Traveling to Barcelona the end of October and taking a 4-day week-end visit to Languedoc region. Trying to decide whether to take train to Coulliore or Perpignan and then rent a car or just rent a car in BCN and drive. I find it very challenging to calculate train fares and think it might be just as cost effective to rent a car from the start. Suggestions greatly appreciated!
The regular fare from Barcelona to Perpignan is 39 euros ( per Renfe website). Round trip tickets are 10% less. If you are over 60 you can get a Tarjeta Dorada discount of 25 to 40%, depending on your day of travel. Does that help?
If you are planning on returning to BCN after the weekend, it seems cheaper to rent a car there (otherwise big drop fees). I am assuming you will want a car at your destination, which seems to make sense. I recommend a side excursion to the Cathar castles.
The train fare will be X times people. The car will be about twenty bucks in tolls and about the same for gas. All times 1. It takes less tha two hours to scoot up to Perpignan. If you don't get the car back to Spain, the numbers go off the page.
Thanks to all who have replied - big help!