My husband and I are planning to travel from Barcelona to Paris by Eurail in September. In Paris we will stay at somewhere in Champs-Élysées area. Questions:
1. Which Paris station should we choose?
2. I do not understand how to find the train schedules from
eurail website
Suggestions are most appreciated. Thanks
Posted by
Reston, Virginia
403 posts
Steve is quite right that "Eurail" is merely a pass, not a rail company. The French and Spanish railways have a jointly operated company called "Elipsos" which runs trains from Barcelona and Madrid to Paris. Day trains are slower, but give you the option to see the countryside, to stopover along the way, and to get a good night sleep in a hotel rather than a poor night's sleep on a train. From Barcelona, you could get up to Arles or Avignon in about 6 or 7 hours, stop, and go on the next day by TGV to Paris (about 3 hours). Google "The Man in Seat 61" to find a website that has wonderful pictures and information on all the rail options.
If it were me, however, I would fly on a budget airline such as Easyjet or Vueling. I regret having to say this because I am a train lover, but budget flights on this route are both faster AND cheaper.