Paris to Barcelona train with TGV INOUI

Paris to Barcelona Train: High-Speed Travel Across Borders

Introduction

France and Spain are popular countries to travel between, but few know that the fastest Paris to Barcelona train takes just six hours and 47 minutes. I recently took this train and was excited to cover 1,000 kilometers in such a short time! Here’s everything you need to know about the schedule, route and experience.

Route Overview

Spanning around 1,000 kilometers, this high-speed railway route connects the capital of France, at Paris Gare de Lyon, to the second-largest city in Spain, terminating at Barcelona Sants.

After departing Paris, it travels quickly down to the south of France, with a few stops in the Occitanie région. Then, it enters Catalonia, traveling down the Costa Brava before reaching the regional capital.

With gorgeous views and excellent, high-speed service, I found it a revolutionary way to travel!

Should I take the train or fly from Paris to Barcelona?

The quickest Paris to Barcelona train time is 6 hours 47 minutes. While flights from Paris to Barcelona are quicker (around 1 hour 45 minutes), when I factored in arriving at the station early, baggage reclaim, and traveling to and from the airport, the actual time spent waiting is much shorter. For this reason, I think the train is the best way to get from Paris to Barcelona!

Transportation Experience

I avoid flying as much as possible, so I was keen to travel between Spain and France by rail, especially as the high-speed trains take nearly half the time of the long-distance coaches. Plus, I found the tickets easy to secure and store on my phone.

You can easily book the train from Gare de Lyon to Barcelona Sants on Omio. Download the tickets to your device for ease of use, and simply show the QR code when requested!

Route Details

After departing Gare de Lyon, the train reaches southern France quickly, with main stops in Perpignan, Montpellier, and Nîmes. Over the border, there’s a stop in Girona before reaching Barcelona Sants Station, nearly six hours later.

The train route begins quite urban, but as we entered Southern France, I saw gorgeous lavender fields and caught glimpses of the Mediterranean Sea. The direct road sees none of this, so in my opinion, it’s a better alternative to Barcelona to Paris buses!

Arrival and Departure Stations

This route is run by SNCF and TGV inOui (operated by Renfe in Spain). Trains depart from Paris Gare de Lyon, which sits just southeast of the city center. Long-distance trains to Italy and Switzerland also depart from here. As I arrived on the London to Paris train to the Gare du Nord, I took the RER Line to reach Gare de Lyon. There are also metro links available, too.

Roughly 1,000 kilometers south, Barcelona Sants is the main railway station for long-distance trains in the city, with easy metro links to the center. The following day, I took a train from here to Malaga in the south of Spain.

Schedule and Frequency

There are two high-speed trains per day connecting Paris and Barcelona: one that leaves in the morning (arriving after lunch) and one in the early afternoon (arriving in Barcelona at night). At other times of the day, you can change trains in Lyon.

Onboard Experience and Services

I sat in Standard Class, which was roomy and comfortable. Seats were in a 2-2 configuration, and there was a table, seat pocket, and power outlet. In the vestibule, there were extra seats where passengers were invited to take phone calls. The WiFi didn’t work for me, so I was glad I had mobile data!

I grabbed an iced tea at the restaurant car, where they served basic drinks, sandwiches and snacks. Since the menu is limited, I recommend you eat before or take some food with you. EXki grab-and-go chains are at many French stations, serving fresh poke bowls and salads.

Ticketing Advice & Budget Breakdown

I always try to book train tickets as early as possible. In France, they’re usually available four months before travel. Generally, early bookings have cheaper rates. The high-speed trains, which take just six hours, will be more expensive. If you’re on a budget, some trains include a change and are cheaper.

Here’s an overview of how much I spent:

Top Tips & Personal Recommendations

• Label your luggage before boarding. I wrote my name on a small paper tag and attached it to my suitcase.
• Consider stopping en route. Girona and Montpellier are both worth a visit.
• Arrive at the station 30 minutes before departure. This will ensure you have enough time to find your platform.
• Allow three hours before any connections. Better still, you could stay overnight.
• Don’t forget your headphones. If you’d like to watch movies or take any calls in the dedicated space in the vestibule, remember to pack your earbuds.

Conclusion

Taking the train from Paris to Barcelona is easier than you think—and when booked in advance, prices are very affordable. So next time, quit the airport stress and take the scenic route instead by booking with Omio!

About the Author: Claire Martin

Job Title: Travel Journalist and Videomaker Bio: Claire Martin is a full-time travel journalist, blogger and videomaker who specializes in train and ferry travel around Europe.