Hi all,
We're finding the train schedules/options confusing. What's our best option for train travel from Barcelona to Lyon - then after a few days there - from Lyon to Brussels? We will not need any roundtrip returns as we will be leaving from Brussels to fly home. We were unsure if we could get point-to-point tickets, or would need a Eurail pass that would cover both trips. We also wondered if it would be less expensive to simply fly - although we would enjoy taking the train. Our trip is not scheduled until November so we may be too far out to buy tickets ahead. Any assistance is much appreciated!
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
You can always get "point-to-point tickets". That is the normal type of ticket which 95%++ of travellers use.
Passes are the option sold to tourists from outside Europe who don't know enough geography to just book "normal" tickets.
For times, the best site is www.bahn.de but this will not sell you tickets for these two trips.
You can buy tickets from a number of sites, but I would recommend www.capitainetrain.com as it is very user friendly, and does not apply a markup.
There are direct TGV trains from Barcelona to Lyon, and from Lyon to Brussels (bypassing Paris).
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
You usually cannot book tickets more than 3-4 months in advance of the travel date and that will be when you find the best fares. Roundtrip is not a necessary part of the equation. (Train tickets for travel through the end of August have been bookable for a while, so those examples may not show you rock-bottom fares.) You can compare flights at www.skyscanner.com.
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8309 posts
The distances you're talking about traveling are very far.
Your best bet from Barcelona to France would be taking the 6 1/2 hour fast train into Paris and swapping trains there for the ride to Lyon.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
David, look at a map or look on www.bahn.de
There is no need to go via Paris from Barcelona to Lyon. There are direct trains that take 5 hours, or other options with a change in the south of France which are just as quick.
Barcelona Sants depart 08:25, TGV 9736, arrive Lyon Part Dieu 13:24
Posted by
Green Bay
20983 posts
There is a direct train at 8:25 and the Paris trains have connections south of Lyon. No reason to go all the way to Paris and turn around and backtrack to Lyon.
Posted by
OP
Bowling Green, KY, USA
16 posts
Thank you all for your suggestions and links - I think we'll be able to figure this out, with time!