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Train from Perpignan to barcelona

Posted by on

We are six senior adults traveling to France / Spain and want to travel by train from Perpignan France to Barcelona on sept 14th. I have read a lot about train ticket buying complications on various websites. Is there any reason why we shouldn't buy these train tickets on Rick Steve's website? It would seem to be without complications. Am I missing something? I looked up on the price of this trip and it appeared to be the same on Rick Steve's website as loco2. About $47. Is it true that the fast train prices that are cited always include the mandatory seat reservation, including on Rick Steve's cite?

Also we are thinking of taking a train from Barcelona sants to Toledo and then to Madrid atocha. Any reason why we shouldn't buy these on Rick Steve's site as well? The tickets are not currently available for the dates we want but I think they will be available in the next couple of weeks. Although I just quickly looked tonite into flying Barcelona- Madrid and we may do that cause it appears that flying is cheaper than the train. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Posted by
28078 posts

I haven't bought train tickets online so can't address your questions about that process.

AVE trains between Barcelona and Madrid are very fast and take you from city center to city center. If you fly you'll need transportation to and from the airport and you'll need to show up quite early to go through security. So my bet is that the flight will take longer and probably even cost a little more. Certainly there's a greater risk of a delay when flights are involved. Plus dealing with airports is just inherently stressful, as far as I'm concerned.

For the Barcelona-to-Toledo trip you'll be changing trains in Madrid. Atocha Station can be confusing, so look for a uniformed Renfe employee to get directions from the platform where your train from Barcelona arrives to the departure platform for Toledo.

Posted by
21152 posts

The SNCF website is showing 6 tickets available for 34 EUR each, about $38. These are "ESSENTIAL" fares, 60 and over and exchangeable on conditions. "FLEXI" fares, 60 and over, are 44 EUR, about $50. Look at www.trainline.eu.

Posted by
4088 posts

I am guessing you used the Rick Steves' connection to RailEurope, a sales agency, to see the ticket price. Better shopping is to be found on the two links already suggested. As well, the French train system, partner in the high-speed rail service, can also be considered authoritative: https://en.voyages-sncf.com/en/

Posted by
99 posts

SNCF and trainline website seem to have same price for Perpignan to Barcelona. So which is easiest to use, to pay? And can I pay with credit card or is it easier to pay with PayPal?

Nobody answered my question about whether these quoted prices on the high speed trains would include the seat reservation? Both perpignan to Barcelona and Barcelona to Toledo. I think they do? Thanks.

Posted by
21152 posts

Trainline is pretty easy with a credit card. If the train you book is a TGV or Intercities train, it will come with a seat reservation.

Posted by
16895 posts

Seat assignments are always built into your ticket for TGV, AVE, and other French or Spanish train that requires reservations. They don't sell open tickets, except for regional trains.

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