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Paris to Logrono, via Barcelona

Hello. I am trying to plot a route from Paris to Logrono for my daughter and her friend, who are traveling to Logrono for a semester abroad. I will be with them for a week before their classes start, touring in England and France, but they will be traveling from Paris to Logrono on their own. They have Eurail passes from France to Spain that I have already purchased.

I am having the hardest time figuring out how to get them to Logrono! I've now submitted three different reservation requests with the Eurail site. The third one has them on a night train, but for "technical reasons" they have to get off the train in Cerbere, France, find a bus to Port-bou, and then get back on the train.

I've emailed the reservation center back again, but I thought I would also appeal to this forum. Anyone else needed to travel from Paris to Barcelona via train? (the train from Barcelona to Logrono needs a reservation but doesn't have any difficulties). I am fairly nervous about them finding a bus in Cerbere, which seems to be a tiny border town, and then getting from the bus station in Port-bou to the train station. This is their first time traveling in Europe. (I probably sound like an anxious mother...but that's OK. I am. I am hoping this trip can be successful so they enjoy their time.)

Alternately, I might just get desperate enough to pay to fly them from Paris to Barcelona, but since i already paid for the train pass I am really hoping I don't have to do that.

Anyone have any experience with this?

Many thanks!

Posted by
16893 posts

A border connection by bus is not usually necessary by day, since the direct Paris-Barcelona TGV train went into service. Passholder reservations can sell out, as well as TGV has reconfigured all their fares this month, which leaves some databases still catching up. The overnight train also normally runs all the way to Port Bou, not ending at Cerbere. Your date of travel could help us to know what's happening.

Even if you bought the pass from eurail.com, you do have the option of enquiring or booking by phone with Rail Europe (extra fee applies) at 800-438-7245.

Posted by
519 posts

Amy, best way to get to Logroño is by bus. Alsa
I'm sure your daughter wants to see Barcelona, but if they are here for a semester, they will have many opportunities to go there on a long weekend.
Since they have the train pass I would suggest that they take the train to Biarritz, and from the train station there is a bus that will take her to Pamplona and then to Logrono.
If they prefer to go to Barcelona, I would take the train to Zaragoza, and from there you can take a bus Autobuses Jimenez

Posted by
7175 posts

RSC 9711
Dep 07:15 PARIS GARE DE LYON (France)
Arr 13:34 BARCELONA SANTS (Spain)

IC 632
Dep 14:10 BARCELONA SANTS (Spain)
Arr 17:50 LOGRONO (Spain)

With a 36 min connection time and continuing industrial issues in France, I would have a back up plan for an overnight in Barcelona.