Previous tips helpful, so now our plan is to travel from Barcelona up to Amboise in Loire Valley. I hope to avoid going via Paris due to need to change train stations there, which sounds too stressful. Any suggestions how to do this? I'd prefer a day trip so we can see the scenery. I'd like to arrive in Amboise by early evening if possible. Am I being unrealistic? Thanks.
Posted by
Tilburg, Netherlands
2829 posts
Any route like that would add more transfers and much longer travel time. Dealing with the transfer in Paris is the best alternative.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10602 posts
We're so used to everything passing by Paris, but this one is quite do-able. You go from Bordeaux to St. Pierre des Corps (near Tours) and change there for the local train that takes you to Amboise. There are several every day. Try the sncf.fr website for the most complete itineraries. It takes about three hours. You don't have to go to Paris.
Edit: for some strange reason I keep reading Bordeaux here. If the question is from Barcelona, I agree that going up the east side of France will be easier.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
Choose your routing, either via Bordeaux or via Lyon.
1) RSC 9734
Dep 07:20 BARCELONA SANTS (Spain)
Arr 12:26 LYON PART DIEU (France)
2) TGV 5368
Dep 14:28 LYON PART DIEU (France)
Arr 17:29 ST PIERRE DES CORPS (France)
3) TER60214
Dep 17:35 ST PIERRE DES CORPS (France)
Arr 17:51 AMBOISE (France)
OR
1) RSC 9734
Dep 07:20 BARCELONA SANTS (Spain)
Arr 09:22 NARBONNE (France)
2) IC 4754
Dep 11:01 NARBONNE (France)
Arr 14:34 BORDEAUX ST JEAN (France)
3) TGV 5266
Dep 15:23 BORDEAUX ST JEAN (France)
Arr 17:58 ST PIERRE DES CORPS (France)
4) TER16828
Dep 18:10 ST PIERRE DES CORPS (France)
Arr 18:21 AMBOISE (France)
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Thank you for this info. I'd rather travel via Bordeaux and take longer than up to Paris and back down to Amboise. You guys are great.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
If you're still looking at rail passes, the cheapest one for this trip is the France Rail Pass, with saver discount for two or more traveling together (e.g., $172 per person, 2nd class, for three travel days within a month). It covers your departure from Barcelona on a direct TGV train, with the addition of the regular seat reservation fee of $31 in 2nd class or $41 in 1st class. You don't need Spain on the pass unless you have other travels there. It pays to reserve ahead for TGV whether you're going for a pass holder reservation or an advance-purchase ticket discount.