|
This page explains how to travel by train from Barcelona to other cities all over Europe, and how to buy tickets the cheapest way. Information current for 2022.
Before you buy your
tickets...
Take a moment to read these tips for buying European train tickets. They answer the usual questions including "Do I need to book in advance or can I just buy at the station?", "Can I stop off?", "Are there Senior fares?" and the old favourite, "Should I buy an $800 railpass or buy a 35 point-to-point ticket online?". Click here to understand how far ahead you can buy train tickets.
European train travel
FAQ...
Barcelona to other Spanish cities...
-
Popular train routes from Barcelona...
Barcelona to
Malaga, Cordoba & Seville
Barcelona to Valencia & Alicante
Barcelona to San Sebastian
& Bilbao
Barcelona to Santiago de Compostela, A Coruna &
Vigo
Barcelona to Mallorca by ferryAll Spanish long-distance trains and even many regional trains require seat reservation and have variable pricing, so yes, trains can 'sell out' although although outside busy holiday periods it's easy to buy tickets at the station on the day of travel if you want.
Renfe has airline-style fares for its long-distance trains, so tickets will be much more expensive bought on the day, much cheaper booked in advance. So pre-book if possible.
For more information including an explanation of Renfe's fare types & classes, see the train travel in Spain page.
-
How to buy tickets...
Arguably the quickest & easiest way to buy Spanish train tickets is at www.raileurope.com with print-at-home tickets and all of Renfe's cheap prices shown. Raileurope.com links directly to Renfe's ticketing system and sells Renfe's cheap fares at the same prices as Renfe themselves in , £ or $ with the same print-at-home tickets, in plain English without any of Renfe's quirky translation or credit card acceptance problems. Anyone from any country can use Raileurope.com as it accepts all international credit cards. There's a small booking fee. More about Raileurope.
Note that in Spain, although infants under 4 go free, for journeys on any mainline long-distance train wholly within Spain, you'll need to obtain a free infant ticket at a Renfe ticket office before boarding, see the advice here.
-
You can also buy just as easily at www.thetrainline.com, this also connects to Renfe's system, also with a small booking fee.
-
You can of course buy tickets direct from Spanish Railways at www.renfe.com, with no booking fee. The disadvantage is that Renfe.com has more than its fair share of quirks, so please read the advice on using Renfe.com here. The quirks include some odd English translations and a reputation for rejecting a significant proportion of overseas credit cards with various error messages. Although I have to say it has always worked OK with my credit card and it now also accepts PayPal.
-
You can also book Spanish trains online in US$ in plain English with no payment problems at www.petrabax.com. This is a US-based agency that also links to the Renfe ticketing system, so has the same trains and cheap prices, with a small mark-up. It issues the same print-at-home tickets as renfe.com, so anyone from any country worldwide can use it, including the United States, Canada & Australia.
Barcelona to Madrid by AVE, Ouigo, Avlo or Iryo....
-
See the Barcelona to Madrid page for route-specific info, trips & advice.
-
Every hour or two, high-speed AVE trains link Barcelona Sants with Madrid Atocha in as little as 2h30, faster (and a lot less hassle) than flying. The route has been opened up to competition, and as well as Renfe's AVEs you can now also choose a lo-cost Ouigo train, lo-cost Avlo train or competing full-service Iryo train.
 |
|
An S103 AVE train as used between Barcelona & Madrid Atocha, seen at Madrid Atocha station.. Taking as little as 2h30, it's faster than flying. See virtual tour |
 |
 |
|
|
Standard (2nd class) on an AVE S103. |
Comfort (1st class) seating. |
 |
 |
|
|
Comfort class (1st class) seating (formerly Club) on the AVE train. A meal with wine is included on Mondays-Fridays. |
Madrid Atocha station. One of my favourite stations, the old trainshed has been preserved and turned into a tropical garden. AVE trains arrive in the adjacent modern extension. See the Madrid Atocha station guide. |
Barcelona to Malaga, Cordoba & Seville by AVE...
-
Direct AVE-S112 high-speed trains leave Barcelona Sants at 08:30 and 15:45 every day for Cordoba & Seville, and at 15:45 for Malaga.
It's beats flying: Barcelona to Seville takes 5h25, Barcelona to Malaga 5h50, city centre to city centre with no formal check-in. Flying is a relay-race of train, airport, flight, airport, bus, taking around 4 hours so saving very little time over the train and denying you the relaxing journey across Spain through the countryside at ground level, seeing the country you're supposed to be visiting.
These trains leave Barcelona Sants on the high-speed line towards Madrid - you get great views of Montserrat on your right (see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montserrat_(mountain) soon after departure. Just south of Madrid, a chord line allows the train to by-pass Madrid Atocha and join the Madrid-Andalucνa high-speed line heading southwards. It's pretty scenic, especially where the train speeds through the mountains, short tunnels alternating with viaducts across rocky valleys.
Superb AVE-S112 trains are used on this route, with 3 classes: Standard (2nd class), Comfort (1st class seats without 1st class extras), Comfort (1st class for Premium ticketholders, access to Sala Club lounge, meal & wine included in fare served at seat on some trains). More information about classes. The trains have a cafe-bar serving beer, wine, tea, coffee, snacks and some hot dishes, and free WiFi.
-
Fares start at around 36 in standard (2nd) class or 64 in comfort (1st) class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead for the cheapest prices. Reservation is compulsory so trains can in theory sell out, and do so at very busy times, but there are usually places available even on the day.
-
Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com and print your own ticket. More information about buying Spanish train tickets. Booking usually opens 60 days ahead but Renfe are inconsistent in how far ahead they open bookings.
-
Note that in Spain, although infants under 4 go free, for journeys on any mainline long-distance train wholly within Spain, you'll need to obtain a free infant ticket at a Renfe ticket office before boarding, see the advice here.
 |
 |
|
|
High-speed AVE trains link Barcelona with Seville, Cordoba & Malaga with no need to fly. These excellent AVE-S112 high-speed trains are used on this route. Known as a Pato (duck). No prizes for guessing why... |
||
 |
 |
|
|
AVE Standard class... Comfortable seats, 2 abreast each side of the aisle, mainly unidirectional but some bays of 4 around a table like this... |
AVE Comfort class... Reclining seats, power sockets for laptops & mobiles, mainly unidirectional but some tables for 2 and tables for 4... |
Barcelona to Granada by AVE...
-
There's a direct Barcelona to Granada AVE-S112 high-speed train every day, they have varied it's departure time but as I write this it leaves Barcelona Sants at 08:30 every day and arrives Granada at 14:52.
It's city centre to city centre with no formal check-in. Flying is a relay-race of train, airport, flight, airport, bus, taking around 4 hours so saving very little time over the train and denying you the relaxing journey across Spain through the countryside at ground level, seeing the country you're supposed to be visiting.
These trains leave Barcelona Sants on the high-speed line towards Madrid - you get great views of Montserrat on your right (see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montserrat_(mountain) soon after departure. Just south of Madrid, a chord line allows the train to by-pass Madrid Atocha and join the Madrid-Andalucνa high-speed line heading southwards. It's pretty scenic, especially where the train speeds through the mountains, short tunnels alternating with viaducts across rocky valleys.
Superb AVE-S112 trains are used on this route, with 3 classes: Standard (2nd class), Comfort (1st class seats without 1st class extras), Comfort (1st class for Premium ticket holders, access to Sala Club lounge, meal & wine included in fare served at seat on some trains). More information about classes. The trains have a cafe-bar serving beer, wine, tea, coffee, snacks and some hot dishes, and free WiFi.
-
Fares start at around 36 in standard (2nd) class or 64 in comfort (1st) class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead for the cheapest prices. Reservation is compulsory so trains can in theory sell out, and do so at very busy times, but there are usually places available even on the day.
-
Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com and print your own ticket. More information about buying Spanish train tickets. Booking usually opens 60 days ahead but Renfe are inconsistent in how far ahead they open bookings.
-
Note that in Spain, although infants under 4 go free, for journeys on any mainline long-distance train wholly within Spain, you'll need to obtain a free infant ticket at a Renfe ticket office before boarding, see the advice here.
Barcelona to Valencia & Alicante...
-
Fast EuroMed trains link Barcelona Sants with Valencia & Alicante, and slower but cheaper articulated Talgo trains also operate on this route.
-
Buy online at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com and print your own ticket. More information about buying Spanish train tickets. Booking usually opens 60 days ahead but Renfe are inconsistent in how far ahead they open bookings.
-
If you're going to Valencia, the slower Talgos can be better, as they use Valencia Estacio del Nord in the city centre. The fast EuroMed trains use the new Valencia Joaquin Sorolla station a little way from the city centre. In Alicante, both train types use Alicant-Terminal.
-
Note that in Spain, although infants under 4 go free, for journeys on any mainline long-distance train wholly within Spain, you'll need to obtain a free infant ticket at a Renfe ticket office before boarding, see the advice here.
Barcelona to San Sebastian & Bilbao...
-
Every morning at 08:50 comfortable high-speed Alvia train links Barcelona Sants with Bilbao in 6h32
Every afternoon at 15:30 a comfortable high-speed Alvia train links Barcelona Sants with San Sebastian in 5h40
There are other services during the day with a change of train.
The trains are fully-air-conditioned with Standard (2nd) class & Comfort (1st) class and a cafe-bar serving beer, wine, tea, coffee, snacks.
The train rolls out of Barcelona with views of Montserrat on your right (see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montserrat_(mountain) on the high-speed line towards Zaragoza, this particular type of train travelling at up to 250km/h (155 mph). Just beyond Zaragoza it slows to 30mph and passes seamlessly through a gauge-changing system where the wheels adjust from European standard gauge (the new high-speed lines are all standard 4' 8.5") to wider Iberian gauge (5' 6"). It then rolls across the plains on the classic lines calling at Pamplona, then climbs into the mountains to San Sebastian, twisting and turning. A really lovely run!
-
Fares start at 22.90 in standard (2nd) class or 29.90 in comfort (1st) class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead for the cheapest prices. Reservation is compulsory so trains can in theory sell out, and do so at very busy times, but there are usually places available even on the day.
-
Buy online at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com and print your own ticket. More information about buying Spanish train tickets. Booking usually opens 60 days ahead but Renfe are inconsistent in how far ahead they open bookings.
-
Note that in Spain, although infants under 4 go free, for journeys on any mainline long-distance train wholly within Spain, you'll need to obtain a free infant ticket at a Renfe ticket office before boarding, see the advice here.
 |
 |
|
|
The Alvia to Barcelona at San Sebastian... |
Comfort class (1st class). |
 |
 |
|
|
Standard class (2nd class). |
The cafe-bar does an excellent cafe con leche... |
 |
|
The train descends from the foothills of the Pyrenees onto the plain below... |
Barcelona to Santiago de Compostela, A Coruna & Vigo...
-
Every day, an air-conditioned Alvia train links Barcelona Sants with Galicia, leaving mid-morning and arriving late evening. It's a chill-out day across Spain, on an excellent air-conditioned train with cafe-bar, sit back and enjoy the ride.
On Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays it leaves Barcelona Sants at 09:30 and goes to Vigo Guixar, arriving 23:12.
On Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays it leaves Barcelona Sants at 09:30 and arrives Santiago de Compostela 22:06 & A Coruna 22:38.
-
Check times & book online at either www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com and print your own ticket. More information about buying Spanish train tickets. Booking usually opens 60 days ahead but Renfe are inconsistent in how far ahead they open bookings.
-
Note that in Spain, although infants under 4 go free, for journeys on any mainline long-distance train wholly within Spain, you'll need to obtain a free infant ticket at a Renfe ticket office before boarding, see the advice here.
 |
|
|
Acciona Trasmediterranea ferry leaving Palma for Barcelona. Similar ferries operate from Barcelona to Ibiza. |
|
 |
|
|
The Balearia fast ferry to Mallorca. That's the Columbus Monument at the foot of La Rambla in the background! |
Barcelona to Ibiza by ferry...
-
Acciona Trasmediterranea operate an overnight ferry from Barcelona to Ibiza on most nights of the week, around 22:00, arriving 07:00. Times and dates vary, so see the Direct Ferries website 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.
Barcelona to Mallorca by ferry...
-
Overnight ferry: There are two overnight ferries from Barcelona to Palma de Mallorca, both with restaurants, bars & cosy en suite cabins. One is run by Acciona Trasmediterranea (www.trasmediterranea.es, UK agent 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. You can check times & buy tickets using the Direct Ferries website.
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.
-
Fast ferry... On many days in summer Balearia operate a daytime fast ferry (SeaCat) from Barcelona to Alcudia, on the northeast corner of Mallorca near both Alcudia and Pollensa, calling at Minorca on the way. This leaves from directly alongside the Balearia terminal in central Barcelona around 17:00 and arrives at 23:00. See www.balearia.com or use the Direct Ferries website to check whether it is running on your dates of travel. There will be plenty of taxis waiting at Alcudia ferry terminal, it's a 10 minute taxi ride to Pollensa.
-
Train service on Mallorca: There are two train lines on Majorca, from Palma to Inca & Soller, see www.tib.org & (for Soller) trendesoller.com.
Barcelona to Tenerife, Gran Canaria & the Canary islands...
-
There are no direct ferries from Barcelona to the Canary Islands, but 3 ferry companies sail from southern Spain to the Canaries, all with comfortable ships with a choice of reclining seats or private en suite cabins, bars & restaurants. The voyages takes 1 night & 1½ days or 2 nights, 1 day.
-
Naviera Armas sail weekly from Huelva to Tenerife & Gran Canaria, see www.navieraarmas.com or book on the Direct Ferries website.
-
Fred Olsen/Balearia ferries sail 2 or 3 times a week all year round from Huelva to Tenerife & Gran Canaria, see www.fredolsen.es or book on the Direct Ferries website.
-
Acciona Trasmediterranea sail from Cadiz in mainland Spain with Arrecife (Lanzarote), Las Palmas and Tenerife once or twice a week, taking 2 nights, www.trasmediterranea.es.
-
After checking ferry sailing dates & times, check train times & buy tickets from Barcelona to Huelva or Cadiz at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com. You may well need to stay overnight in Cadiz or Huelva.
Barcelona to Gibraltar...
-
Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Algeciras by train, taking the 11:00 high-speed AVE-S103 train from Barcelona Sants to Madrid Atocha then the 15:05 Intercity train from Madrid Atocha to Algeciras, arriving around 20:32.
The trains are comfortable, air-conditioned with cafe-bar. There's great scenery both on the high-speed line between Madrid and Cordoba through the mountains and on the classic line twisting through the hills to Algeciras, the Spanish town across the bay from Gibraltar, see a video of the journey here.
Fares start at around 50.
Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee, or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see this advice on using it first). You print your own tickets.
-
Step 2, take a bus or taxi from Algeciras to la Linea & walk into Gibraltar.
A taxi from Algeciras railway station to La Linea costs 24.75 and takes about 22 minutes. Taxis don't use the meter on this run, and aren't normally allowed to cross the border into Gibraltar.
To go by bus, cross the roundabout outside Algeciras railway station and enter the San Bernado bus station, then take bus M-120 to La Linea for around 2.50. Bus M-120 runs every 30 minutes Mon-Fri at xx.00 and xx.30 past each hour or every 45 minutes at weekends, journey time about 45 minutes to La Linea, for bus information see siu.ctmcg.es.
La Linea is the Spanish town outside the border crossing to Gibraltar, and La Linea's bus stop and taxi rank are right outside the entrance to Gibraltar. Walk through the Spanish then UK passport checkpoints into Gibraltar (5-10 minutes). Then either (a) keep walking straight ahead of you into Gibraltar town, it's takes about 15 minutes to the centre or (b) take a frequent local Gibraltar bus from the border into town or (c) look for the taxi stop on the right just after the passport check and wait for a taxi to your hotel for a few pounds - Gibraltar taxis will accept euros. The walk from the border to Gibraltar's Main Street takes you across Gibraltar airport's runway, though they stop cars and pedestrians when an aircraft is landing or taking off! Map of Algeciras - La Linea - Gibraltar area.A
-
Alternative via San Roque-La Linea station: The closest station to Gibraltar is actually San Roque-La Linea, and all trains to Algeciras call here around 20 minutes before arriving at Algeciras. So if you prefer, you can get off here and take a taxi to La Linea, or walk the 1.6 km (1 mile) to the Bar La Redonda bus stop on the main road on the M-120 bus route from Algeciras to La Linea. Buses run to La Linea every 30 minutes weekdays, every 45 minutes weekends. Taxis are usually available outside San Roque station, San Roque to the La Linea/Gibraltar border is about 16 km (10 miles) and it takes just over 30 minutes depending on traffic.
 |
|
An Intercity train (formerly branded Altaria), about to leave Madrid Atocha for Algeciras. |
 |
 |
|
|
Cafe-bar, with bar stools... |
Comfort class seats... |
 |
 |
|
|
Standard class seats... |
Algeciras station, across the road from the bus station. |
 |
 |
|
|
Bus M-120 boarding at Algeciras bus station |
|
Rock of Gibraltar, seen from a taxi near La Linea. |
Barcelona to London from 96...
-
Barcelona to Paris by TGV, Paris to London by Eurostar, see the London to Spain page.
Barcelona to Dublin & Ireland...
-
Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV as shown below.
You can book this at www.thetrainline.com from 39.
-
Stay overnight in Paris.
Alternatively, travel from Barcelona to Paris using a sleeper, as shown on the Barcelona to Paris by sleeper page.
-
Day 2, take a morning train to Cherbourg & ferry overnight to Dublin as shown in the Paris to Dublin section, arriving in the morning on Day 3.
Irish Ferries sails Cherbourg-Dublin several times a week. Start by booking the ferry at www.irishferries.com and add a train connection using www.thetrainline.com, see the Paris to Dublin section for full details.
 |
|
Sail from Cherbourg to Dublin aboard Irish Ferries' WB Yeats. WB Yeats photos courtesy of Irish Ferries. |
 |
 |
|
|
Club cabin on the WB Yeats with shower & toilet. |
Deluxe cabin on the WB Yeats with shower & toilet... |
Barcelona to Paris from 39...
Option 1, Barcelona to Paris by high-speed train in 6h25 from 39... Click for full details
-
High-speed TGV Duplex trains link Barcelona Sants with Paris Gare de Lyon every day in around 6h30, with departures from Barcelona at 09:10 & 14:00 all year round.
Note: The afternoon Barcelona-Paris TGV should run all year round, but due to covid-19 it will only run from 15 June to 1 October 2022.
Note: From 2 July to 28 August 2022 the morning TGV will run a bit later, leaving Barcelona Sants 10:00 & arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 16:47.
-
A flight from Barcelona to Paris takes up to 5 hours when ground transportation, check-in time and airport security are added. The train takes hardly any longer but is the relaxing option with a chance to chill out and see Spanish & French countryside roll past your window, see here for the sights to see from the train on the way. I recommend selecting an upper deck seat for the best views on thee impressive & comfortable 320km/h (199mph) double-decker trains, with a cafe-bar on board and power sockets at all seats.
-
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
-
Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee. You can also book at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com, in , a bit more fiddly, but with no booking fee. Booking normally opens 120 days ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.
-
See the TGV from Paris to Barcelona page for more details of times, fares, how to buy tickets & photos & a video guide to the journey.
 |
|
TGV Duplex at Paris Gare de Lyon. These 320 km/h double-deckers link Paris with Barcelona. Watch TGV Duplex video. |
 |
 |
|
|
Cafe-bar on upper deck in car 4 (or 14), serving tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine, beer, snacks & microwave-style hot dishes. |
2nd class seats on upper deck. There's a mix or tables for 4 and unidirectional seating. 360Ί photo. |
 |
 |
|
|
1st class seats on upper deck, a club duo on the left, club quatre on the right. 360Ί photo. |
A TGV Duplex at Barcelona Sants. The red near the door indicates 1st class, pale green indicates 2nd class. |
 |
|
Mt Canigou & the Pyrenees... One of the highest peaks in the mighty Pyrenees, the 2,784m (9,137 feet) high Mt Canigou dominates the skyline on the right all the way from Girona to Perpignan, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canigou. More photos of what to see on the Paris-Barcelona train journey. |
 |
 |
|
|
Dinner from the cafe-bar... |
View from the train, passing Bιziers... |
Option 2, Barcelona to Paris by sleeper train via Latour de Carol...
-
The Barcelona-Paris Elipsos sleeper train was discontinued in 2013, but you can still travel overnight, using a local train through the scenic Pyrenees from Barcelona to Latour de Carol, then the French overnight train from Latour de Carol to Paris. Departure from Barcelona around 15:00, arrive Paris around 07:00 next day.
-
See the Barcelona to Paris by sleeper train page for full details, prices, tips & how to buy tickets.
Option 3, Barcelona to Paris by sleeper train via Cerbθre/Perpignan
-
This is very similar to option 2, but uses the Cerebθre-Perpignan-Paris overnight train rather than the Paris-Latour one, so you go along the coast rather than directly through the Pyrenees. This night train runs daily in summer, but usually only Fridays & Sundays in winter. Departure from Barcelona around 15:15, arrival in Paris around 07:00 next day.
-
See the Barcelona to Paris by sleeper train page for full details, prices, tips & how to buy tickets.
 |
|
An intercitι de nuit sleeper train at Paris Gare d'Austerlitz. Photo courtesy of Philip Dyer-Perry. |
 |
 |
 |
||
|
Each couchette has a lightweight sleeping-bag, mineral water & pack with tissue, wipe, ear plugs... |
2nd class 6-berth couchettes showing sleeping bags... |
1st class 4-berth couchettes with sleeping bags provided... |
Barcelona to Narbonne, Perpignan, Montpellier, Nξmes...
Option 1, Barcelona to southern France by high-speed train - the fast option, but currently very infrequent...
-
Regular 320 km/h (199 mph) TGV Duplex & AVE services link Barcelona Sants with Narbonne, Perpignan, Montpellier & Nξmes.
Departures are currently at 08:15, 09:10 (10:00 from 2 July to 28 August), 14:00 (should be daily all year, but in 2022 will only run from 15 June to 1 October) & 16:38.
-
Fares start at 29 in 2nd class or 49 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
-
Check train times & buy tickets to all these destinations at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (more fiddly, in , no fee).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.
-
Tip: Plain Nξmes is the main station in the city centre. Nξmes Pont du Gard is a new out-of-town station on the high-speed bypass line. If you are visiting Nξmes, I recommend using the city centre station. Similarly, Montpellier Saint-Roche is the main station in the city centre, Montpellier Sud de France is a new out-of-town station on the high-speed bypass line.
 |
|
Barcelona to Avignon & Marseille by AVE or TGV Duplex. This is an AVE-S100 ready to leave Barcelona Sants. |
 |
 |
|
|
1st class seats on an AVE S100. 360Ί photo of 1st class. |
Cafe-bar... |
 |
 |
|
|
These S100 AVE trains operate the TGV/AVE services from Madrid to Marseille, Barcelona to Lyon, Toulouse. This is an AVE-S100 at Barcelona Sants. |
2nd class seats on the S100 AVE, all with power sockets. Luggage goes on the racks at the car ends or above the seats. 360Ί photo of 2nd class More photos & info about AVE S100. |
|
|
|
Mt Canigou & the Pyrenees... One of the highest peaks in the mighty Pyrenees, the 2,784m (9,137 feet) high Mt Canigou dominates the skyline on the right all the way from Girona to Perpignan, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canigou. |
Option 2, Barcelona to southern France by classic train - slower, but cheaper, scenic and with a much wider range of departures!
-
With the high-speed service so sparse, the classic route can be a much better option, Barcelona to Portbou on the border by Spanish local train, then Portbou to Narbonne, Perpignan, Montpellier & Nξmes by French TER regional train.
Furthermore, the high-speed service is cheap when booked in advance, expensive at short notice. This route uses local trains with fixed prices, you can pay affordable fares even on the day of travel.
The only catch? Renfe has chosen to put Barcelona-Portbou local trains in a totally separate database, unconnected with any other system in the outside world, so they don't show up on normal booking systems such as www.raileurope.com, www.thetrainline.com or the official French Railways site www.sncf-connect.com or the Spanish Railways site www.renfe.com. Stupid, eh? So you need to look up these trains on a special website, then look up onward trains from Portbou at the normal booking websites.
-
Step 1, check times from Barcelona Sants to Portbou at the Barcelona suburban lines website rodalies.gencat.cat.
At the time I write this, you'll find departures from Barcelona Sants as follows:
Mondays-Saturdays at 06:16, 07:16, 07:46, 08:16, 09:16, 10:16, 11:16, 11:46, 13:16, 15:16, 15:46, 17:16.
Sundays at 07:46, 08:46, 09:46, 10:46, 11:46, 12:46, 13:46, 15:16, 17:16.
Journey time varies from 2h13 to 3h14.
All trains are air-conditioned.
The fare is 13.50 on most trains marked R (Rodalies, suburban), or 18.10 on a few fast services marked MD (Media Distancia).
These are fixed-price unlimited-availability fares, you can turn up on the day and pay this, it cannot sell out. You can check fares using the journey planner at rodalies.gencat.cat.
You can also join these trains at Barcelona Plaza Catalunya which might be more convenient for you.
-
Step 2, check times from Portbou to Narbonne, Perpignan, Montpellier & Nimes at www.raileurope.com, www.thetrainline.com or even the official French Railways site www.sncf-connect.com.
I'd allow at least 10 minutes to change at Portbou.
Trains leave Portbou every 2 hours until early evening, taking 57 minutes to Perpignan, 1h47 to Narbonne, 3h to Montpellier, 3h41 to Nimes.
For example, you could leave Barcelona Sants at 11:16, change at Portbou, arriving Perpignan 15:01, Narbonne 15:51, Montpellier St Roche 17:04, Nimes 17:42.
These trains run along the coast via Port Vendres and Collioure, with great coastal scenery.
The fare is 9.20 from Portbou to Perpignan, 19.10 to Narbonne, 33 to Montpellier, 39.10 to Nimes.
These are fixed-price, unlimited-availability fares, cannot sell out, you can buy on the day at this price.
If you book in advance, you'll find some limited-availability fares from 1, only good for the specific train you book.
 |
 |
|
|
A local train from Barcelona to Portbou, seen at Portbou. Yes, these local trains do exist, and are very useful! But you can only find timetables at rodalies.gencat.cat, not on the main booking sites. You buy a ticket on the day at the station. Courtesy of Philip Dyer-Perry. |
||
Barcelona to Lyon...
-
A direct high-speed AVE-S100 train leaves Barcelona Sants at 08:15 every day, arriving Lyon Part Dieu at 13:20.
The AVE has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It's a scenic journey, with views of Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, and crosses southern France, past the Fort de Salses, flamingos on the ιtangs near Narbonne, and Beziers cathedral.
Later departures are available with a change of train, check times at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
-
Fares start at 29 in 2nd class or 49 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
-
Check train times & buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (more fiddly, in , no fee).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.
Barcelona to Bordeaux...
Option 1, Barcelona to Bordeaux via Narbonne - this is the fastest & easiest way, although not necessarily the cheapest...
-
Step 1, take a high-speed AVE or TGV Duplex from Barcelona Sants to Narbonne in around 2 hours.
-
Step 2, take an Intercitι from Narbonne to Bordeaux St Jean in around 3h30.
-
Barcelona-Narbonne starts at 29, Narbonne-Bordeaux at around 20. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
-
Book from Barcelona to Bordeaux as one transaction at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (more fiddly, only in , no fee). In the search results, look for options with just 1 change. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.
Option 2, Barcelona to Bordeaux via San Sebastian - how about lunch in San Sebastian?
-
This route takes longer, but is usually cheaper. And I'd be tempted to go this way with a stop for lunch and a wander (or an overnight stop) in the lovely city of San Sebastian!
-
Step 1, take one of the two daily Alvia trains from Barcelona Sants to San Sebastian (Renfe station), journey time around 5h33.
If you take the morning train, you reach Bordeaux the same day, and could easily fit in a stop in San Sebastian for lunch and a look round. If you take the late afternoon train you'll need to overnight in San Sebastian. See the Barcelona-San Sebastian section above for photos of the excellent Alvia trains used on this route and a summary of this interesting and scenic journey.
Fares start at 28 in Standard class or 38 in Comfort class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy a ticket at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com. Booking normally opens 60 days ahead, but this varies. You print your ticket.
-
Step 2, take the little Euskotren from San Sebastian Amara station to Hendaye, trains leave every 30 minutes through the day, journey time 37 minutes, fare around 2.50, no reservation necessary or possible, it's a metro, you just turn up, buy a ticket and hop on.
-
Step 3, take a train from Hendaye to Bordeaux, trains leave regularly through the day, journey time 2h40.
Some departures are TER regional trains, some are TGV. TER trains have a fixed price of around 36 which you can buy at the station on the day, it cannot sell out. TGVs require reservation and have dynamic pricing starting from 20.
Check times and buy online at www.raileurope.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee). You print your own ticket of can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.
Option 3, Barcelona to Bordeaux via Latour de Carol...
-
Step 1, take the slow but cheap & scenic route from Barcelona Sants to Toulouse Matabiau via Latour de Carol as shown as option 2 in the Barcelona-Toulouse section below. This involves local trains with no reservation required (or even possible) and fixed (cheap!) prices, so is good if you have to travel at short notice when TGVs are expensive or if you have a Eurail or Interrail pass and want to avoid hefty TGV passholder reservation fees.
-
Step 2, then take an Intercitι from Toulouse to Bordeaux St Jean taking around 2h07 with fares from 15 upwards. Reservation is required for this bit, and prices are dynamic, cheaper if you book ahead, more expensive (over 40) bought on the day.
Barcelona to Toulouse & Carcassone...
Option 1, Barcelona to Toulouse via Narbonne - the high-speed option, reservation required, dynamic pricing so book ahead.
-
There are a variety of departures from Barcelona to Carcassonne & Toulouse through the day with 1 easy change at Narbonne, journey time to Toulouse around 4 hours depending how the connection works. There will be no once-daily direct train in 2022 as there was before the pandemic.
-
Fares start at 29 in 2nd class or 49 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
-
Check times and buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , more fiddly, no fee). Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.
Option 2, Barcelona to Toulouse via Latour de Carol - through the Pyrenees, slower, cheaper, always 12 + 28.10 any day, any date.
-
Alternatively, there's a cheap & scenic option from Barcelona to Toulouse taking the slow but direct route through the Pyrenees via Latour de Carol, no pre-booking necessary and if you don't want to book in advance it's much cheaper than the high-speed route. It cannot sell out and you can even buy tickets on the day at the same price.
-
You won't find this route listed on train booking websites because it involves two separate trains and two separate tickets, one of which is classed as a Spanish suburban train to cannot even be booked online, you just buy a ticket on the day at the station. But it's easy to check times and use it, buying tickets on the day at the station. Here's how...
-
Step 1, travel from Barcelona Sants to Latour de Carol (Tor de Querol in Catalan) by local train, these leave every couple of hours, journey time 3h05, fare 12, buy at the station from the staffed counter or self-service ticket machines, no advance booking necessary or possible. This is a fixed-price open ticket which cannot sell out. Easy!
You will not find this train on normal journey planners, so read this paragraph carefully!!!! To check times for this train. use the special Barcelona suburban train website rodalies.gencat.cat/en/inici. Alternatively, you can use www.renfe.com but ignore the main journey planner. Click Welcome at the top for English, then COMMUTER TRAINS AND FEVE then select Barcelona as this train is classed as a Barcelona suburban route. Then search for Barcelona Sants to Tor de Querol.
If there's a wait between trains at Latour de Carol - as there usually is, the French and Spanish don't co-ordinate timetables - simply enjoy lunch, coffee or a beer at the station bistro, www.facebook.com/bistrotdutrainjaune.
-
Step 2, then take a local TER train from Latour de Carol to Toulouse for a fixed-price 28.10 bought at Latour de Carol station, journey time 2h56. These leave every few hours, you can check times for this leg at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
This journey is also very scenic, as the train negotiates the Pyrenees for the first hour. At Portι-Puymorens (the last station just before Latour) the train reaches the highest point on any normal standard-gauge railway in Europe, 1,562m (5,125 feet) above sea level. Look out for the castle at Foix on the left.
 |
 |
|
|
Step 1, take the air-conditioned R3 local train from Barcelona to Latour de Carol. 2nd class only. Bring your own food & drink. The 'R' stands for Rodalies, Catalan for suburban network. |
||
 |
|
Autumnal browns & golds will give way to snow as the train winds its way north... |
 |
|
Latour de Carol, where two nations, two trains and three track gauges meet. This is the huge international station building. The station bistro is on the forecourt, just out of shot to the left. |
 |
 |
|
|
The inexpensive Bistro de la Gare (above right) on the forecourt at Latour de Carol is ideal for breakfast or a coffee between trains, check opening hours at www.facebook.com/bistrotdutrainjaune. Courtesy of Adrian Fuentes. |
||
 |
 |
|
|
Step 2, Latour de Carol to Toulouse by modern air-conditioned Train Exprθs Regional (TER)... |
The smart interior of the regional train from Latour to Toulouse. |
 |
 |
|
|
Mountain scenery in the Pyrenees... |
||
 |
|
The train starts to descend from the Pyrenees onto the plain towards Toulouse... |
Barcelona to Avignon, Marseille, Cannes & Nice...
Option 1, late afternoon departure by direct AVE train from Barcelona to Avignon & Marseille. Stay overnight in Marseille, onwards to Cannes & Nice next day. If you want to go from Barcelona to Cannes or Nice all in one day, see option 2 below - but I still reckon this option 1 is best, especially with a longer stopover in Marseille!
-
Step 1, a direct AVE-S100 train leaves Barcelona Sants at 16:36 every day arriving Avignon TGV at 20:47 and Marseille St Charles at 21:26.
The AVE train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Bιziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & information here.
Fares start at 29 in 2nd class or 49 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
Book at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , more fiddly, no fee). Booking normally opens 120 days ahead. You print your own ticket.
-
Stay overnight in Marseille. Suggested inexpensive hotels with good reviews near Marseille St Charles station include the Ibis Marseille Centre Gare St Charles, Holiday Inn Express Marseille St Charles.
-
Step 2, travel from Marseille to Cannes or Nice on any suitable train, trains leave regularly through the day, check times & buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , more fiddly, but no fee). French trains open for booking up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.
For example, the 07:58 TER local train from Marseille St Charles arrives Nice Ville 10:40, or an 08:27 TGV arrives Nice 11:07, and so on. But why not spend a morning in Marseille? It's a wonderful city, well worth a look around, see the Marseille page.
|
|
|
Barcelona to Avignon & Marseille by AVE... An AVE-S100 ready to leave Barcelona Sants. |
|
|
|
|
|
1st class seats on an AVE S100. 360Ί photo of 1st class. |
Cafe-bar... |
|
|
|
|
|
These S100 AVE trains operate the TGV/AVE services from Madrid to Marseille, Barcelona to Lyon, Toulouse. This is an AVE-S100 at Barcelona Sants. |
2nd class seats on the S100 AVE, all with power sockets. Luggage goes on the racks at the car ends or above the seats. 360Ί photo of 2nd class More photos & info about AVE S100. |
|
|
|
Mt Canigou & the Pyrenees... One of the highest peaks in the mighty Pyrenees, the 2,784m (9,137 feet) high Mt Canigou dominates the skyline on the right all the way from Girona to Perpignan, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canigou. |
Option 2, on a morning departure reaching Avignon & Marseille after lunch and reaching Cannes & Nice in the evening...
-
Use the journey planner at www.raileurope.com to book from Barcelona Sants to Avignon, Marseille, Cannes or Nice. There are various departures, but it pays to look carefully at the search results and choose one with fewest changes. Raileurope.com is easy to use, accepts , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee, or you can book at SNCF's own site www.sncf-connect.com, in , more fiddly, but no fee.
-
You'll usually find an 08:15 departure by AVE train, an 09:10 (or 10:00) departure by TGV Duplex and a 14:00 departure by TGV Duplex (which should run all year but in 2022 will only run 15 June to 1 October). For Avignon or Marseille, look for journeys with just 1 change. For Cannes or Nice, the best departure is at 09:10 with 2 changes (at Nimes & Marseille) reaching Nice around 20:07, or at 14:00 also with 2 changes reaching Nice around 22:37. However, times vary so use www.raileurope.com to check times for your date. Prices for each train vary dynamically, so just see what prices www.raileurope.com gives you.
Update: Due to Covid-19 & reduced demand, a reduced service is running, please check online.
-
An afternoon in Lyon? You could take the 08:15 AVE train from Barcelona Sants direct to Lyon Part Dieu arriving 13:20. Have lunch in Lyon (see suggested restaurant!) then a pleasant wander around the old town for the rest of the afternoon. Leave Lyon Part Dieu at around 18:06 by TGV Duplex arriving Cannes at 22:06 & Nice Ville at 22:37 with a picnic & bottle of wine for dinner aboard the train. To book this, first book Barcelona to Lyon and add to basket, then book Lyon to Cannes or Nice and add to basket, then checkout. Of course, stopovers in Perpignan, Montpellier, Nimes or Marseille are also possible!
Barcelona to Brussels & Bruges from 88...
Option 1, Barcelona to Brussels in a single day, via Lyon - no need to cross Paris, the easiest way!
-
Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Lyon by direct AVE-S100 high-speed train, leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:15 & arriving Lyon Part Dieu 13:20.
The AVE train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Bιziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & information here.
Have lunch in Lyon, there are plenty of restaurants just outside the station.
-
Step 2, travel from Lyon to Brussels by TGV leaving Lyon Part Dieu at 14:00. At weekends it's direct to Brussels arriving Brussels Midi 17:43, Monday-Friday you change at Marne la Vallιe arriving Brussels Midi 18:43. Change in Brussels for Bruges.
-
Fares start at 39 for Barcelona-Lyon and 25 for Lyon-Brussels. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
-
Book this journey at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , more fiddly, but no fee) looking for this option. It should come up in the results straight away, if it doesn't simply book each train separately, adding it to your basket and paying for both tickets as one transaction. You print your own ticket.
Option 2, Barcelona to Brussels in a single day, via Paris - involves crossing Paris...
-
Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 09:10 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 15:46.
From 2 July to 28 August 2022 this train runs a bit later, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:00 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 16:47.
This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It's a scenic journey, too, see the scenery photos here & watch the video here.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
Cross Paris by metro or taxi from the Gare de Lyon to the Gare du Nord. Always allow at least 60 minutes between trains.
-
Step 2, travel from Paris to Brussels by high-speed Thalys train leaving Paris Gare du Nord around 17:25 arriving Brussels Midi around 18:47.
From 2 July to 28 August 2022 you'll need to leave Paris Gare du Nord around 18:25 arriving Brussels Midi around 19:47.
Thalys trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the Thalys information page.
Fares start at 35 in 2nd class or 79 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
-
The easiest way to buy tickets is at www.raileurope.com as you can then book Barcelona to Brussels all in one go as one easy transaction with print-your-own tickets for both trains. Prices are in , £ or $, you can use it wherever you live as all overseas credit cards are accepted. There's a small booking fee. Booking for the TGV & Thalys usually opens 120 days ahead.
Tip: I recommend an upper deck seat on the TGV Duplex for the best views. Raileurope.com shows you your seat number before you confirm & pay, and any seat number over 60 is on the upper deck. If you don't get an upper deck seat, simply leave it in your basket & try again until you get an upstairs seat, then delete the tickets you don't want from your basket.
-
Alternatively, you can book each train separately, although this takes more effort and is unlikely to make it any cheaper: Book from Barcelona to Paris at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , more fiddly but no fee) and print out your tickets, then book the Thalys at www.thalys.com (in , no booking fee) also with print-at-home tickets. Connecting tickets within Spain can be booked direct with Renfe at www.renfe.com (but see advice on using it here) or (if you have any problems at the payment stage) alternative sites www.raileurope.com (in , £ or $, small booking fee) or www.thetrainline.com (in , £ or $, small booking fee) or www.petrabax.com (in US$, with small mark-up).
Option 3, Barcelona to Brussels with overnight stop in Paris - as option 2, but with an overnight stop...
-
Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 14:00, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 20:46.
This afternoon Barcelona-Paris TGV should run all year round, but due to covid-19 it will only run from 15 June to 1 October 2022.
This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It's a scenic journey, too, see the scenery photos here & watch the video here.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
Cross Paris by metro or taxi from the Gare de Lyon to the Gare du Nord.
-
Stay overnight in Paris, see suggested hotels near the station.
-
Day 2, take any Thalys high-speed train you like from Paris Gare du Nord to Brussels Midi, they leave every hour or so, journey time 1h20, you can arrive in central Brussels before 08:00 if you like.
Thalys trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the Thalys information page.
Fares start at 35 in 2nd class or 79 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
-
Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com. Book from Barcelona to Paris on day 1, add to basket, then book Paris to Brussels for day 2, add to basket and check out. You can pay in , £ or $, there's a small booking fee. You can also book at www.thetrainline.com (also in , £ or $, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , more fiddly but no booking fee).
|
|
|
Step 1, Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, a 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck train. Watch TGV Duplex video. |
 |
 |
|
|
Cafe-bar on the upper deck in car 4, serving tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine, beer, snacks & microwave-style hot dishes.... |
2nd class seats on upper deck with a mix of tables for 4 & unidirectional seating. 360Ί photo. |
 |
|
|
|
1st class seats on upper deck, a club duo on the left, a club quatre on the right. 360Ί photo. |
A TGV Duplex at Barcelona Sants. The red near the door indicates 1st class, pale green indicates 2nd class. |
|
|
|
Mt Canigou & the Pyrenees... One of the highest peaks in the mighty Pyrenees, the 2,784m (9,137 feet) high Mt Canigou dominates the skyline on the right all the way from Girona to Perpignan, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canigou. More photos of what to see on the Paris-Barcelona train journey. |
|
|
|
|
|
Dinner from the cafe-bar... |
View from the train, passing Bιziers... |
 |
|
Step 2, Paris to Brussels by Thalys, seen here at Paris Nord. See 360Ί photos inside a Thalys. More information about Thalys. |
 |
 |
|
|
Comfort & Premium seats, 2+1 across the car. Larger photo. |
Standard seats, 2+2 across. Larger photo. |
Option 4, Barcelona-Paris using a French overnight train, then high-speed train to Brussels.
-
Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris overnight, taking a mid-afternoon local train from Barcelona Sants to either Latour de Carol in the Pyrenees or to Cerebθre on the French border, then a French sleeper train overnight to Paris Gare d'Austerlitz.
See the Barcelona to Paris by sleeper train page for train times, prices, tips & how to buy tickets
-
Allow at least 60 minutes to change trains & stations in Paris by metro or taxi from the Gare d'Austerlitz to the Gare du Nord.
-
Step 2, travel from Paris Gare du Nord to Brussels Midi by high-speed Thalys train, these leave every hour or so, journey time 1h20 with fares from 29.
Book the Thalys at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or www.thalys.com (only in , more fiddly, but no booking fee).
Barcelona to Amsterdam from 74...
Option 1, Barcelona to Amsterdam in a single day...
-
Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 09:10 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 15:46.
From 2 July to 28 August 2022 this train runs a bit later, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:00 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 16:47.
This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It's a scenic journey, see the scenery photos here & watch the video here.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
Allow at least 60 minutes to change trains & stations in Paris by metro or taxi from Paris Gare de Lyon to the Gare du Nord.
-
Step 2, travel from Paris to Amsterdam by Thalys, leaving Paris Nord at 17:25 & arriving Amsterdam Centraal at 20:44.
From 2 July to 28 August 2022 you'll need to leave Paris Nord at 19:25 & arriving Amsterdam Centraal at 22:44.
Thalys trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the Thalys information page.
Fares start at 35 in 2nd class or 79 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
-
The easiest way to buy tickets is at www.raileurope.com as you can then book Barcelona to Amsterdam all in one go as one easy transaction with print-at-home tickets for both trains. Prices are in , £ or $, you can use it wherever you live as all overseas credit cards are accepted. There's a small booking fee. Booking for the TGV & Thalys usually opens 120 days ahead.
Tip: I recommend an upper deck seat on the TGV Duplex for the best views. Raileurope.com shows you your seat number before you confirm & pay, and any seat number over 60 is on the upper deck. If you don't get an upper deck seat, simply leave it in your basket & try again until you get an upstairs seat, then delete the tickets you don't want from your basket.
Tip: To allow more time across Paris (I recommend at least an hour, but a little more wouldn't hurt) click More options and enter Paris (any station) as a via station, with a suitable duration.
-
Alternatively, you can book each train separately, although this clearly takes more effort and is unlikely to make it any cheaper: Book from Barcelona to Paris at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , more fiddly, but no fee) with print-your-own tickets, then book the Paris-Amsterdam Thalys at www.thalys.com also with print-at-home tickets and no booking fee. Connecting tickets within Spain can be booked direct with Renfe at www.renfe.com (fiddly, and may reject some overseas payment cards, see advice on using it here) or much easier-to-use sites www.raileurope.com (in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or www.petrabax.com (in US$, with small mark-up).
Option 2, Barcelona to Amsterdam with overnight stop in Paris - as option 1, but with an overnight stop...
-
Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 14:00, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 20:46.
This afternoon Barcelona-Paris TGV should run all year round, but due to covid-19 it will only run from 15 June to 1 October 2022. You can take the morning one instead.
This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It's a scenic journey, see the scenery photos here & watch the video here.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
Cross Paris by metro or taxi from Paris Gare de Lyon to the Gare du Nord.
-
Stay overnight in Paris, see suggested hotels near the station.
-
Day 2, take any Thalys high-speed train you like from Paris Gare du Nord to Amsterdam Centraal, journey time 3h30. The 06:13 from Paris arrives Amsterdam 09:44, but by all means have a leisurely breakfast and take a later one, they leave every hour or two.
Thalys trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the Thalys information page.
Fares start at 35 in 2nd class or 79 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
-
Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com, first booking from Barcelona to Paris on day 1, add this to your basket, then book Paris to Brussels on day 2, add to basket and check out, paying for all tickets at one transaction. Booking for the TGV & Thalys usually opens 120 days ahead. You can pay in , £ or $, small booking fee. You can also book at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com, a bit more fiddly, in , no fee.
Tip: I recommend an upper deck seat on the TGV Duplex for the best views. Raileurope.com shows you your seat number before you confirm & pay, and any seat number over 60 is on the upper deck. If you don't get an upper deck seat, simply leave it in your basket & try again until you get an upstairs seat, then delete the tickets you don't want from your basket.
Option 3, Barcelona-Paris using a French overnight train, then high-speed train onwards to Amsterdam.
-
Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris overnight, taking a mid-afternoon local train from Barcelona Sants to either Latour de Carol in the Pyrenees or to Cerebθre on the French border, then a French sleeper train overnight to Paris Gare d'Austerlitz.
See the Barcelona to Paris by sleeper train page for train times, prices, tips & how to buy tickets
-
Allow at least 60 minutes to change trains & stations in Paris by metro or taxi from the Gare d'Austerlitz to the Gare du Nord.
-
Step 2, travel from Paris Nord to Amsterdam Centraal by high-speed Thalys train, they leave every hour or two, journey time 3h20.
Fares start at 35 in 2nd class or 79 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book the Thalys at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , more fiddly).
|
|
|
Step 1, Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, a 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck train. Watch TGV Duplex video. |
|
|
|
|
|
Cafe-bar on the upper deck in car 4, serving tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine, beer, snacks & microwave-style hot dishes.... |
2nd class seats on upper deck with a mix of tables for 4 & unidirectional seating. 360Ί photo. |
|
|
|
|
|
1st class seats on upper deck, a club duo on the left, a club quatre on the right. 360Ί photo. |
A TGV Duplex at Barcelona Sants. The red near the door indicates 1st class, pale green indicates 2nd class. |
|
|
|
Mt Canigou & the Pyrenees... One of the highest peaks in the mighty Pyrenees, the 2,784m (9,137 feet) high Mt Canigou dominates the skyline on the right all the way from Girona to Perpignan, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canigou. More photos of what to see on the Paris-Barcelona train journey. |
|
|
|
|
|
Dinner from the cafe-bar... |
View from the train, passing Bιziers... |
|
|
|
Step 2, Paris to Amsterdam by Thalys, seen here at Paris Nord. See 360Ί photos inside a Thalys. More information about Thalys. |
|
|
|
|
|
Comfort & Premium seats, 2+1 across the car. Larger photo. |
Standard seats, 2+2 across. Larger photo. |
 |
|
The Thalys sweeps across the Moerdijk Bridge over the Hollands Diep one lazy evening, between Rotterdam & Antwerp. |
Barcelona to Luxembourg...
Option 1, Barcelona to Luxembourg in a single day...
-
Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 09:10 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 15:46.
From 2 July to 28 August 2022 this train runs a bit later, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:00 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 16:47.
The 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views. It's a scenic ride, see here for the sights to see from the train on the way.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
Allow at least 60 minutes to change trains & stations in Paris from the Gare de Lyon to the Paris Gare de l'Est.
-
Step 2, travel from Paris to Luxembourg by TGV, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 19:39, arriving Luxembourg 21:52.
On Mondays to Fridays when the TGV from Barcelona arrives in Paris at 15:46, you can take an earlier TGV leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 17:40 and arriving Luxembourg at 19:52.
The TGV has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at 25 in 2nd class or 45 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
-
Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com, you can then buy all your tickets together in one place, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem.
Booking usually opens 120 days ahead. Try booking from Barcelona to Luxembourg as one transaction, if you have any problems, book each train separately, adding each to your basket and checking out at the end. You print your own tickets. There's a small booking fee.
Tip: I recommend clicking More options, entering Paris (any station) as a via station, with a stopover duration of 1 hour. This ensures a robust connection, by default the SNCF ticketing system allows cross-Paris connections as short as 40 minutes, which I consider far too tight for comfort.
Tip: I recommend an upstairs seat on the TGV Duplex for the best views. Raileurope.com shows you your seat number before you confirm & pay, and any seat number over 60 is on the upper deck. If you don't get an upper deck seat, simply leave it in your basket & try again until you get an upstairs seat, then delete the tickets you don't want from your basket.
Alternatively, you can book each train at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com, a little more fiddly, in .
Option 2, Barcelona to Luxembourg with overnight stop in Paris...
-
Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 14:00, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 20:46.
This afternoon Barcelona-Paris TGV should run all year round, but due to covid-19 it will only run from 15 June to 1 October 2022.
The 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views. It's a scenic ride, see here for the sights to see from the train on the way.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
-
Stay overnight in Paris, see suggested hotels near the station.
-
Day 2, next morning travel from Paris to Luxembourg by TGV. On Mondays-Fridays the 07:28 from Paris Gare de l'Est arrives Luxembourg at 09:44. On Saturdays, the 08:13 from Paris Gare de l'Est arrives Luxembourg at 10:32. On Sundays, the 10:40 from Paris Gare de l'Est arrives Luxembourg at 12:52. Or there are later trains.
The TGV has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at 25 in 2nd class or 45 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead.
-
Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com, you can then buy all your tickets together in one place, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem.
Booking usually opens 120 days ahead. First book from Barcelona to Paris, add to basket, then book from Paris to Luxembourg for the following day and add that to your basket, then check out. You print your own tickets. There's a small booking fee.
Alternatively, you can book each train at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com, a little more fiddly, in .
Option 3, Barcelona-Paris using a French overnight train, then high-speed TGV onwards to Luxembourg.
-
Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris overnight, taking a mid-afternoon local train from Barcelona Sants to either Latour de Carol in the Pyrenees or to Cerebθre on the French border, then a French sleeper train overnight to Paris Gare d'Austerlitz.
See the Barcelona to Paris by sleeper train page for train times, prices, tips & how to buy tickets
-
Allow at least 60 minutes to change trains & stations in Paris by metro or taxi from the Gare d'Austerlitz to the Gare de l'Est.
-
Step 2, next morning travel from Paris Gare de l'Est to Luxembourg by TGV in around 2h20.
Fares start at 25 in 2nd class or 45 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead.
Times vary, so check times & buy tickets at www.raileurope.com (easy to use, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (a little more fiddly, in ).
Barcelona to Geneva, Zurich & Switzerland from 69...
Option 1, Barcelona to Switzerland in a single day, leaving 08:15...
-
Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Lyon by AVE-S100 high-speed train, leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:15 and arriving Lyon Part Dieu at 13:20.
The AVE train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Bιziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & information here.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
-
Step 2, travel from Lyon to Geneva by TER regional train, leaving Lyon Part Dieu at 14:38 and arriving Geneva at 16:35.
This is a lovely ride through the Jura mountains and along the Rhτne. 2nd class only.
The fare is a fixed-price 29.40.
-
Buy tickets from Barcelona to Geneva at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , a little more fiddly). Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own tickets or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.
-
Step 3, take an onward train from Geneva to anywhere in Switzerland, check times & buy tickets at either www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee) or the Swiss Railways website www.sbb.ch (in , no fee). If you buy in advance you may find Swiss Supersaver fares available, saving up to 70% off regular Swiss rail fares. Booking for Swiss trains opens 60 days ahead.
Option 2, Barcelona to Switzerland in a single day, leaving at 09:10...
-
This follows exactly the same route as option 1 but leaves an hour later and involves two changes of train rather than one.
-
Leave Barcelona Sants at 09:10 by TGV Duplex, change at Nimes onto a TGV & Lyon Part Dieu onto a TER regional train arriving Geneva 18:35.
From 2 July to 28 August 2022 you leave Barcelona Sants a bit later, at 10:00, but onward connections are the same.
-
Then take an onward train from Geneva to anywhere in Switzerland, check times at www.thetrainline.com or the Swiss Railways website www.sbb.ch.
-
Book from Barcelona to Geneva at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee). Then add an onward ticket from Geneva to anywhere in Switzerland also at www.thetrainline.com. If you buy the Swiss ticket in advance (but less than 30 days ahead) you may find Swiss Supersaver fares available, saving up to 50% off regular Swiss rail fares.
Alternatively, book Barcelona-Geneva at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , more fiddly, but no booking fee) then onward Swiss tickets at the Swiss Railways website www.sbb.ch.
Option 3, Barcelona to Avignon or Marseille in the evening, overnight stop & morning free, then afternoon TGV to Geneva...
-
This option is well worth considering as Avignon & Marseille are both great stopover cities. Avignon town centre is 3 miles from Avignon TGV station, there is a shuttle train or taxis available. Marseille St Charles is in Marseille city centre a stroll from the Vieux Port.
-
Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Avignon or Marseille by AVE-S100 high-speed train, leaving Barcelona Sants at 16:36 and arriving Avignon TGV at 20:47 & Marseille St Charles at 21:26.
The AVE train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. In summer when it's light, you'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Bιziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & information here.
Fares start at 29 in 2nd class or 49 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , more fiddly). Booking normally opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
-
Stay overnight in Avignon or Marseille. Inexpensive hotels with good reviews just outside Marseille St Charles station include the Ibis Marseille Centre Gare St Charles, Holiday Inn Express Marseille St Charles.
-
Day 2, travel from Marseille or Avignon to Geneva, leaving Marseille St Charles at 08:10 or Avignon TGV at 08:48 by TGV high-speed train to Lyon Part Dieu arriving 09:54. Then take the 10:38 TER regional train to Geneva, arriving 12:35.
By all means spend a morning in Marseille or Avignon and take the later 12:10 from Marseille, 12:48 from Avignon TGV, also changing at Lyon Part Dieu, arriving Geneva 16:35.
Fares for the TGV start at 25 in 2nd class or 45 in 1st class, this varies like air fares, so book ahead. The TER costs a fixed-price 29.40.
Book this journey at either at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , a bit more fiddly). Booking normally opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own tickets or can show mobile tickets on your smartphone.
There's more great scenery up the Rhone Valley and through the mountains to Geneva. There's a cafe-bar on board and power sockets at all seats. Change in Geneva for onward trains to Lausanne, Montreux, Bern, Zurich, booking onward tickets at www.thetrainline.com or www.sbb.ch.
|
|
|
Barcelona to Lyon by AVE... This is the morning AVE to Lyon ready to leave Barcelona Sants. |
|
|
|
|
|
1st class seats on an AVE S100. 360Ί photo of 1st class. |
Cafe-bar... |
|
|
|
|
|
These S100 AVE trains operate the TGV/AVE services from Madrid to Marseille, Barcelona to Lyon, Toulouse. This is an AVE-S100 at Barcelona Sants. |
2nd class seats on the S100 AVE, all with power sockets. Luggage goes on the racks at the car ends or above the seats. 360Ί photo of 2nd class More photos & info about AVE S100. |
|
|
|
Mt Canigou & the Pyrenees... One of the highest peaks in the mighty Pyrenees, the 2,784m (9,137 feet) high Mt Canigou dominates the skyline on the right all the way from Girona to Perpignan, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canigou. |
Barcelona to Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome & Italy...
So many people want to travel this route, and many of them mistakenly think you have to fly. You don't. You can travel cheaply and time-effectively by comfortable and civilised train with an overnight stop at wonderful Marseille into the bargain and perhaps some time in Nice. The scenic train ride along the Cτte d'Azur and Italian Riviera can be a highlight of your trip...
Option 1, Barcelona to Milan in a single day, via Lyon - from the Pyrenees to the Alps with lunch in Lyon...
-
Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Lyon by AVE-S100 high-speed train, leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:15 and arriving Lyon Part Dieu at 13:20.
The AVE train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Bιziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & information here.
Fares for this train start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
-
Have lunch in Lyon, see suggested brasserie near Lyon Part Dieu.
-
Day 1, travel from Lyon to Turin & Milan by Frecciarossa, leaving Lyon Part Dieu 17:20 & arriving Turin Porta Susa 21:18 & Milan Centrale 22:07.
This is a lovely ride at low speed snaking through the Alps, see the photos & information here. The train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, sit back and enjoy the ride.
Fares start at 29 in standard (2nd class) or 36 in business (1st class) or 165 in executive class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
-
Stay overnight in either Turin or Milan...
Personally I'd choose Turin, a lovely city even if you're not a fan of the 1969 Michael Caine film The Italian Job which was set there. I'd allow some time for a look around next morning...
In Turin I suggest the Hotel Torino Porta Susa or Hotel Diplomatic, Best Quality Hotel Dock Milano or small Al Porta Susa B&B, all right next to Turin Porta Susa station where the TGV arrives and where your onward train leaves next morning, with good or great reviews. Alternatively, the excellent Turin Palace Hotel is in the centre right next to Porta Nuova station, a 7 minute taxi ride, 3-stop 1.50 metro ride or 20 minute walk from Porta Susa, but next morning you can board your train to Venice, Florence, Rome or Naples at Porta Nuova station where these trains start their journey.
In Milan, hotels near Milan Centrale with good or great reviews include Made to Measure Business, 43 Station Hotel, Starhotel Echo or Starhotel Anderson.
-
Day 2, take a morning train to anywhere in Italy...
For Florence, Rome or Naples take a 300 km/h (186 mph) Frecciarossa train from Turin Porta Nuova, Turin Porta Susa or Milan Centrale to Florence SMN from 19.90, to Rome Termini or Naples Centrale from 29.90. There are regular departures throughout the day, Turin-Florence takes 2h48, Milan-Florence takes 1h40, Turin-Rome 3h55, Milan-Rome 2h55.
For Verona or Venice take a 186mph Frecciarossa high-speed train from Turin Porta Nuova, Turin Porta Susa or Milan Centrale to Verona Porta Nuova or Venice Santa Lucia. Milan to Venice takes 2h35 from 19.90. Turin to Venice takes 3h25 from 19.90. It's easier to change in Turin as that's a same-station change. In Milan, a transfer from Porta Garibaldi to Centrale is a 25 minute walk or 8 8-minute taxi ride.
For Cinque Terre take a train from Milan Centrale to Monterosso, some direct in as little as 2h57 from 19.90, or there are other departures involving a change. There are also trains from Milan Centrale to Genoa (1h32) and Pisa (3h47).
-
How to buy tickets...
The easiest way to buy tickets is to use either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, as you can buy all the tickets together in one place, in plain English, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee. Booking normally opens up to 4 months ahead. About Raileurope. About Thetrainline.
Go to www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, book the direct morning train from Barcelona Sants to Lyon Part Dieu for day 1 and add this to your basket. Then book the direct afternoon train from Lyon Part Dieu to Turin or Milan and add that to your basket. Then book a train from Turin or Milan to your final Italian destination for the following morning, add to basket and check out.
For the AVE you can print your ticket or select a mobile ticket to show on your smartphone. Italian high-speed trains are ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.
-
How to buy tickets, advanced...
You can of course book each train separately with the relevant operator, with no booking fee. This means more work and it won't necessarily make it any cheaper.
Step 1, book from Barcelona to Lyon at the French Railways website, www.sncf-connect.com. Step 2, now buy tickets from Lyon to Turin or Milan and from Turin or Milan to anywhere in Italy at either www.italiarail.com (easy to use, in plain English, they'll refund seat61 users their booking fee if you email seat61@italiarail.com afterwards) or Trenitalia site www.trenitalia.com, but for that you'll need to use Italian-language place names and it has a few quirks so see this advice on using it. Both sites sell the same tickets at the same prices and both usually offer ticketless travel, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.
Option 2, Barcelona to Italy with overnight stop in Marseille...
-
Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Marseille by AVE high-speed train, leaving Barcelona Sants at 16:36 & arriving Marseille St Charles at 21:26.
This AVE-S100 train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. In summer when it's light, you'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Bιziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & information here.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
Book this train at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , more fiddly, but no booking fee). You print your own ticket.
-
Stay overnight in Marseille. Inexpensive hotels with good reviews just outside Marseille St Charles station include the Ibis Marseille Centre Gare St Charles & Holiday Inn Express Marseille St Charles. Marseille is a great place for a longer stopover, with the Vieux Port, Eglise Notre Dame de la Garde, and if you stay a day or two you can even take a ferry to the terrible Chateau d'If of Count of Monte Cristo fame, see the Marseille page.
-
Day 2, travel from Marseille to Ventimiglia on the Italian border on TER regional trains, leaving Marseille St Charles at 09:58, changing at Nice Ville and arriving Ventimiglia at 14:03. There's great scenery along the famous Cτte d'Azur, past rocky headlands, yacht-filled harbours and millionaires' villas.
The fare is 41, though promotional fares of 25 are sometimes available. It's 2nd class only between Nice & Ventimiglia
Buy a ticket at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com. Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone. Allow at least 45 minutes between trains in Ventimiglia.
-
Day 2, travel from Ventimiglia to Genoa & Milan by Intercity train, leaving Ventimiglia at 15:10 arriving Genoa Piazza Principe at 17:05 & Milan Centrale at 18:55. There's great scenery along the Ligurian coast.
Change at Genoa for La Spezia, Cinque Terre & Pisa. Change at Milan Centrale for an onward Frecciarossa high-speed train to Verona, Venice, Florence, Rome or Naples.
Fares from Ventimiglia to Milan start at 19.90 in 2nd class or 26.90 in 1st class. Milan to Venice or Florence then starts at 19.90 in 2nd class or 29.90 in 1st class. Milan to Rome starts at 29.90 in 2nd class or 39.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy a ticket from Ventimiglia to anywhere in Italy at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com. Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.
You'll find full details of the journey from Nice to Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome or Naples with photos & tips on the Nice to Italy by train page.
|
|
|
Step 1, Barcelona to Marseille by AVE. An AVE-S100 ready to leave Barcelona Sants for France... |
|
|
|
|
|
1st class seats on an AVE S100. 360Ί photo of 1st class. |
Cafe-bar... |
|
|
|
|
|
These S100 AVE trains operate the TGV/AVE services from Madrid to Marseille, Barcelona to Lyon, Toulouse. This is an AVE-S100 at Barcelona Sants. |
2nd class seats on the S100 AVE, all with power sockets. Luggage goes on the racks at the car ends or above the seats. 360Ί photo of 2nd class More photos & info about AVE S100. |
|
|
|
Mt Canigou & the Pyrenees... One of the highest peaks in the mighty Pyrenees, the 2,784m (9,137 feet) high Mt Canigou dominates the skyline on the right all the way from Girona to Perpignan, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canigou. |
 |
|
Bonjour Marseille! The Eglise Notre Dame de la Garde, overlooking the Vieux Port. |
 |
|
Steps 2 & 3, Marseille to the Italian border by TER local train with great scenery along the coast. Here, a TER rolls into Juan les Pins station between Nice & Cannes. |
 |
|
The view from the train between Nice & Ventimiglia... |
 |
|
Step 4, Ventimiglia to Milan by Intercity train, seen at the magnificent Milan Centrale... |
 |
 |
|
|
2nd class. Larger photo. |
1st class. Larger photo. |
Option 3, Barcelona to Milan in a single day, via Geneva - via the Alps!
-
Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Lyon by AVE-S100 high-speed train, leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:15 and arriving Lyon Part Dieu at 13:20
The AVE train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Bιziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & information here.
Fares start at 29 in 2nd class or 49 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , a little more fiddly, no booking fee). Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.
-
Step 2, travel from Lyon to Geneva by TER regional train, leaving Lyon Part Dieu at 14:38 and arriving Geneva at 16:35.
This is a pleasant journey through the Jura and along the Rhone. 2nd class only.
The fare is a fixed-price 29.40.
Buy a ticket at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , a little more fiddly, no booking fee). Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.
Tip: You can usually book Barcelona to Geneva as one transaction. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.
-
Step 3, travel from Geneva to Milan by EuroCity train, leaving Geneva at 18:39 and arriving Milan Centrale at 22:40.
Fares start at 29 in 2nd class or 49 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
Buy a ticket at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee) or www.italiarail.com (easiest, their 3.50 booking fee will be refunded if you email them afterwards at seat61@italiarail.com) or www.trenitalia.com. It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.
-
Stay overnight in Milan. Hotels near the station with good reviews: Made to Measure Business, 43 Station Hotel, Starhotel Echo or Starhotel Anderson.
-
Step 4, take an onward train from Milan to Venice or Florence from 19.90, or to Rome or Naples from 29.90 booked at either www.raileurope.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or www.italiarail.com (also easy to use, they'll refund their booking fee if you email them afterwards at seat61@italiarail.com) or www.trenitalia.com (more fiddly, you need to use Italian language place names). It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.
-
Alternatively, you could stay overnight in Geneva (hotels near the station with good reviews include Hotel Cornavin Geneve, Hotel Les Arcades, ibis Styles Geneva Gare) and travel from Geneva to Italy next day. There's a direct 07:39 to Venice Santa Lucia arriving 14:40, with fares from 39 booked at either www.raileurope.com or www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com.
Option 4, Barcelona to Rome by cruise ferry...
-
How about a cruise by ferry? Another excellent option is the Grimaldi Lines cruise ferry from Barcelona to Civitavecchia (an hour by regional train north of Rome). The ferry usually sails daily around 22:15 and arrives around 18:45 next day, but check times, fares, and book online using the Direct Ferries website or at www.grimaldi-lines.com. Grimaldi Lines also run a ferry several times a week between Livorno and Barcelona, and between Valencia and Salerno, near Naples.
Barcelona to Lisbon from 78...
Option 1, Barcelona to Lisbon with overnight stop in Madrid...
-
Day 1, travel from Barcelona Sants to Madrid Atocha in as little as 2h40 on any high-speed AVE you like with fares from around 35.
-
Stay overnight in Madrid. The classic Hotel Mediodia is across the road from Atocha with good reviews, or try the NH Hotel Madrid Atocha or Only YOU Hotel Atocha, also across the road from the station.
-
Day 2, travel from Madrid Atocha to Lisbon Santa Apolonia by daytime trains as shown here.
Option 2, Barcelona to Lisbon via Seville & Faro...
-
Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Seville by AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:30 and arriving Seville Santa Justa at 14:04.
Fares start at around 46. Fares vary like air fares so book ahead for the cheapest prices.
Book this at www.raileurope.com (easiest, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, only in , may reject some international credit cards).
-
Step 2, travel from Seville to Faro by bus. Buses run from Seville Plaza de Armas to Faro several times daily, journey time around 3h40, fare around 16-20.
Buses are run by Damas, Eva-Bus & Alsa amongst others, you can check times & buy tickets for various bus companies all in one place at Omio.com. You print your own ticket.
-
Step 3, travel from Faro to Lisbon Oriente by air-conditioned Intercity or Alfa Pendular train in between 3h and 3h45. Check times and buy tickets from 15 at the Portuguese Railways website www.cp.pt (in ) or at Omio.com (in , £ or $).
-
Alternatively, you can travel from Barcelona to Seville on the afternoon AVE-S112 leaving Barcelona Sants at 15:45 and stay overnight in Seville. Then take a bus to Faro next morning, and an afternoon train to Lisbon. Allow plenty of time (an hour or two) between bus and train in Faro, just in case of delay.
Note that the Madrid-Lisbon sleeper train was suspended due to Covid-19 in March 2020, then permanently discontinued.
Barcelona to Porto...
Barcelona to Vigo, overnight stop, then regional train to Porto...
-
Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Vigo by high-speed air-conditioned Alvia-S130 train with cafe-bar, leaving Barcelona Sants at 09:30 on Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays arriving Vigo Guixar at 23:12.
Fares start at 25 in Standard class or 29 in Comfort class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, only in , may reject some overseas credit cards, see this advice on using it).
-
Stay overnight in Vigo. The NH Collection Vigo hotel & cheaper Hotel Atlantico Vigo are both near the station with great reviews.
-
Step 2, travel from Vigo to Porto by express regional train. There are 2 trains per day, leaving Vigo Guixar at 08:58 & 19:56 and arriving at Porto Campanhγ around 1h22 later. The fare is around 15. Buy a ticket at www.raileurope.com or www.renfe.com and print it out.
Barcelona to Faro & the Algarve...
Option 1, Barcelona to Seville by high-speed train, Seville to Faro by bus
-
Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Seville by AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:30 and arriving Seville Santa Justa at 14:04.
Fares start at around 46. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
Book this at www.raileurope.com (easiest, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, only in , may reject some international credit cards).
-
Step 2, travel from Seville to Faro by bus. Buses run from Seville Plaza de Armas to Faro several times daily, journey time around 3h40, fare around 16-20.
Buses are run by Damas, Eva-Bus & Alsa amongst others, you can check times & buy tickets for various bus companies all in one place at Omio.com. You print your own ticket.
-
Alternatively, you can travel from Barcelona to Seville on the afternoon AVE-S112 leaving Barcelona Sants at 15:45 and stay overnight in Seville. Then take a bus to Faro next morning.
Barcelona to Andorra...
-
There's no train to Andorra, but there are 6 or 7 buses a day from Barcelona Sants station to Andorra La Vella, capital of Andorra, journey time 3 hours 15 minutes, fare around 30.50, see www.autocarsnadal.com. You can buy tickets online at www.andorradirectbus.es.
-
There are also competing Alsa and Eurolines buses which you can book at Omio.com (formerly GoEuro.com).
Barcelona to Cologne, Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin & Germany from 75...
Option 1, Barcelona to Cologne or Frankfurt in a day. On to Hamburg or Berlin next day.
-
Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 09:10 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 15:46.
From 2 July to 28 August 2022 this train runs a bit later, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:00 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 16:47.
This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It's a scenic journey, too, see the scenery photos here & watch the video here.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
Buy a ticket at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.
Allow at least 1 hour to change trains & stations from Paris Gare de Lyon to the Gare du Nord (for Cologne) or Gare de l'Est (for Frankfurt).
-
Step 2 for Cologne, travel from Paris to Cologne by Thalys train, leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 17:55 and arriving Cologne Hbf at 21:15.
Fares start at 35 in 2nd class or 79 in 1st class.
-
Step 2 for Frankfurt, travel from Paris to Frankfurt by ICE, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 19:06 and arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 22:59.
Fares start at 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class.
-
Step 3 for Hamburg, Berlin: Stay overnight in Cologne and take any onward train you like next day.
-
Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com, you can then buy all your tickets together in one place, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem.
Try booking from Barcelona to Cologne or Frankfurt as one transaction, if you have any problems, book each train separately, adding each to your basket and checking out at the end. You print your own tickets. Booking for the TGV & Thalys usually opens 120 days ahead.
Tip: If booking the whole trip in one go, I recommend clicking More options, entering Paris (any station) as a via station, with a stopover duration of 1 hour. This gets you a more robust connection, by default the SNCF ticketing system allows cross-Paris connections as short as 40 minutes, which I consider far too tight for comfort.
Tip: I recommend an upstairs seat on the TGV Duplex for the best views. Raileurope.com shows you your seat number before you confirm & pay, and any seat number over 60 is on the upper deck. If you don't get an upper deck seat, simply leave it in your basket & try again until you get an upstairs seat, then delete the tickets you don't want from your basket.
Alternatively, you can book each train separately, although it's more effort and unlikely to make it materially cheaper, other than avoiding a booking fee: Book from Barcelona to Paris at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com, then book the Thalys to Cologne at www.sncf-connect.com or the ICE to Frankfurt at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.
Option 2, Barcelona to Cologne, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Berlin & Germany with overnight stop in Paris...
-
Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 14:00 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 20:46.
This afternoon Barcelona-Paris TGV should run all year round, but due to covid-19 it will only run from 15 June to 1 October 2022.
This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It's a scenic journey, too, see the scenery photos here & watch the video here.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
Buy a ticket at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , more fiddly). You print your own ticket or can select a mobile ticket to show on your smartphone.
-
Stay overnight in Paris, see suggested hotels near the station.
-
Day 2, take onward high-speed trains to anywhere in Germany next morning, leaving Paris around 07:00 you could be in Frankfurt at 10:58, Cologne 11:15, Berlin 15:28, Munich 13:27. By all means have a leisurely breakfast and take later trains...
Fares start at 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
Check train times from Paris to anywhere in Germany and buy tickets using the German Railways website www.bahn.de. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.
-
Alternatively, this whole trip can easily be booked in one place at www.raileurope.com, as this connects directly to the Renfe system and the French SNCF system and the German DB system. Book from Barcelona to Paris looking for the direct afternoon train with 0 changes. Add to basket. Then book from Paris to anywhere in Germany for the following day, add to your basket and check out. You'll get print-at-home or collect-at-station tickets for both trains. You can pay in , £ or $, there's a small booking fee.
Option 3, Barcelona to Cologne, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Berlin & Germany, with overnight stop in Marseille...
-
Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Marseille by AVE S100 high-speed train, leaving Barcelona Sants 16:36 and arriving Marseille St Charles 21:26.
The AVE train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. In summer when it's light, you'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Bιziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & information here.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
Buy a ticket at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee). Booking normally opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.
-
Stay overnight in Marseille... Inexpensive hotels with good reviews near Marseille St Charles station include the Ibis Marseille Centre Gare St Charles & Holiday Inn Express Marseille St Charles.
-
Day 2, travel from Marseille to Frankfurt by direct TGV Duplex, leaving Marseille St Charles 08:10 and arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf 15:58.
Change at Karlsruhe, Mannheim or Frankfurt for onward ICE & IC trains to Cologne, Hamburg, Berlin, Munich, www.bahn.de will give you train times from Marseille to anywhere in Germany on this departure.
Fares start at 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
Book from Marseille to anywhere in Germany at the German Railways website www.bahn.de. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You can also book at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com at the same prices, which would keep all your bookings in one place with one retailer. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.
-
Alternatively, you can easily book the whole trip in one place at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, as these connect directly to the Renfe system and the French SNCF system and the German DB system. Book from Barcelona to Marseille looking for the direct afternoon train with 0 changes. Add to your basket. Then book from Marseille to Frankfurt again looking for the direct train with 0 changes, add to your basket and check out, paying for both tickets as one transaction. You'll get print-your-own or mobile tickets for both trains. You can pay in , £ or $, there's a small booking fee.
Option 4, Barcelona to Geneva by TGV, overnight stop, Geneva to Munich next day...
-
Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Lyon by AVE-S100 high-speed train leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:15, arriving Lyon Part Dieu at 13:20.
The AVE train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Bιziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & information here.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
Book from Barcelona Sants to Lyon at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , more fiddly, but no fee). Booking normally opens up to 4 months ahead.
-
Step 2, take the 14:38 TER regional train from Lyon Part Dieu to Geneva, arriving 16:35.
The fare is a fixed-price 29.40. 2nd class only. There's some nice scenery as the train runs along the river Rhone.
Also book this at www.raileurope.com, www.thetrainline.com or www.sncf-connect.com. Booking normally opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone. Tip: You can usually book from Barcelona to Geneva as one transaction.
-
Stay overnight in Geneva. Hotels with good reviews near the station include Hotel Cornavin Genθve, Hotel Les Arcades, ibis Styles Geneva Gare. Hotels in Switzerland can be expensive, if you're on a budget you can book budget private rooms in a one-star hotel or backpacker hostel near the station using www.hostelworld.com.
-
Step 3, next day take a Swiss domestic train to Zurich then a comfortable EuroCity train to Munich, for example leaving Geneva 08:15, a quick & easy change at Zurich HB, arriving Munich Hbf at 15:04, or there's another one leaving Geneva at 10:15, change at Zurich HB, arriving Munich Hbf at 17:04.
Fares start at 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
Book from Geneva to Munich as one transaction at the German Railways website www.bahn.de. Booking normally opens up to 6 months ahead. Look for options with just 1 change. Tip: Personally I'd change Duration of transfer from standard to at least 20 minutes to avoid 5-minute connections. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.
Option 5, Barcelona-Paris using a French overnight train, then high-speed train onwards to Germany.
-
Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris overnight, taking a mid-afternoon local train from Barcelona Sants to either Latour de Carol in the Pyrenees or to Cerebθre on the French border, then a French sleeper train overnight to Paris Gare d'Austerlitz.
See the Barcelona to Paris by sleeper train page for train times, prices, tips & how to buy tickets
-
Allow at least 60 minutes to change trains & stations in Paris by metro or taxi from the Gare d'Austerlitz to either the Gare de l'Est (for Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Munich) or Gare du Nord (for Cologne).
-
Step 2, take a high-speed train from Paris to Cologne (3h30 from 35), Frankfurt (3h40 from 39.90), Hamburg or Berlin. Check times & fares at www.raileurope.com or www.bahn.de.
Barcelona to Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck & Austria from 89...
Option 1, Barcelona to Paris by TGV then Paris to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper - the simplest, most comfortable & time-effective option, 3 times per week...
-
Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 09:10 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 15:46.
From 2 July to 28 August 2022 this train runs a bit later, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:00 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 16:47.
This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It's a scenic journey, too, see the scenery photos here & watch the video here.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
Buy a ticket at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.
Transfer from the Gare de Lyon to the Gare de l'Est by taxi or metro. Have dinner in Paris, see suggested restaurants.
-
Step 2, travel from Paris to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 19:58 on Tuesdays, Fridays & Sundays, arriving Salzburg Hbf at 07:26 and Vienna Hbf at 10:12. This new train starts running from the timetable change in mid-December 2021.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has two air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-cars each with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and an ordinary seats car. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment. See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.
Fares start at 49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, 59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, 89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, 109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or 159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in plain English, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (more fiddly, in , same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
 |
|
Paris to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train. More information about Nightjets. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||
|
Deluxe sleeper. Each compartment can be used as a 1, 2 or 3-bed room. Larger photo. Video of deluxe room |
The same deluxe sleeper in evening/morning mode with beds folded away, seats folded out. Larger photo. |
Deluxe rooms have a compact shower & toilet, towels & hair/body wash provided. Larger photo. |
Standard sleeper set up as 2-berth, washstand open. It can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth. Larger photo. |
 |
 |
 |
||
|
6-berth couchettes... |
4-berth couchettes... |
Couchette car... |
Option 2, Barcelona to Geneva by TGV, Zurich to Vienna by sleeper train - another time-effective option, every day...
-
Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Lyon by AVE-S100 high-speed train leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:15, arriving Lyon Part Dieu at 13:20.
The AVE train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Bιziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & information here.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares very like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
-
Step 2, travel from Lyon to Geneva by TER regional train, leaving Lyon Part Dieu at 14:38 & arriving Geneva at 16:35.
The fare is a fixed-price 29.40. 2nd class only. There's some nice scenery as the train runs along the river Rhone.
Book from Barcelona Sants to Geneva at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , more fiddly). Using www.thetrainline.com means you can book all your tickets in one place.
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own tickets or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.
-
Step 3, travel from Geneva to Zurich by Swiss Intercity train, leaving Geneva at 17:15 and arriving Zurich HB at 19:56.
Buy this ticket at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee) or the Swiss Railways website www.sbb.ch (in CHF) and print it out. You may find a cheap supersaver fare if you pre-book.
-
Step 4, travel from Zurich to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Zurich HB at 21:40 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 07:58.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has one double-deck sleeping-car with seventeen 1 or 2-berth compartments with washbasin and two 3-berth compartments with washbasin, and one Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 or 3 berth compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3 berth deluxe compartments with en suite shower & toilet. The sleeper attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment. See the Nightjet page for a guide to accommodation, travel tips & photos.
Fares start at 49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, 59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, 69.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, 89.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or 139.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , a bit more fiddly, same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
 |
|
The safe & comfortable Nightjet from Zurich to Vienna. This is a double-deck sleeping-car at Zurich HB. Courtesy of DiscoverbyRail.com. |
 |
 |
 |
||
|
2-berth sleeper on the lower deck... |
Stairs down to pair of lower compartments... |
1 or 2-bed sleeper on lower deck with washbasin, viewed through window. Set up as 1-bed. Note how compact the compartment is... |
 |
|
|
||
|
Austrian couchette car or liegewagen... |
6-berth couchettes... |
4-berth couchettes... |
Option 3, Barcelona to Geneva by TGV, overnight stop in Geneva, onwards to Austria next day by railjet - the scenic option...
-
Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Lyon by AVE-S100 high-speed train leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:15, arriving Lyon Part Dieu at 13:20.
The AVE train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Bιziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & information here.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
-
Step 2, travel from Lyon to Geneva by TER regional train, leaving Lyon Part Dieu at 14:38 and arriving Geneva at 16:35.
The fixed-price fare is 29.40. 2nd class only. It's a pleasant journey, through the Jura and along the Rhτne.
Book from Barcelona Sants to Geneva as one transaction at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , more fiddly).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.
-
Stay overnight in Geneva. Suggested hotels with good reviews near the station include Hotel Cornavin Geneve, Hotel Les Arcades, ibis Styles Geneva Gare. Hotels in Switzerland can be expensive, if you're on a budget you can book budget private rooms in a one-star hotel or backpacker hostel near the station using www.hostelworld.com.
-
Step 3, next day take a frequent Swiss domestic train from Geneva to Zurich HB then a smart Austrian railjet train from Zurich HB to Innsbruck Hbf, Salzburg Hbf, Linz or Vienna Hbf. For example the 07:42 from Geneva would get you to Innsbruck Hbf at 14:11, Salzburg Hbf at 16:03 or Vienna Hbf at 18:30, or there's a later 09:42 arriving two hours later. This is a really lovely journey through the wonderful Arlberg Pass, see the Arlberg Pass scenery video. Have your camera ready!
Geneva to Innsbruck starts at 29.90, Geneva to Salzburg or Vienna starts at 39.90. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this as a Geneva-to-Austria transaction at www.thetrainline.com (easiest to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways' own site www.oebb.at (in , same fares, a little more fiddly). You print your own ticket.
 |
|
A railjet to Innsbruck, Salzburg & Vienna about to leave Zurich HB... |
 |
 |
 |
||
|
Railjet first class, with black leather seats... |
Business class... |
The restaurant... |
 |
 |
|
|
Railjet is Austrian Railways premier train... More photos & information about railjet trains |
Economy class on railjet, in open saloons with large windows. Some seats around tables, most unidirectional. |
 |
|
The mountains keep on coming, see the photos & video on the Arlberg Railway page... |
Barcelona to Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo & Scandinavia...
Option 1, with overnight stop in Cologne...
-
Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 09:10 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 15:46.
From 2 July to 28 August 2022 this train runs a bit later, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:00 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 16:47.
This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It's a scenic journey, too, see the scenery photos & watch the video here.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both sites easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee.
Booking normally opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.
Change trains & stations in Paris by metro or taxi. Always allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Paris, ideally more.
-
Step 2, travel from Paris to Cologne by Thalys high-speed train, leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 17:55 & arriving Cologne Hbf 21:15.
The Thalys has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com. Booking normally opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.
-
Stay overnight in Cologne. The good & inexpensive Ibis Hotel Kφln-am-Dom is ideal as it's part of Cologne station itself, with an entrance to the left of the main station entrance - many of its rooms have a cathedral view. Also near the station with good reviews are the Breslauer Hof Am Dom, Hotel Domspitzen, CityClass Hotel Europa am Dom, Hilton Cologne, Excelsior Hotel Ernst am Dom.
-
Step 3 for Copenhagen...
Travel from Cologne to Copenhagen by train, taking an InterCity train from Cologne Hbf to Hamburg Hbf and an onward Danish intercity train to Copenhagen, for example the 08:09 from Cologne arriving Copenhagen at 17:33. But times may vary.
Fares start at from 37.90 in 2nd class or 59.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book from Cologne to Copenhagen at www.bahn.de looking for departures with 1 change. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.
-
Step 3 for Stockholm...
It's just about possible to travel from Cologne to Stockholm in a day with changes at Hamburg, Copenhagen & Malmo, using a through ticket from just 59.90 booked at www.bahn.de. Depending on the day and date, you can leave Cologne Hbf at 08:09 and arrive at 23:41, see what bahn.de gives you. There may be some tight connections but with a through ticket you're protected and will be taken forward by later trains if there's a delay and you miss the onward train. Alternatively, stay overnight in Copenhagen and take an onward 125mph X2000 train to Stockholm on day 3, from around 23 booked at www.sj.se (Swedish Railways).
-
Step 3 for Oslo & Norway...
Take an InterCity train from to Hamburg and onward Intercity train to Copenhagen. Book this at www.bahn.de and you'll see various departures from 39.90 with 1 change, for example the 08:09 from Cologne Hbf, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen at 17:33. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone. Stay overnight in Copenhagen, then take a train from Copenhagen to Oslo with 1 easy change at Gothenburg, booked from 46 at www.sj.se (Swedish Railways). Alternatively, spend the morning exploring Copenhagen and take the overnight cruise ferry to Oslo with comfortable en suite cabins, bars and restaurants, see www.dfds.co.uk. See more information on Copenhagen-Oslo options here.
Option 2, with overnight stops in Marseille & Hamburg - two overnight stops, but might suit you better...
-
Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Marseille by AVE-S100 high-speed train leaving Barcelona Sants at 16:36 & arriving Marseille St Charles 21:26.
The AVE train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. In summer when it's light, you'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Bιziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & information here.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
Buy a ticket at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee) or French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , more fiddly). Booking normally opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can select a mobile ticket to show on your smartphone.
-
Stay overnight in Marseille. Inexpensive hotels with good reviews just outside Marseille St Charles station: Ibis Marseille Centre Gare St Charles, Holiday Inn Express Marseille St Charles.
-
Day 2, travel from Marseille to Hamburg, leaving Marseille St Charles at 08:10 by TGV Duplex, changing at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf and arriving Hamburg Hbf at 20:30.
Fares start at 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
Book from Marseille to Hamburg at the German Railways website www.bahn.de. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or smartphone.
Tip: Change Duration of transfer from standard to at least 30 minutes to avoid tight connections.
-
Stay overnight in Hamburg. The Hotel Reichshof Hamburg is just 200m from the station, features art deco-based design and gets great reviews. Other hotels next to Hamburg Hbf with good or great reviews include (starting with the cheapest) the Hotel Continental Novum, Hotel Furst Bismarck, Hotel Europaischer Hof, Hotel Atlantic Kempinski. If you're on a budget, private rooms in the A&O Hotel near Hamburg Hbf start at around £33 for one person or £49 for two people booked at www.hostelworld.com.
-
Day 3, travel from Hamburg to Copenhagen by Danish IC3 intercity train leaving Hamburg Hbf at 08:56 and arriving Copenhagen 13:33.
An altered timetable applies from 18 June to 21 August 2022, see the timetable here.
Fares start at 27.90 in 2nd class or 59.90 in 1st class.
If you're only going as far as Copenhagen, book from Hamburg to Copenhagen at the German Railways website www.bahn.de. You print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or smartphone.
-
For Stockholm, take an X2000 train from Copenhagen Stockholm, leaving Copenhagen at 14:19 and arriving Stockholm Central at 19:36.
You should book from Hamburg to Stockholm as one transaction from 59.90 at www.bahn.de and print your own ticket. Book Hamburg to Stockholm departing 08:56 using this special link which I have set up with the necessary parameters.
-
For Malmφ or Gothenburg, Φresund trains run hourly from Copenhagen to Gothenburg in 3h53 and every half hour or better from Copenhagen to Malmφ in 39 minutes.
Book from Hamburg to Malmφ or Gothenburg (= Gφteborg Central) as one transaction from 39.90 at www.bahn.de and print your own ticket.
 |
|
Hamburg to Copenhagen by Intercity train seen here at Copenhagen. More about Hamburg to Copenhagen trains. |
 |
 |
|
|
2nd class seats on an IC3 train. Larger photo. |
1st class seats on an IC3 train. Larger photo. |
 |
|
Copenhagen to Stockholm by tilting 200km/h X2000, seen at Stockholm Central. More about X2000 trains. |
 |
 |
|
|
1st class on an X2000. Larger photo. |
2nd class on an X2000. Larger photo. |
 |
 |
|
|
Bistro seating on an X2000 train. Larger photo. |
Bistro on an X2000 train. Larger photo. |
 |
|
Crossing the impressive Φresund bridge from Denmark to Sweden... |
Barcelona to Helsinki & Finland...
Option 1, using a Finnlines ferry from Germany to Helsinki - the easiest option...
-
Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 14:00, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 20:46.
This afternoon Barcelona-Paris TGV should run all year round, but due to covid-19 it will only run from 15 June to 1 October 2022. You can take the morning TGV instead.
This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It's a scenic journey, too, see the scenery photos & watch the video here.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee) or www.sncf-connect.com (more fiddly, in , no fee). Booking normally opens 120 days ahead. You print your own ticket or can select a mobile ticket to show on your smartphone.
-
Stay overnight in Paris, see suggested hotels near the station.
-
Day 2, travel from Paris to Hamburg, you'll usually find a departure from Paris Gare de l'Est at 09:06, changing at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf and arriving Hamburg Hbf at 17:54.
Fares start at 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
Check times & buy a ticket at the German Railways website www.bahn.de. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.
-
Day 2, transfer from Hamburg Hbf to the Travemόnde ferry terminal by train+bus and sail from Travemόnde to Helsinki with Finnlines, see the Trains from Hamburg page for full details of the transfer, check-in arrangements & ferry crossing.
Finnlines sail from Travemόnde in northern Germany to Helsinki every day, boarding from 22:30 to 24:00 and arriving Helsinki Vuosaari ferry terminal at 09:00 2 nights later (Day 4 from Spain).
Check sailing dates, times & book the ferry at www.finnlines.com or using the Direct Ferries website.
-
Book onward trains within Finland at the Finnish Railways website www.vr.fi.
 |
 |
|
|
One of Finnlines 3 star class ferries to Helsinki. Courtesy of Finnlines. |
Cabin on the ferry... |
Option 2, by train to Stockholm, then ferry to Helsinki...
-
Step 2, travel from Stockholm to Helsinki either by direct overnight cruise ferry, or by daytime or overnight ferry to Turku and connecting train to Helsinki as shown on the Trains & ferries from Stockholm page.
Barcelona to Prague & the Czech Republic...
Option 1, by day trains to Zurich then sleeper to Prague...
-
Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Lyon by AVE-S100 high-speed train leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:15, arriving Lyon Part Dieu at 13:20.
The AVE train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Bιziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & information here.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares very like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
-
Step 2, travel from Lyon to Geneva by TER regional train, leaving Lyon Part Dieu at 14:38 and arriving Geneva at 16:35.
The fare is a fixed-price 29.40. 2nd class only. There's some nice scenery as the train runs along the river Rhone.
Book from Barcelona Sants to Geneva as one transaction at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , more fiddly).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.
-
Step 3, travel from Geneva to Zurich by Swiss Intercity train, leaving Geneva at 17:15 and arriving Zurich HB at 19:56.
Buy this ticket at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee) or the Swiss Railways website www.sbb.ch (in CHF) and print it out. You may find a cheap supersaver fare if you pre-book.
-
Step 4, travel from Zurich to Prague by sleeper train, leaving Zurich HB at 21:40 and arriving Prague Hlavni at 10:57 (day 3 from Spain).
This train has an excellent modern Czech sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartment (choice of standard with washbasin or deluxe with shower & toilet) - there are no couchettes on this train, just a sleeping-car. There's no restaurant car, so take you own picnic and bottle of wine. The beds convert to seats for the daytime part of the journey, and there's a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the standard sleepers. The train arrives at Prague Hlavni station, 15 minutes walk from Prague's historic old town.
Fares start at 79 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, 99 with a bed in a cosy 2-bed sleeper or 129 in a single-bed sleeper.
Book the Zurich-Prague sleeper at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz/eshop and print your own ticket. This is the only website where this sleeper can be booked online.
 |
|
By sleeping-car from Zurich to Prague, seen here ready to leave Zurich HB. More photos, tips & information about the Zurich to Prague sleeper. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||
|
Standard sleeper set up as a 2-berth, with blind down & washstand open. Each room can be used with 1, 2 or 3 beds. |
The same sleeper with berths folded away & seats folded out, washstand closed. Very similar to a deluxe, but without the shower & toilet. |
Economy sleeper compartments have a washstand with hot water, fresh towels, drinking water & soap. |
Just like a hotel corridor... The corridor in a Comfortline sleeping-car... |
Option 2, by day trains with overnight stop in Paris...
-
Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 14:00 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 20:46.
This afternoon Barcelona-Paris TGV should run all year round, but due to covid-19 it will only run from 15 June to 1 October 2022. You can take the morning TGV instead.
This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It's a scenic journey, too, see the scenery photos & watch the video here.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (more fiddly, in , but no booking fee). Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.
-
Stay overnight in Paris, see suggested hotels near the station. Change stations in Paris by metro or taxi.
-
Step 2, travel from Paris to Munich, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 09:06 by TGV Duplex to Mannheim with connection to Munich arriving 15:28.
Fares start at 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.raileurope.com (in , £ or , small booking fee) or the German Railways website www.bahn.de (in , no booking fee). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your smartphone.
-
Step 3, travel from Munich to Prague by express train, leaving Munich Hbf at 16:43 and arriving Prague Hlavni at 22:21.
This train is fully air-conditioned with power sockets at all seats and free WiFi in most cars, see the Munich to Prague page for more details & photos of these trains.
Fares start at 15 in 2nd class or 35 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz & print your own ticket or show it in the CD app. Booking normally opens 90 days ahead.
Option 3, by day trains with overnight stop in Munich...
-
Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 09:10 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 15:46.
From 2 July to 28 August 2022 this train runs a bit later, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:00 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 16:47.
This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It's a scenic journey, too, see the scenery photos & watch the video here.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both sites easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee. Booking normally opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.
-
Step 2, travel from Paris to Munich by TGV Duplex leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 17:55, direct to Munich on Saturdays, change at Stuttgart on other days, arriving Munich Hbf around 23:30.
The TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (with small booking fee) or at www.bahn.de (no booking fee). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
-
Stay overnight in Munich. The Sofitel Munich Beyerpost, Eden Hotel Wolff, InterCity Hotel or (budget) the Pension Locarno are all right next to the station with good or great reviews.
-
Step 3, travel from Munich to Prague by direct train, there's an 08:43 arriving 14:21 or there are earlier or later trains, see the Munich to Prague page for a timetable & more information. All these trains are air-conditioned with power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at 15 in 2nd class or 35 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz. Booking normally opens 90 days ahead. You print your own ticket
Barcelona to Bratislava & Slovakia...
Option 1, Barcelona to Paris by TGV, Paris to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper, local train to Bratislava - the most comfortable & time-effective option, 3 times per week...
-
Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 09:10 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 15:46.
From 2 July to 28 August 2022 this train runs a bit later, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:00 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 16:47.
This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It's a scenic journey, too, see the scenery photos here & watch the video here.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
Buy a ticket at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee.
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.
Transfer from the Gare de Lyon to the Gare de l'Est by taxi or metro. Have dinner in Paris, see suggested restaurants.
-
Step 2, travel from Paris to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 19:58 on Tuesdays, Fridays & Sundays, arriving Vienna Hbf at 10:12. This new train starts running from the timetable change in mid-December 2021.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has two air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-cars each with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and an ordinary seats car. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment. See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.
Fares start at 49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, 59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, 89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, 109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or 159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in plain English, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (more fiddly, in , same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
-
Step 3, travel from Vienna Hbf to Bratislava Hlavna by regional express train. These run every hour taking 1h07, fare 10.80, no reservation necessary or even possible, just buy a ticket at the station and hop on the next train. More about these Vienna-Bratislava trains.
You can check train times & prices at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (a bit more fiddly, same prices, in ) and buy a ticket if you like, just to save time at the station.
|
|
|
Paris to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train. More information about Nightjets. |
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
Deluxe sleeper. Each compartment can be used as a 1, 2 or 3-bed room. Larger photo. Video of deluxe room |
The same deluxe sleeper in evening/morning mode with beds folded away, seats folded out. Larger photo. |
Deluxe rooms have a compact shower & toilet, towels & hair/body wash provided. Larger photo. |
Standard sleeper set up as 2-berth, washstand open. It can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth. Larger photo. |
|
|
|
|
||
|
6-berth couchettes... |
4-berth couchettes... |
Couchette car... |
Option 2, by day trains to Switzerland then nightjet sleeper train - another time-effective option, every day...
-
Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Lyon by AVE-S100 high-speed train leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:15, arriving Lyon Part Dieu at 13:20.
The AVE train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Bιziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & information here.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares very like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
-
Step 2, travel from Lyon to Geneva by TER regional train, leaving Lyon Part Dieu at 14:38 and arriving Geneva at 16:35.
The fare is a fixed-price 29.40. 2nd class only. There's some nice scenery as the train runs along the river Rhone.
Book from Barcelona Sants to Geneva as one transaction at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com (both sites easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , more fiddly, no fee).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.
-
Step 3, travel from Geneva to Zurich by Swiss Intercity train, leaving Geneva at 17:15 and arriving Zurich HB at 19:56.
Buy this ticket at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee) or the Swiss Railways website www.sbb.ch (in CHF) and print it out. You may find a cheap supersaver fare if you pre-book. Swiss domestic tickets open for booking 60 days ahead.
-
Step 4, travel from Zurich to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Zurich HB at 21:40 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 07:58.
The train has modern double-deck sleeping-cars with 1 & 2 berth sleepers with washbasin, and 1 & 2-berth deluxe sleepers with en suite shower & toilet, and a few 3-berth sleepers with washbasin. It also has couchettes (4-berth & 6-berth compartments) and ordinary seats.
Fares start at 49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, 59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, 69.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, 89.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or 139.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , a bit more fiddly, same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
-
Step 5, when you reach Vienna, simply buy a ticket for 10.80 and hop on the next hourly regional express train from Vienna Hbf to Bratislava Hlavna, no reservation necessary or possible, journey time 1h07, see the timetable here. Check times at www.thetrainline.com or www.oebb.at.
|
|
|
The safe & comfortable Nightjet from Zurich to Vienna. This is a double-deck sleeping-car at Zurich HB. Courtesy of DiscoverbyRail.com. |
|
|
|
|
||
|
2-berth sleeper on the lower deck... |
Stairs down to pair of lower compartments... |
1 or 2-bed sleeper on lower deck with washbasin, viewed through window. Set up as 1-bed. Note how compact the compartment is... |
|
|
|
|
||
|
Austrian couchette car or liegewagen... |
6-berth couchettes... |
4-berth couchettes... |
Option 3, by day trains with overnight stop in Geneva - the most scenic option...
-
Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Lyon by AVE-S100 high-speed train leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:15, arriving Lyon Part Dieu at 13:20.
The AVE train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Bιziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & information here.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares very like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
-
Step 2, travel from Lyon to Geneva by TER regional train, leaving Lyon Part Dieu at 14:38 and arriving Geneva at 16:35.
The fare is a fixed-price 29.40. 2nd class only. There's some nice scenery as the train runs along the river Rhone.
Book from Barcelona Sants to Geneva as one transaction at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com (both sites easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , more fiddly).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.
-
Stay overnight in Geneva. Suggested hotels with good reviews near the station include Hotel Cornavin Geneve, Hotel Les Arcades, ibis Styles Geneva Gare. Hotels in Switzerland can be expensive, if you're on a budget you can book budget private rooms in a one-star hotel or backpacker hostel near the station using www.hostelworld.com.
-
Step 3, travel from Geneva to Bratislava, leaving Geneva at 09:15 by Swiss Intercity train and changing onto the 12:40 railjet train from Zurich HB to Bratislava Hlavna, arriving 21:51.
This direct Zurich-Bratislava railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. The journey takes you through the beautifully scenic Arlberg Pass, see the photos & video on the Arlberg Pass page. Have your camera ready!
By all means try booking Geneva-Bratislava at www.thetrainline.com, but you may need to split the booking, first booking Geneva-Vienna from 39.90 at www.thetrainline.com then booking Vienna-Bratislava from 19.90 on the same train, RJX 167 leaving Vienna at 20:42.
Barcelona to Budapest & Hungary...
Option 1, Barcelona to Paris by TGV, Paris to Vienna by sleeper train, railjet to Budapest - the most comfortable & time-effective option, 3 times per week...
-
Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 09:10 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 15:46.
From 2 July to 28 August 2022 this train runs a bit later, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:00 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 16:47.
This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It's a scenic journey, too, see the scenery photos here & watch the video here.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
Buy a ticket at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee.
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.
Transfer from the Gare de Lyon to the Gare de l'Est by taxi or metro. Have dinner in Paris, see suggested restaurants.
-
Step 2, travel from Paris to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 19:58 on Tuesdays, Fridays & Sundays, arriving Vienna Hbf at 10:12. This new train starts running from the timetable change in mid-December 2021.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has two air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-cars each with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and an ordinary seats car. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment. See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.
Fares start at 49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, 59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, 89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, 109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or 159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in plain English, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (more fiddly, in , same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
-
Step 3, travel from Vienna to Budapest by railjet train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 11:40 & arriving Budapest Keleti at 14:19.
The swish modern railjet has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. An earlier connection is possible, but I'd allow at least an hour between trains when connecting with a sleeper train just in case of delay.
Fares start at 19.90 in 2nd class or 29.90 in 1st class.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easiest to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways' own site www.oebb.at (same prices, in , a bit more fiddly). You print your own ticket.
|
|
|
Paris to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train. More information about Nightjets. |
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
Deluxe sleeper. Each compartment can be used as a 1, 2 or 3-bed room. Larger photo. Video of deluxe room |
The same deluxe sleeper in evening/morning mode with beds folded away, seats folded out. Larger photo. |
Deluxe rooms have a compact shower & toilet, towels & hair/body wash provided. Larger photo. |
Standard sleeper set up as 2-berth, washstand open. It can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth. Larger photo. |
|
|
|
|
||
|
6-berth couchettes... |
4-berth couchettes... |
Couchette car... |
Option 2, by day trains to Switzerland then EuroNight sleeper train - another time-effective option, every day...
-
Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Lyon by AVE-S100 high-speed train leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:15, arriving Lyon Part Dieu at 13:20.
The AVE train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Bιziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & information here.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
-
Step 2, travel from Lyon to Geneva by TER regional train, leaving Lyon Part Dieu at 14:38 and arriving Geneva at 16:35.
The fare is a fixed-price 29.40. 2nd class only. There's some nice scenery as the train runs along the river Rhone.
Book from Barcelona to Geneva as one journey at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (a little more fiddly, in ).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.
-
Step 3, take a Swiss domestic train from Geneva to Zurich HB, these run every half hour, there's usually one around 17:15 arriving 19:56. You've now time for steak-frites and a beer at the Brasserie Federal inside Zurich HB.
-
Step 4, travel from Zurich to Budapest by EuroNight sleeper train, leaving Zurich HB at 21:40 and arriving Budapest Keleti at 09:19.
The Zurich-Budapest portion of this train has a comfortable air-conditioned Hungarian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments and an air-conditioned carpeted Hungarian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin. More information, photos & tips about this train. Watch the video.
Fares start at 49.90 with a couchette in a 6-berth, 59.90 with a couchette in a 4-berth, 69.90 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, 88.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or 129.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book from Geneva to Budapest at either www.thetrainline.com (easiest, in , £ or $, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , more fiddly) looking for journeys with 1 change onto the 21:40 NJ (Nightjet) train from Zurich. You print your own ticket. If you book Geneva-Budapest the price will include the journey from Geneva to Zurich on any suitable Swiss domestic train that day, it doesn't have to be the specific train the journey planner shows.
Tip: There's no restaurant car, so have dinner before boarding your sleeper, see suggested restaurants on the Zurich HB station page. That page also explains where you can stock up with snacks & a bottle of wine for that midnight feast in your sleeper.
Tip: If you like, you can check the consist for this train, check car numbers & see in what order cars for different destinations are marshalled using the excellent www.vagonweb.cz. Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations, scroll down to Switzerland & click nj.
 |
|
Boarding the sleeper to Budapest... Above, the sleeper attendant waits to greet passengers at Zurich HB. In the sleeping-car, some complimentary Hungarian sparkling wine awaits you in your compartment... |
 |
 |
 |
||
|
1, 2 or 3 bed sleeper, set up as a 2-bed. |
4-berth couchettes. |
6-berth couchettes. |
Option 2, by day trains with overnight stop in Geneva. The most scenic option...
-
Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Lyon by AVE-S100 high-speed train leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:15, arriving Lyon Part Dieu at 13:20.
The AVE train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Bιziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & information here.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
-
Step 2, travel from Lyon to Geneva by TER regional train, leaving Lyon Part Dieu at 14:38 and arriving Geneva at 16:35.
The fare is a fixed-price 29.40. 2nd class only. There's some nice scenery as the train runs along the river Rhone.
Book from Barcelona Sants to Geneva as one transaction at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , more fiddly).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.
-
Stay overnight in Geneva. Suggested hotels with good reviews near the station include Hotel Cornavin Genθve, Hotel Les Arcades, ibis Styles Geneva Gare. Hotels in Switzerland can be expensive, if you're on a budget you can book budget private rooms in a one-star hotel or backpacker hostel near the station using www.hostelworld.com.
-
Step 3, travel from Geneva to Zurich by Swiss train leaving Geneva at 07:15, changing onto the 10:40 railjet train from Zurich HB to Budapest Keleti arriving 21:19.
The railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. The journey takes you through the beautifully scenic Arlberg Pass, see the photos & video on the Arlberg Pass page. Have your camera to hand!
By all means try booking Geneva-Budapest at www.thetrainline.com or www.oebb.at, but you may need to split the booking, first booking Geneva-Vienna from 49.90 then booking Vienna-Budapest from 19.90 on the same train, RJX 165 leaving Vienna at 18:42. If you split the booking, make a Zurich-Budapest seat reservation separately as shown here.
|
|
|
Zurich to Budapest by railjet. A railjet about to leave Zurich HB... |
 |
 |
|
|
Business class. About. |
Restaurant car. |
 |
 |
|
|
First class. |
Economy class. |
 |
|
Soon after leaving Zurich, the railjet runs alongside the Zόrichsee, then along the Walensee... |
 |
 |
|
|
In the Arlberg pass itself, the railway hugs the valley side, past fir forests and meadows... |
In railjet first & business class, a steward takes your order & serves lunch at your seat. |
|
|
|
The mountains keep on coming... |
 |
|
The railjet has landed! Arrived on platform 9 at Budapest Keleti station. |
Barcelona to Bucharest & Romania...
-
Step 2. travel by sleeper train from Budapest to Brasov & Bucharest as shown here.
Or if you prefer, stay overnight in Budapest and take a daytime train the following day.
-
For example, you can travel from Barcelona to Zurich on day 1, take the overnight sleeper from Zurich to Budapest, spend day 2 exploring Budapest, then take the overnight sleeper to Brasov & Bucharest arriving on day 3.
Barcelona to Ljubljana, Zagreb, Belgrade & Sofia...
Option 1, using the Zurich-Zagreb sleeper...
-
Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Geneva by daytime trains as shown above.
-
Day 1 evening, travel from Geneva to Zurich by Swiss domestic train then take the comfortable Croatian sleeper train from Zurich to Ljubljana & Zagreb as shown here, arriving Ljubljana at 08:13 & Zagreb at 10:43 on day 2.
-
Day 2, continue to Belgrade by daytime train arriving early evening, as shown here.
-
Day 3, travel from Belgrade to Sofia & Bulgaria as shown on the Belgrade to Sofia page.
 |
|
The Zurich-Zagreb sleeper train boarding at Zurich HB as the sun sets on a summer day. That's the Croatian couchette car on the right, the Croatian sleeping-car on the left. See the Croatian sleeper video. |
 |
 |
 |
||
|
1, 2 or 3 bed sleeper. |
Set up as a single-berth. |
4 or 6-berth couchettes. 360Ί photo. |
 |
|
Wake up to scenery like this between Ljubljana & Zagreb, along the river Sava... |
 |
Option 2, via Marseille & Venice...
-
Day 1 afternoon, travel from Barcelona to Marseille by direct AVE.
-
Stay overnight in Marseille.
-
Day 2, travel from Marseille to Nice, Ventimiglia, Milan and then on to Venice.
-
Stay overnight in Venice.
-
Day 3 early morning (Monday-Friday only), travel from Venice to Trieste then Trieste to Ljubljana by regional trains, then on to Zagreb, see the timetable & Venice-Ljubljana-Zagreb journey guide here. Alternatively, any day of the week, spend a morning & early afternoon in Venice then take the afternoon train Venice-Trieste-Ljubljana, see the timetable & journey information here.
 |
 |
|
|
Inside the ETR563. Larger photo. |
The train to Ljubljana about to leave Trieste. Courtesy of Marc Williams. |
Barcelona to Warsaw, Krakow & Poland...
Option 1, Barcelona to Warsaw with overnight stop in Paris - the fastest option, runs Sunday to Thursday only...
-
Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 14:00, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 20:46.
This afternoon Barcelona-Paris TGV should run all year round, but due to covid-19 it will only run from 15 June to 1 October 2022. You can take the morning TGV instead.
This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It's a scenic journey, too, see the scenery photos here & watch the video here.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee) or www.sncf-connect.com (more fiddly, in ). Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can select a mobile ticket to show on your smartphone.
-
Stay overnight in Paris, see suggested hotels near the station.
-
Day 2, travel from Paris to Warsaw in a day. Remarkably, high-speed trains make it possible to travel from Paris to Warsaw in a single day, at least on Mondays-Fridays. It's not possible at weekends.
You'll usually find a journey leaving Paris Gare de l'Est around 07:08, changing Mannheim & Berlin Hbf, arriving Warsaw Centralna 23:35.
It's a chill-out journey across Europe, using a 320 km/h double-deck TGV Duplex with cafe-bar & power sockets at all seats between Paris & Mannheim, a superb high-speed ICE train with restaurant car, free WiFi & power sockets at all seats from Mannheim to Berlin, and a EuroCity train with restaurant car from Berlin to Warsaw. In Berlin, you have time between trains to wander past the Reichstag to the Brandenburg Gate, just 15 minutes walk from Berlin Hbf.
Paris-Berlin starts at 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest fares.
Berlin-Warsaw starts at 27.90 in 2nd class or 37.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest fares.
To buy tickets, first check your train times. Go to the German Railways website www.bahn.de, enter Paris to Warsaw with departure time set to 07:00, but make sure you change Duration of transfer from Standard to at least 40 minutes. If you don't do this you get unnecessarily tight connections which aren't advisable for such a journey, especially as you're going to book separate tickets either side of Berlin. When you run this enquiry you'll see silly-money 240+ fares, just ignore these, just note down the trains you need.
Now split the booking like this: First use www.bahn.de to book the trains you want from Paris to Berlin. Then use it again to book the train you want from Berlin to Warsaw.
Booking from Paris to Berlin opens up to 6 months ahead. Booking from Berlin to Poland normally opens only 60 days ahead. You print your own tickets or can show them on your laptop or smartphone.
Option 2, Barcelona to Warsaw & Krakow using the Zurich-Vienna sleeper - the next fastest option, runs every day...
-
Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Lyon by AVE-S100 high-speed train leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:15, arriving Lyon Part Dieu at 13:20.
The AVE train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Bιziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & information here.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares very like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
-
Day 1, travel from Lyon to Geneva by TER regional train, leaving Lyon Part Dieu at 14:38 and arriving Geneva at 16:35.
The fare is a fixed-price 29.40. 2nd class only. There's some nice scenery as the train runs along the river Rhone.
Book from Barcelona Sants to Geneva as one journey at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com (both sites easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , more fiddly, no fee).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.
-
Day 1, travel from Geneva to Zurich by Swiss Intercity train, leaving Geneva at 17:15 and arriving Zurich HB at 19:56.
Buy this ticket at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee) or the Swiss Railways website www.sbb.ch (in CHF) and print it out. You may find a cheap supersaver fare if you pre-book. Booking for Swiss domestic trains opens 60 days ahead.
-
Day 1, travel from Zurich to Vienna by EuroNight sleeper train, leaving Zurich HB at 21:40 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 06:34 on day 2.
The train has a Hungarian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 berth sleepers with washbasin, and a Hungarian couchette car with 4-berth & 6-berth compartments, and ordinary seats. Its final destination is Budapest, see the Zurich to Budapest page for photos & tips. Watch the video.
Fares start at 49.90 with a couchette in a 6-berth, 59.90 with a couchette in a 4-berth, 69.90 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, 88.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or 129.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Important: Make sure you book the EuroNight (EN) train arriving Vienna at 06:34. Another portion of the same train is a Nightjet (NJ) which detaches, runs slower, and arrives Vienna at 07:58, which is too tight a connection with the train to Krakow.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , a bit more fiddly, same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
-
Day 2, travel from Vienna to Krakow by EuroCity train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 08:10 arriving Krakow Glowny at 13:51.
This is a comfortable train with restaurant car. Change at Krakow Glowny for Warsaw, arriving Warsaw Centralna at 17:05.
Fares start at 29.90 in 2nd class or 59.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this using www.thetrainline.com or www.oebb.at and print your own ticket. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead if it's a direct train, only 60 days if a connecting train within Poland is involved.
Option 3, Barcelona to Warsaw & Krakow with overnight stops in Paris & Berlin - runs daily...
-
Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 14:00 & arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 20:46.
This afternoon Barcelona-Paris TGV should run all year round, but due to covid-19 it will only run from 15 June to 1 October 2022. You can take the morning TGV instead.
This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It's a scenic journey, too, see the scenery photos here & watch the video here.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
Book this at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee) or www.sncf-connect.com (a bit more fiddly, in , but no fee). You print your own ticket or can show it on your smartphone. Change trains & stations in Paris.
-
Stay overnight in Paris, see suggested hotels near the station.
-
Day 2, travel from Paris to Berlin, there are various options from 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class with a change at either Mannheim, Frankfurt or Cologne. For example, leave Paris Gare de l'Est at 09:06, change at Mannheim and arrive Berlin Hbf at 17:27.
Check prices at www.raileurope.com (in , £ or $, small booking fee) or www.bahn.de (in , no booking fee) and print your own ticket.
-
Stay overnight in Berlin. The 3-star InterCity Hotel (my favourite) or Meininger Hotel are right next to Berlin Hbf, a 10-minute walk from the Reichstag or 15 minutes from the Brandenburg Gate, relatively inexpensive with good reviews. The Steigenberger Hotel is more upmarket, also right next to the station with great reviews. If you want to push the boat out, the famous & historic Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is next to the Brandenburg Gate. If you're on a tight budget, the cheaper Motel One Berlin-Hbf is behind the station or see www.hostelworld.com.
-
Day 3 for Warsaw: Travel from Berlin Hbf to Warsaw Centralna in 5h30 on any EuroCity train you like, see the timetable here. Daily except Sundays the 05:43 from Berlin Hbf will get you to Warsaw Centralna at 11:42 with breakfast in the restaurant car. Or have a leisurely breakfast and take the daily 09:38 arriving 15:45. By all means take a later train to have a morning in Berlin.
Fares start at 27.90 in 2nd class or 39.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
Book at www.bahn.de and print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or smartphone.
-
Day 3 for Krakow, Katowice, Wroclaw: Travel from Berlin to Krakow by air-conditioned EuroCity train Wawel, leaving Berlin Hbf at 10:39 every day, arriving Wroclaw 14:52, Katowice 16:57 & Krakow Glowny 17:52. The Wawel is comfortable & air-conditioned with restaurant car, treat yourself to lunch and a beer or two.
Fares start at 27.90 in 2nd class or 39.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
Book at www.bahn.de and print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or smartphone.
Barcelona to Vilnius, Riga, Tallinn...
-
For example, you can travel from Barcelona to Paris on day 1 and Paris to Berlin on day 2. If you then leave Berlin on the 05:43 EuroCity train to Warsaw, you can reach Kaunas in Lithuania in the evening of day 3, with connections to Vilnius.
-
Step 3, for onward travel from Vilnius to Riga, see here.
-
Step 4, for onward travel from Riga to Tallinn, see here.
Barcelona to Kiev, Lviv & Ukraine...
-
Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Vienna as shown in the Spain to Vienna section above.
You travel travel from Barcelona to Zurich on day 1, then take the Nightjet sleeper train from Zurich to Vienna, arriving in the morning of day 2.
-
Step 2, travel from Vienna to Lviv & Kiev by direct sleeping-car as shown on the Trains from Vienna page.
You leave Vienna in the late afternoon and arrive Lviv next morning & Kiev in the afternoon (day 3 from Barcelona).
 |
|
The Vienna-Kiev sleeping-car at Kiev Pass. Photos courtesy of Helmut Uttenthaler. |
 |
 |
 |
||
|
The Vienna-Kiev sleeper about to leave Vienna Hbf... Courtesy of Helmut Uttenthaler. |
|
The sleeper corridor. Courtesy Helmut Uttenthaler. |
|
1, 2 or 3 bed sleeper compartment. |
Barcelona to Moscow, St Petersburg & Russia...
Option 1, Barcelona to Moscow using the Paris-Moscow Express, once a week all year.
-
Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 09:10 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 15:46.
From 2 July to 28 August 2022 this train runs a bit later, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:00 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 16:47.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both sites easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee. Booking normally opens 120 days ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone. See here for more photos, video guide & booking advice.
-
Day 1, take the Paris-Moscow Express, run by Russian railways once a week, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 18:58 on Thursdays, arriving Warsaw the following afternoon and arriving Moscow Byelorusski around 10:10 two nights later (i.e. day 3). See the London to Moscow page for full details, how to buy tickets, photos & video guide.
This train was suspended due to covid-19 and remains suspended due to sanctions...
Change in Moscow for St Petersburg, see the train travel in Russia page.
-
Don't forget to arrange both your Russian visa and Belarus transit visa as the train runs via Belarus. See important update about travel to Russia through Belarus.
 |
 |
|
|
Standard sleepers with washbasin on the Paris-Moscow Express: 1st class 2-berth or 2nd class 4-berth. More photos & information. |
||
 |
 |
|
|
VIP sleeper with en suite toilet & shower on the Paris-Moscow Express... More photos & information |
||
Option 2, to Moscow via Paris & the Berlin-Moscow sleeper, twice a week. The Berlin-Moscow train is suspended due to Covid-19...
-
Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 14:00 & arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 20:46.
This afternoon Barcelona-Paris TGV should run all year round, but due to covid-19 it will only run from 15 June to 1 October 2022. You can take the morning TGV instead.
This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It's a scenic journey, too, see the scenery photos here & watch the video here.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, a small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (a bit more fiddly, in ). Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.
-
Stay overnight in Paris - see suggested hotels near the station.
-
Day 2, travel from Paris to Berlin, there are various options with a change in either Mannheim, Frankfurt or Cologne.
Fares start at 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
Check times & prices at www.raileurope.com (in , £ or $, small booking fee) or www.bahn.de (in , no booking fee). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.
Do not risk any tight connection in Berlin, allow hours not minutes - for example, you can leave Paris Gare de l'Est at 07:20, change at Mannheim and arrive Berlin Hbf around 15:28.
-
Day 2, travel from Berlin to Moscow by direct Russian sleeper train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 20:08 on Mondays & Saturdays, arriving at Moscow Belorussky station at 21:24 next day.
This train was suspended due to covid-19 and remains suspended due to sanctions...
This train is an articulated Spanish-built Talgo train branded Strizh (Russian for swift) which started running in 2016. It has ordinary seats, 2nd class 4-berth sleepers, 1st class 1 or 2 berth sleepers with washbasin and deluxe 1 or 2 berth sleepers with en suite shower & toilet. There's a restaurant & bistro car. See photo of 2-berth sleeper on this train.
Russian track gauge is 5', but most of Europe (including the UK) is 4' 8½", so at Brest on the Belarus frontier the Talgo train runs through a special gauge-changing shed and the axles automatically adjust to the new gauge. Once in Russia, the scenery is rolling hills, birch tree forests, and villages of small wooden houses. Approaching Moscow, you may glimpse the plaques on the station building marked '1812' and '1942' as the train passes through the small station of historic Borodino...
You can book the Berlin-Moscow train at the Russian Railways website www.rzd.ru and print your own ticket, it's a little fiddly but usually works, or you can easily buy it online with English language after-sales service if you need it, using the Real Russia online system here.
Don't forget to arrange both your Russian visa and Belarus transit visa as the train runs via Belarus. See my important update about travel to Russia through Belarus.
Change in Moscow for St Petersburg, see the train travel in Russia page.
Option 3, via Vienna & Kiev - avoiding Belarus...
-
Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Vienna as shown in the Barcelona to Vienna section above.
You travel from Barcelona to Zurich on day 1, taking the Nightjet sleeper from Zurich to Vienna, arriving in the morning of day 2.
-
Step 2, travel from Vienna to Lviv & Kiev by direct sleeping-car as shown on the Trains from Vienna page.
You leave Vienna in the afternoon of day 2 and arrive Lviv & Kiev next day (day 3 from Barcelona).
-
Step 3, travel from Kiev to Moscow by sleeper train. There are several sleeper trains to choose from, for example one leaves Kiev at 19:36 arriving Moscow Kievskaya station at 10:09 the next morning (day 5 from Spain).
Kiev-Moscow trains were suspended due to Covid-19, and are now cancelled - and the lines blown up - due to the war in Ukraine...
The fare is around 92 with a bed in 4-berth kupι or 180 with a bed in a 2-berth spalny vagon.
You can ask www.polrail.com to book this for you too, or you can book tickets from Kiev to Moscow at the Ukrainian Railways site booking.uz.gov.ua/en/ booking from Kyiv to Moskva Kievskaya. You collect tickets at the station in Kiev. Feedback appreciated!
Change in Moscow for St Petersburg, see the train travel in Russia page.
Barcelona to Athens & Greece...
-
Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Milan as shown in the Barcelona to Italy section above.
You travel from Barcelona to Lyon and Lyon to Milan in a single day, day 1.
-
Stay overnight in Milan: Hotels near Milan Centrale with good reviews include the Made to Measure Business, 43 Station Hotel, Starhotel Echo or Starhotel Anderson.
-
Step 2, travel from Milan to Athens as shown on the Trains from Milan page.
You travel from Milan to Bari by train on day 2, then sail overnight from Bari to Patras in Greece. A bus/train combo gets you to Athens early evening (day 3 from Barcelona).
 |
 |
|
|
2 or 4-berth cabin with private toilet & shower. |
Relaxing on deck... |
|
|
|
At sea, passing Cephalonia & Ithaca. This is what travel to Greece should be like! |
Barcelona to Istanbul & Turkey...
-
Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Munich as shown above. You might also try Barcelona to Budapest as shown here.
-
Step 2, in Munich or Budapest you can pick up the London-Paris-Munich-Budapest-Istanbul route explained in detail on the London & Paris to Istanbul page.
Railbookers
custom-made tours
If you just want to buy train tickets at the cheapest price, book online as shown on this page. However, if you want someone to sort out your whole trip for you, arranging all your trains, hotels and transfers, and to look after you if anything affects your arrangements, talk to Railbookers. Railbookers can custom-make a train trip around Europe to your own specification. Just tell them what you want and they'll advise you on the best trains, routes & hotels. They get good reports and a lot of repeat business! They now have offices in the UK, North America and Australia.
UK call 0207 864 4600,
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.
Hotels
in Barcelona
Suggested hotels near Barcelona Sants station...
If you're just staying overnight between trains, here are some hotels near Barcelona Sants with good or great reviews:
-
Hotel Barcelo Sants, 4-star, situated directly above Barcelona Sants station, great reviews, the recommended choice.
-
AC Hotel Sants by Marriott, 4-star, just 50m from the station.
-
Hotel Catalonia Roma, 3-star.
-
Hostal Baler, 2-star.
-
Hotel Transit, 1-star.
-
On a tight budget, a bed in a dorm at the highly-rated Ten-To-Go Hostel or Meeting Point Hostel a stone's throw from Barcelona Sants starts at 20 or so.
Suggested Barcelona hotels near the old quarter...
If you're staying longer, find a hotel in the old quarter where the sights are - perhaps on La Rambla itself. Here are some hotels with good or great reviews:
-
Hotel DO Plaηa 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).
Other hotel sites worth trying...
www.tripadvisor.com is the place to find independent travellers' reviews of all the main hotels.
Backpacker hostels...
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 most cities at rock-bottom prices.
Travel insurance & VPN
|
|
|
|
|
Always take out travel insurance...
Never travel overseas without travel insurance from a reliable insurer, with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover. It should also cover cancellation and loss of cash and belongings, up to a sensible limit. An annual multi-trip policy is usually cheaper than several single-trip policies even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy myself. Here are some suggested insurers. Seat61 gets a small commission if you buy through these links.
In
the UK, reliable insurers include
Columbus Direct.
If you have a pre-existing medical condition or are over 65, see
www.JustTravelCover.com.
You
can use
Confused.com to compare prices & policies from many
different insurers.
If you live in the USA try
Travel Guard USA.
A Curve card saves on foreign transaction fees...
|
|
Most banks give you a poor exchange rate, then charge you a currency conversion fee. A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month at time of writing. The balance goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.
How it works: 1. Download the app for iPhone or Android. 2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to most European addresses including the UK. 3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app. 4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, just like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance onto whichever of your debit or credit cards you choose. You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.
I have a Curve Blue card myself - I get some commission if you sign up to Curve, but I'm recommending it here because it's great. See details, download the app and get a Curve card - they'll give you £5 cashback through that link, too.
|
|
Get a VPN for safe browsing. VPNs & why you need one explained...
When you're travelling you often use free WiFi in public places which may not be secure. A VPN means your connection to the internet is encrypted & always secure, even using unsecured WiFi. In countries such as China where access to Twitter & Facebook is restricted, a VPN gets around these restrictions. And lastly, you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geographic restrictions which some websites apply - for example one booking site charges a booking fee to non-European visitors but none to European visitors, so if you're not located in Europe you can avoid this fee by browsing with a UK IP address using a VPN. VPNs & why you need one explained. ExpressVPN is a best buy and I use it myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using the links on this page, you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription, and I get a small commission to help support this site.