Figueres

I guess it depends on whether there's luggage storage in Figueres. There are 2 train stations, so you'll want to either use the same one in and out, or taxi between them with your luggage. To visit the museum, it doesn't seem to make much difference which train station you use. Villafant is a farther away, a short bus or taxi ride. The fast trains use Villafant.

Looking at the bahn.de website, it looks like getting there from Figueres has more options than from Barcelona (only a couple fast trains, at 7 am and mid-afternoon).

I'm afraid it's the same (fast) train line than Barcelona's and Figueres-Vilafant (one 'el' only) is by no means any terminus so the number of trains are bound to be the same than from Barcelona, which, if I'm not mistaken are at least 4 per day (roughly 7am, 9am, 1pm and 5pm, check its train operator www.renfe.com). I would imagine you'd be taking a fast train to Perpignan and then a local train or bus to Colliure (which is just 20 miles away), wouldn't you?

Alternatively there are slow regional trains (fast train Figueres-Perpignan is less than 30') which you can take later so you enjoy more Figueres (ie 7:30pm check schedules at http://rodalies.tk/) which will take you directly to Cerbere in the border (just 30') and then there, at the same station, you switch to a French local train to Colliure (the trains are synchronized, there's one just 10' later. Check http://www.sncf.fr) which takes merely 20' or grab a taxi from there. It really is simpler than it sounds though... and for regional/local trains you don't need to pre-book anything, just buy on the spot.

Girona, along the way, is really worth visiting. It's arguably the second capital of Catalonia.... and has far more to do/see than Figueres, just sayin'.

Thank you Chani and Ernic for the train information. Yes, we would rather simply stop on the way from Barcelona to Collioure to visit the Dali museum, but from what Rick says, there is no luggage storage at the train station in Figueres. We currently have 5 nights in Barcelona. If we don't sleep in FIgueres, we could add an extra night in Barcelona and spend one of those days taking a day trip to Figueres and perhaps visit Girona, too. It just makes for a long day trip back to Barcelona when we will be heading in that direction on our way to Collioure. I guess, my concern is if I want to give up a night in Barcelona for Figueres?

Christine: with today's fast trains it's a breeze. I've done it myself plenty of times on week-ends, taking a fast train to Girona just for lunch and be back in the evening. Keep in mind the journey BCN-GIR is just 40' and BCN-FIG is around 60'.

Thus, you could take a fast train in the morning to Figueres, see the Dalí museum, take a regular train to Girona, spend the rest of the day and take the last fast train at 9ish to Barcelona... and you're back in your apartment at 10pm -which is quite early for local standards.

Thanks, Enric. So you suggest sleeping in Barcelona over Figueres?

We are making a similar visit to the area, though because we are picking up a rental car for our time in France, our decisions are a bit different. We are repeating a trip, with our daugther, that we took several years ago with our son. We began in Barcelona, then visited Figueres as an overnight stay on the way into southwestern France. We visited the Dali Museum and LOVED it, as well as the city of Girona, which we also loved. Last trip, we stayed in Figueres, which was fine. This trip, we will stay in Girona, which is a charming old city. If you are interested in Dali's work, then taking time to visit Figueres is worth the trip.

What we are doing is a little convoluted, but still better to us, is taking the fast train from Barcelona to Perpignan, France. Then driving back into Spain, spend several hours in Figueres at the Dali Museum, and finishing the day with time in Girona. The next day, we'll drive back into France to finish our trip.

I investigated the other options and suggestions I was given. No left luggage facilities at either station in Figueres. So if we traveled only by train, we would have to drag our luggage to the museum (I didn't check to see how large of luggage you can check there), likely taking a cab or a bus. And if we wanted to visit Girona too, that's another set of train rides. So for us, it was just easier to pick up the rental car, have some extra travel time, but not have to wait for trains.

Enric has, as usual, given you good advice. Take an early train so you are at the Dali Museum when it opens, then spend time in Girona. The extra train time will be offset by not having to pack/unpack, cart luggage and check in/out for a single night's stay in Figueres. Added bonus - you get to see Girona!

The Jewish Museum in Girona is excellent.

Christine: yes... so you don't have to carry your luggage up&down which always becomes a nuisance when sightseeing.

I would also suggest spending the night in Girona and taking the short ride up to Figueres from there. Figueres did not look all that appealing for an overnight stay.

Cancel Collioure and stay on the Costa Brava instead (after all this is the Spain page).
A rental car is needed, perhaps picking one up in Girona, for the drive to Cadaques.
Check out Figueres and the Dali Museum on the return journey to drop off the car in Girona.
Get a high speed train into France from Girona.

Thanks everyone for the great advise. Looks like a day trip from Barcelona wins!

Sounds like your plans are set . . . but, if you didn't mind lugging your luggage back and forth a bit, I recall the entrance area at the Dali museum having some staffed desks and counters - it's not just a ticket window at the door - - and I suspect they would happily let you stow your bags at the front of the museum during your visit. Might want to check and make sure that was the case if you decided to stick with your original plans.

Girona was definitely a great visit on our trip, too - we spent a night and parts of 2 days there.

Thanks for the storage tip, Cyn. I was actually considering doing that at the Dali Museum, but I am just worried that I'll get there with my luggage (RS wheeled carry-on size and day pack for both my husband and me) and having the museum tell us they can't store luggage. I read somewhere that you drop your day pack off at the entrance and it is waiting for you at the exit? It would certainly save me a train ride since we are headed to Collioure from Barcelona anyway.

Glad to hear everyone likes Girona, so I think I will include it in my travel plans. I was going to follow Enric's train advise for a day trip from Barcelona to both GIrona and Figueres. Also, noticed on the Barcelona Tourism site that they offer two reasonably priced bus day tours that go to both Girona and Dali museum. One is just the bus and the other includes a guide. It was also suggested to me to take a day trip from Barcelona to Figueres, Pubol and Cadaques using a tour operator. Any advice?

Hi Christine - we've stowed bags at various museums in Europe that do allow bag storage, and they usually have a coat check, near the entrance, too, but I've never encountered one that has different drop-off and pick-up areas. If you can drop off your bags, you would almost certainly be collecting them at the exact same location when you're done. If there's any doubt about being able to stow your bags, see if the museum can confirm it via e-mail or using the Contact Us link on their Website. Most museums offer a bag storage if for no other reason than to prevent visitors with backpacks or large purses from accidentally knocking them into the displays.

Tours can offer easy transportation and/or expert guides, but you're also kind-of going on their set time schedule. Going on your own might offer more freedom, and you can stay as long or as short a time as you wish, but then you're responsible for making sure you have enough time to do what you want to do.

On this newer thread Christi reports bag storage at the bus station.

Thanks, Laura!