Hi all,
I recall seeing that one can easily take the train from Barcelona to Aix. Is that right? Any details?
I’m looking for flights to France from LA and they are already expensive for late 2021 and 2022. Spain looks like it is less.
Thanks in advance!
It depends on what you mean by easy. If you mean make a single connection, then the answer is yes, it's easy. The easiest route is probably to take the train from Barcelona to Valence and connect there to the train to Aix-en-Provence. You can see current schedules and routes at www.sncf.com/en.
Just in case you're not aware, please keep in mind that Aix-en-Provence has two railway stations: a station located in the city center and a TGV station located about 13 km away (as the crow flies) from the city. A short shuttle bus or taxi ride is necessary to reach Aix city center from the TGV station. I believe the Valence connection mentioned above is to the TGV station.
The other thing to keep in mind is that -- at least before COVID -- just-loaded flight prices very far out, i.e. in the 300+ day window, are not necessarily the very cheapest flights (often, people booking so far ahead are not that price-sensitive). If you do decide to book flights this far out it is also possible that you will experience schedule changes which may make your plan more or less convenient.
Firstly, you might consider flights from LAX to MRS via LHR, AMS, or FRA. The Marseille airport is no farther from Aix-en-Provence than it is from Marseille, about 28 km. Often, tickets via a stopover somewhere can cost much less than nonstops. If your destination is indeed Aix-en-Provence, a ticket via some European airport to MRS will probably cost less than a BCN nonstop and a subsequent, separate train connection.
Secondly, as it remains very difficult for US passport holders to enter France, service options are very limited resulting in increased fares. Once France opens its borders, evidence presently points to early 2022, more flights will be reinstated and prices should ease.
Hi,
Current train schedules are a poor guide to the 'normal' situation which will hopefully return in the 2022 train schedules.
Pre-covid there was at least one daily direct train per day between Barcelona and Marseille, 98% chance that it stopped at Aix TGV station too, not that it matters too much (Aix TGV saves time so this is the right stop if available, but whether you alight at Aix TGV or Marseille you still need to catch a bus to downtown Aix).
This being said... It's a long way, 4+ hours, so I wouldn't choose to land in Barcelona instead of France on grounds of cost alone.
Thanks Tocard and Balso! Our plan was to fly into Paris then take the TGV to Aix. It seems to be a similar trip timewise as flying into Barcelona -- about 4 hours to Aix. We will look into flights straight to Marseille and see if that is cheaper and faster. And yes, fingers crossed for September. We shall see....
I will add that there was only one connection a day between Barcelona and Marseille vs. many between Paris CDG Airport and Paris. If there are travel delays and you don't intend to stay in Barcelona at the start of your trip, you could be stuck there for an unwanted day.
