TGV Stations Between Barcelona and Paris

Posted by childoferna on 07/06/15 03:37 PM

Hello, I will be visiting Paris in January. I am planning to fly to Barcelona, stay one night, and return to Paris by TGV, stopping in Figueres to see the Dali museum. I would like to know, what are the stops on the TGV direct line between Figueres and Paris? If there is something to see I would love to plan to get off the train and wait for the next.

I found a map here that might show me what I'm looking for: http://tgv-france-spain.uk.voyages-sncf.com/en/

Based on that map I could try for Perpignan, Narbonne, Beziers, Montpelier, Nimes, and Valence. Are any of them worth a few hours between trains, to stretch our legs and see a few sights?

Thanks for your help!

Posted by Chris F

Basel, Switzerland

07/06/15 04:22 PM

8889 posts

If you look up train times (for example on www.bahn.de ), then click on the train number (TGV 1234 for example) it will show you all he stops for that train. For example:

TGV 9702
Station Arrive Depart
Barcelona Sants ---- 09:25
Girona ---- 10:06
Figueres Vilafant ---- 10:23
Perpignan 10:46 10:53
Narbonne 11:26 11:28
Montpellier Saint-Roch 12:23 12:26
Nîmes 12:51 12:54
Valence TGV 13:40 13:43
Paris Gare de Lyon 15:53

There is a map of all the main lines in France here: http://www.voyages-sncf.com/ext/editorial/guide-voyageur/carte-destinations.pdf (TGV routes in red and purple)
There is a more detailed on-line atlas showing all rail routes in France here: http://flipbook.rff.fr/flipbook-atlas

But, on all TGV's your tickets are only valid for the train you choose. You cannot just get off at an intermediate stop and get on a later train, your ticket would not be valid for that later train. You would have to buy two tickets.

Posted by Frank

Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA

07/06/15 04:41 PM

23267 posts

Just to reinforce what Chris said, most trains are not hop on hop off buses. The only exception would be regional trains that do not require a seat reservation. With those trains you have a time limit as when your trip has to be complete. In Italy is is five hours from the time activity your ticket. With the high speed trains like the TGV, your ticket is good for one ride from A to F. No getting off and on in the middle.

Posted by childoferna OP

07/06/15 07:34 PM

3 posts

Great, that's just what I thought on the route. I'll research in my guidebooks and determine if we would like to see any of those cities for a few hours.

On the question of the tickets needed: we are already purchasing two tickets - BCN to Figueres on Avant, Figueres to Paris on Ave/TGV, so splitting it up to buy a third TGV ticket won't bother us. The additional cost would be worth sneaking another city into our travel day! Of course, it all depends on the schedules available, but those won't be available for some months now.

Thanks!

Posted by Chris F

Basel, Switzerland

07/06/15 08:04 PM

8889 posts

childoferna, The schedules (timetables) ARE available now. They change twice a year, at the beginning of December and in (in some countries only) in July. You can look up times up to 12/12/2015 on www.bahn.de and other sites, the times won't change from what they are today.
What you can't do is book a ticket or reserve a seat more than (usually) 120 days in advance.

Posted by David in Brisbane

Brisbane, Australia

07/07/15 01:18 AM

7175 posts

Without questioning why you are attempting this mammoth effort in 2 days, lets see if its possible.
I think the winter schedule only has 2 TGV services from Barcelona to Paris (4 in summer).
(So it's not like the metro and you can just wait a few minutes for the next one)
If you got the first train (or any other service) to Figureres you could get the following one (4 hours later) to Nimes.
An early evening TGV service from Nimes will see you in Paris about 3 hours later

RSC 9702 Barcelona (09:25) Figueres (10:23)
RSC 9704 Figueres (14:23) Nimes (16:51)
TGV 6220 Nimes (18:54) Paris (21:53)