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Figueres: Rental Car Return and Traveling Between the Two Train Stations

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Hi,

In early May we will be basing in Barcelona for approx. a week. During that time we plan to take the train from Barcelona to Figueres, and then after touring the Dali museum, rent a car and drive to Cadaques for an overnight stay and tour Dali's former house and studio. We would then drive back to Figueres that day and return the car and take the train back to Barcelona.

So ~ here's the issue and/or question(s): Figueres has two train stations, Figueres and Figueres-Vilifant that are across town from one another. The rental car pick-up and drop off is at the Figueres station, but yet we are traveling to/from Barcelona from the Figueres-Vilifant station. They are across town from one another. My online research indicates by car (taxi?) they are approx. 11 minutes from one another. When returning the car we had hoped to do so around 3:45pm, with 30 minutes allowed to get it done, and then allowing approx. 20 minutes to get to the other station, so we would have 15 minutes to get our bearing and board the train, which departs at 4:55pm.

The wrinkle is that the rental car vendor (Europcar) is on siesta from 1pm to 4pm, so we lose 15 minutes and won't be able to return the car until 4pm. We then have to hope they reopen on time and that we're the first served, etc., to then make it to the other station for our train. Obviously it is cutting it very close. Does anyone have any similar experience. Is it going to be easy enough to find a taxi and get from one station to the other?

Thanks in advance for any/all insight and/or tips. Much appreciated!

Posted by
24 posts

Hi Jeff,

I've done the sprint between the 2 rail stations to drop off a Europcar at one and then catch the fast train into France from the other. Catching a taxi between the 2 stations is very easily done and your time sounds about right. However, don't plan on being the first in line to return a car and have it done expeditiously - we're talking Spain here (after the siesta hour) and things just get done in their own time. I would guess that you'd miss your train (you'll also need to go through security at the station before boarding). Why not pick up your car in Barcelona early in the morning, have a leisurely drive to Cadaques, and then return it in Barcelona? The scenery is lovely and one of the possible routes takes you right along the Mediterranean. Tons of towns & things to see so that car would give you a great deal of freedom. Spain is just awesome!

Posted by
16893 posts

It sounds like you've already bought the train tickets, but there are slower, direct trains departing Figueres old station at 16:28, 17:19, and 17:58 on Monday-Fridays and slightly different timing on weekends. I'd prefer to hop on the 2-hour train right there than to taxi across town for the 1-hour train.

Posted by
255 posts

If your trip dates include May 7 -15 the flower festival takes over the city of Girona and
is amazing. There are tons of flower installations all over the town. You get a free map
and start walking. We did this before taking the train to Figueres to see the Dali Museum.
Easy train to Girona from Barcelona and then easy training to Figueres. After the Dali
museum and Dali jewelry exhibit next door we took the bus to Cadeques. Consider taking
the bus as the ride up is very tight and can be scary. We had booked
the house tour to coincide with the bus schedule and stayed over. The hotel which I think we booked on site or just before
on booking.com, owners husband took us up to the house and picked us up in a golf cart
stopping for pictures. Then when we finished he picked us up. I can't remember if or what
we paid him. If we did it was nominal. Some people walk it. Come to think of it I think we had the last
tour and while walking down one of the guides gave us a ride. He wouldn't take payment. Then once back we walked along the shoreline and had dinner. Cadiques is
very pedestrian friendly and has lovely sea views. The house entry is timed. It's a lovely location so even waiting to get in is worth going a little early.

Posted by
46 posts

Hi All, Thanks for taking the time with sharing perspectives and information. We have in fact already bought our train tickets form Barcelona to Figueras, so that's where we'll be dealing with the rental car as well. We'll just have to hope for the best with the return of the car being in a timely of a manner as possible. But I get that its return may be a challenge right after the siesta. I live in Miami, so over the years of being here have grown very accustomed to the culture of "mañana." ;) And I mean that only observationally and not critically, and certainly not always across the board. And Girona's flower festival sounds lovely; unfortunately we'll just miss it since our time in this part of Spain is just a few days before. Have a great weekend!

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