Hello all! I am a growing chef soon embarking on a culinary tour of Spain and France. We will be starting in San Sebastián, moving to Marseille then Lyon and finishing in Paris. All of our arrangements are set save transportation. We’ll be walking mostly in the cities but that leaves getting from city to city to handle, especially San Sebastián to Marseille. I would love some recommendations on this issue, train vs. car and so forth. I’d also love some advice on renting cars and such. Lastly any little off the main road stops for food or sightseeing would be highly appreciated.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA ☔️
6790 posts
Go to rome2rio.com for answers on how to get from place to place.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
With rare exception, moving major city to city is best done by train in most of Europe. However, the train system in Spain is not as extensive as most of Europe so an excellent bus system has evolved. In Spain we often look to the buses first if travel time is under a couple of hours.
Posted by
Reno, Nevada
1025 posts
As far as rental cars are concerned, the dropoff fees from Spain into France would likely be exorbitant, so even though the train ride from San Sebastian to Marseille is brutal, the time spent on the train might be better and certainly cheaper. Suggest, however, that you instead fly from San Sebastian to Marseille (probably a couple hundred dollars) and then use trains for the Marseille--Lyon and Lyon--Paris legs.
Posted by
Royaume-Uni nul points, pas plus
2597 posts
From San Sebastian there’s a bus direct to Biarritz Airport
Fly from Biarritz to Marseille
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
From San Sebastian to Marseille, it is cheaper and faster to fly, even with a connection in Madrid or Barcelona. Try www.skyscanner.com. Or if you take a bus across the border to Biarritz airport, Volotea flies nonstop from there to Marseille on Mondays and Thursdays.
For the other two major legs, trains are easy but prices are cheaper if locked in ahead (however far ahead you're ready to commit). See tips for using SNCF but if payment options don't work, then you might buy from an agent like RailEurope or TrainLine.
Posted by
11569 posts
For car rentals use AutoEurope. com
Do not pick up in one country and drop off in another or you’ll pay a huge drop off fee.
Drop car off on Spain in San Sebastián or Hondarribia and ferry or taxi across the border into France at Hendaye.
Or take trains.
Let us know how your food adventure goes. Very exciting!
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area
5697 posts
Do NOT try to drive in Lyon unless you have a very high frustration level. Excellent train service in and out. Same for Paris.