![]() Madrid Atocha station. This page covers journeys starting in Madrid, Malaga, Granada, Cordoba, Seville, Alicante, Valencia To buy train tickets in Spain, www.raileurope.com, www.thetrainline.com (in , £ or $) or www.petrabax.com (US$) are much easier to use than www.renfe.com. |
This page explains how to travel by train from Madrid, Malaga, Granada, Cordoba, Seville, Alicante, Valencia to other European cities, 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. It answers all the usual questions, "Do I need to book in advance or can I just buy at the station?", "Can I stop off?", "Are there Senior fares?" and that old favourite, "Should I buy an $800 railpass or just buy a 35 point-to-point ticket online?". Click here to understand how far ahead you can buy train tickets.
European train travel FAQ
Buy train tickets for Spain: See the train travel in Spain page
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All Spanish long-distance trains and even many regional trains require seat reservation and have variable pricing, so yes, trains can 'sell out' and sometimes they do, at least at busy times. Outside busy periods it's easy to buy tickets at the station on the day of travel if you want.
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Renfe (Spanish national railways) has airline-style fares, so tickets will be much more expensive bought on the day, much cheaper booked in advance. So pre-book if possible.
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How to buy tickets
The easiest way to buy Spanish train tickets is online at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
These connect directly to Renfe's ticketing system to sell Renfe's cheap fares with Renfe's print-your-own tickets, but in plain English without any of Renfe's confusing translations or credit card rejection problems. There's a small booking fee, but it's worth it.
www.thetrainline.com can also book the Ouigo & Iryo trains that compete with state-owned Renfe on the Barcelona-Madrid route and others.
Babies & infants: Although infants under 4 go free, for journeys on any Renfe mainline long-distance train wholly within Spain, you'll need to obtain a free infant ticket at a Renfe ticket office before boarding, see the advice here.
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You can also book Spanish trains online in US$ in plain English with no payment problems at www.petrabax.com, a US-based agency that also links to the Renfe ticketing system, so has the same trains and cheap prices, although they add 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.
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Alternatively, you can of course buy tickets direct from Spanish Railways at www.renfe.com with no booking fee, but it has more than its fair share of quirks, so please read my advice on using Renfe.com. 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 now accepts PayPal.
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For trains between Madrid & Barcelona, see the Madrid to Barcelona to page for route-specific info, trips & advice.
Madrid to Barcelona
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Four competing train services link Madrid & Barcelona in as little as 2h30, see the Madrid to Barcelona by train page.
Ferries to Ibiza & Mallorca
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Step 1, look up a suitable ferry from Valencia or Barcelona to Ibiza or Mallorca, using the Direct Ferries website as this covers all ferry operators. You'll find ferries run by Trasmediterranea (www.trasmediterranea.es and Balearia (www.balearia.com).
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Step 2, now add a suitable train connection from Madrid or any other Spanish city to Valencia or Barcelona using www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com. Allow plenty of time (several hours) to transfer between the station and ferry terminal in Valencia or Barcelona, allowing for the ferry check-in.
Ferries to Tenerife, Gran Canaria & the Canary islands
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Three ferry companies sail from mainland Spain to the Canary islands, 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.
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Naviera Armas sail weekly from Huelva to Tenerife & Gran Canaria, see www.navieraarmas.com or book on the Direct Ferries website.
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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.
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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.
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Check train times and buy tickets to Huelva or Cadiz at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
Madrid to Gibraltar
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Step 1, travel from Madrid to Algeciras by Intercity train, leaving Madrid Atocha twice a day, usually at 08:35 & 15:05, journey time 5h25.
Check that both trains are running, there may be some service reductions post-pandemic.
The air-conditioned Intercity train is an articulated Talgo train 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 25 in Standard class or 38 in Comfort classes. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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). Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies. You print your own tickets.
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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
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Alternative via San Roque-La Linea: 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.
Other Spanish cities to Gibraltar
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Step 1, take a train to Algeciras: There are direct trains from Granada, Cordoba & Ronda to Algeciras. From Malaga you can go by train with a change at Bobadilla or Antequera-Santa Ana, although it means a journey inland then a journey back to the coast. There are also Malaga-Algeciras buses that use the coast road.
Check times & 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.
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Step 2, follow the bus & taxi instructions above to reach Gibraltar.
Spain to London
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See the London to Spain page for details. The information on that page works for both directions.
Spain to Dublin & Ireland
Option 1, Spain to Dublin using a direct ferry from Spain to Ireland
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Step 1, travel to Bilbao by train.
There are two direct trains per day from Madrid Chamartin to Bilbao Abando station, journey time around 4h50.
Check ferry sailing times and dates first, then check train times & buy tickets from anywhere in Spain to Bilbao 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.
There are also hourly narrow gauge trains from San Sebastian (Donostia-Amara) to Bilbao's Matiko station every hour or half-hour, taking 2h35, see www.euskotren.eus.
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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.
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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 arriving 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.
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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.
Option 2, Spain to Dublin via Paris and ferry from Cherbourg to Dublin
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Day 1, travel to Paris as shown below.
You can book this at www.thetrainline.com.
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Stay overnight in Paris, see suggested hotels near Paris stations.
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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.
Spain to Paris
Madrid to Paris by high-speed TGV
Option 1, Madrid to Paris in a day, early morning departure
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Step 1, travel from Madrid to Barcelona by AVE train, leaving Madrid Atocha at 06:30 Mondays-Fridays arriving Barcelona Sants 09:20.
Or any day of the week, leave Madrid Atocha at 06:20 by Avlo lo-cost train arriving Barcelona Sants at 08:50.
The AVE train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. The lo-cost Avlo train is one-class, no catering, free WiFi.
Fares start at around 35 for the AVE, or from just 7 for Avlo. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:33 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 17:18.
The 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, book an upper deck seat for the best views - 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 Bιziers 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.
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Book from Madrid to Paris at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee. Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies. Booking for the Barcelona-Paris TGVs opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own tickets or can show them on your phone.
Alternatively, you can book from Madrid to Barcelona at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see this advice on using it first) then book the Barcelona-Paris TGV at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee).
Option 2, Madrid to Paris in a day, late morning departure
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Step 1, travel from Madrid to Barcelona by AVE-S103 high-speed train, leaving Madrid Atocha at 10:30 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 13:15.
By all means take an earlier train and have lunch in Barcelona.
Fares start at around 35 for the AVE, or from just 7 for Avlo. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 14:32 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 21:18.
The 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, book an upper deck seat for the best views - 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 Bιziers 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.
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Book from Madrid to Paris at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee. Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies. Booking for the Barcelona-Paris TGVs opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own tickets.
Alternatively, you can book from Madrid to Barcelona at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see this advice on using it first) then book the Barcelona-Paris TGV at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee).
Option 3, Madrid to Paris with overnight stop in Barcelona
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Step 1, travel from Madrid Atocha to Barcelona Sants on any evening AVE-S103 high-speed train you like.
It takes as little as 2h30 and fares start at around 35. There are departures almost every hour, pick any that suits. Check times & fares at www.raileurope.com or www.renfe.com.
Competing Iryo trains and lo-cost Avlo & Ouigo trains are also available from just 7, see the Madrid to Barcelona page for details.
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Stay overnight in Barcelona... The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users. See other suggested hotels near the station.
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Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:33 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 17:18.
The 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, book an upper deck seat for the best views - 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 Bιziers 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.
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To buy tickets, go to www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, book from Madrid to Barcelona and add to basket, book from Barcelona to Paris for the following day and add to basket, then check out. Both sites are easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee. Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies and it can be less. Booking for the Barcelona-Paris TGVs opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own tickets.
Alternatively, you can book Madrid to Barcelona at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see this advice on using it first) then book the Barcelona-Paris TGV at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee).
Option 4, Madrid to Paris with overnight stop in San Sebastian - a slower but cheaper route, San Sebastian makes a great stopover
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Day 1, travel from Madrid to San Sebastian by Alvia train, leaving Madrid Chamartin at 17:38 and arriving San Sebastian Renfe station at 22:40.
Alternatively, an earlier Intercity train leaves Madrid Chamartin at 14:50 daily except Saturdays, arriving San Sebastian Renfe station at 19:42.
If you'd like an afternoon in San Sebastian, an Intercity train leaves Madrid Chamartin at 08:43 and arriving San Sebastian at 13:37.
These smart air-conditioned Alvia & Intercity trains have a cafe-bar and power sockets at all seats, a pleasure to travel on. They have an interesting party trick: After travelling at up to 250km/h on the standard gauge high-speed line from Madrid, they slow right down and pass through a shed where axles adjust from standard gauge (4'8½") to Iberian gauge (5'6"). They then complete the second half of the journey over classic lines, with great scenery winding up into the Pyrenees approaching San Sebastian.
Fares start from 17 in Standard class (2nd class) or 22 in Comfort class (1st class). Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com. Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies. You print your own ticket.
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Stay overnight in San Sebastian - it's a lovely city, well worth a longer stop. The Pension San Ignacio Centro is just 10 minutes walk from San Sebastian Renfe station and gets great reviews. If you want somewhere in the old town try the Pension Garibai or Pension Alameda.
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Day 2, transfer from San Sebastian to Hendaye on the French border by Euskotren (www.euskotren.eus).
These metro trains leave San Sebastian Amara station (10 minutes walk from the Renfe station) every 30 minutes all day, journey time 37 minutes, fare around 2.75, buy at the station and hop on the next train. In Hendaye the Euskotren station is in the station forecourt of the mainline SNCF French Railways station, but obviously make sure you get to Hendaye in good time for your train to Paris. See the Euskotren photos & information on the Paris to San Sebastian page.
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Day 2, travel from Hendaye to Paris by TGV Duplex Ocιane, for example leaving Hendaye at 09:28 and arriving Paris Montparnasse 14:08.
By all means spend some time in San Sebastian and book a later one, they leave every few hours through the day. The TGV Duplex is usually of the latest Ocιane type with a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee). Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.
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Or travel from Madrid to Paris in a single day using this route
You'd take the 08:00 Alvia train from Madrid Chamartin to San Sebastian Renfe station, then transfer from San Sebastian Amara to Hendaye by Euskotren and take the 15:28 TGV to Paris. Or, daily except Saturdays, have lunch in San Sebastian and take the later 18:28 TGV to Paris.
Option 5: Madrid-Paris using a French overnight train.
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Step 1, travel from Madrid to Barcelona by AVE-S103 high-speed train leaving Madrid Atocha at 09:30 arriving Barcelona Sants at 12:37.
More information about trains from Madrid to Barcelona, including lo-cost trains. Have lunch in Barcelona.
Fares start at around 35. 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 $, small booking fee) or the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in , much more fiddly, see my advice on using it).
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Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris overnight, see the Barcelona to Paris by sleeper train page for times, prices, tips & how to buy tickets.
You take a mid-afternoon local train from Barcelona Sants to either Latour de Carol in the Pyrenees or to Cerebθre on the French border, then a French sleeper train overnight to Paris Gare d'Austerlitz.
Malaga, Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Alicante, Valencia to Paris
Option 1, Spanish cities to Paris in a single day
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Step 1 from Alicante or Valencia: Take a morning EuroMed train to Barcelona, leaving Alicante at 07:25 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 09:15 arriving Barcelona Sants at 11:55.
Step 1 from Malaga, Cordoba, Seville or Granada: Unfortunately, no same-day journey is possible.
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Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 14:32 and 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 Bιziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & information here.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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To buy tickets, go to www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, you can usually book from Spain to Paris as one transaction, but if necessary split the booking into Alicante to Valencia to Barcelona and Barcelona to Paris, ensuring at least an hour between trains.
Both sites are easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee. Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies. Booking for the Barcelona-Paris TGVs opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own tickets.
Alternatively, you can book the Spanish train at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see this advice on using it first) then book the Barcelona-Paris TGV at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee).
Option 2, Spanish cities to Paris with overnight stop in Barcelona - breaks the trip up nicely, recommended
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Step 1 from Seville or Cordoba: Take the afternoon AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Seville Santa Justa at 16:07 or Cordoba at 16:52, arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:50, with fares from around 46.
Step 1 from Malaga: Take the once-daily direct AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 16:44 arriving Barcelona Sants at 23:00, with fares from around 46.
Step 1 from Granada: Take the once-daily direct AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Granada at 16:18 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 23:00.
Step 1 from Alicante or Valencia: Take an afternoon or evening EuroMed train from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona. On Mondays-Fridays a fast EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 17:30 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 19:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 21:55. On Saturdays a EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 16:20 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 18:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 20:55. On Sundays a EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 18:30 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 20:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 22:55. Or there are earlier trains, of course.
You can check train times & prices for all these routes at www.raileurope.com, www.thetrainline.com.
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Stay overnight in Barcelona... The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users. See other suggested hotels near the station.
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Step 2, 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 Bιziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & information here.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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To buy tickets, go to www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
Book the Spanish train and add to basket, then book from Barcelona to Paris for the following day, add to basket and check out. Both sites are easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee. Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies. Booking for the Barcelona-Paris TGVs opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own tickets.
Alternatively, you can book the Spanish train at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see this advice on using it first) then book the Barcelona-Paris TGV at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee).
Option 3, Seville or Cordoba to Paris using a French overnight train.
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Step 1 from Seville or Cordoba: Travel from Seville or Cordoba to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Seville Santa Justa at 08:48 or Cordoba at 09:41 arriving Barcelona Sants at 14:20.
Fares start at around 45. 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 $, small booking fee) or the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in , much more fiddly, see my advice on using it).
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Step 1 from Alicante or Valencia: Travel from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona by EuroMed train, leaving Alicante at 09:25 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 11:15 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 13:55.
Fares start at around 30. 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 $, small booking fee) or the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in , much more fiddly, see my advice on using it).
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Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris overnight, see the Barcelona to Paris by sleeper train page for times, prices, tips & how to buy tickets.
You take a mid-afternoon local train from Barcelona Sants to either Latour de Carol in the Pyrenees or to Cerebθre on the French border, then a French sleeper train overnight to Paris Gare d'Austerlitz.
Important: If you're travelling from Seville, Cordoba or Granada, arriving at 14:20 and leaving 14:31 by local train for Latour de Carol is just too tight for comfort, so only use the Cerbθre-Paris sleeper (when running), do not try and use the Latour to Paris route.
Vigo, A Coruna & Santiago de Compostela to Paris
Option 1, Vigo, A Coruna, Santiago to Paris with overnight stop in San Sebastian.
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Day 1, travel from Vigo, A Coruna or Santiago de Compostela to Vitoria by Alvia train.
On Mondays, Thursdays & Saturdays it leaves Vigo Guixar at 07:42 arriving Vitoria/Gasteiz 16:33.
On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays it leaves A Coruna at 08:05 & Santiago de Compostela at 08:34, arriving Vitoria/Gasteiz 16:33.
An Intercity train (an articulated Talgo train) provides a guaranteed connection to San Sebastian every day, leaving Vitoria/Gasteiz at 16:45 and arriving San Sebastian (Renfe station) at 18:20.
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Stay overnight in San Sebastian. The Pension Regil is close to the old town with great reviews, 10 minutes walk from the Renfe station, 7 minutes walk from the Amara Euskotren station. If you want something in the old town itself, try the Pension Garibai or Pension Alameda. If you want to push the boat out, San Sebastian's most venerable hotel (which I can recommend personally, having stayed there) is the Hotel de Londres y Inglaterra, on the sea front.
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Day 2, take the 08:15 Euskotren metro from San Sebastian Amara station to Hendaye next morning. These metro, trains run every 30 minutes, journey time 37 minutes, buy a ticket at the station and hop on the next train. You can check times at www.euskotren.eus.
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Day 2, travel from Hendaye to Paris by TGV Duplex Ocιane, leaving Hendaye daily at 09:36 and arriving Paris Gare Montparnasse at 14:21.
The TGV Duplex Ocιane has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views. By all means take an earlier or later TGV, check times from Hendaye to Paris for your date of travel at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
Fares start at 25 in 2nd class or 45 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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To buy tickets, go to www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
Book the train from Galicia to Hendaye and add to basket, then book from Hendaye to Paris for the following day, add to basket and check out. Both sites are easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee. Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies. Booking for French trains opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own tickets.
Alternatively, you can book the Spanish train at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see this advice on using it first) then book the Hendaye-Paris TGV at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee).
Option 2, Vigo, A Coruna, Santiago to Paris with overnight stop in Barcelona
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Day 1, travel from Galicia to Barcelona by high-speed air-conditioned Alvia-S130 train.
On Mondays, Thursdays & Saturdays it leaves Vigo Guixar at 07:42 and arrives Barcelona Sants at 21:35.
On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays it leaves A Coruna at 08:05 & Santiago de Compostela at 08:34, arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:35.
The Alvia-S130 train is comfortable, air-conditioned with cafe-bar and power sockets at all seats.
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Stay overnight in Barcelona... The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users. See other suggested hotels near the station.
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Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 09:10 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 15:46.
From 2 July to 28 August 2022 this train runs a bit later, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:00 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 16:47.
The 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck. It's a scenic ride, see here for the sights to see from the train on the way.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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To buy tickets, go to www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com. Book the Spanish train and add to basket, then book from Barcelona to Paris for the following day, add to basket and check out. Both sites are easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee. Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies. Booking for the Barcelona-Paris TGVs opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own tickets.
Alternatively, you can book the Spanish train at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see this advice on using it first) then book the Barcelona-Paris TGV at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee).
Spain to Bordeaux
Option 1, Madrid to Bordeaux in a single day. Lunch in San Sebastian?
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Step 1, travel from Madrid to San Sebastian by Alvia train, leaving Madrid Chamartin at 08:00 & arriving San Sebastian Renfe station at 13:24.
This is an interesting journey - the train has adjustable axles, it runs over the standard-gauge high-speed line to Burgos at up to 250 km/h (155 mph), then passes slowly through a changeover shed which switches axles to Iberian broad gauge for the rest of the journey over classic lines. There's then great scenery as the train snakes its way up into the foothills of the Pyrenees to San Sebastian.
Fares start from 17 in Standard class (2nd class) or 22 in Comfort class (1st class). Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee) or www.renfe.com (in , much more fiddly to use, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it). Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies. You print your own ticket.
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Step 2, walk from San Sebastian Renfe station to San Sebastian Amara station (850m, 10 minutes). Then take the little local Euskotren from San Sebastian Amara station to Hendaye, this runs every 30 minutes, journey time 37 minutes. The fare is 2.75, buy at the station from the ticket machines or staffed counters. See www.euskotren.eus. At Hendaye, the Euskotren station is adjacent to the mainline SNCF station.
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Step 3, travel from Hendaye to Bordeaux St Jean by mainline train. These leave every hour or two, some TGVs that require pre-booking and have dynamic pricing, some TER regional trains with no pre-booking and fixed prices that can be paid on the day. Allow about 2h from arrival at San Sebastian to departure from Hendaye. But by all means have lunch in San Sebastian and take a later train!
For example, there's usually a TER at 15:04 arriving Bordeaux St Jean 17:41, or a TGV around 16:12 arriving Bordeaux St Jean at 18:40.
The fare is around 39 by TER or 39 for TGV paid on the day, or from 23 by TGV if booked in advance.
Check times & buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee). Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.
Option 2, Madrid to Bordeaux with overnight stop in San Sebastian. A morning to explore San Sebastian?
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Day 1, travel from Madrid to San Sebastian by Alvia train, leaving Madrid Chamartin at 16:05 and arriving San Sebastian Renfe station at 21:28.
This is an interesting journey - the train has adjustable axles, it runs over the standard-gauge high-speed line to Burgos at up to 250 km/h (155 mph), then passes slowly through a changeover shed which switches axles to Iberian broad gauge for the rest of the journey over classic lines. There's great scenery as the train snakes its way up into the foothills of the Pyrenees to San Sebastian.
Fares start from 17 in Standard class (2nd class) or 22 in Comfort class (1st class). Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee) or www.renfe.com (in , much more fiddly to use, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it). Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies. You print your own ticket.
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Stay overnight in San Sebastian. If your budget will stretch, the Hotel de Londres y Inglaterra is a classic, with great character perfectly located right on the sea front, a few minutes walk from the old town and 10 minutes walk from Amara station. For something cheaper but still with great reviews in the old town, try the Pension Garibai or Pension Alameda.
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Day 2, spend as little or as long as you like in San Sebastian, then go to San Sebastian Amara station and take the little local Euskotren to Hendaye. This runs every 30 minutes, journey time 37 minutes, fare 2.75, buy at the station from the ticket machines or staffed counters. See www.euskotren.eus. At Hendaye, the Euskotren station is adjacent to the mainline SNCF station.
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Day 2, travel from Hendaye to Bordeaux St Jean by mainline train in around 2h30. These leave every hour or two, some are TGVs which require pre-booking and have dynamic pricing, others TER regional trains with no pre-booking and fixed prices that can be paid on the day.
The fare is around 39 by TER or 39 for TGV paid on the day, or from 23 by TGV if booked in advance.
Check times & buy tickets at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee). Booking for French trains opens up to 4 months ahead.
From Valencia. Alicante, Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Malaga you'd take a fast train to Madrid Atocha, transfer to Madrid Chamartin by suburban train, then travel Madrid to Bordeaux as above. Check times at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com or renfe.com.
Spain to Toulouse
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Step 1, travel from Madrid Atocha, Alicante, Valencia, Seville, Cordoba, Malaga to Barcelona Sants.
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Step 2, travel from Barcelona Sants to Narbonne & change for a train to Carcassone & Toulouse. There are two daily departures from Barcelona Sants at 10:33 & 14:32 all year round with one easy change at Narbonne.
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 from Madrid to Toulouse at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee). Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.
Tip: If using www.raileurope.com, you can click More options, enter Barcelona Sants as a via station, and specify a duration. I'd specify 45 minutes for a relaxed connection, or you can specify several hours if you'd like a stopover for lunch.
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Alternatively, consider catching an afternoon train to Barcelona and staying there overnight. Next morning, either take the 10:33 high-speed train to Toulouse with a simple change at Narbonne or use the cheap and scenic local train route from Barcelona to Toulouse through the Pyrenees via Latour de Carol explained here.
Spain to Lyon
Option 1, Madrid & Spain to Lyon in a single day
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Step 1 from Madrid: Travel from Madrid to Barcelona by AVE-S103 high-speed train, leaving Madrid Atocha at 10:30 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 13:15. Fares start at around 35. By all means take an earlier train and have lunch in Barcelona.
Step 1 from Alicante or Valencia: Travel from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona by EuroMed train, leaving Alicante at 07:25 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 09:15 arriving Barcelona Sants at 11:55. Fares start at around 35.
No same-day connection is possible from Malaga, Cordoba or Seville, so see other options.
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Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Lyon, leaving Barcelona Sants at 14:32, change at Montpellier Saint-Roche, arrive Lyon Part Dieu at 19:48.
You travel from Barcelona to Montpellier by 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex with 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 Bιziers 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 around 39 in 2nd class or 49 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee).
Try booking the whole journey in one go, if this doesn't work try booking the Spanish train to Barcelona, add to basket, then Barcelona to Lyon, add to basket & check out.
Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies. Booking French trains opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own tickets.
Alternatively, more work and usually the same prices, book the Spanish train at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in , much more fiddly to use, may reject some overseas payment cards) and the Barcelona-Lyon journey at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee).
Option 2, Madrid & Spain to Lyon with overnight stop in Barcelona
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Step 1, travel from Spanish cities to Barcelona in the afternoon or early evening:
Travel from Malaga to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 16:44, arriving Barcelona Sants at 23:00. Fares start at around 46.
Travel from Seville or Cordoba to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Seville Santa Justa at 16:07 or Cordoba at 16:52, arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:50. Fares start at around 46.
Travel from Granada to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train, leaving Granada at 16:18 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 23:00.
Travel from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona by EuroMed train, leaving Alicante at 16:10 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 19:07, arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:05. Fares start at around 30. By all means take an earlier train for more of an evening in Barcelona.
Travel from Madrid Atocha to Barcelona Sants in 2h30 by AVE S-103 high-speed train on any departure you like, or take a competing Iryo, lo-cost Avlo or lo-cost Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona by train page. You can leave early evening, but trains leave almost every hour so by all means travel earlier and have a pleasant evening in Barcelona. Fares start at around 35 by AVE or from just 7 by Avlo. AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Lo-cost Avlo & Ouigo trains are one-class, no catering, free WiFi.
Buy tickets for any of these trains at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee, overseas cards no problem) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in , significantly more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it). Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies. You print your own tickets.
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Stay overnight in Barcelona... The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users. See other suggested hotels near the station.
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Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Lyon by AVE high-speed train, leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:22 and arriving Lyon Part Dieu at 13:20.
This train starts running on 28 July 2023, initially only on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, but daily all year from 1 September 2023.
This comfortable Spanish high-speed train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Look out for great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou on the left as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses on the left by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Bιziers cathedral on the left, see the photos, tips & journey information here.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 49 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in , significantly more fiddly, see advice on using it). Booking normally opens 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Alternatively, on any date or day of the week you can leave Barcelona Sants at 10:33, change at Nξmes and arrive Lyon Part Dieu at 15:50. Barcelona to Nimes is by TGV Duplex with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Nξmes to Lyon is on another TGV, also with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. This can also be booked at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.co, or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee).
Spain to Avignon, Aix, Marseille, Cannes & Nice
Option 1, using the direct AVE from Madrid to Avignon, Aix & Marseille - fewest changes, recommended
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Step 1, take a morning train from Spanish cities to Madrid or Barcelona:
Travel from Malaga to Madrid by AVE high-speed train, leaving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 08:54 daily except Saturdays, arriving Madrid Atocha at 12:07. On Saturdays, leave Malaga Maria Zambrano at 07:55 arriving Madrid Atocha at 10:50. Fares start at around 30.
Travel from Seville or Cordoba to Barcelona by AVE S112 high-speed train, leaving Seville Santa Justa at 08:55 or Cordoba at 09:44 arriving Barcelona Sants at 14:45. Fares start at around 45.
Travel from Granada to Madrid by AVE high-speed train leaving Granada at 06:00 arriving Madrid Atocha at 09:47. Fares start at around 30.
Travel from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona by EuroMed train, leaving Alicante at 09:20 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 11:20 arriving Barcelona Sants at 14:15. Fares start at around 35.
Book these trains at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in , significantly more fiddly, see this advice on using it). Booking for Spanish domestic trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but this varies.
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Step 2, travel from Madrid or Barcelona to Avignon, Aix & Marseille by direct AVE high-speed train, leaving Madrid Atocha at 13:25 or Barcelona Sants at 16:34 and arriving Avignon TGV 20:52, Aix-en-Provence TGV 21:14 & Marseille St Charles at 21:30.
This train starts running on 28 July 2023, initially only on Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays, but becoming daily all year from 29 September 2023.
This comfortable Spanish high-speed train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Look out for great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou on the left as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses on the left by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Bιziers cathedral on the left, see the photos, tips & journey information here.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 49 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in , significantly more fiddly). Booking normally opens 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
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For Cannes, Nice or Monaco, 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.
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Step 3, travel from Marseille to Cannes, Nice & Monte Carlo on any suitable train next 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 station page.
Book onward trains from Marseille 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 , no booking fee).
Option 2, alternative departure - Madrid to Nice in one day
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Step 1, travel from Madrid or any other Spanish city to Barcelona.
Travel from Madrid to Barcelona by AVE-S103 high-speed train leaving Madrid Atocha at 06:30 Mondays-Fridays only, arriving Barcelona Sants 09:20. Or on any day of the week, leave Madrid Atocha at 06:20 by lo-cost Avlo train arriving Barcelona Sants at 08:50.
The AVE train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. The lo-cost Avlo train is one-class, no catering, free WiFi. Fares for the AVE start at around 35, Avlo fares start at just 7.
From Alicante & Valencia, travel the previous day and stay overnight in Barcelona, I recommend the Hotel Barcelo Sants in the station itself. There are various afternoon or early evening trains to choose from, check times & buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.renfe.com.
From Seville or Cordoba, travel the previous day and stay overnight in Barcelona, I recommend the Hotel Barcelo Sants in the station itself. There's an afternoon AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Seville Santa Justa at 16:07 or Cordoba at 16:52, arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:50, with fares from around 46.
From Malaga, travel the previous day and stay overnight in Barcelona, I recommend the Hotel Barcelo Sants in the station itself. There's a once-daily direct AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 16:44 arriving Barcelona Sants at 23:00, with fares from around 46.
Buy tickets for this at www.raileurope.com or www.renfe.com.
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Step 2, 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 Bιziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.
Nimes to Marseilles is by Intercitι 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.
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 , no booking fee).
Booking normally opens 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Spain to Brussels from 68
Option 1, Madrid to Brussels in a day
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Step 1, travel from Madrid to Barcelona by AVE-S103 high-speed train leaving Madrid Atocha at 06:30 Mondays-Fridays only, arriving Barcelona Sants 09:20. Or on any day of the week, leave Madrid Atocha at 06:20 by lo-cost Avlo train arriving Barcelona Sants at 08:50.
The AVE train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. The lo-cost Avlo train is one-class, no catering, free WiFi. Fares for the AVE start at around 35, Avlo fares start at just 7.
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Step 2, 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 Bιziers 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.
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Step 3, travel from Paris to Brussels by Thalys train, there's usually one leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 19:25 arriving Brussels Midi 20:47.
Thalys trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more information about Thalys.
Fares start at 29 in 2nd class or 55 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, as you can buy all your tickets together in one place, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem.
Try booking from Madrid or Valencia to Brussels 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 opens up to 4 months ahead, but booking only opens 60 days ahead for Spanish trains. There's a small booking fee.
Tip: If booking the whole trip in one go, I recommend clicking More options, entering Paris (any station) as a via station, with a stopover duration of 1 hour (or longer, if you'd like more time in Paris). 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, but no booking fee: Book the Spanish trains with Renfe at www.renfe.com, but see advice on using it here. Book from Barcelona to Paris at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com, then book the Thalys at www.sncf-connect.com.
Option 2, Madrid & Spain to Brussels with overnight stop in Barcelona
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Step 1, travel from Spanish cities to Barcelona in the afternoon or early evening:
Travel from Malaga to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 16:44, arriving Barcelona Sants at 23:00. Fares start at around 46.
Travel from Seville or Cordoba to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Seville Santa Justa at 16:07 or Cordoba at 16:52, arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:50. Fares start at around 46.
Travel from Granada to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train, leaving Granada at 16:18 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 23:00.
Travel from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona by EuroMed train, leaving Alicante at 16:10 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 19:07, arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:05. Fares start at around 30. By all means take an earlier train for more of an evening in Barcelona.
Travel from Madrid Atocha to Barcelona Sants in 2h30 by AVE S-103 high-speed train on any departure you like, or take a competing Iryo, lo-cost Avlo or lo-cost Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona by train page. You can leave early evening, but trains leave almost every hour so by all means travel earlier and have a pleasant evening in Barcelona. Fares start at around 35 by AVE or from just 7 by Avlo. AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Lo-cost Avlo & Ouigo trains are one-class, no catering, free WiFi.
Buy tickets for any of these trains at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee, overseas cards no problem) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in , significantly more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it). Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies. You print your own tickets.
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Stay overnight in Barcelona... The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users. See other suggested hotels near the station.
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Step 2, 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 Bιziers 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.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee). Booking normally opens 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Allow at least 60 minutes to change trains & stations in Paris from the Gare de Lyon to the Gare du Nord.
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Step 3, travel from Paris to Brussels by Thalys train, there's usually one leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 19:25 arriving Brussels Midi 20:47.
Thalys trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the Thalys information page.
Fares start at 29 in 2nd class or 55 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee). Booking normally opens 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Option 3, Madrid & Spain to Brussels with overnight stop in Paris
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Step 1 from Madrid: Take the 10:30 AVE-S103 high-speed train from Madrid Atocha arriving Barcelona Sants at 13:15, with fares from around 35. By all means take an earlier train and have lunch in Barcelona.
Step 1 from Alicante or Valencia: Take a EuroMed train to Barcelona, leaving Alicante at 07:25 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 09:15 arriving Barcelona Sants at 11:55.
No same-day connection is possible from Malaga, Cordoba or Seville, so see other options.
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Step 2, 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.
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 Bιziers 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.
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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.
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Step 3, next morning take any Thalys you like from Paris to Brussels, the 06:13 from Paris Gare du Nord arrives Brussels Midi at 07:45, but by all means have a leisurely breakfast and take a later one, they leave every hour or so.
Thalys trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the Thalys information page.
Fares start at 29 in 2nd class or 55 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com, you can then buy all your tickets together in one place, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem.
First book from any Spanish city to Paris, add to basket, then book from Paris to Brussels for the following day and add that to your basket, then check out. You print your own tickets. Booking for the TGV & Thalys opens up to 4 months ahead, but only 60 days ahead for Spanish trains. There's a small booking fee.
Alternatively, you can book each train separately, although it's more effort and unlikely to make it materially cheaper, but no booking fee: Book the Spanish trains with Renfe at www.renfe.com, but see advice on using it here. Book from Barcelona to Paris at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com, then also book the Thalys at www.sncf-connect.com.
Spain to Amsterdam from 74
Option 1, Madrid to Amsterdam in a day
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Step 1, travel from Madrid to Barcelona by AVE-S103 high-speed train leaving Madrid Atocha at 06:30 Mondays-Fridays only, arriving Barcelona Sants 09:20. Or on any day of the week, leave Madrid Atocha at 06:20 by lo-cost Avlo train arriving Barcelona Sants at 08:50.
The AVE train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. The lo-cost Avlo train is one-class, no catering, free WiFi. Fares for the AVE start at around 35, Avlo fares start at just 7.
No same-day connection is possible from Alicante, Valencia, Malaga, Cordoba or Seville.
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Step 2, 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 Bιziers 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 from the Gare de Lyon to the Gare du Nord.
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Step 3, 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.
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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 Madrid or Valencia to Amsterdam 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 opens up to 4 months ahead, but only 60 days ahead for Spanish trains. There's a small booking fee.
Tip: If booking the whole trip in one go on Raileurope, I recommend clicking More options, entering Paris (any station) as a via station, with a stopover duration of 1 hour (or longer, if you'd like more time in Paris). 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, but no booking fee: Book the Spanish trains with Renfe at www.renfe.com, but see advice on using it here. Book from Barcelona to Paris at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com, then book the Thalys at www.sncf-connect.com.
Option 2, Madrid & Spain to Amsterdam with overnight stop in Barcelona
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Step 1, travel from Spanish cities to Barcelona in the afternoon or early evening:
Travel from Malaga to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 16:44, arriving Barcelona Sants at 23:00. Fares start at around 46.
Travel from Seville or Cordoba to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Seville Santa Justa at 16:07 or Cordoba at 16:52, arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:50. Fares start at around 46.
Travel from Granada to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train, leaving Granada at 16:18 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 23:00.
Travel from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona by EuroMed train, leaving Alicante at 16:10 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 19:07, arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:05. Fares start at around 30. By all means take an earlier train for more of an evening in Barcelona.
Travel from Madrid Atocha to Barcelona Sants in 2h30 by AVE S-103 high-speed train on any departure you like, or take a competing Iryo, lo-cost Avlo or lo-cost Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona by train page. You can leave early evening, but trains leave almost every hour so by all means travel earlier and have a pleasant evening in Barcelona. Fares start at around 35 by AVE or from just 7 by Avlo. AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Lo-cost Avlo & Ouigo trains are one-class, no catering, free WiFi.
Buy tickets for any of these trains at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee, overseas cards no problem) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in , significantly more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it). Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies. You print your own tickets.
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Stay overnight in Barcelona... The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users. See other suggested hotels near the station.
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Step 2, 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 Bιziers 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.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee). Booking normally opens 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Allow at least 60 minutes to change trains & stations in Paris from the Gare de Lyon to the Gare du Nord.
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Step 3, 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.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee). Booking normally opens 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Option 3, Madrid & Spain to Amsterdam with overnight stop in Paris
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Day 1 from Madrid: Take the 10:30 AVE-S103 high-speed train from Madrid Atocha arriving Barcelona Sants at 13:15, with fares from around 35. By all means take an earlier train and have lunch in Barcelona.
Day 1 from Alicante or Valencia: Take a EuroMed train to Barcelona, leaving Alicante at 07:25 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 09:15 arriving Barcelona Sants at 11:55.
No same-day connection is possible from Malaga, Cordoba or Seville, so see other options.
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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 Bιziers 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.
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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.
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Day 2, next morning travel from Paris to Amsterdam on any Thalys you like.
The 06:25 from Paris Gare du Nord arrives Amsterdam Centraal at 09:44, but by all means have a leisurely breakfast and take a later one, they leave every hour or two.
Thalys trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the Thalys information page.
Fares start at 35 in 2nd class or 79 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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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.
First book from any Spanish city to Paris, add to basket, then book from Paris to Amsterdam for the following day and add that to your basket, then check out. You print your own tickets. Booking for the TGV & Thalys usually opens up to 4 months ahead, but only 60 days ahead for Spanish trains. There's a small booking fee.
Alternatively, you can book each train separately, although it's more effort and unlikely to make it materially cheaper, but no booking fee: Book the Spanish trains with Renfe at www.renfe.com, but see advice on using it here. Book from Barcelona to Paris at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com, then also book the Thalys at www.sncf-connect.com.
Spain to Luxembourg
Option 1, Madrid to Luxembourg in a single day
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Step 1, travel from Madrid to Barcelona by AVE-S103 high-speed train leaving Madrid Atocha at 06:30 Mondays-Fridays only, arriving Barcelona Sants 09:20. Or on any day of the week, leave Madrid Atocha at 06:20 by lo-cost Avlo train arriving Barcelona Sants at 08:50.
The AVE train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. The lo-cost Avlo train is one-class, no catering, free WiFi. Fares for the AVE start at around 35, Avlo fares start at just 7.
No same-day connection is possible from Alicante, Valencia, Malaga, Cordoba or Seville, so travel the previous day and stay overnight in Barcelona.
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Step 2, 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 Bιziers 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 from the Gare de Lyon to the Gare de l'Est.
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Step 3, travel from Paris to Luxembourg by TGV, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 18:40 Sat & Sun arriving Luxembourg 20:52 or 19:40 Mon-Fri, arriving Luxembourg 21:52. The TGV has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at 25 in 2nd class or 45 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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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 Madrid or Valencia 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. Booking for the TGVs opens up to 4 months ahead, but only 60 days ahead for Spanish trains. There's a small booking fee.
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 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 separately, although it's more effort and unlikely to make it materially cheaper, but no booking fee: Book the Spanish trains with Renfe at www.renfe.com, but see advice on using it here. Book from Barcelona to Paris at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com, then book Paris to Luxembourg at www.sncf-connect.com.
Option 2, Madrid & Spain to Luxembourg with overnight stop in Barcelona
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Step 1, travel from Spanish cities to Barcelona in the afternoon or early evening:
Travel from Malaga to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 16:44, arriving Barcelona Sants at 23:00. Fares start at around 46.
Travel from Seville or Cordoba to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Seville Santa Justa at 16:07 or Cordoba at 16:52, arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:50. Fares start at around 46.
Travel from Granada to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train, leaving Granada at 16:18 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 23:00.
Travel from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona by EuroMed train, leaving Alicante at 16:10 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 19:07, arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:05. Fares start at around 30. By all means take an earlier train for more of an evening in Barcelona.
Travel from Madrid Atocha to Barcelona Sants in 2h30 by AVE S-103 high-speed train on any departure you like, or take a competing Iryo, lo-cost Avlo or lo-cost Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona by train page. You can leave early evening, but trains leave almost every hour so by all means travel earlier and have a pleasant evening in Barcelona. Fares start at around 35 by AVE or from just 7 by Avlo. AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Lo-cost Avlo & Ouigo trains are one-class, no catering, free WiFi.
Buy tickets for any of these trains at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee, overseas cards n o problem) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in , significantly more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it). Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies. You print your own tickets.
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Stay overnight in Barcelona... The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users. See other suggested hotels near the station.
Step 2, 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 Bιziers 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 easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , booking fee). Booking normally opens 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Allow at least 60 minutes to change trains & stations in Paris from the Gare de Lyon to the Gare de l'Est.
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Step 3, travel from Paris to Luxembourg by TGV, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 18:39 Sat & Sun arriving Luxembourg 20:52 or 19:40 Mon-Fri, arriving Luxembourg 21:52. The TGV has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at 25 in 2nd class or 45 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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 at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee). Booking normally opens 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Option 3, Madrid & Spain to Luxembourg with overnight stop in Paris
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Step 1 from Madrid: Take the 10:30 AVE-S103 high-speed train from Madrid Atocha arriving Barcelona Sants at 13:15, with fares from around 35. By all means take an earlier train and have lunch in Barcelona.
Step 1 from Alicante or Valencia: Take a EuroMed train to Barcelona, leaving Alicante at 07:25 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 09:15 arriving Barcelona Sants at 11:55.
No same-day connection is possible from Malaga, Cordoba or Seville, so see other options.
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Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 14:32, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 21:18.
The 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views. It's a scenic ride, see here for the sights to see from the train on the way.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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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 Franηais 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.
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Step 3, next morning travel from Paris to Luxembourg by TGV. On Mondays-Fridays the 07:28 from Paris Gare du Nord arrives Luxembourg at 09:44. On Saturdays, the 08:13 from Paris Gare du Nord arrives Luxembourg at 10:32. On Sundays, the 10:40 from Paris Gare du Nord 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.
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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.
First book from any Spanish city 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. Booking for the TGVs opens up to 4 months ahead, but only 60 days ahead for Spanish trains. There's a small booking fee.
Alternatively, you can book each train separately, although it's more effort and unlikely to make it materially cheaper, but no booking fee: Book the Spanish trains with Renfe at www.renfe.com, but see advice on using it here. Book from Barcelona to Paris at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com, then also book Paris-Luxembourg at www.sncf-connect.com.
Spain to Geneva, Zurich & Switzerland from 59
Option 1, Madrid & Spain to Switzerland in a single day
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Step 1 from Madrid: Take the 10:30 AVE-S103 high-speed train from Madrid Atocha arriving Barcelona Sants at 13:15, with fares from around 35. By all means take an earlier train and have lunch in Barcelona.
Step 1 from Alicante or Valencia: Take a EuroMed train to Barcelona, leaving Alicante at 07:25 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 09:15 arriving Barcelona Sants at 11:55.
No same-day connection is possible from Malaga, Cordoba or Seville.
Buy tickets for these trains at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee, overseas cards no problem) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in , significantly more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it). Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies. You print your own tickets.
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Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Geneva, leaving 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 Rhτne 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 31.90 in 2nd class, 42.40 in 1st class.
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 , no booking fee) then onward Swiss tickets at the Swiss Railways website www.sbb.ch.
Option 2, Madrid & Spain to Switzerland with overnight stop in Barcelona
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Step 1, travel from Spanish cities to Barcelona in the afternoon or early evening:
Travel from Malaga to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 16:44, arriving Barcelona Sants at 23:00. Fares start at around 46.
Travel from Seville or Cordoba to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Seville Santa Justa at 16:07 or Cordoba at 16:52, arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:50. Fares start at around 46.
Travel from Granada to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train, leaving Granada at 16:18 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 23:00.
Travel from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona by EuroMed train, leaving Alicante at 16:10 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 19:07, arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:05. Fares start at around 30. By all means take an earlier train for more of an evening in Barcelona.
Travel from Madrid Atocha to Barcelona Sants in 2h30 by AVE S-103 high-speed train on any departure you like, or take a competing Iryo, lo-cost Avlo or lo-cost Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona by train page. You can leave early evening, but trains leave almost every hour so by all means travel earlier and have a pleasant evening in Barcelona. Fares start at around 35 by AVE or from just 7 by Avlo. AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Lo-cost Avlo & Ouigo trains are one-class, no catering, free WiFi.
Buy tickets for any of these trains at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in , significantly more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it). Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies. You print your own tickets.
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Stay overnight in Barcelona... The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users. See other suggested hotels near the station.
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Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Lyon by AVE high-speed train, leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:22 and arriving Lyon Part Dieu at 13:20.
This train starts running on 28 July 2023, initially only on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, but daily all year from 1 September 2023.
This comfortable Spanish high-speed train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Look out for great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou on the left as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses on the left by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Bιziers cathedral on the left, see the photos, tips & journey information here.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 49 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in , significantly more fiddly, see advice on using it). Booking normally opens 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
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Step 3, travel from Lyon to Geneva by TER regional train, leaving Lyon Part Dieu at 14:38 and arriving Geneva at 16:35.
These TER trains use former inter-city carriages, old but comfortable. There's no catering, so bring your own food & drink. It's a lovely journey along the river Rhτne and through the Jura.
Lyon to Geneva costs a fixed-price 31.90 in 2nd class, 42.40 in 1st class.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee). Booking normally opens 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
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Step 4, take onwards trains from Geneva to anywhere in Switzerland.
Check times and buy tickets at either www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Swiss Railways site www.sbb.ch.
Spain to Milan, Venice, Rome & Italy
Option 1, Spain to Italy with an overnight stop in Lyon - from the Pyrenees to the Alps
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Day 1 from Madrid: Travel from Madrid to Barcelona by AVE-S103 high-speed train, leaving Madrid Atocha at 10:30 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 13:15. Fares start at around 35. By all means take an earlier train and have lunch in Barcelona.
Day 1 from Alicante or Valencia: Travel from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona by EuroMed train, leaving Alicante at 07:25 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 09:15 arriving Barcelona Sants at 11:55. Fares start at around 35.
No same-day connection is possible from Malaga, Cordoba or Seville.
Book this at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in , significantly more fiddly). You print your own ticket.
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 Bιziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & information here.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, 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 , no booking fee). You print your own ticket.
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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.
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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.
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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 2, Madrid & Spain to Italy with overnight stops in Barcelona & Milan
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Day 1, travel from Spanish cities to Barcelona in the afternoon or early evening:
Travel from Malaga to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 16:44, arriving Barcelona Sants at 23:00. Fares start at around 46.
Travel from Seville or Cordoba to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Seville Santa Justa at 16:07 or Cordoba at 16:52, arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:50. Fares start at around 46.
Travel from Granada to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train, leaving Granada at 16:18 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 23:00.
Travel from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona by EuroMed train, leaving Alicante at 16:10 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 19:07, arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:05. Fares start at around 30. By all means take an earlier train for more of an evening in Barcelona.
Travel from Madrid Atocha to Barcelona Sants in 2h30 by AVE S-103 high-speed train on any departure you like, or take a competing Iryo, lo-cost Avlo or lo-cost Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona by train page. You can leave early evening, but trains leave almost every hour so by all means travel earlier and have a pleasant evening in Barcelona. Fares start at around 35 by AVE or from just 7 by Avlo. AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Lo-cost Avlo & Ouigo trains are one-class, no catering, free WiFi.
Buy tickets for any of these trains at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee, overseas cards no problem) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in , significantly more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it). Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies. You print your own tickets.
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Stay overnight in Barcelona... The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users. See other suggested hotels near the station.
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Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Lyon by AVE high-speed train, leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:22 and arriving Lyon Part Dieu at 13:20.
This train starts running on 28 July 2023, initially only on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, but daily all year from 1 September 2023.
This comfortable Spanish high-speed train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Look out for great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou on the left as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses on the left by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Bιziers cathedral on the left, see the photos, tips & journey information here.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 49 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in , significantly more fiddly, see advice on using it). Booking normally opens 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
You've time for lunch in Lyon, see suggested brasserie near the station.
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Day 2, 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.
Book this 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 Italian Railways website www.trenitalia.com (in , requires Italian language place names). Booking normally opens 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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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.
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Day 3, 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).
Book this 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 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Spain to Lisbon & Portugal
Option 1, Madrid to Lisbon in a day, the leisurely direct way
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You can travel from Madrid to Lisbon by daytime trains with 2 changes, see the Madrid to Lisbon page for details.
It's cheap, comfortable, scenic, although not fast. A leisurely ride across Extremadura, look out for the beautiful tiling on some of the rural Portuguese stations.
Consider the more round-about journey via Vigo & Porto shown in option 2 below. As each new section of the Madrid-Galicia high-speed line opens the Madrid-Vigo part of the journey gets faster & faster. With the attractions of Porto as an overnight stop then Portugal's premier rail route from Porto to Lisbon next day, you may prefer that option.
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Sleeper train discontinued: The Lusitania Trenhotel was suspended in March 2020 due to Covid-19. Renfe did not want to reinstate it, and it has now been permanently discontinued. A direct fast daytime train may start in 2024 when new lines are completed in both Spain & Portugal, but until the only link between Madrid & Lisbon is a 3-train combo by day, see the Madrid to Lisbon page for details.
Option 2, Madrid to Lisbon with overnight stop in Porto - a roundabout route, but with high-speed trains & a great stopover
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Day 1, travel from Madrid to Vigo by high-speed Alvia train, leaving Madrid Chamartin at 11:20 and arriving Vigo Urzaiz at 15:38.
Alvia trains are comfortable and air-conditioned with a cafe-bar.
Fares start at 33 in Standard class (2nd class) or 40 in Comfort class (1st class). Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy a ticket at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.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, in , see this advice on using it). Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies. You print your own ticket.
Vigo Urzaiz station is a 1.1 km 15-minute walk from Vigo Guixar station, see walking map. Have a wander around Vigo & an early dinner.
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Day 1, travel from Vigo to Porto by regional express train, leaving Vigo Guixar at 19:56 and arriving Porto Campanhγ at 21:18.
The fare is 14.95, 2nd class only, buy a ticket at the station or at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
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Stay overnight in Porto... The Poviera Hotel is a small and very inexpensive hotel with good reviews directly opposite Campanhγ station. The Oca Oriental Porto Hotel is also inexpensive, gets great reviews, a stone's throw from Campanhγ station. If you'd rather stay in the old town, top choice is the InterContinental Hotel, a 5-star converted monastery-cum-palace a stone's throw from the beautiful Sao Bento railway station. Or try the cheaper PortoBay Teatro Hotel.
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Day 2, travel from Porto Campanhγ to Lisbon Santa Apolonia on any train you like, the first train gets to Lisbon around 09:30.
The journey takes as little as 2h58, by 200 km/h tilting Alfa Pendular or comfortable 160 km/h Intercity. There are regular departures through the day, spend some time in Porto before taking a train south!
Fares from 15 if you book ahead at www.cp.pt or Omio.com. See the Porto to Lisbon by train page for more information.
Option 3, Malaga, Granada, Cordoba or Seville to Lisbon
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Step 1, travel from Malaga Maria Zambrano, Granada or Cordoba to Seville Santa Justa by train. Check times & buy a ticket at www.raileurope.com, www.thetrainline.com or www.renfe.com.
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Step 2, travel from Seville to Faro by bus, journey time 2h30 to 3h15, with a departure roughly every 2-3 hours.
Several bus companies run on this route including Also, Damas, EuroLines and Iberobus. Buses typically leave Seville at 08:30, 09:30, 11:30 & 16:00, but it varies so check online at Omio.com. If you're starting in Malaga, look for buses that start from Seville Santa Justa station, so it's an easy same-station train-bus interchange.
The fare is around 17-21 each way.
Check times and buy tickets for all these companies at Omio.com and print your own ticket.
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Step 3, travel from Faro to Lisbon Oriente by train, various departures through the day, journey time 3h05-3h41.
Fares start at 15 if you book ahead.
Check times and buy a ticket at the Portuguese Railways website www.cp.pt (in ) or at Omio.com (in , £ or $). You print your own ticket.
I'd allow at least 1 hour between bus and train in Faro.
Spain to Porto
Madrid to Porto
Option 1, Madrid to Porto using a Madrid-Vigo high-speed train - the comfortable daytime train option
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Step 1, travel from Madrid to Vigo by high-speed Alvia train, leaving Madrid Chamartin at 11:20 and arriving Vigo Urzaiz at 15:38.
Alvia trains are comfortable and air-conditioned with a cafe-bar.
Fares start at 33 in Standard class (2nd class) or 40 in Comfort class (1st class). Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy a ticket at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.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, in , see this advice on using it). Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies. You print your own ticket.
Vigo Urzaiz station is a 1.1 km 15-minute walk from Vigo Guixar station, see walking map. Have a wander around Vigo & an early dinner.
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Step 2, travel from Vigo to Porto by regional express train, leaving Vigo Guixar at 19:56 and arriving Porto Campanhγ at 21:18.
The fare is 14.95, 2nd class only, buy a ticket at the station or at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
Option 2, Madrid to Porto with overnight hotel in Vigo - same as option 1, but with overnight stop. Can be more time-effective
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Day 1, travel from Madrid to Vigo by high-speed Alvia train, leaving Madrid Chamartin at 16:00 & arriving Vigo Urzaiz at 20:12.
Daily except Saturdays you may find a later 19:15 departure arriving 23:46.
Alvia trains are comfortable and air-conditioned with a cafe-bar. Have lunch and spend a pleasant afternoon in Vigo.
Fares start at 33 in Standard class (2nd class) or 40 in Comfort class (1st class). Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy a ticket at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.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, in , see this advice on using it). Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies. You print your own ticket.
Vigo Urzaiz station is a 1.1 km 15-minute walk from Vigo Guixar station, see walking map.
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Stay overnight in Vigo. The NH Collection Vigo hotel & cheaper Hotel Atlantico Vigo are both near the station with great reviews.
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Day 2, travel from Vigo to Porto by regional express train, leaving Vigo Guixar at 08:58 and arriving Porto Campanhγ at 10:20.
The fare is 14.95, 2nd class only, buy a ticket at the station or at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
Malaga & Seville to Porto
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Step 1, trains link Malaga Maria Zambrano station with Seville Santa Justa in 1h55 several times through the day. Check times & buy a ticket at www.raileurope.com, www.thetrainline.com or www.renfe.com.
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Step 2, travel from Seville to Faro by bus, journey time 2h30 to 3h15, with a departure roughly every 2-3 hours.
Several bus companies run on this route including Also, Damas, EuroLines and Iberobus. Buses typically leave Seville at 08:30, 09:30, 11:30 & 16:00, but it varies so check online at Omio.com. If you're starting in Malaga, look for buses that start from Seville Santa Justa station, so it's an easy same-station train-bus interchange.
The fare is around 17-21 each way.
Check times and buy tickets for all these companies at Omio.com and print your own ticket.
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Step 3, travel from Faro to Porto by train, usually with a change at Lisbon Oriente, but there's usually a late afternoon direct train.
Fares start at 20.50 if you book ahead.
Check times and buy a ticket at the Portuguese Railways website www.cp.pt (in ) or at Omio.com (in , £ or $). Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket.
I'd allow at least 1 hour between bus and train in Faro.
Spain to Faro & the Algarve
Madrid to Faro
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Step 1, travel from Madrid Atocha to Seville Santa Justa in 2h35, trains run every couple of hours through the day.
Check times & buy a ticket at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy, small booking fee) or www.renfe.com (more fiddly). Booking opens 60 days ahead, though this varies.
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Step 2, travel from Seville to Faro by bus, journey time 2h30 to 3h15, with a departure roughly every 2-3 hours.
Several bus companies run on this route including Also, Damas, EuroLines and Iberobus. Buses typically leave Seville at 08:30, 09:30, 11:30 & 16:00, but it varies so check online at Omio.com. If you're starting in Malaga, look for buses that start from Seville Santa Justa station, so it's an easy same-station train-bus interchange. I'd allow at least 40 minutes between train & bus.
The fare is around 17-21 each way.
Check times and buy tickets for all these companies at Omio.com and print your own ticket.
Malaga, Granada, Cordoba or Seville to Faro
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Step 1, travel from Malaga Maria Zambrano station to Seville Santa Justa in 1h55, trains run at various times through the day. Trains also run from Granada & Cordoba to Seville Santa Justa.
Check times & buy a ticket at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy, small booking fee) or www.renfe.com (more fiddly).
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Step 2, travel from Seville to Faro by bus, journey time 2h30 to 3h15, with a departure roughly every 2-3 hours.
Several bus companies run on this route including Also, Damas, EuroLines and Iberobus. Buses typically leave Seville at 08:30, 09:30, 11:30 & 16:00, but it varies so check online at Omio.com. If you're starting in Malaga, look for buses that start from Seville Santa Justa station, so it's an easy same-station train-bus interchange.
The fare is around 17-21 each way.
Check times and buy tickets for all these companies at Omio.com and print your own ticket.
Spain to Andorra
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Step 1, take a train from anywhere in Spain to Barcelona Sants, there are direct trains to Barcelona Sants from Madrid Atocha, Malaga, Seville, Cordoba, Alicante and Valencia, to name just a few.
Check times and buy a ticket at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee) or the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, in , see this advice on using it) or www.petrabax.com (in $, with small mark-up). I'd allow at least an hour between train & bus in Barcelona.
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Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Andorra by bus. 6 or 7 buses leave Barcelona Sants station every day for Andorra La Vella, capital of Andorra, journey time 3 hours, fare around 29, see www.autocarsnadal.com.
Spain to Cologne, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich, Berlin & Germany from 79
Option 1, Madrid to Cologne or Frankfurt in a single day
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Step 1, travel from Madrid to Barcelona by AVE-S103 high-speed train leaving Madrid Atocha at 06:30 Mondays-Fridays only, arriving Barcelona Sants 09:20. Or on any day of the week, leave Madrid Atocha at 06:20 by lo-cost Avlo train arriving Barcelona Sants at 08:50.
The AVE train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. The lo-cost Avlo train is one-class, no catering, free WiFi. Fares for the AVE start at around 35, Avlo fares start at just 7.
No same-day connection is possible from Alicante, Valencia, Malaga, Cordoba or Seville, so see other options.
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Step 2, 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 Bιziers 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 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).
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Step 3, 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.
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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 Madrid or Valencia to Germany 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 opens up to 4 months ahead, but only 60 days for Spanish trains. There's a small booking fee.
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, but no booking fee: Book the Spanish trains with Renfe at www.renfe.com (much m ore fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it here). Book from Barcelona to Paris at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com, then book the Thalys to Cologne at www.sncf-connect.com or the ICE to Frankfurt at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Option 2, Madrid & Spain to Germany with overnight stop in Barcelona
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Step 1, travel from Spanish cities to Barcelona in the afternoon or early evening:
Travel from Malaga to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 16:44, arriving Barcelona Sants at 23:00. Fares start at around 46.
Travel from Seville or Cordoba to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Seville Santa Justa at 16:07 or Cordoba at 16:52, arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:50. Fares start at around 46.
Travel from Granada to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train, leaving Granada at 16:18 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 23:00.
Travel from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona by EuroMed train, leaving Alicante at 16:10 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 19:07, arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:05. Fares start at around 30. By all means take an earlier train for more of an evening in Barcelona.
Travel from Madrid Atocha to Barcelona Sants in 2h30 by AVE S-103 high-speed train on any departure you like, or take a competing Iryo, lo-cost Avlo or lo-cost Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona by train page. You can leave early evening, but trains leave almost every hour so by all means travel earlier and have a pleasant evening in Barcelona. Fares start at around 35 by AVE or from just 7 by Avlo. AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Lo-cost Avlo & Ouigo trains are one-class, no catering, free WiFi.
Buy tickets for any of these trains at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee, overseas cards no problem) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in , significantly more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it). Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies. You print your own tickets.
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Stay overnight in Barcelona... The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users. See other suggested hotels near the station.
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Step 2, 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 Bιziers 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 1 hour to change trains & stations in Paris from the Gare de Lyon to the Gare du Nord (for Cologne) or Gare de l'Est (for Frankfurt).
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Step 3, 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.
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Step 4 for Hamburg, Berlin: Stay overnight in Cologne and take any onward train you like next day.
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How to buy tickets
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.
First book from any Spanish city to Barcelona, add to basket, then book from Barcelona to Cologne or Frankfurt all in one go for the following day & add to your basket, also book any onward train from Cologne to Hamburg or Berlin, add to basket then check out. You print your own tickets. Booking for the TGV & Thalys opens up to 4 months ahead, but only 60 days ahead for Spanish trains. There's a small booking fee.
Tip: When booking Barcelona to Germany at Raileurope I recommend clicking More options, entering Paris (any station) as a via station, with a stopover duration of 1 hour (or longer, if you'd like more time in Paris). 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 the booking fee: Book the Spanish trains with Renfe at www.renfe.com, but see advice on using it here. Book from Barcelona to Paris at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com, then book Paris to Germany at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Option 3, Madrid & Spain to Germany with overnight stop in Paris
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Step 1 from Madrid: Take the 10:30 AVE-S103 high-speed train from Madrid Atocha arriving Barcelona Sants at 13:15, with fares from around 35. By all means take an earlier train and have lunch in Barcelona.
Step 1 from Alicante or Valencia: Take a EuroMed train to Barcelona, leaving Alicante at 07:25 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 09:15 arriving Barcelona Sants at 11:55.
No same-day connection is possible from Malaga, Cordoba or Seville, so see other options.
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Step 2, 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 Bιziers 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.
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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 Franηais 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.
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Step 3, 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 at 15:25, Munich at 13:27. Or 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.
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How to buy tickets
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.
First book from any Spanish city to Paris, add to basket, then book from Paris to Germany for the following day and add that to your basket, then check out. You print your own tickets. Booking for the TGV & onward trains opens up to 4 months ahead, but only 60 days ahead for Spanish trains. There's a small booking fee.
Alternatively, you can book each train separately, although it's more effort and unlikely to make it materially cheaper, but no booking fee: Book the Spanish trains with Renfe at www.renfe.com, but see advice on using it here. Book from Barcelona to Paris at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com, then book Paris to Cologne by Thalys at www.sncf-connect.com or Paris to Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin and other stations in Germany at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Option 4, Madrid & Spain to Germany with overnight stop in Marseille, avoids changing stations in Paris
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Day 1, take a morning train from Spanish cities to Madrid or Barcelona:
Travel from Malaga to Madrid by AVE high-speed train, leaving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 08:54 daily except Saturdays, arriving Madrid Atocha at 12:07. On Saturdays, leave Malaga Maria Zambrano at 07:55 arriving Madrid Atocha at 10:50. Fares start at around 30.
Travel from Seville or Cordoba to Barcelona by AVE S112 high-speed train, leaving Seville Santa Justa at 08:55 or Cordoba at 09:44 arriving Barcelona Sants at 14:45. Fares start at around 45.
Travel from Granada to Madrid by AVE high-speed train leaving Granada at 06:00 arriving Madrid Atocha at 09:47. Fares start at around 30.
Travel from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona by EuroMed train, leaving Alicante at 09:20 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 11:20 arriving Barcelona Sants at 14:15. Fares start at around 35.
Book these trains at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in , significantly more fiddly, see this advice on using it). Booking for Spanish domestic trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but this varies.
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Day 1, travel from Madrid or Barcelona to Marseille by direct AVE high-speed train, leaving Madrid Atocha at 13:25 or Barcelona Sants at 16:34 and arriving Marseille St Charles at 21:30.
This train starts running on 28 July 2023, initially only on Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays, but becoming daily all year from 29 September 2023.
This comfortable Spanish high-speed train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Look out for great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou on the left as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses on the left by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Bιziers cathedral on the left, see the photos, tips & journey information here.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 49 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in , significantly more fiddly). Booking normally opens 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
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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.
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Day 2, travel from Marseille to Frankfurt by direct TGV Duplex leaving Marseille St Charles 08:10 and arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf 15:58.
Change at Karlsruhe, Mannheim or Frankfurt for onward ICE & IC trains to Cologne, Hamburg, Berlin, Munich, int.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 int.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.
Spain to Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck & Austria from 88
Option 1, Spain to Austria using the Paris-Vienna sleeper - the most comfortable & time-effective option, 3 times per week
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Step 1, travel from Spanish cities to Barcelona in the afternoon or early evening:
Travel from Malaga to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 16:44, arriving Barcelona Sants at 23:00. Fares start at around 46.
Travel from Seville or Cordoba to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Seville Santa Justa at 16:07 or Cordoba at 16:52, arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:50. Fares start at around 46.
Travel from Granada to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train, leaving Granada at 16:18 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 23:00.
Travel from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona by EuroMed train, leaving Alicante at 16:10 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 19:07, arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:05. Fares start at around 30. By all means take an earlier train for more of an evening in Barcelona.
Travel from Madrid Atocha to Barcelona Sants in 2h30 by AVE S-103 high-speed train on any departure you like, or take a competing Iryo, lo-cost Avlo or lo-cost Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona by train page. You can leave early evening, but trains leave almost every hour so by all means travel earlier and have a pleasant evening in Barcelona. Fares start at around 35 by AVE or from just 7 by Avlo. AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Lo-cost Avlo & Ouigo trains are one-class, no catering, free WiFi.
Buy tickets for any of these trains at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee, overseas cards no problem) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in , significantly more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it). Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies. You print your own tickets.
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Stay overnight in Barcelona... The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users. See other suggested hotels near the station.
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Step 2, 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 Bιziers 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.
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Step 3, 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.
Option 2, Madrid & Spain to Innsbruck, Salzburg & Vienna with overnight stop in Geneva - the scenic option
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Day 1, travel from Spanish cities to Barcelona in the afternoon or early evening:
Travel from Malaga to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 16:44, arriving Barcelona Sants at 23:00. Fares start at around 46.
Travel from Seville or Cordoba to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Seville Santa Justa at 16:07 or Cordoba at 16:52, arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:50. Fares start at around 46.
Travel from Granada to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train, leaving Granada at 16:18 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 23:00.
Travel from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona by EuroMed train, leaving Alicante at 16:10 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 19:07, arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:05. Fares start at around 30. By all means take an earlier train for more of an evening in Barcelona.
Travel from Madrid Atocha to Barcelona Sants in 2h30 by AVE S-103 high-speed train on any departure you like, or take a competing Iryo, lo-cost Avlo or lo-cost Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona by train page. You can leave early evening, but trains leave almost every hour so by all means travel earlier and have a pleasant evening in Barcelona. Fares start at around 35 by AVE or from just 7 by Avlo. AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Lo-cost Avlo & Ouigo trains are one-class, no catering, free WiFi.
Buy tickets for any of these trains at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee, overseas cards no problem) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in , significantly more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it). Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies. You print your own tickets.
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Stay overnight in Barcelona... The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users. See other suggested hotels near the station.
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Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Lyon by AVE high-speed train, leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:22 and arriving Lyon Part Dieu at 13:20.
This train starts running on 28 July 2023, initially only on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, but daily all year from 1 September 2023.
This comfortable Spanish high-speed train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Look out for great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou on the left as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses on the left by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Bιziers cathedral on the left, see the photos, tips & journey information here.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 49 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in , significantly more fiddly, see advice on using it). Booking normally opens 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
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Day 2, travel from Lyon to Geneva by TER regional train, leaving Lyon Part Dieu at 14:38 and arriving Geneva at 16:35.
These TER trains use former inter-city carriages, old but comfortable. There's no catering, so bring your own food & drink. It's a lovely journey along the river Rhτne and through the Jura.
Lyon to Geneva costs a fixed-price 31.90 in 2nd class, 42.40 in 1st class.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee). Booking normally opens 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
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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.
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Day 3, take a frequent Swiss domestic train from Geneva to Zurich HB then a smart Austrian railjet train from Zurich HB to Innsbruck, Salzburg, Linz or Vienna. This is a lovely journey through the wonderful Arlberg Pass, see the photos & video on the Arlberg Railway page.
Geneva to Innsbruck starts at 29.90, to Salzburg or Vienna at 39.90. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book from Geneva to anywhere in Austria 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 (in , more fiddly). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Spain to Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo & Scandinavia
Option 1, Madrid & Spain to Scandinavia with overnight stops in Marseille & Hamburg
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Day 1, take a morning train from Spanish cities to Madrid or Barcelona:
Travel from Malaga to Madrid by AVE high-speed train, leaving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 08:54 daily except Saturdays, arriving Madrid Atocha at 12:07. On Saturdays, leave Malaga Maria Zambrano at 07:55 arriving Madrid Atocha at 10:50. Fares start at around 30.
Travel from Seville or Cordoba to Barcelona by AVE S112 high-speed train, leaving Seville Santa Justa at 08:55 or Cordoba at 09:44 arriving Barcelona Sants at 14:45. Fares start at around 45.
Travel from Granada to Madrid by AVE high-speed train leaving Granada at 06:00 arriving Madrid Atocha at 09:47. Fares start at around 30.
Travel from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona by EuroMed train, leaving Alicante at 09:20 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 11:20 arriving Barcelona Sants at 14:15. Fares start at around 35.
Book these trains at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in , significantly more fiddly, see this advice on using it). Booking for Spanish domestic trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but this varies.
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Day 1, travel from Madrid or Barcelona to Marseille by direct AVE high-speed train, leaving Madrid Atocha at 13:25 or Barcelona Sants at 16:34 and arriving Marseille St Charles at 21:30.
This train starts running on 28 July 2023, initially only on Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays, but becoming daily all year from 29 September 2023.
This comfortable Spanish high-speed train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Look out for great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou on the left as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses on the left by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Bιziers cathedral on the left, see the photos, tips & journey information here.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 49 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in , significantly more fiddly). Booking normally opens 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
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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.
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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 int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. Tip: Change Transfer time from Normal to minimum 30 minutes to avoid tight connections. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.
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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.
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Day 3, travel from Hamburg to Copenhagen by Danish 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. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
If you're only going as far as Copenhagen, book from Hamburg to Copenhagen at the German Railways website int.bahn.de. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or phone.
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For Stockholm, take an X2000 train from Copenhagen Stockholm, leaving Copenhagen at 14:21 and arriving Stockholm Central at 19:36.
From 17 June to 20 August 2023, either take the 06:45 from Hamburg Hbf to connect with the 12:21 from Copenhagen arriving Stockholm 17:37, or the 10:53 from Hamburg Hbf to connect with the 16:21 from Copenhagen arriving Stockholm 21:38.
You should book from Hamburg to Stockholm as one transaction from 59.90 at int.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.
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For Malmφ or Gothenburg, Φresund trains run hourly from Copenhagen to Gothenburg in 3h53 and every 20 minutes from Copenhagen to Malmφ in 39 minutes.
Book from Hamburg to Malmφ or Gothenburg (= Gφteborg Central) as one transaction from 39.90 at int.bahn.de and print your own ticket.
Option 2, Madrid & Spain to Scandinavia with overnight stops in Barcelona & Frankfurt
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Day 1, travel from Spanish cities to Barcelona in the afternoon or early evening:
Travel from Malaga to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 16:44, arriving Barcelona Sants at 23:00. Fares start at around 46.
Travel from Seville or Cordoba to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Seville Santa Justa at 16:07 or Cordoba at 16:52, arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:50. Fares start at around 46.
Travel from Granada to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train, leaving Granada at 16:18 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 23:00.
Travel from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona by EuroMed train, leaving Alicante at 16:10 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 19:07, arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:05. Fares start at around 30. By all means take an earlier train for more of an evening in Barcelona.
Travel from Madrid Atocha to Barcelona Sants in 2h30 by AVE S-103 high-speed train on any departure you like, or take a competing Iryo, lo-cost Avlo or lo-cost Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona by train page. You can leave early evening, but trains leave almost every hour so by all means travel earlier and have a pleasant evening in Barcelona. Fares start at around 35 by AVE or from just 7 by Avlo. AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Lo-cost Avlo & Ouigo trains are one-class, no catering, free WiFi.
Buy tickets for any of these trains at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee, overseas cards no problem) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in , significantly more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it). Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies. You print your own tickets.
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Stay overnight in Barcelona... The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users. See other suggested hotels near the station.
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Day 2, 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 Bιziers 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 easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee). Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can select a mobile ticket to show on your phone.
Change stations in Paris by metro or taxi from the Gare de Lyon to the Gare de l'Est.
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Day 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.
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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.
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Day 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 int.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 change Transfer time from Normal to minimum 30 minutes, to ensure robust connections.
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Day 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 int.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).
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Day 3 for Oslo & Norway
Take an ICE from Frankfurt to Hamburg and Intercity train to Copenhagen. Book this at int.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.
Hamburg to Copenhagen by Intercity train. From June 2023, these trains are temporarily being operated by former German Railways intercity cars and a Danish electric locomotive, until new trains being built by Talgo arrive in 2024. The current trains have 1st & 2nd class, power sockets at seats, but no catering so bring your own food & drink. More information about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.
2nd class seats are almost all open-plan like this. There are a handful of 6-seat 2nd class compartments in one of the coaches, but only a few.
The 1st class car has 6-seater compartments like this. Larger photo. Larger photo.
Spain to Helsinki & Finland
Option 1, Madrid & Spain to Helsinki using a Finnlines ferry from Germany - the easiest option
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Day 1 from Madrid: Travel from Madrid to Barcelona by AVE-S103 high-speed train, leaving Madrid Atocha at 10:30 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 13:15. Fares start at around 35. By all means take an earlier train and have lunch in Barcelona.
Day 1 from Alicante or Valencia: Travel from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona by EuroMed train, leaving Alicante at 07:25 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 09:15 arriving Barcelona Sants at 11:55. Fares start at around 35.
No same-day connection is possible from Malaga, Cordoba or Seville, so travel the previous day or use another option.
Buy tickets for these trains at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in , much more fiddly to use, may reject some overseas payment cards, see this advice on using it). Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but it varies. You print your own ticket.
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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 Bιziers 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 (in , no booking fee). Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can select a mobile ticket to show on your phone.
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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 Franηais 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.
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Day 2, travel from Paris to Hamburg, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 09:06, changing at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf and arriving Hamburg Hbf 17:36.
Fares start at 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy a ticket at the German Railways website int.bahn.de. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.
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Day 2, transfer from Hamburg Hbf to the Travemόnde ferry terminal by train+bus and sail from Travemόnde to Helsinki with Finnlines, see the Trains from Hamburg page for full details of the transfer, check-in arrangements & ferry crossing.
Finnlines sail from Travemόnde in northern Germany to Helsinki every day, boarding 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.
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Book onward trains within Finland at the Finnish Railways website www.vr.fi.
Option 2, Madrid & Spain to Helsinki by train to Stockholm, then ferry
Spain to Prague & the Czech Republic
Option 1, Madrid & Spain to Prague with overnight stop in Paris
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Step 1 from Madrid: Travel from Madrid to Barcelona by AVE-S103 high-speed train, leaving Madrid Atocha at 10:30 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 13:15. Fares start at around 35. By all means take an earlier train and have lunch in Barcelona.
Step 1 from Alicante or Valencia: Travel from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona by EuroMed train, leaving Alicante at 07:25 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 09:15 arriving Barcelona Sants at 11:55. Fares start at around 35.
No same-day connection is possible from Malaga, Cordoba or Seville, so travel the previous day & stay in Barcelona.
Buy tickets for these trains at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in , much more fiddly to use, may reject some overseas payment cards, see this advice on using it). Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but it varies. You print your own ticket.
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Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 14:32 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 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 Bιziers 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 (in , 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 by metro or taxi from the Gare de Lyon to Gare de l'Est.
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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 Franηais 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.
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Step 3, travel from Paris to Munich, leaving Paris 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 int.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.
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Step 4, 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, Madrid & Spain to Prague using the Paris-Linz sleeper - the most comfortable & time-effective option, 3 times per week
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Day 1, travel from Spanish cities to Barcelona in the afternoon or early evening:
Travel from Malaga to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 16:44, arriving Barcelona Sants at 23:00. Fares start at around 46.
Travel from Seville or Cordoba to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Seville Santa Justa at 16:07 or Cordoba at 16:52, arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:50. Fares start at around 46.
Travel from Granada to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train, leaving Granada at 16:18 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 23:00.
Travel from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona by EuroMed train, leaving Alicante at 16:10 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 19:07, arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:05. Fares start at around 30. By all means take an earlier train for more of an evening in Barcelona.
Travel from Madrid Atocha to Barcelona Sants in 2h30 by AVE S-103 high-speed train on any departure you like, or take a competing Iryo, lo-cost Avlo or lo-cost Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona by train page. You can leave early evening, but trains leave almost every hour so by all means travel earlier and have a pleasant evening in Barcelona. Fares start at around 35 by AVE or from just 7 by Avlo. AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Lo-cost Avlo & Ouigo trains are one-class, no catering, free WiFi.
Buy tickets for any of these trains at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee, overseas cards no problem) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in , significantly more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it). Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies. You print your own tickets.
Stay overnight in Barcelona... The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users. See other suggested hotels near the station.
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Day 2, 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 Bιziers 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.
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Day 2, 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.
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Day 3, 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.
Spain to Bratislava & Slovakia
Option 1, Madrid & Spain to Bratislava using the Paris-Vienna sleeper - the most comfortable & time-effective option, 3 times per week
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Day 1, travel from Spanish cities to Barcelona in the afternoon or early evening:
Travel from Malaga to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 16:44, arriving Barcelona Sants at 23:00. Fares start at around 46.
Travel from Seville or Cordoba to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Seville Santa Justa at 16:07 or Cordoba at 16:52, arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:50. Fares start at around 46.
Travel from Granada to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train, leaving Granada at 16:18 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 23:00.
Travel from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona by EuroMed train, leaving Alicante at 16:10 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 19:07, arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:05. Fares start at around 30. By all means take an earlier train for more of an evening in Barcelona.
Travel from Madrid Atocha to Barcelona Sants in 2h30 by AVE S-103 high-speed train on any departure you like, or take a competing Iryo, lo-cost Avlo or lo-cost Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona by train page. You can leave early evening, but trains leave almost every hour so by all means travel earlier and have a pleasant evening in Barcelona. Fares start at around 35 by AVE or from just 7 by Avlo. AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Lo-cost Avlo & Ouigo trains are one-class, no catering, free WiFi.
Buy tickets for any of these trains at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee, overseas cards no problem) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in , significantly more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it). Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies. You print your own tickets.
Stay overnight in Barcelona... The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users. See other suggested hotels near the station.
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Day 2, 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 Bιziers 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.
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Day 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.
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Day 3, travel from Vienna Hbf to Bratislava Hlavna by regional express train. These run every hour taking 1h06, fare 10.20, 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.
Option 2, Spain to Bratislava with an overnight stop in Geneva - the most scenic option
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Step 1, travel from Spanish cities to Barcelona in the afternoon or early evening:
Travel from Malaga to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 16:44, arriving Barcelona Sants at 23:00. Fares start at around 46.
Travel from Seville or Cordoba to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Seville Santa Justa at 16:07 or Cordoba at 16:52, arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:50. Fares start at around 46.
Travel from Granada to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train, leaving Granada at 16:18 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 23:00.
Travel from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona by EuroMed train, leaving Alicante at 16:10 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 19:07, arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:05. Fares start at around 30. By all means take an earlier train for more of an evening in Barcelona.
Travel from Madrid Atocha to Barcelona Sants in 2h30 by AVE S-103 high-speed train on any departure you like, or take a competing Iryo, lo-cost Avlo or lo-cost Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona by train page. You can leave early evening, but trains leave almost every hour so by all means travel earlier and have a pleasant evening in Barcelona. Fares start at around 35 by AVE or from just 7 by Avlo. AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Lo-cost Avlo & Ouigo trains are one-class, no catering, free WiFi.
Buy tickets for any of these trains at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee, overseas cards no problem) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in , significantly more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it). Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies. You print your own tickets.
Stay overnight in Barcelona... The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users. See other suggested hotels near the station.
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Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Lyon by AVE high-speed train, leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:22 and arriving Lyon Part Dieu at 13:20.
This train starts running on 28 July 2023, initially only on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, but daily all year from 1 September 2023.
This comfortable Spanish high-speed train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Look out for great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou on the left as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses on the left by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Bιziers cathedral on the left, see the photos, tips & journey information here.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 49 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in , significantly more fiddly, see advice on using it). Booking normally opens 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
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Day 2, travel from Lyon to Geneva by TER regional train, leaving Lyon Part Dieu at 14:38 and arriving Geneva at 16:35.
These TER trains use former inter-city carriages, old but comfortable. There's no catering, so bring your own food & drink. It's a lovely journey along the river Rhτne and through the Jura.
Lyon to Geneva costs a fixed-price 31.90 in 2nd class, 42.40 in 1st class.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee). Booking normally opens 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
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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.
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Day 3, travel from Geneva to Bratislava, leaving Geneva at 09:15 by Swiss Intercity train and changing onto the 12:40 railjet train from Zurich HB to Bratislava Hlavna, arriving 21:51.
This direct Zurich-Bratislava train started running in December 2018, with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. The journey takes you through the beautifully scenic Arlberg Pass, see the photos & video on the Arlberg Pass page. Have your camera to hand!
Book from Geneva to Bratislava 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 (in , a bit more fiddly, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
Spain to Budapest & Hungary
Option 1, Barcelona to Budapest using the Paris-Vienna sleeper - the most comfortable & time-effective option, 3 times per week
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Day 1, travel from Spanish cities to Barcelona in the afternoon or early evening:
Travel from Malaga to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 16:44, arriving Barcelona Sants at 23:00. Fares start at around 46.
Travel from Seville or Cordoba to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Seville Santa Justa at 16:07 or Cordoba at 16:52, arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:50. Fares start at around 46.
Travel from Granada to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train, leaving Granada at 16:18 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 23:00.
Travel from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona by EuroMed train, leaving Alicante at 16:10 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 19:07, arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:05. Fares start at around 30. By all means take an earlier train for more of an evening in Barcelona.
Travel from Madrid Atocha to Barcelona Sants in 2h30 by AVE S-103 high-speed train on any departure you like, or take a competing Iryo, lo-cost Avlo or lo-cost Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona by train page. You can leave early evening, but trains leave almost every hour so by all means travel earlier and have a pleasant evening in Barcelona. Fares start at around 35 by AVE or from just 7 by Avlo. AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Lo-cost Avlo & Ouigo trains are one-class, no catering, free WiFi.
Buy tickets for any of these trains at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee, overseas cards no problem) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in , significantly more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it). Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies. You print your own tickets.
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Stay overnight in Barcelona... The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users. See other suggested hotels near the station.
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Day 2, 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 Bιziers 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.
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Day 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.
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Day 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.
Option 2, Barcelona to Budapest with an overnight stop in Geneva - the most scenic option
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Day 1, travel from Spanish cities to Barcelona in the afternoon or early evening:
Travel from Malaga to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 16:44, arriving Barcelona Sants at 23:00. Fares start at around 46.
Travel from Seville or Cordoba to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Seville Santa Justa at 16:07 or Cordoba at 16:52, arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:50. Fares start at around 46.
Travel from Granada to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train, leaving Granada at 16:18 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 23:00.
Travel from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona by EuroMed train, leaving Alicante at 16:10 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 19:07, arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:05. Fares start at around 30. By all means take an earlier train for more of an evening in Barcelona.
Travel from Madrid Atocha to Barcelona Sants in 2h30 by AVE S-103 high-speed train on any departure you like, or take a competing Iryo, lo-cost Avlo or lo-cost Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona by train page. You can leave early evening, but trains leave almost every hour so by all means travel earlier and have a pleasant evening in Barcelona. Fares start at around 35 by AVE or from just 7 by Avlo. AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Lo-cost Avlo & Ouigo trains are one-class, no catering, free WiFi.
Buy tickets for any of these trains at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee, overseas cards no problem) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in , significantly more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it). Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies. You print your own tickets.
Stay overnight in Barcelona... The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users. See other suggested hotels near the station.
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Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Lyon by AVE high-speed train, leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:22 and arriving Lyon Part Dieu at 13:20.
This train starts running on 28 July 2023, initially only on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, but daily all year from 1 September 2023.
This comfortable Spanish high-speed train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Look out for great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou on the left as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses on the left by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Bιziers cathedral on the left, see the photos, tips & journey information here.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 49 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in , significantly more fiddly, see advice on using it). Booking normally opens 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
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Day 2, travel from Lyon to Geneva by TER regional train, leaving Lyon Part Dieu at 14:38 and arriving Geneva at 16:35.
These TER trains use former inter-city carriages, old but comfortable. There's no catering, so bring your own food & drink. It's a lovely journey along the river Rhτne and through the Jura.
Lyon to Geneva costs a fixed-price 31.90 in 2nd class, 42.40 in 1st class.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee). Booking normally opens 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
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Stay overnight in Geneva. Suggested hotels with good reviews near the station include Hotel Cornavin Genθve, Hotel Les Arcades, ibis Styles Geneva Gare. Hotels in Switzerland can be expensive, if you're on a budget you can book budget private rooms in a one-star hotel or backpacker hostel near the station using www.hostelworld.com.
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Day 3, 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.
Spain to Brasov, Bucharest & Romania
Spain to Ljubljana, Zagreb, Belgrade & Sofia
Option 1, Spain to Ljubljana & Zagreb using the Paris-Salzburg sleeper - the most comfortable & time-effective option, 3 times per week
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Day 1, travel from Spanish cities to Barcelona in the afternoon or early evening:
Travel from Malaga to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 16:44, arriving Barcelona Sants at 23:00. Fares start at around 46.
Travel from Seville or Cordoba to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Seville Santa Justa at 16:07 or Cordoba at 16:52, arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:50. Fares start at around 46.
Travel from Granada to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train, leaving Granada at 16:18 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 23:00.
Travel from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona by EuroMed train, leaving Alicante at 16:10 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 19:07, arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:05. Fares start at around 30. By all means take an earlier train for more of an evening in Barcelona.
Travel from Madrid Atocha to Barcelona Sants in 2h30 by AVE S-103 high-speed train on any departure you like, or take a competing Iryo, lo-cost Avlo or lo-cost Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona by train page. You can leave early evening, but trains leave almost every hour so by all means travel earlier and have a pleasant evening in Barcelona. Fares start at around 35 by AVE or from just 7 by Avlo. AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Lo-cost Avlo & Ouigo trains are one-class, no catering, free WiFi.
Buy tickets for any of these trains at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee, overseas cards no problem) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in , significantly more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it). Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies. You print your own tickets.
Stay overnight in Barcelona... The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users. See other suggested hotels near the station.
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Day 2, 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 Bιziers 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.
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Day 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.
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Day 3, 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.
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Stay overnight in Zagreb and continue to Belgrade next day, see here for details.
Option 2, Madrid & Spain to Ljubljana & Zagreb via Marseille & Venice.
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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.
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Day 2, travel from Marseille to Nice, Ventimiglia, on to Milan and then Venice.
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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 information 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.
Spain to Warsaw, Krakow & Poland
Option 1, Madrid & Spain to Warsaw, with overnight stop in Paris - the fastest option, runs Sunday to Thursday only
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Day 1 from Madrid: Travel from Madrid to Barcelona by AVE-S103 high-speed train, leaving Madrid Atocha at 10:30 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 13:15. Fares start at around 35. By all means take an earlier train and have lunch in Barcelona.
Day 1 from Alicante or Valencia: Travel from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona by EuroMed train, leaving Alicante at 07:25 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 09:15 arriving Barcelona Sants at 11:55. Fares start at around 35.
No same-day connection is possible from Malaga, Cordoba or Seville, so travel the previous day and stay in Barcelona.
Buy tickets for these trains at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in , much more fiddly to use, may reject some overseas payment cards, see this advice on using it). Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but it varies. You print your own ticket.
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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 Bιziers 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 (in , no booking fee). Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.
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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 Franηais 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.
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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 int.bahn.de. First run a Paris to Warsaw enquiry, but before you run it, change Transfer time from Normal to minimum 40 minutes. I also recommend entering Mannheim as a stopover 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 int.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 int.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, Spain to Warsaw & Krakow with overnight stops in Paris & Berlin - runs daily
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Day 1 from Madrid: Travel from Madrid to Barcelona by AVE-S103 high-speed train, leaving Madrid Atocha at 10:30 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 13:15. Fares start at around 35. By all means take an earlier train and have lunch in Barcelona.
Day 1 from Alicante or Valencia: Travel from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona by EuroMed train, leaving Alicante at 07:25 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 09:15 arriving Barcelona Sants at 11:55. Fares start at around 35.
No same-day connection is possible from Malaga, Cordoba or Seville, so travel the previous day and stay in Barcelona.
Buy tickets for these trains at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in , much more fiddly to use, may reject some overseas payment cards, see this advice on using it). Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but it varies. You print your own ticket.
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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 Bιziers 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 (in , no booking fee). You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone. Change trains & stations in Paris.
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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 Franηais 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.
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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 int.bahn.de (in , no booking fee) and print your own ticket.
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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.
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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 int.bahn.de and print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or phone.
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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 int.bahn.de and print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or phone.
Spain to Vilnius, Riga, Tallinn
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Stay overnight in Warsaw. The Polonia Palace Hotel is excellent, historic, relatively inexpensive for such a good hotel, and it's just across the road from the station. For something much cheaper, but still with great reviews and near the station, try the Hotel Metropol next door to the Polonia Palace or the nearby Novotel Warsaw Centrum. Also see the Warsaw Centralna station & city information.
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Step 3, for onward travel from Vilnius to Riga, see here.
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Step 4, for onward travel from Riga to Tallinn, see here.
Spain to Kyiv, Lviv & Ukraine
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Step 1, travel from Spain to Vienna as shown in the Spain to Vienna section above.
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Step 2, travel from Vienna to Lviv & Kyiv by direct sleeping-car as shown on the Trains from Vienna page.
Spain to Moscow, St Petersburg & Russia
There is currently no service to Russia from anywhere.
Spain to Athens & Greece
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Step 1, travel from Spain to Milan as shown in the Spain to Italy section above.
You travel to Barcelona on day 1 and stay overnight. Then Barcelona to Lyon and on to Milan on day 2.
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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.
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Step 2, travel from Milan to Athens as shown on the Italy to Athens page.
You travel from Milan to Bari by train, then sail overnight from Bari to Patras in Greece. A bus/train combo gets you to Athens early evening (day 4 from Spain).
Spain to Istanbul & Turkey
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Step 1, travel from Spain to Budapest as shown in the Spain to Budapest section above.
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Step 2, travel from Budapest to Bucharest and on to Istanbul as shown on the Trains from Budapest page.
Railbookers custom-made tours
If you just want to buy train tickets at the cheapest price, book online as shown on this page. However, if you want someone to sort out your whole trip for you, arranging all your trains, hotels and transfers, and to look after you if anything affects your arrangements, talk to Railbookers. Railbookers can custom-make a train trip around Europe to your own specification. Just tell them what you want and they'll advise you on the best trains, routes & hotels. They get good reports and a lot of repeat business! They now have offices in the UK, North America and Australia.
UK call 0207 864 4600,
www.railbookers.co.uk.
US call free 1-888-829-4775,
see
website.
Canada call free 1-855-882-2910,
see website.
Australia call toll-free 1300 971 526,
see website.
New Zealand call toll-free 0800 000 554 or
see
website.
Find hotels in Europe
Backpacker
hostels
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www.hostelworld.com: If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels. Hostelworld offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in most cities at rock-bottom prices.
Travel insurance & VPN
Always take out travel insurance
Never travel overseas without travel insurance from a reliable insurer, with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover. It should also cover cancellation and loss of cash and belongings, up to a sensible limit. An annual multi-trip policy is usually cheaper than several single-trip policies even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy 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. Why you need a VPN
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.
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.