Barcelona Sants station information    1st class lounge at Barcelona Sants

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 2023.

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 Madrid

    Barcelona to Malaga, Cordoba & Seville

    Barcelona to Granada

    Barcelona to Valencia & Alicante

    Barcelona to San Sebastian & Bilbao

    Barcelona to Santiago de Compostela, A Coruna & Vigo

    Barcelona to Ibiza by ferry

    Barcelona to Mallorca by ferry

  All 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 or www.thetrainline.com with print-at-home tickets and all of Renfe's cheap prices shown.  Raileurope & Thetrainline link 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 or Thetrainline as they accept international credit cards.  There's a small booking fee.  More about Raileurope.  More about Thetrainline.

  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 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 08:35 and 15:15 every day for Cordoba & Seville, and at 15:15 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-Andalucía 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 08:35 every day and arrives Granada at 15:00.

  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-Andalucía 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 23:35.

  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.

	Trasmed 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...

• Trasmed (formerly 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.trasmed.com, or call Trasmed's UK agent, Southern Ferries on 0844 815 7785.  The ship sails from the Trasmed 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 Trasmed (formerly Acciona Trasmediterranea) (www.trasmed.com, 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 Trasmed & 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 Trasmed, 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.

• 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.

Back to top

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.

Back to top

Barcelona to London from €96...

• Barcelona to Paris by TGV, Paris to London by Eurostar, see the London to Spain page.

Back to top

Barcelona to Dublin & Ireland...

Option 1, Barcelona to Dublin using a direct ferry from Spain to Ireland...

• Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Bilbao by train.

  There are two direct trains per day from Barcelona Sants to Bilbao Abando station, journey time 6h40.

  Check ferry sailing times and dates first, then check train times & buy tickets at either www.thetrainline.com (easiest to use, in €, £ or $) or www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly).  Look for a train which arrives several hours before the ferry sails, to allow for any delay and the transfer to the port.  If necessary travel the day before.

• On arrival at Bilbao Abando, take the metro to Santurtzi metro station, 21-23 minutes, see www.metrobilbao.net.  Then take a 5 km €18 taxi ride to the ferry terminal at Zierbena, 16 km northwest of central Bilbao.

• Step 2, sail from Bilbao to Rosslare with Brittany Ferries.

  The ferry sails twice a week for most of the year, typically either sailing at 13:01 arriivng at 20:46 next day, or sailing at 18:00 and arriving at 06:00 2 nights later.  Check sailing dates and book online at www.brittany-ferries.ie.

  The ferry has restaurants, bar, lounges, and cosy private cabins all with shower & toilet.

• Step 3, take a train from Rosslare to Dublin, www.irishrail.ie.  In Rosslare, the ferry terminal is a few minutes walk from the railway station platform.

Barcelona to Bilbao by train. Courtesy of Pádraic Fogarty		Bilbao to Rosslare by ferry.  Courtesy of Pádraic Fogarty

Option 2, Barcelona to Dublin via Paris and ferry from Cherbourg to Dublin...

• 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, see suggested hotels near Paris stations.

  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...

Back to top

Barcelona to Paris from €39...

Option 1, Barcelona to Paris by high-speed train in 6h30 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 10:33 & 14:32 all year round, see the timetable here.

  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, so book ahead.

• Buy tickets at either www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee) or www.raileurope.com (in €, £ or $, small booking fee, about Raileurope) or www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, small booking fee, about Trainline).

  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

  Tip:  www.sncf-connect.com & www.thetrainline.com allow you to choose your seat from a seat map when booking 1st class tickets.

• 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.  360º photo.

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

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 14:00, 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 Cerbère/Perpignan

• This is very similar to option 2, but uses the Cerebère-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 intercité de nuit sleeper train at Paris Gare d'Austerlitz.  Photo courtesy of Philip Dyer-Perry.

1st class 4-berth couchettes, as recently refurbished.  Courtesy of @Bristol_Phil.  Photo in 2nd class courtesy Dan Chester.		2nd class 6-berth couchettes		Chilling in the corridor...  Courtesy Dan Chester.

Upper berths, showing compartment lighting & temperature controls.  You can see the normal lock & security deadlock on the door.  Courtesy of Dan Chester.		Each couchette comes with a pillow, lightweight sleeping bag, bottled water, amenity kit with ear plugs & eye mask, reading light & power outlet.

Barcelona to Perpignan, Narbonne, Montpellier, Nîmes...

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 used to link Barcelona Sants with Narbonne, Perpignan, Montpellier & Nîmes.  However, Renfe (Spanish Railways) and SNCF (French Railways) have fallen out of love and no longer co-operate, as from 11 December 2022.

  In 2023 just two trains will run on the high-speed line from Barcelona to Perpignan, Narbonne, Montpellier & Nimes, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:33 & 14:32 daily.  A third may run in summer.

  These are Barcelona-Paris TGV Duplex trains run solely by SNCF.  Renfe is unable to conti9nue running its cross-border AVEs.

• 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 either www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee) or www.raileurope.com (in €, £ or $, small booking fee, about Raileurope) or www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, small booking fee, about Trainline).

  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

  Tip:  www.sncf-connect.com & www.thetrainline.com allow you to choose your seat from a seat map when booking 1st class tickets.

• Tip:  Plain Nîmes is the main station in the city centre.  Nîmes Pont du Gard is a new out-of-town station on the high-speed bypass line.  If you are visiting Nîmes, 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.

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 in 2023, 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 & Nîmes 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 used to link Barcelona Sants with Lyon Part Dieu.  However, Renfe (Spanish Railways) and SNCF (French Railways) have fallen out of love and no longer co-operate, so from 11 December 2022 this is discontinued.  In 2023 just two trains will run on the high-speed line from Barcelona with connections for Lyon:

  Leave Barcelona Sants at 10:33 daily, change at Narbonne, arrive Lyon Part Dieu 15:50.

  Leave Barcelona Sants at 14:32 daily, change at Montpellier Saint-Roch, arrive Lyon Part Dieu 19:48.

  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 just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers 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.

• 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 phone.

Barcelona to Bordeaux...

Option 1, Barcelona to Bordeaux via Narbonne - this is fastest & easiest...

• Take a high-speed TGV Duplex from Barcelona Sants to Narbonne then an Intercité from Narbonne to Bordeaux St Jean.  In 2023 there will be just two departures every day:

  Leave Barcelona Sants at 10:33, change at Narbonne, arrive Bordeaux St Jean at 17:32.

  Leave Barcelona Sants at 14:32, change at Narbonne, arrive Bordeaux St Jean at 21:32.

  The TGV Duplex 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 just after Perpignan.

  The Intercité has a refreshment trolley & free WiFi.

• Barcelona-Narbonne starts at €29, Narbonne-Bordeaux at around €20.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Book from Barcelona Sants to Bordeaux St Jean 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 phone.

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 €38.40 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 or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

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 Intercité 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 two departures every day from Barcelona to Carcassonne & Toulouse with 1 easy change of train at Narbonne:

  Leave Barcelona Sants at 10:33, change Narbonne, arrive Carcassonne 13:53 (13:30 weekends) & Toulouse Matabiau at 14:57 (14:15 weekends).

  Leave Barcelona Sants at 14:32, change Narbonne, arrive Carcassonne 17:34 (17:43 weekends) & Toulouse Matabiau at 18:36 (18:45 weekends).

  The TGV Duplex 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 just after Perpignan.

• 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 phone.

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 Porté-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 Exprès 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, morning departure...

• Travel from Barcelona to Avignon, Marseille Cannes or Nice, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:33 every day, change at Nimes, arriving Marseille St Charles 16:37.  Change at Marseille St Charles for Cannes & Nice, arriving Nice Ville at 19:37.

  Barcelona to Nimes is by TGV Duplex with 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 just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.

  Nimes to Marseilles is by Intercité with refreshment trolley & free WiFi.

  Marseille to Cannes & Nice is by TER regional train.

  Fares start at around €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Buy tickets at either www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee) or www.raileurope.com (in €, £ or $, small booking fee, about Raileurope) or www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, small booking fee, about Trainline).

  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

  Tip:  www.sncf-connect.com & www.thetrainline.com allow you to choose your seat from a seat map when booking 1st class tickets.

Option 2, afternoon departure...

• Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Avignon or Marseille, leaving Barcelona Sants at 14:32 every day, change at Nimes, arriving Avignon Centre 19:28 or Marseille St Charles 20:36.

  Barcelona to Nimes is by TGV Duplex with 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 just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.  Nimes to Marseilles is by Intercité with refreshment trolley & free WiFi.  Nimes to Avignon is by TER regional train.

  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.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee) or www.raileurope.com (in €, £ or $, small booking fee, about Raileurope) or www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, small booking fee, about Trainline).

  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

  Tip:  www.sncf-connect.com & www.thetrainline.com allow you to choose your seat from a seat map when booking 1st class on a TGV or Intercité.

• Step 2, travel from Marseille to Cannes & Nice...

  At weekends there's a connection from Marseille to Cannes & Nice, arriving Nice Ville at 23:31, you can book from Barcelona to Cannes or Nice as one transaction.

  On weekdays there's no same-day connection, so 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.

  Then travel from Marseille to Cannes or Nice on any suitable train, trains leave regularly through the day.

  For example, the 07:57 TER local train from Marseille St Charles arrives Nice Ville 10:37, or an 08:27 TGV arrives Nice 11:06, 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.

  Check times & buy tickets at either www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee) or www.raileurope.com (in €, £ or $, small booking fee, about Raileurope) or www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, small booking fee, about Trainline).

  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

  Tip:  www.sncf-connect.com & www.thetrainline.com allow you to choose your seat from a seat map when booking 1st class on a TGV or Intercité.

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.

Back to top

Barcelona to Brussels & Bruges from €68...

Option 1, Barcelona to Brussels in a single day...

• Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:33 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 17:18.

  This impressive 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, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

  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 just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.

  Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  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 at 19:25 arriving Brussels Midi at 20:47.

  Thalys trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more information about Thalys.

  Fares start at €35 in 2nd class or €79 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• The easiest way to buy tickets is at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.

  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 4 months ahead.

  Tip:  I recommend an upper deck seat on the TGV Duplex for the best views.  You are shown 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).

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.  360º photo.

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

Step 2, Paris to Brussels by Thalys, seen here at Paris Nord.  See 360º 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 2, Barcelona to Brussels 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 14:32, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 21:18.

  From 8 July to 3 September 2023 there's also a later TGV, leaving Barcelona Sants 16:10 & arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 23:35.

  This impressive 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, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

  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 just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & information here.

  Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Cross Paris by metro or taxi from the Gare de Lyon to the Gare du Nord.

• Stay overnight in Paris.  If you want a hotel room on arrival at the Gare de Lyon, I suggest the Mercure Paris Gare De Lyon as it's part of the station complex.  If you'd prefer to stay near the Gare du Nord I suggest the excellent 25 Hours Terminus Nord, directly across the road from the Gare du Nord with great reviews & great feedback from Seat61 users.  See other suggested hotels near the Gare de Lyon or Gare du Nord.

• 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, on weekdays 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 more information about Thalys.

  Fares start at €35 in 2nd class or €79 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.  First book from Barcelona to Paris for day 1, add to basket, then book from 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 the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, more fiddly but no booking fee).

Option 3, 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 Cerebère 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).

Back to top

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 10:33 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 17:18.

  This impressive 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, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

  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 just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.

  Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  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 19:25 & arriving Amsterdam Centraal at 22:44.

  Thalys trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more information about Thalys.

  Fares start at €35 in 2nd class or €79 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• The easiest way to buy tickets is at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.

  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 4 months ahead.

  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.thetrainline.com, www.raileurope.com (in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or www.petrabax.com (in US$, with small mark-up).

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.  360º photo.

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

Step 2, Paris to Amsterdam by Thalys, seen here at Paris Nord.  See 360º 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.

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 14:32, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 21:18.

  From 8 July to 3 September 2023 there's also a later TGV, leaving Barcelona Sants 16:10 & arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 23:35.

  This impressive 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, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

  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 just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.

  Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Cross Paris by metro or taxi from Paris Gare de Lyon to the Gare du Nord.

• Stay overnight in Paris.  If you want a hotel room on arrival at the Gare de Lyon, I suggest the Mercure Paris Gare De Lyon as it's part of the station complex.  If you'd prefer to stay near the Gare du Nord I suggest the excellent 25 Hours Terminus Nord, directly across the road from the Gare du Nord with great reviews & great feedback from Seat61 users.  See other suggested hotels near the Gare de Lyon or Gare du Nord.

• 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 more information about Thalys.

  Fares start at €35 in 2nd class or €79 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.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 4 months ahead.  You can pay in €, £ or $, small booking fee.  Alternatively, you can book at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com, a little more fiddly, in €, no fee.

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 Cerebère 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).

Back to top

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 10:33 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 17:18.

  This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex 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 just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & information here.

  Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  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 19:40, arriving Luxembourg 21:58.

  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 or www.thetrainline.com, you can then buy all your tickets together in one place, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem.

  Booking usually opens 4 months 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:  Using Raileurope, 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.

  Alternatively, you can book each train at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com, a little more fiddly, in €, but no booking fee.

Option 2, Barcelona to Luxembourg with overnight stop in Paris...

• Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 14:32, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 21:18.

  From 8 July to 3 September 2023 there's also a later TGV, leaving Barcelona Sants 16:10 & arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 23:35.

  This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex 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 just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & information here.

  Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Stay overnight in Paris.  If you want a hotel room on arrival at the Gare de Lyon, I suggest the Mercure Paris Gare De Lyon as it's part of the station complex.  If you'd prefer to stay near the Gare de l'Est I suggest the Libertel Gare de l'Est Français or OKKO Hotels Paris Gare de l'Est, both right next to the station with great reviews.  See other suggested hotels near the Gare de Lyon or Gare de l'Est.

• Day 2, next morning travel from Paris to Luxembourg by TGV. 

  On Mondays-Fridays the 07:25 from Paris Gare de l'Est arrives Luxembourg at 09:44.  On Saturdays, the 08:14 from Paris Gare de l'Est arrives Luxembourg at 10:40.  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 or www.thetrainline.com, you can then buy all your tickets together in one place, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem.

  Booking usually opens 4 months 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 Cerebère 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 €).

Back to top

Barcelona to Geneva, Zurich & Switzerland...

Option 1, Barcelona to Switzerland in a day, morning departure...

• Leave Barcelona Sants at 10:33, change at Montpellier Saint-Roch & Lyon Part Dieu arriving Geneva 18:35.

  Take an onward train from Geneva to anywhere in Switzerland, check times at www.thetrainline.com or the Swiss Railways website www.sbb.ch.

  You travel from Barcelona to Montpellier by impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex with 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 just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & information here.

  You then travel from Montpellier to Lyon on another TGV also with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, and from Lyon to Geneva along the Rhône by TER regional train.

• Fares from Barcelona to Lyon start at around €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Lyon to Geneva costs a fixed-price €29.40, 2nd class only.

• 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 60 days ahead) you may find Swiss Supersaver fares or a Saver Day Pass 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 2, Barcelona to Switzerland in a day, afternoon departure...

• Leave Barcelona Sants at 14:32, change at Narbonne & Lyon Part Dieu arriving Geneva 22:34.

  You travel from Barcelona to Narbonne by impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex with 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 just after Perpignan, see the photos, tips & information here.

  You then travel from Narbonne to Lyon on another TGV also with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, and from Lyon to Geneva along the Rhône by TER regional train.

  For other destinations in Switzerland you'll need to stay overnight in Geneva and continue next day.

• Fares from Barcelona to Lyon start at around €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Lyon to Geneva costs a fixed-price €29.40, 2nd class only.

• 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 60 days ahead) you may find Swiss Supersaver fares or a Saver Day Pass 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.

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.

Back to top

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 lots to see on the way, from the Pyrenees to the Alps...

Option 1, Barcelona to Turin or Milan in a single day - from the Pyrenees to the Alps in a day...

• Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Lyon, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:33, changing at Montpellier St-Roch & arriving Lyon Part Dieu at 15:50.

  You travel from Barcelona to Montpellier by impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex with 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 just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & information here.

  You then travel from Montpellier to Lyon on another TGV also with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• 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 phone.  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 an overnight stop in Lyon...

• Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Lyon, leaving Barcelona Sants at 14:32, change at Narbonne, arriving Lyon Part Dieu at 19:48.

  You travel from Barcelona to Narbonne by impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, then on another TGV from Narbonne to Lyon, also with with 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 just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & information 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 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 Lyon, The Ibis Budget Lyon Centre - Gare Part Dieu is affordable & right next to Lyon Part Dieu station with good reviews, the Radisson Blu Hotel, Lyon also gets great reviews and is just a few minutes walk away.

• Day 2, travel from Lyon to Turin & Milan by Frecciarossa, leaving Lyon Part Dieu 09:30 & arriving Turin Porta Susa 13:18 & Milan Centrale 14:07.

  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.

  Book from Lyon to anywhere in Italy 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 Italian Railways website www.trenitalia.com (in €, no booking fee).  You print your own ticket.

• Day 2, travel from Milan to Verona, Venice, Florence, Rome or Naples by connecting high-speed train.

  Fares from Milan to Venice or Florence start at €19.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class.  Milan to Rome or Naples starts at €29.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this as a single transaction from Lyon to anywhere in Italy.

Option 3, Barcelona to Italy with an overnight stop in Nice...

• This looks the obvious shortest route on the map, but it takes longer with more chopping and changing of trains.  But there's great scenery along the French & Italian coastline, and stopover opportunities in Cannes, Nice and Monaco so it's worth considering!

• Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Nice, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:33, change at Nimes & Marseille St Charles, arriving Nice Ville at 19:37.

  You travel from Barcelona to Nimes by TGV Duplex with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  There are 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 just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here. 

  You travel from Nimes to Marseilles by Intercité with refreshment trolley & free WiFi, then  from Marseilles to Nice along the scenic Cote d'Azur coastline by double-deck TER regional train, past rocky headlands, millionaires' villas and yacht-filled harbours.

  Fares start at around €49 in 2nd class or €69 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book at 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 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

• Stay overnight in Nice.  The Hotel 64 is just 3 minutes walk from the station, 15 minutes walk from the old town & sea front, and gets great reviews.  The Hotel Paganini is also just outside the station with good reviews.

• Day 2, travel from Nice Ville to anywhere in Italy along the coast, on any departure shown on the Nice to Italy page.

  You take a double-deck TER regional train from Nice through Monte Carlo to Ventimiglia on the border, then an Italian Intercity train to Genoa & Milan.  Change in Milan for trains to Venice, Florence, Rome & Naples.  If you left Nice soon after 07:00 you'd reach these cities late afternoon, if you left Nice after 09:00 you'd reach them early evening.  See the timetable on the Nice to Italy page.

  Book from Nice to anywhere in Italy at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, but please read my booking advice for this route on the Nice-Italy page.

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 3, 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.

Back to top

---

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 2h30 on any high-speed AVE you like with fares from around €35.

  Competing Iryo trains and lo-cost Avlo or Ouigo trains are also available, see the Barcelona to Madrid page for details.

• 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 08:35 and arriving Seville Santa Justa at 14:10.

  Fares start at around €46.  Fares vary like air fares so book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Book this 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 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 15:15 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.

The Madrid-Lisbon sleeper train was suspended due to Covid-19 in March 2020, then permanently discontinued.

Back to top

---

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 23:35.

  Fares start at €25 in Standard class or €29 in Comfort class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  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 Campanhã around 1h22 later.  The fare is around €15.  Buy a ticket at www.raileurope.com or www.renfe.com and print it out.

Back to top

---

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 08:35 and arriving Seville Santa Justa at 14:10.

  Fares start at around €46.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  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 15:15 and stay overnight in Seville.  Then take a bus to Faro next morning.

Back to top

---

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).

Back to top

---

Barcelona to Cologne, Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin & Germany from €75...

Option 1, Barcelona to Frankfurt or Cologne in a single day...

• Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:33 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 17:18.

  This impressive 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, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

  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 just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.

  Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Buy a ticket at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

  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, travel from Paris to Germany by ICE, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 19:07 and arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 22:59.

  Change at Mannheim for Cologne Hbf, arriving 00:07.

  Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Step 3 for Hamburg, Berlin:  Stay overnight in Cologne and take any onward train you like next day.

• Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.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 at Raileurope, 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.

  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 from Paris to Germany 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 14:32 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 21:18.

  From 8 July to 3 September 2023 there's also a later TGV, leaving Barcelona Sants 16:10 & arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 23:35.

  This impressive 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, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

  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 just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.

  Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  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 phone.

• Stay overnight in Paris.  If you want a hotel room on arrival at the Gare de Lyon, I suggest the Mercure Paris Gare De Lyon as it's part of the station complex.  If you'd prefer to stay near the Gare de l'Est I suggest the Libertel Gare de l'Est Français or OKKO Hotels Paris Gare de l'Est, both right next to the station with great reviews.  See other suggested hotels near the Gare de Lyon or Gare de l'Est.

• 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, so book ahead.

  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 phone.

• Alternatively, this whole trip can easily be booked in one place at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, as these connect 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, leaving Barcelona Sants at 14:32 every day, change at Nimes, arriving Marseille St Charles 20:36.

  You travel from Barcelona to Nimes by TGV Duplex with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  There are 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 just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.  Nimes to Marseilles is by Intercité with refreshment trolley & free WiFi.

  Fares start at around €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book at 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 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

• 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 08:11 and arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf 15:59.

  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, so book ahead.

  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 phone.

• 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-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 Cerebère 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.

Back to top

---

Barcelona to Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck & Austria from €89...

Option 1, Barcelona to Austria using the Paris-Vienna 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 10:33 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 17:18.

  This impressive 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, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

  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 just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.

  Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Buy a ticket at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

  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 Salzburg or Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 18:58 on Tuesdays, Fridays & Sundays, arriving Salzburg Hbf at 07:26 and Vienna Hbf at 10:12.

  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, overnight stop in Geneva, onwards to Austria next day by railjet - the scenic option...

• Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Geneva, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:33, change Montpellier St-Roch & Lyon Part Dieu, arriving Geneva 18:35.

  You travel from Barcelona to Montpellier by impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex with 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 just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & information here.  I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views.

  You then travel from Montpellier to Lyon on another TGV also with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, and from Lyon to Geneva along the Rhône by TER regional train.

  Fares from Barcelona to Lyon start at around €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Lyon to Geneva costs a fixed-price €29.40, 2nd class only.

  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.

  Alternatively, book  Barcelona-Geneva at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, more fiddly, but no fee).

• 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 18:32, 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 from Geneva to anywhere in Austria 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...

Back to top

---

Barcelona to Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo & Scandinavia...

Option 1, with overnight stop in Frankfurt...

• Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:33 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 17:18.

  This impressive 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, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

  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 just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information 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.

  Booking normally opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

  Change stations in Paris by metro or taxi from the Gare de Lyon to the Gare de l'Est.

• Step 2, travel from Paris to Frankfurt by ICE, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 19:07 and arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 22:59.

  The ICE has a restaurant car, 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 phone.

• Stay overnight in Frankfurt.  Hotels next to the station with good or great reviews include the Flemings Express Hotel & Hotel Hamburger Hof, both of which I have stayed at and can recommend.  There's also The Frankfurt and the inexpensive Hotel Topas.

• Step 3 for Copenhagen...

  Travel from Frankfurt to Copenhagen by train, taking an ICE train from Frankfurt to Hamburg then a Danish intercity train to Copenhagen.  For example the 08:58 from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen at 17:34.  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 Frankfurt 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 phone.

  Tip:  It's a good idea to click Stopover and change Duration of transfer standard to at least 30 minutes, to ensure robust connections.

• Step 3 for Stockholm...

  It's just about possible to travel from Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 08:58 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 200 km/h X2000 train to Stockholm on day 3, from around €23 booked at www.sj.se (Swedish Railways).

• Step 3 for Oslo & Norway...

  Take an ICE from Frankfurt to Hamburg and 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 08:58 from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen at 17:34.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.  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, leaving Barcelona Sants at 14:32 every day, change at Nimes, arriving Marseille St Charles 20:36.

  You travel from Barcelona to Nimes by TGV Duplex with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  There are 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 just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.  Nimes to Marseilles is by Intercité with refreshment trolley & free WiFi.

  Fares start at around €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book at 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 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

• 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 08:11 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, so book ahead.

  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 phone.

  Tip:  Click Stopover and change Duration of transfer from standard to at least 30 minutes to avoid tight connections.

• Stay overnight in Hamburg.  The Hotel Reichshof Hamburg is the top choice here, just across the road 100m from the station's Kirchenallee exit, with art deco-based design and great reviews.  Other hotels near 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, cheap private rooms in the A&O Hotel near Hamburg Hbf can be 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 13:34.

  An altered timetable applies from 17 June to 20 August 2023, 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 phone.

• 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 Malmö or Gothenburg, Öresund trains run hourly from Copenhagen to Gothenburg in 3h53 and every half hour or better from Copenhagen to Malmö in 39 minutes.

  Book from Hamburg to Malmö or Gothenburg (= Göteborg 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 Öresund bridge from Denmark to Sweden...

Back to top

---

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 14:32, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 21:18.

  This impressive 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, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

  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 just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.

  Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  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 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can select a mobile ticket to show on your phone.

  Change trains & stations in Paris by metro or taxi.

• Stay overnight in Paris.  If you want a hotel room on arrival at the Gare de Lyon, I suggest the Mercure Paris Gare De Lyon as it's part of the station complex.  If you'd prefer to stay near the Gare de l'Est I suggest the Libertel Gare de l'Est Français or OKKO Hotels Paris Gare de l'Est, both right next to the station with great reviews.  See other suggested hotels near the Gare de Lyon or Gare de l'Est.

• 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 17:36.

  Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  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 phone.

• Day 2, transfer from Hamburg Hbf to the Travemünde ferry terminal by train+bus and sail from Travemünde to Helsinki with Finnlines, see the Trains from Hamburg page for full details of the transfer, check-in arrangements & ferry crossing.

  Finnlines sail from Travemünde in northern Germany to Helsinki every day, boarding at 23:30, sailing at 02:45 (the exact time varies) and arriving at Helsinki's Hansa Terminal in Vuosaari at 09:15 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.

Finnlines operate the Finnstar, Finnmaid & Finnlady on the Travemünde-Helsinki route.  Photo courtesy of Hubert Bartkowiak.  Photos below courtesy of Chris Russell.

Standard cabin.  Larger photo.		Gym with a view...		Sauna...

Option 2, by train to Stockholm, then ferry to Helsinki...

• Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Stockholm as shown above.

• 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.

Back to top

---

Barcelona to Prague & the Czech Republic...

Option 1, Barcelona to Prague with overnight stop in Paris...

• Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 14:32 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 21:18.

  From 8 July to 3 September 2023 there's also a later TGV, leaving Barcelona Sants 16:10 & arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 23:35.

  This impressive 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, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

  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 just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information 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 phone.

  Change stations from Gare de Lyon to Gare de l'Est by metro or taxi.

• Stay overnight in Paris.  If you want a hotel room on arrival at the Gare de Lyon, I suggest the Mercure Paris Gare De Lyon as it's part of the station complex.  If you'd prefer to stay near the Gare de l'Est I suggest the Libertel Gare de l'Est Français or OKKO Hotels Paris Gare de l'Est, both right next to the station with great reviews.  See other suggested hotels near the Gare de Lyon or Gare de l'Est.

• Step 2, travel from Paris to Munich, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 09:06 by TGV Duplex, changing at Mannheim & arriving Munich Hbf 15:13.

  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 phone.

• Step 3, travel from Munich to Prague by express train, leaving Munich Hbf at 16:43 and arriving Prague Hlavni at 22:17.

  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 2, Barcelona to Prague using the Paris-Linz sleeper - the most comfortable & time-effective option, 3 times per week...

• Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:33 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 17:18.

  This impressive 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, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

  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 just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.

  Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  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 phone.

  Transfer from the Gare de Lyon to the Gare de l'Est by taxi or metro.  Have dinner in Paris, see suggested restaurants.

• Day 1, travel from Paris to Linz by Nightjet, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 18:58 on Tuesdays, Fridays & Sundays, arriving Linz at 08:46.

  This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper 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.

• Day 2, travel from Linz to Prague by EuroCity train, leaving Linz at 11:54 and arriving Prague Hlavni at 15:39.

  The modern Czech EuroCity train has a bistro car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares start at €19 in 2nd class or €29 in 1st class.

  Buy tickets for this train at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz.  Booking opens 90 days ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

Back to top

---

Barcelona to Bratislava & Slovakia...

Option 1, Barcelona to Bratislava using the Paris-Vienna sleeper - the most comfortable & time-effective option, 3 times per week...

• Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:33 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 17:18.

  This impressive 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, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

  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 just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.

  Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  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 phone.

  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, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 18:58 on Tuesdays, Fridays & Sundays, arriving Vienna Hbf 10:12.

  This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper 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 1h06, fare €9.80, 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, Barcelona to Bratislava with overnight stop in Geneva - the most scenic option...

• Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Geneva, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:33, change Montpellier St-Roch & Lyon Part Dieu, arriving Geneva 18:35.

  You travel from Barcelona to Montpellier by impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex with 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 just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & information here.  I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views.

  You then travel from Montpellier to Lyon on another TGV also with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, and from Lyon to Geneva along the Rhône by TER regional train.

  Fares from Barcelona to Lyon start at around €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Lyon to Geneva costs a fixed-price €29.40, 2nd class only.

  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.

  Alternatively, book  Barcelona-Geneva at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, more fiddly, but no fee).

• Stay overnight in Geneva.  Suggested hotels with good reviews near the station include Hotel Cornavin Genève, 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.

• Day 2, 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!

  Book from Geneva to Bratislava at www.thetrainline.com.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

Back to top

---

Barcelona to Budapest & Hungary...

Option 1, Barcelona to Budapest using the Paris-Vienna sleeper - the most comfortable & time-effective option, 3 times per week...

• Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:33 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 17:18.

  This impressive 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, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

  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 just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.

  Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  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 phone.

  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, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 18:58 on Tuesdays, Fridays & Sundays, arriving Vienna Hbf 10:12.

  This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper 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).  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 Budapest with an overnight stop in Geneva - the most scenic option...

• Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Geneva, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:33, change Montpellier St-Roch & Lyon Part Dieu, arriving Geneva 18:35.

  You travel from Barcelona to Montpellier by impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex with 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 just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & information here.  I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views.

  You then travel from Montpellier to Lyon on another TGV also with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, and from Lyon to Geneva along the Rhône by TER regional train.

  Fares from Barcelona to Lyon start at around €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Lyon to Geneva costs a fixed-price €29.40, 2nd class only.

  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.

  Alternatively, book  Barcelona-Geneva at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, more fiddly, but no fee).

• Stay overnight in Geneva.  Suggested hotels with good reviews near the station include Hotel Cornavin Genève, 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.

• Day 2, travel from Geneva to Zurich by Swiss train leaving Geneva at 07:15, change 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.

  This journey passes through the beautifully scenic Arlberg Pass, see the photos & video on the Arlberg Pass page.  Have your camera to hand!

  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).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

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 Zürichsee, 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.

Back to top

---

Barcelona to Bucharest & Romania...

• Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Budapest as shown above.

• Step 2. travel from Budapest to Brasov & Bucharest as shown here.

Back to top

---

Barcelona to Ljubljana, Zagreb, Belgrade & Sofia...

Option 1, Barcelona to Ljubljana & Zagreb using the Paris-Salzburg sleeper - the most comfortable & time-effective option, 3 times per week...

• Step 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:33 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 17:18.

  This impressive 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, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

  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 just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.

  Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  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 phone.

  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 Salzburg by Nightjet, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 18:58 on Tuesdays, Fridays & Sundays, arriving Salzburg Hbf 07:26.

  This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper 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 2, travel from Salzburg to Ljubljana & Zagreb by EuroCity train, leaving Salzburg Hbf at 14:12 & arriving Lesce-Bled 17:50, Ljubljana 18:32 & Zagreb 20:45.

  This comfortable EuroCity train has a restaurant car between Salzburg & Villach on the Slovenian border, reached late afternoon.  It's a spectacular journey through the mountains of Austria on the Tauern route, then into Slovenia and along the Sava river to Croatia & Zagreb.

  Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class or €49.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easiest to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (same prices, in €, a bit more fiddly).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

• Stay overnight in Zagreb and continue to Belgrade next day, see here for details.

Scenery between Ljubljana & Zagreb along the river Sava..

Option 2, via Marseille & Venice...

• Day 1 early afternoon, travel from Barcelona to Marseille as shown above.

• Stay overnight in Marseille.

• Day 2, travel from Marseille to Nice, Ventimiglia, Milan and then on to Venice.

  See the Barcelona to Venice section for full details & how to buy tickets, and suggested hotels in Marseille.

• 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.

Back to top

---

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 14:32, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 21:18.

  If you'd like more of an evening in Paris, take the morning TGV, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:33, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 17:18.

  From 8 July to 3 September 2023 there's also a later TGV, leaving Barcelona Sants 16:10 & arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 23:35.

  This impressive 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, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

  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 just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.

  Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  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 phone.

  Change trains & stations in Paris by metro or taxi.

• Stay overnight in Paris.  If you want a hotel room on arrival at the Gare de Lyon, I suggest the Mercure Paris Gare De Lyon as it's part of the station complex.  If you'd prefer to stay near the Gare de l'Est I suggest the Libertel Gare de l'Est Français or OKKO Hotels Paris Gare de l'Est, both right next to the station with great reviews.  See other suggested hotels near the Gare de Lyon or Gare de l'Est.

• 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 at 07:20, changing Mannheim & Berlin Hbf, arriving Warsaw Centralna 23:16.

  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.

  Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  First run a Paris to Warsaw enquiry, but before you run it, click Stopover and change Duration of transfer from Standard to at least 40 minutes.  I also recommend entering Mannheim as a via station.

  It should show a 2-change option, although you'll only see silly-money €240+ fares.  Ignore these, note down the trains you need.

  Then split the booking like this:  First use the German Railways website www.bahn.de to book from Paris to Berlin.  Booking for this opens up to 6 months ahead, look for a journey with 1 change.  Then use www.bahn.de again to book from Berlin to Warsaw.  Booking for Berlin-Warsaw trains only opens 60 days ahead.

  You print your own tickets or can show them on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

Option 2, 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 14:32 & arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 21:18.

  This impressive 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, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

  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 just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information 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 $, 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 phone.  Change trains & stations in Paris.

• Stay overnight in Paris.  If you want a hotel room on arrival at the Gare de Lyon, I suggest the Mercure Paris Gare De Lyon as it's part of the station complex.  If you'd prefer to stay near the Gare de l'Est I suggest the Libertel Gare de l'Est Français or OKKO Hotels Paris Gare de l'Est, both right next to the station with great reviews.  See other suggested hotels near the Gare de Lyon or Gare de l'Est.

• 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 18:29.

  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.  Top choice here is the InterCity Hotel Berlin Hbf (my favourite), only 200m from Berlin Hbf's main entrance, relatively inexpensive with great reviews, or if you're in the money, the excellent 5-star Steigenberger Hotel just outside the station.  If you're on a budget, the cheaper 3-star Motel One Berlin-Hbf is behind the station or use www.hostelworld.com.  Of course, if you really want to push the boat out, the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is next to the Brandenburg Gate just 17 minutes walk away.

• Day 3 for Warsaw:  Travel from Berlin Hbf to Warsaw Centralna in 5h30 on any EuroCity train you like, see the timetable here.

  On Mondays-Saturdays the 05:52 from Berlin Hbf will get you to Warsaw Centralna at 11:16 with breakfast in the restaurant car.  Or have a leisurely breakfast and take the daily 09:51 arriving 15:22.  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, so book ahead.

  Book at www.bahn.de and print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or phone.

• Day 3 for Krakow, Katowice, Wroclaw:  Travel from Berlin to Krakow by air-conditioned EuroCity train Wawel, leaving Berlin Hbf at 10:52 every day, arriving Wroclaw 14:50, Katowice 16:58 & Krakow Glowny 18:01.  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, so book ahead.

  Book at www.bahn.de and print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or phone.

Back to top

---

Barcelona to Vilnius, Riga, Tallinn...

• Days 1 & 2, travel from Barcelona to Warsaw as shown above.

• Day 3, travel from Warsaw to Vilnius as shown here.

• For example, you can travel from Barcelona to Paris on day 1 and Paris to Warsaw on day 2 (Mondays-Fridays).  You can then travel from Warsaw to Vilnius on Day 3.

• Step 3, for onward travel from Vilnius to Riga, see here.

• Step 4, for onward travel from Riga to Tallinn, see here.

Back to top

---

Barcelona to Kyiv, 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 & Kyiv by direct sleeping-car as shown on the Trains from Vienna page.

  You leave Vienna in the late afternoon and arrive Lviv next morning & Kyiv in the afternoon (day 3 from Barcelona).

The Vienna-Kyiv sleeping-car at Kyiv Pass.  Photos courtesy of Helmut Uttenthaler.

The Vienna-Kyiv sleeper about to leave Vienna Hbf... Courtesy of Helmut Uttenthaler.		The sleeper corridor.  Courtesy Helmut Uttenthaler.		1, 2 or 3 bed sleeper compartment.

Back to top

---

Barcelona to Moscow, St Petersburg & Russia...

There is currently no service to Russia from anywhere.

Back to top

---

Barcelona to Athens & Greece...

• Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Milan as shown in the Barcelona to Italy section above.

  You can travel from Barcelona to Lyon and Lyon to Milan in a single day, day 1.

• Stay overnight in Milan:  Affordable hotels with good or great reviews just outside Milan Centrale include the Hotel Bristol, Hotel Bernina, 43 Station Hotel, B&B Hotel Milano Central Station, Guesthouse Teodora.  Pricier more upmarket hotels include HD8 Hotel, Glam Hotel, Made to Measure Business, Starhotel Echo or Starhotel Anderson.

• Day 2, travel from Milan to Athens as shown on the Italy to Athens page.

  You travel from Milan to Bari by train on day 2, sail overnight from Bari to Patras by ferry arriving early afternoon on day 3.  A bus/train combo gets you from Patras to Athens in the early evening of day 3.

The ferry Superfast II from Bari to Patras, boarding at Bari.  Photos courtesy of DiscoverByRail.com.

The passenger gangway, onto the ferry.		Reception desk & lounge on the ferry.

Lounge and bar on the Superfast II.		Self-service restaurant.

Private cabin with en suite toilet & shower.

The ferry passes Cephalonia & Ithaca then approaches mainland Greece.  This is what travel to Greece should be like!

The ferry approaches the new port of Patras...

Back to top

---

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.

Back to top

---

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.

Back to top

---

Hotels in Barcelona

Suggested hotels near Barcelona Sants station...

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

Suggested Barcelona hotels near the old quarter...

• If you're staying longer, here are some recommended hotels on or near La Rambla itself.

My favourite hotel search site: www.booking.com www.booking.com is my favourite hotel booking site and I generally prefer booking my hotels all in one place here.  You can usually book with free cancellation - this allows you to confirm your accommodation at no risk before train booking opens.  It also means you can hold accommodation while you finalise your itinerary, and alter your plans as they evolve - a feature I use all the time when putting a trip together.  I never book hotels non-refundably.  I have also come to trust their review scores - you won't be disappointed with anything over 8.0. Tip:  It can pay to compare prices across multiple hotel sites:  HotelsCombined.com is a price comparison site which compares hotel prices on Booking.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, Accor, Agoda and many others.  Though if there's not much in it, I prefer keeping all my bookings together in one place at www.booking.com.

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.

Back to top

---

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 with Staysure.co.uk myself.  Here are some suggested insurers.  Seat61 gets a small commission if you buy through these links.

www.staysure.co.uk offers enhanced Covid-19 protection & gets 4.7 out of 5 on Trustpilot.

www.columbusdirect.com is also a well-know brand.

  If you live in the USA try Travel Guard USA.

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a mobile data package for the country you're visiting and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM card so you don't need to buy a physical SIM, including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list.  Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data.

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate, then add a foreign transaction fee on top.  A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month at time of writing.  The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.

How it works:  1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android.  2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses.  3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card.  4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app.  You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader.  The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than digging a card out).  I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card, they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  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 encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi.  It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply.  See VPNs & why you need one explained.  ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using the links on this page, you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription.  I get a small commission to help support this site.

Always carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, vaccination records and Interrail or Eurail passes are often held digitally on your mobile phone, so it's vital to keep it charged.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over if I can't get to a power outlet.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or from Buy from Amazon.com.

 

---

Back to home page