage does a 360-degree spiral to change levels. It follows a very attractive river and several lakes.

The InterCity train has music channels and shows a couple of videos during the journey. They bring earphones round free of charge, but you may want to have your own. There was a buffet car which was open pretty much throughout the journey with the same staff all the way. Prices were quite reasonable after the TGV. On the InterCity coffee was €1.50, cake €1, a half-bottle of wine €4.10 and a very nice microwaved pizza €4.30. There were three locomotive changes with scheduled stops of about 20 minutes each time which enabled us to visit the station buffets with a more varied selection. We recommend having a copy of the complete train timetable so that you know where the long stops are. The train changed direction twice.

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London to Ibiza, Minorca, Mallorca

	The Acciona Trasmediterranea ferry Fortuny leaving Palma de Mallorca for Barcelona.  Similar ferries operate from Barcelona to Ibiza (Eivissa in Catalan)...
	The 17:00 Balearia fast ferry to Alcudia about to leave Barcelona.  That's the Columbus Monument at the foot of La Rambla in the background, it's that central!
	Inside Balearia's fast ferry Jaume I from Barcelona to Alcudia on Mallorca...
	No Ryanair, no EasyJet.  The sun sets as the fast ferry from Barcelona speeds across the Med towards Mallorca.  We spotted some dolphins earlier...

It's easy to travel from London to Ibiza, Mallorca or Minorca without flying.  You take a Eurostar to Paris & TGV to Barcelona on day 1, then take the daily overnight ferry from Barcelona to the islands arriving in the morning of day 2 - or on some dates you can spend a night and morning in Barcelona, then take an afternoon fast ferry to Mallorca arriving in the evening of day 2.

London to Palma de Mallorca (Majorca) in 24 hours!

• Step 1, London to Barcelona by Eurostar & TGV...

  Travel from London to Barcelona as shown in the London to Barcelona section above, leaving London St Pancras by Eurostar at 09:22 and arriving Barcelona Sants by TGV at 20:34.

  A taxi from Barcelona Sants to Barcelona ferry terminal only takes 15-20 minutes, making a same-day connection possible even with the 1-hour ferry check-in, as long as the ferry sails at 23:00 or later.

  On any date when the ferry sails earlier than 23:00, either travel from London to Barcelona the previous day and have 24h in Barcelona (see suggested hotels near the station) or leave London on an evening Eurostar, stay overnight in Paris (see suggested hotels in Paris) and take the 10:07 TGV from Paris to Barcelona.  Or stay overnight in Barcelona and catch a daytime ferry.

• Step 2, Barcelona to Palma de Mallorca by overnight cruise ferry...

  Sail from Barcelona to Palma de Mallorca on one of the two daily overnight ferries, one run by Acciona Trasmediterranea (www.trasmediterranea.es, their UK agent is Southern Ferries on 0844 815 7785), the other run by Balearia (www.balearia.com).

  Both ships usually sail from Barcelona around around 22:00 and arrive in Palma around 07:00, with comfortable cabins & reclining seats available.  You can check times & prices at the seat61 ferry shop. 

  The Acciona & Balearia ferry terminals are both located in central Barcelona, a few minutes' walk from the Columbus monument at the foot of La Rambla.  I recommend Acciona, 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.

• Or take a daytime fast ferry to Alcudia...

  Alternatively, on many days in summer Balearia operate a daytime fast ferry (a 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 Seat61 ferry shop 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.

• In the return direction from Mallorca back to London, the all-year-round Balearia and Acciona ships usually sail by day, leaving Palma around 12:30, arriving Barcelona around 19:30.  Again, I recommend Acciona, as the Balearia ship requires an awkward shuttle bus transfer between check-in and ship at both Palma and Barcelona, whereas the Acciona ship docks right alongside the terminals in both cities so you can simply walk on and off.  Stay overnight in Barcelona (see suggested hotels), then travel from Barcelona to London by TGV & Eurostar, see the Barcelona to London section above.

• Alternatively, on many days in summer Balearia operate an 08:00 fast ferry from Alcudia (a 10 minute taxi ride from Pollensa) to Barcelona, arriving in Barcelona around 14:00.

• Map of Barcelona:  Map of Barcelona showing location of railway stations and ferry terminals.

• Train service on Mallorca:  There are two train lines on Majorca, from Palma to Inca & Soller, see www.tib.org & (for Soller) trendesoller.com 

• Hotels & yacht charter on Mallorca:  There are of course many hotels and resorts on Mallorca, but I can recommend the Pollentia Club Resort near Pollensa.  Have you considered chartering a 6-berth yacht for a week or two, with a skipper provided if you can't sail yourself?  See www.latitudecharter.com, and make sure you visit Cabrera!

London to Ibiza...

• Step 1, London to Barcelona by Eurostar & TGV:  Travel from London to Barcelona as shown in the London to Barcelona section above.  A taxi from Barcelona Sants to Barcelona ferry terminal only takes 15-20 minutes, but a same-day connection is too tight when you allow for the 1 hour ferry check-in, so either travel the previous day and have 24h in Barcelona (see suggested hotels near the station) or leave London on an evening Eurostar, stay overnight in Paris (see suggested hotels in Paris) and take the 10:07 TGV from Paris to Barcelona.

• Step 2, Barcelona to Ibiza by overnight cruise ferry:  Acciona Trasmediterranea operate an overnight ferry to Ibiza on most nights of the week, around 22:00, arriving 07:00.  Times and dates vary, so see the Seat61 ferry shop or www.trasmediterranea.es, or call Acciona Trasmediterranea's UK agent, Southern Ferries on 0844 815 7785.  The ship sails from the Acciona terminal in central Barcelona, a few minutes' walk from the Columbus monument at the foot of La Rambla.

How to buy tickets...

• Book the train journey online or by phone as shown in the London to Barcelona section above.

• Book the ferry either online at www.balearia.com (Tip:  Camarote means cabin berth, Sirena means reclining seat) or www.trasmediterranea.es or through Acciona Trasmediterranea's UK agent, Southern Ferries on 0844 815 7785.

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London to the Canary islands

To Lanzarote, Las Palmas & Tenerife without flying...

Two ferry companies now link Spain with the Canary islands, Acciona Trasmediterranea and Naviera Armas.  Here's how to travel from the UK to the Canary Islands without flying:

Option 1:  UK to the Canary Islands by train & ferry with Naviera Armas via Huelva...

www.navieraarmas.com started a weekly ferry from Huelva in Spain to Tenerife and Gran Canaria in March 2011. It's reportedly higher quality than the Acciona ferry, but feedback is welcome!

London  ► Tenerife & Las Palmas/Gran Canaria

• Day 1, Thursday:  Travel from London to Madrid as shown in the London to Madrid section.

• Day 2, Friday:  Spend the day in Madrid, then take the early evening train from Madrid Atocha to Huelva as shown in the London to Huelva section.  Spend the night in Huelva.

• Day 3, Saturday:  The Naviera Armas ferry to the Canaries sails from Huelva weekly, usually at 13:00 every Saturday, arriving at Gran Canaria at 17:00 and 22:00 at Tenerife on the Sunday.  You can check times, sailing dates & fares at www.navieraarmas.com.

Tenerife & Las Palmas/Gran Canaria  ► London

• Day 1, Thursday:  Sail every Thursday from Gran Canaria at 08:00 or Tenerife at 12:00 arriving in Huelva at 18:00 next day (Friday, day 2).  Spend the night in Huelva.

• Day 3, Saturday:  Take the morning train from Huelva to Madrid, as shown in the Huelva to London section.  Spend the day in Madrid.

• Day 3, Saturday:  Travel from Madrid to Paris as shown in the London to Madrid section.

Fares & how to buy tickets...

• Buy your London to Huelva train tickets either online or by phone as shown above.

• Check ferry fares, sailing dates and book the ferry tickets online at www.navieraarmas.com.  Fares start at €80 each way with a reclining seat, or €200 each way per person for two passengers travelling together sharing a 2-bed cabin.

Option 2:  UK to the Canary Islands by train & ferry, with Acciona Trasmediterranea via Cadiz...

A weekly Trasmediterranea Line cruise ferry links Cadiz in mainland Spain with Arrecife (Lanzarote), Las Palmas and Tenerife in the Canary Islands, a 2-night voyage.  The whole journey from London to Tenerife will take 3 or 4 nights.

• Day 1, travel from London to Madrid as shown in the London to Madrid section.  You'll need to leave London on a Sunday morning if your ferry sails from Cadiz on Tuesday, or on Thursday morning if it sails on a Saturday.

• Day 2:  Transfer to Madrid Atocha station.  Take the lunchtime train to Cadiz, as shown in the London to Cadiz section.  Spend the night in Cadiz.

• Day 3, the ferry to the Canaries sails from Cadiz weekly, usually on a Tuesday or Saturday night, taking 2 days 1 night or 2 nights 1 day, depending on the sailing.  You can check times, sailing dates & fares at either the Seat61 Ferry Shop or www.trasmediterranea.es.

How to buy tickets...

• Buy your London to Cadiz train tickets either online or by phone as explained above.  Using Loco2.com you'd book London to Barcelona on day 1, add to basket, then Barcelona to Cadiz on day 2, and check out.

• Book the ferry tickets either online at the Seat61 Ferry Shop or www.trasmediterranea.es, or by phone with Trasmediterranea's UK agent, Southern Ferries on 0844 815 7785.  It's not cheap!  £550 return for two people travelling in a 2-berth cabin, £720 in a single-berth cabin.  Check fares with Southern Ferries on  0844 815 7785

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UK to Spain by direct ferry

Cruise to Spain with www.brittany-ferries.co.uk...

Why not cruise from the UK to Spain, on a luxury ferry that has more in common with a cruise liner than old-fashioned Channel ferries? 

Brittany Ferries operates three direct ferry routes from the UK to Spain with a crossing time from Portsmouth to northern Spain of just 24 hours and for much of the year an unprecedented 5 cruise ferry sailings a week.

Why not go one way by train and the other by ferry?

Click here for the ferry to Spain page...

Click to watch the video...

Pictured right:  Brittany Ferries superb flagship, the Pont Aven.

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Holidays to Spain by train..

If you want a holiday to Spain by train not plane, but want someone else to organise all the train tickets & hotels for you, several specialist companies do just that, for a holiday without airport hassles or whole days in cramped coach seats on motorways.  Railbookers offer tailor-made individual holidays with departure on any date you like, whereas Rail Discoveries & Great Rail Journeys offer escorted tours with specific departure dates.

Railbookers custom-made tours, holidays & breaks to Spain by train...

Railbookers can custom-make a flight-free holiday or city break to Spain for you, with train travel, transfers & hotels, leaving on any date you like.  For example, they can do a 2-night short break to Barcelona or an 8-night trip to Madrid, Valencia & Barcelona with standard class Eurostar and first class on the TGV to Barcelona.  If you tell them what you want, they'll advise you on the best trains, routes & hotels and sort it all out for you.  They get a lot of repeat business!

  UK call 020 3327 0761, www.railbookers.co.uk. 

  US call free 1-888-829-4775, www.railbookers.com.

  Canada call free 1-855-882-2910, www.railbookers.com.

  Australia call toll-free 1300 971 526, www.railbookers.com.au. 

  New Zealand call toll-free 0800 000 554 or see website.

Great Rail Journeys, www.greatrail.com, 01904 527120:  Escorted tours...

GRJ offers five-star upmarket rail-based escorted tours to Spain, including a tour to Barcelona, Madrid and Seville with travel from London by train and a range of departure dates.  Great Rail Journeys also offer rail-based escorted tours to other European countries.  Check the holiday details & prices online, then call 01904 527120 to book or use their online booking form.

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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 with worldwide shipping at either www.stanfords.co.uk or www.europeanrailtimetable.eu.  More information on what the European Rail Timetable contains.

A Traveller's Railway Map of Europe covers the whole of Europe from Portugal in the west to Moscow & Istanbul in the east, Finland in the north to Sicily & Athens in the south.  On the back are detailed maps of Switzerland, Benelux & Germany, plus city plans showing stations in major cities.  Scenic & high-speed routes highlighted.  Buy it online for £14.50 + postage worldwide (UK addresses £2.80) at www.stanfords.co.uk/Continents/Europe-A-Travellers-Railway-Map_9789077899090.htm or (in the Netherlands) for €13 + €5.50 postage from www.treinreiswinkel.nl.

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Guidebooks

Paying for a guidebook may seem an unnecessary expense, but it's a tiny fraction of what you're spending on your whole trip.  You will see so much more, and know so much more about what you're looking at, if you have a decent guidebook.  For the independent traveller I'd recommend either the Lonely Planet or the Rough Guide, both provide an excellent level of practical detail and useful background. You won't regret buying either of these guides!

Click the images to buy online at Amazon.co.uk...

Alternatively, download just the chapters or areas you need in .PDF format from the Lonely Planet Website, from around £2.99 or US$4.95 a chapter.

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Hotels & accommodation

Find a hotel or guesthouse in Barcelona, Madrid or anywhere else in Spain...

		◄ Favourite hotel search & price comparison: hotelscombined.com
		www.hotelscombined.com checks all the main hotel booking sites at once to find the widest choice of hotels & the cheapest seller.  It's been named as the World's Leading Hotel Comparison Site in the World Travel Awards and I recommend it to find hotels in even the smallest places and to check that another retailer isn't selling the same hotel for less. ► Favourite hotel booking site: www.booking.com www.booking.com is my favourite hotel booking site, and unless HotelsCombined throws up major price differences I prefer doing my bookings in one place here.  You can usually book with free cancellation - this allows you to confirm your accommodation at no risk before train booking opens.  It also means you can hold accommodation while you finalise your itinerary, and alter your plans as they evolve - a feature I use all the time when putting a trip together.

Suggested hotels close to Barcelona Sants station...

• If you're just staying overnight between trains, here are some good hotels near Barcelona Sants with good or great reviews:

• Hotel Barcelo Sants, 4-star, situated directly above Barcelona Sants station itself, around £79-£120 per night.

• Gran Hotel Torre Catalunya, 4-star, around £95-£110, across the road from the station.

• Hotel Just Style, around £105.

• AC Hotel Sants by Marriott, 4-star from around £85, located just 50m from the station.

• Hotel Catalonia Roma, 3-star from around £79.

• Hostal Baler, 2-star from around £58.

• Hotel Transit, 1-star from around £58 per night.

• On a tight budget, a bed in a dorm at the highly-rated Ten-To-Go Hostel a stone's throw from Barcelona Sants starts at just €20 or so.

Suggested Barcelona hotels for a longer stay...

• If you're staying longer, find a hotel in the old quarter, perhaps on La Rambla itself.  Here are some hotels with good or great reviews:

• Hotel DO Plaça Reial (5-star, fabulous, around £200+).

• Hotel Espana (4-star, around £190, one of Barcelona's most historic & well-known hotels in a quiet location just off La Rambla).

• Hotel MonteCarlo (4-star), Hotel Jazz (3-star with roof-top pool, from around £160 per night).

• Hotel Catalonia Portal de l'Angel (3-star with outdoor swimming pool, Gothic quarter, around £130 for a double).

• Hotel Curious (2-star, 50m from Las Ramblas, from around £90 for a double).

A double room at the Hotel Espana, just off the famous Ramblas in Barcelona...

Suggested hotels close to Paris Gare de Lyon.

• If you need to stop overnight in Paris on your way to or from Spain, these hotels near the Gare de Lyon get good reviews:  Hotel Terminus Lyon (right in front of the station, 3-star, doubles €139);  Mercure Paris Gare de Lyon (on the station itself, 4-star, doubles €120);   Novotel Paris Gare de Lyon (opposite the station, 4-star, doubles €139);  Mistral Hotel (800m from Gare de Lyon, 1-star, doubles €68);  Hotel de Reims (5 min walk from Gare de Lyon, 2-star, doubles €86);  More Paris hotels.  Next morning, cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare du Nord.

Other hotel sites to try...

• www.tripadvisor.com is a good place to find independent travellers' reviews of the main hotels, and it has the low-down on destination sights & attractions, too.

Backpacker hostels: www.hostelworld.com...

• www.hostelworld.com:  If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels.  Hostelworld offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in Paris and most other European cities at rock-bottom prices.

Environmentally aware, actively ethical adventures in Spain:  www.wildsideholidays.com...

• For environmentally-aware guesthouses offering walking, hiking, riding or nature-watching in the Spanish countryside and national parks, try www.wildsideholidays.com, a new site listing independent, environmentally-aware properties across Spain.  It was started by British ex-pats Clive Muir and Sue Eatock, when they found nowhere to advertise their own wonderful property deep in the heart of the Sierra de Grazelema near Ronda in Southern Spain.

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Car hire

Take the train to Spain then hire a car:  www.holidayautos.com

Spanish city centres and cars don't mix well, so stick with the train for city-based tours.  But if you want to get out of the cities and into the countryside, hiring a car can be a great idea.  Start by trying Holiday Autos, www.holidayautos.com, they're part of Lastminute.com so are reliable and have a wide range of locations and very good prices.

Compare 50 different car hire companies:  www.carrentals.co.uk

The award-winning website www.carrentals.co.uk compares many different car hire companies including Holiday Autos, meaning not only a cheapest price comparison but a wider choice of hire and drop off location.

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Travel insurance & health card

Take out decent travel insurance, it's essential...

Never travel without proper travel insurance from a reliable insurer with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover.  It should also cover loss of cash & belongings (up to a limit), and trip cancellation.  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, and feedback from using insurance for rail & ferry travel is always welcome.

In the UK, use www.confused.com to compare prices & policy features across major insurance companies.

If you have a pre-existing medical condition or are over 65, see www.JustTravelCover.com - 10% discount with code seat61.

        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 an EU health card, it's free...

If you're a UK citizen travelling in Europe, you should apply for a free European Health Insurance Card, which entitles you to free or reduced rate health care if you become ill or get injured in many European countries, under a reciprocal arrangement with the NHS.  This replaced the old E111 forms as from January 2006.  The EHIC card is available from ww.nhs.uk.  It doesn't remove the need for travel insurance, though.

Carry a spare credit card, designed for travel with no currency exchange loading & low/no ATM fees

Taking out an extra credit card costs nothing, but if you keep it in a different part of your luggage you won't be left stranded if your wallet gets stolen.  In addition, some credit cards are better for overseas travel than others.  Martin Lewis's www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money explains which UK credit cards have the lowest currency exchange commission loadings when you buy something overseas, and the lowest cash withdrawal fees when you use an ATM abroad.

Get a VPN for safe browsing when you travel.  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 them myself.

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