We have an 11 am flight out of Barcelona and will be returning to the airport from Provence. Rather than returning back to Barcelona the night before leaving we were thinking about going to Figueres on our last day, spending the night there, and then taking an early (around 6am) train or bus to the Barcelona airport the following morning. I can't seem to find any information on travel from Figueres to Barcelona (other than 2 later in the day trains mentioned on the raileruope site). Everything else I bring up on an internet search discusses how to get to Figueres from Barcelona. Does anyone know if there are early trains or buses going from Figueres to Barcelona (preferably to the airport)? Is this trip possible or should we just return to Barcelona the day before we fly out? Thanks!
Posted by
Lynden, WA
97 posts
Regardless of the transportation options, I think your plan is pretty darn risky. You're assuming everything that morning will go smoothly. Particularly when you're in unfamiliar environs, and traveling on a pretty penny, that's a big assumption. I tend to cut it fairly close when arriving for flights, but what you described sounds way too stressful. I'd opt for a leisurely early morning in Barcelona, then head to the airport.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
There are two train stations in Figueres. The main station is in central Figueres. The other station is at the far end of the city and is called Figueres Villifant. When, you come into Spain from France, you will change from the French train to the Renfe train at Figures Villifant. Looking at the train schedule, no train departs from Villifant until 13:00. Really odd but that's what I see. At the Figueres station in the city center, I see 13 trains departing for the Barcelona Sants train station between 06:00 and 11:00. Here are your challenges. First, I do see indications on Google that there may be a bus but I am not able to pull up a schedule. Not good. Second, you will need to get from the Villifant station to a place to stay near the central Figueres station. Next, your train will take you to the Barcelona Sants train station and not the airport. Next, there is a train from Barcelona Sants to the airport only it goes to Terminal 2. You will still need to take the shuttle to Terminal 1 for your departure. You're looking at roughly 3.5hrs to get from Figures to Terminal 1 at the Barcelona airport.
Posted by
OP
Key West, FL, United States
72 posts
Thanks for the replies. Colleen, I know it's risky but we did manage to catch an early am flight last year from Reggio di Calabria to Rome for our flight home from Rome. The trip from Figueres does sound a bit more risky. Larry, where did you find the information about the 13 trains starting at 6am? I know I had seen it before during early trip planning stages but now I can't find it. It was seeing the availability of an early train that got me thinking about it! 3.5 hours does make the plan a little dicey!
If we don't decide to do this, do you have any advice on getting from Arles back to Barcelona the day before we fly out?