Hello. I’m wondering if anyone knows how prices change for Paris to Barcelona route over time. We’re about 100 days out from our journey 6/15 Paris to Barcelona. The train trip is looking to be almost $200 USD each for a youth fare if we don’t depart at 6am. Will it go down from here if we wait? The summer Olympics might be causing strange pricing though this trip is departing Paris so maybe not. Any advice appreciated!
Posted by
Washington DC
28082 posts
Once all the tickets (including the cheaper advance-purchase tickets) are loaded, the fares should not come down. The question is whether all the advance-purchase tickets have been put on sale. There can be a delay on that, especially for travel right after the annual schedule updates that take place in early June and early December [<< corrected].
I took a look at ticket prices for June 15 (thank you for specifying your travel date; that really helps), and I see the same thing you reported. Then I scrolled backward into May and saw this notice for travel on May 16 and earlier: "More trains will soon be available to book for this journey." So maybe something good will happen if you are patient and check the SNCF Connect website every day. I simply don't know.
Flights are also an option. I use skyscanner.com to check schedules for intra-Europe flights. Be careful about extra charges for checked bags, and be sure you know which airports are being used. Budget carriers may not fly from DeGaulle to El Prat. Some of the alternative airports might be hard to access (especially for very early or very late flights).
Those Paris-Barcelon rail fares look shocking to me, but I haven't taken a long trip across that border, so I may just be uninformed.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you!
Posted by
Citizen of the World
2014 posts
You can buy train tickets now for June 15 at www.TheTrainline.com. You’re competing with travelers in France visiting Paris and beyond after the 80th anniversary of D-Day which falls on June 6. This year the commemorations are being held from June 1-16. And 😱 Yikes! Those train fares are more than the Eurostar! If you can change your date of travel, you may be able to save on train fares.