I will be in Avignon & going to Barcelona & then on to Madrid. Thought I could take a night train from Avignon to Barcelona, but appears I'd spend the night at the border & not get in much earlier than if I take the morning train the next day. Many questions:
1. Do I have the right info as above?
2. Could/should I make reservations while in states?(I'll be in Avignon for 3 weeks- better to make reservations from there?) I'll be traveling on a Friday in early June, if that makes any difference.
3. Suggestions for train/plane from Barcelona to Sevilla??
Much thanks, Elly
Posted by
Tinton Falls, NJ
792 posts
Hi Ely,
I'm replying to question 3. Look into flying via Ryanair from Barcelona to Sevilla. It's very inexpensive as long as you don't have too much luggage. I am flying Ryanair this July from Granada, Spain to Barcelona/Girona Airport at an all inclusive (fare, taxes, baggage, etc) cost of 257 euros for a family of 5!
As for getting from France to Spain, we are doing something similar in reverse - Spain to France.
We are taking a bus from Girona Airport, Spain into France (Perpignan) because it was much cheaper than flying into France. We also found the cost of renting a car in Spain (and returning it in France)astronomical. I'm not sure about the trains from Avignon to Barcelona - but you could look into a bus from Avignon to Barcelona. Look at this bus company www.frogbus.com
Hope this helps.
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
4684 posts
(1) There are two fast through trains a day from Montpellier (an hour or so west of Avignon by train) to Barcelona (the Mare Nostrum in the morning and Catalan Talgo in the evening). Alternatively it may be slightly cheaper to take non-through trains and change at the border (Portbou). There isn't much chance of overnight travel. Have a look at www.renfe.es for times.
(2) General information on booking train tickets from the US can be found at www.seat61.com. In general French and Spanish train tickets can be booked 90 days before travel and the earlier the cheaper as highly discounted fares are available if you get in fast.
(3) There are many fast AVE trains from Barcelona to Madrid and Madrid to Seville, as well as the odd through train running all the way. If you do it in one go it will still take you at least six hours. But you go from city centre to city centre and don't have to check in your luggage and wait for it at the end.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
The Renfe site won't show you timetables for legs solely within France. To see complete timetables for Avignon-Barcelona, go to www.bahn.de. Click on the drop-down flag menu for English. After you get summary timetables for Avignon-Barcelona, click on the arrow to the left of each departure time to see the connecting points.