Hello everyone.
This is my first post on the boards, but Ive been reading through them lots. I'm going on a backpacking trip of Europe May/June 09. When I first started researching for this trip, there was an overnight train that ran from Barcelona to Nice. However it looks like it has been cancelled. Have any of you done this trip before? And if so, what was the easiest way. We'd like to only use one day in total on our rail pass.
Thanks for any help and info.
I second flying w/ Vueling for this route. It is only a one hour flight and I was able to get my tickets for 40 Euro
The timetables at www.bahn.de list one route through 29 August and another route after that. First route: Barcelona Sants(17:25 departure)-Cerbere-Toulouse-Nice. Second route: Barcelona Sants(16:42 departure)-Narbonne-Toulouse-Nice. However, you would use one pass day for the first two legs and a second pass day for the Toulouse-Nice leg. To see for yourself, go to the site and click on the drop-down menu for English. After you get summary timetables for Barcelona-Nice, click on "Details for all" to see the connecting points.
While I prefer traveling by train, in this case I suggest you consider flying on Vueling and saving yourself two pass days. Vueling is a budget airline so the sooner you book the cheaper the fare. Flying may cost you about the same as the reservations and sleeping accommodation supplements you'll have to pay for the trains.
I don't know if this helps but- Collioure is worth checking out (I don't know your tastes)as you plan this leg. It was one of my very favorite places in all of France (and I went to the Riviera, too). You would transfer, I think, to a local train at the border with Spain. Jut a thought if there is no overnight and you wanted to break up the trip to Nice...
