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From Barcelona to Basque Country, car or train

Posted by (USA) on

Hi All
Last year you helped me set up a very successful 2 1/2 mo trip through 7 European countries. I am now back with questions regarding Spain in October 2015. I will be part of a 16day tour ending in Barcelona. My friend and I will continue in Spain another 2wks. The first 4 days will be in Barcelona before leaving for San Sebastian or Bilbao. My first thought was to drive from Barcelona, now, am thinking about taking the train to one of the above cities, then renting the car to do this coast area. Will we be missing much by taking the train? Pros/Cons?

We also might make it into southern France if time allows. Any ideas on that area would be helpful as well. Not interested in stopping at wineries. We will return to and fly out of Barcelona.

Posted by
16893 posts

No, I don't think you miss much by taking the train to either San Sebastian (5.5 hours, 2 direct trains/day) or Bilbao (6.5 hours, 2 direct trains/day), or to Pamplona (4 hours, if you want to stop there), especially versus driving on the main highway. (A detour to drive through the Pyrenees mountains would take longer.) Train tickets offer advance-purchase discounts starting 2 - 3 months before your travel date. Fall schedules probably won't be published until June, but you can see what's running this month for some ideas. Then, you would not need to pick up the car until you leave San Sebastian (for instance).

Posted by
133 posts

Michelle, we took the train from Barcelona to SS and appreciated the comfort of leaving the driving to somebody else, especially in the mountains. SS can be seen well on foot. We then took the bus (one hour, several departures daily) from SS to Bilbao where we again got around on foot and used the light rail. If you stay in the Casco Viejo of either city, finding parking may be a challenge. I agree with your idea to rent a car after seeing those cities.

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