train to spain?

[wen-tom]

has anyone ever taken a train to barcelona?

if so, how easy was it? where did you book etc?

i am looking into the cheapest way to get there and as i live 2 hours away from any airports and flight prices seem to be pretty high i'm looking for other options...

thanks in advance everyone

 

[dolphingirl47]

We did it last year on very short notice as we had a Med cruise out of Barcelona booked around the time when we had the volcanic ash cloud. You can find more about this in my trip report that is linked under "Magical Mystery Tour" and I think all in all it cost about GBP250 per person one way. Most of the trains we booked via the TGV website apart from the trains in the UK and we booked the ferry directly with the operator.

Corinna

 

[wen-tom]

oooh Corinna, I remember reading your trip report. that sounded like an awful journey but necessary to get you to that cruise ship

 

[jns]

We did it last year on very short notice as we had a Med cruise out of Barcelona booked around the time when we had the volcanic ash cloud. You can find more about this in my trip report that is linked under "Magical Mystery Tour" and I think all in all it cost about GBP250 per person one way. Most of the trains we booked via the TGV website apart from the trains in the UK and we booked the ferry directly with the operator.

Corinna

Just spent the day reading it
thanks for the link

 

[dolphingirl47]

oooh Corinna, I remember reading your trip report. that sounded like an awful journey but necessary to get you to that cruise ship

It was tiring, but great fun and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Corinna

 

[wen-tom]

I'm sort of thinking of the 'fun' aspect of it myself to be honest. to see different parts of the world that we wouldn't normally see..

and if i was really lucky i might be able to squeeze that day at DLP

I guess we'll have to see how the prices compare.

was it scary not speaking french/spanish - how easy did you find it?

 

[dolphingirl47]

Not speaking French was not a problem. I did it up to GCSE at school and I can actually still read a fair bit and I was surprised how much I understood. It is mainly the speaking that is the problem. People were very helpful. A lot of them spoke English and with everybody else it was a lot of pointing and nodding and good will on both sides.

Barcelona was more difficult. We did not find many people who spoke English, but again, people were friendly and eager to help and it is surprising how much you can get across through non-verbal communication.

Corinna