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Last-minute Barcelona questions

Posted by (Richmond, VA) on

Hello,

After months of pumping kind members of this board for information, I am finally about to depart (Tuesday!) for Spain, and, of course, I have some last-minute questions:

My plan is to get to Barcelona early Wednesday morning, if everything is on time, and head straight to the city. I'm flying United, which I believe in Terminal 1. I want to head straight to the train station (Sants) and store my bag, as I will be headed to Girona that evening. The Aerobus seems the simplest way to get to the city, but it doesn't stop at the station (it does stop at Placa Espanya, which SEEMS like a ten-minute walk to Sants?). The RENFE train does go to the station, but leaves from Terminal 2, which will require the shuttle bus. I won't have a ton of luggage, but I will be exhausted from the long flight. Other than a taxi (which seems an unnecessary expense), is one route significantly less of a hassle than the other?

Regarding luggage storage at Sants: I noticed that one can reserve lockers ahead of time. Is this because they are likely to sell out, or is it just convenience?

I will be spending that first day in Barcelona and then head to Girona for two nights, planning on returning to Barcelona on Friday. It seems to T10 card is the best bet, but I can't find out whether it has an expiration date.

Lastly (for now...;)), the forecast calls for rain on the weekend, but what "kind" of rain is Barcelona prone to? Big, hours-long, drenching storms or light and steady drizzle? I ask because this may be the deciding factor on footwear and the second pair of jeans.

Thank you all again for your help!
Caroline

Posted by
2942 posts

Hi Caroline, yep indeed, that's correct. And it's not quite 10'... it's likely to be slightly more, and under a scorching heat I must add. So, I have another "proposal"... take the Aerobus to Plaça Catalunya, walk literally 2' (http://bit.ly/1Uowy3T) store your luggage at lockerbarcelona.com and enjoy the city -you'll already be in the centre! On your way back, simply pick up your luggage and take the train (RENFE) in Plaça Catalunya to Sants station (one stop).

What kind of rain?... well the 'wet' kind, LOL!!! Rain in Barcelona in summer is nothing to spoil your day... it tends to be a short downpour (30-60' tops) and that's it. Not to say that we don't have all-day-long miserable days from time to time, but it's not the norm.

The T-10 expires on the 28th of February the next year. But for what do you intend to use this card?

Enjoy!

Posted by
293 posts

Eric,

Thank you so much for you help! I didn't realize there was another storage option that was so close and convenient.

As for the T10, I'm planning on coming back to Barcelona on Friday morning and will be there through Sunday. It seemed like, with the gap caused by the two days in Girona, this was the most economical option for metro tickets. Is there a better option you'd recommend?

Caroline

Posted by
2942 posts

Actually, there are a few storage lockers in the city, normally in premises offering other services, such as bicycle renting. In fact, door by door from the one I mentioned above, there's another one, but I can't remember its name. Btw, I'm not implying of course that all shops renting bicycles -which are abundant!- do have storage lockers!

As per T-10... I'm simply asking because you just mentioned it right after the sentence saying you'd be in Girona.... and I had to make sure you understand that the T-10 is not valid to get to Girona -or to move about in Girona for that matter, in fact, Girona has her own T-10. In any case, do make a bucket list of the highlights of your visit in Barcelona and plot them in Google Maps, depending on your interests (the places you've chosen that is) you might realize you don't need a T-10 after all. In the worst case though it's just 10€.

PS... name is Enric, thnks :)

Posted by
293 posts

Hi Enric, my apologies! Autocorrect strikes again!

Thank you again for all your help. I'll definitely take your advice on plotting out my "must see" spots. I like to walk (and am not afraid of rain!), so you're right, I may not need the T10.

Caroline

Posted by
2942 posts

My pleasure. When you've plotted it feel free to share and I can quickly tell you whether a T-10 might be useful :))

Posted by
2459 posts

Note also that you can get the train to Girona from Passeig de Gracia -- no need to backtrack to Sants station!

Posted by
2942 posts

It depends... if Caroline is taking a fast speed train (AVE or Avantia type) the station is Sants. Period. If it's a regular commuting train (whether MD or Regional) then indeed Psg de Gràcia is also an option.

But again, if she's getting to Pl Catalunya with luggage, leaving in a locker nearby and then she has to go to Girona, even assuming she's not getting a fast speed train, she can simply jump on a train in Pl Catalunya and in 5' will be in Sants station... there's no need to walk with luggage to the Passeig de Gràcia station -the stretch it's very busy with visitors and it's hot to push luggage in the street! The only thing to notice is that in Pl Catalunya there are metro, RENFE train and FGC (another train) stations... she wants RENFE... so not to get confused!

Also, note that getting a commuting train "after Sants", and Passeig de Gràcia is after Sants in the Girona line, means that she might not be able to get to sit as it's a busy line and Sants it's where a lot of people get on.

PS In case the question was to pop up: NO, you can't take a commuting train from Pl. Catalunya station straight to Girona... it's a different line :))

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