We (myself, partner, train obsessed 3 year old and 3 month old) would like to go on holiday. My partner hates flying, and my son loves trains, so we thought maybe barcelona by tains for a week or two. Has anyone done this? Is it feasable with children? Where would I book, get more info?
2006-11-05 07:01:17 · 8 answers · asked by Doris 2 in Travel ➔ Europe (Continental) ➔ Other - Europe
Borders
2006-11-05 20:51:59 · answer #1 · answered by SouthOckendon 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Not sure if you're coming from the UK, but it sounds like a great idea. You could get a Eurostar down to Paris and then on to Spain from there I reckon. The train carriages change wheels at the Spanish border as Spain and Portugal run on a different gauge to the rest of Europe.
From my experience the trains in Spain are excellent. If you do do it you can get to Valencia pretty easily too from Barcelona. Also the old line from Valencia to Madrid through the mountains has some of the most fantastic scenery.
Re tickets - you could investigate Interrail passes. I did this a few years ago with a friend. You don't have to be a student to get one. You have to pay surcharges on some trains but it's still worth ot if you're going to travel around. I can't remember if France is included in the same ticket group as Spain and Portugal.
Good luck.
2006-11-05 15:26:05 · answer #2 · answered by Graham A 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yep! Did it with 12 of my art school friends in 1959 all the way from UK to Barcelona where we caught the ferry to Majorca - for a month! [Thanks to the US 6th Fleet and Forrestal for feeding us at their beach BBQs after week 2 when we ran out of money!]The train journey through France was interesting, we had to change from Paris Nord to Paris Austerlitz and then we had to put the Concierge on the luggage rack for the night because he wouldn't keep his hands off us, and then a load of French policeman came on board near Marsailles. When we reached Perpignon we had to change trains because the guage was different from France and narrower tracks. We finally reached Barcelona after a couple of days - worn out to put it mildly! On the way back at the French border, we were herded into a custom's shed [with all our bottles of wine] and told we had too much wine to take across the border - so we sat in the sun and drank most of it!! I suppose they could have stopped us from getting on the train but 13 girls with a gorgeous sun tan was more than they could resist - and we finally got home! I'm sure you won't have any of those problems - a respectable family and all that!
2006-11-05 16:05:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wonderful Idea !!! British Rail have a department for
info regarding travel in Europe, plus the Spanish Tourist
Board. Check European Rail Travel on the net...
bet you have a great time !!!
2006-11-05 15:05:05 · answer #4 · answered by landgirl60 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
This website is absolutely brilliant, it has everything you need to plan a trip by train. Go for it! Enjoy! Good luck!
http://www.seat61.com/Spain.htm
2006-11-05 19:10:33 · answer #5 · answered by fidget 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Boy, they sure grow up fast, don't they? It seems like just 2 days ago, your son was 8 months old.
2006-11-05 15:03:33 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The above mentioned site (seat61) seems to be great!
The only other site that I can suggest you is http://railpass.directtrack.com/z/0/1000291/&p=2 for offers and online booking.
Hope you 'll enjoy your vacations!
2006-11-06 03:40:52 · answer #7 · answered by Eleni del Egeo 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
try your local railway station..............I went to bezier by train cost £50.01 years ago mind....great fun but book a sleeper
2006-11-05 15:03:49 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋