Hello, we want to take the high speed day train from Paris to Barcelona late May next year. We see there is only overnight option before the ‘summer’ season and it’s too early to confirm tickets. Does anyone know the official start of summer so we can tell if we need to book the overnight of daytime bullet train for hotel date considerations?
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4656 posts
Welcome. Aw well as replies here, you may want to check The Man in Seat 61. He is all about train travel and can give great overviews of routes. Seat61 dot com
Posted by
Lake District, England
7324 posts
There hasn't been a direct night train for over 10 years now. There is an option to take a French overnight train (Couchettes only, no sleeper cabins) to La Tour de Carol, then what is basically a suburban train into Barcelona. It gets in at 1346, nice time to check in to a hotel- see here for full details- https://www.seat61.com/trains-and-routes/paris-to-barcelona-by-sleeper-train.htm
In May there are 2 high speed trains a day, on the current timetable- leave Paris at 0942 and 1442- arriving at 1631 and 2227- see https://www.seat61.com/trains-and-routes/paris-to-barcelona-by-sleeper-train.htm
So basically the morning high speed train is 9 hours faster than the overnight train- arriving just 3 hours later.
Posted by
Wengen
2376 posts
By next summer RENFE may be running trains as well. So start looking around March next year or so. There are no overnight bullet trains so that is not a consideration...
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12313 posts
Have you considered a plane? IMO views aren't that great from a high-speed train. Generally, a plane will be faster and cheaper.
Posted by
Panguitch, Utah
2653 posts
Between BCN and ORY, I fly. I have a flight coming up on Vueling for which I paid about 140€ per person, with an allowance for extra baggage. I have paid less in the past, but trains can consume a great deal of valuable vacation time.