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Cross-border route · Europe
TGV Paris–Barcelona
By train from Paris to Barcelona, crossing the sul da França and the Pireneus, with stops in Figueres and Girona: from central station to central station in about six and a half hours.
France
Spain
4 cities 2 countries
In the photo: Estació de França, Barcelona
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
The route
What is TGV Paris–Barcelona
The TGV INOUI of SNCF links Paris to Barcelona without a change in about 6 hours and 30 minutes. The train departs from the Gare de Lyon, in Paris, descends along the Rhône valley to the Mediterrâneo, passes Nîmes, Montpellier, Narbonne and Perpignan and crosses the Pireneus by a tunnel into Espanha. On the Spanish side it stops at Figueres and Girona and arrives at Barcelona Sants station.
It's a way to combine França and Espanha in a single trip, without an airport in between. The two countries are in the Schengen area and use the euro: there is no passport control at the border, and the journey is made looking at the scenery — vineyards, the Languedoc coast and the mountains.
Direct trains are few, usually two per day, so it's worth buying early. Those who don't want to do it all at once can stop in Girona or Figueres, the city of the Dalí museum, before reaching Barcelona. Renfe, the Spanish rail company, also often runs high-speed trains from Barcelona to Lyon and to Marselha, an alternative for those coming from the south of França.
The map
4 cities in 2 countries
Outlines: Natural Earth, public domain. Adapted by Cidade Turismo.
The journey
City by city
Distances and times are approximate: check before you set out.
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1 · France
Paris
The route begins at the Gare de Lyon, in the 12th arrondissement, connected to the metro and the RER. Paris requires at least three days: the Louvre, the Torre Eiffel, Notre-Dame, Montmartre and the Sena.
→ Figueres cerca de 5h40 TGV INOUI direto, da Gare de Lyon a Figueres-Vilafant, com paradas no sul da França (Valence, Nîmes, Montpellier, Narbonne, Perpignan, conforme o horário) e travessia dos Pireneus por túnel.
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2 · Spain
Figueres
The first stop in Espanha, about 5h40 after Paris, is Figueres-Vilafant station, a bit away from the center. Figueres is the city of Salvador Dalí: the Teatro-Museu Dalí is the main visit. On the way, before the border, the train passes through Nîmes, Montpellier, Narbonne and Perpignan, in the south of França.
→ Girona cerca de 15 min O mesmo TGV, pela linha de alta velocidade; também trens da Renfe.
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3 · Spain
Girona
Girona is a few minutes from Figueres. The old town, with the cathedral atop the staircase, the Jewish quarter (Call) and the colorful houses on the banks of the river Onyar, is all to be explored on foot. From the city you can reach the Costa Brava.
→ Barcelona cerca de 40 min O mesmo TGV até Barcelona Sants; também trens de alta velocidade e regionais da Renfe, que saem várias vezes ao dia.
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4 · Spain
Barcelona
The end of the line is Barcelona Sants, connected to the metro and urban trains. Barcelona requires at least three days: the Sagrada Família (buy in advance on the official website), the Barrio Gótico, the Passeig de Gràcia with Gaudí's houses, Park Güell and the Barceloneta beach.
How to travel
The way and the tickets
By train, with a ticket purchased in advance. The TGV INOUI has reserved seating and there is no check-in: just arrive at the station, find the train on the departures board and board before departure. Between Figueres, Girona and Barcelona there are also Renfe high-speed and regional trains.
Best time to go
When to go: month by month
From April to June and in September and October: long days, pleasant temperatures and the sea at Barcelona already good for the beach by late spring. July and August are hot and busy. In winter it's cold in Paris, but Barcelona usually has milder days.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Planning
Planning the trip
How many days
The train makes the entire journey in about 6 hours and 30 minutes. To visit Paris, Girona, Figueres and Barcelona, allow 8 to 12 days; with 6 days, stay in Paris and Barcelona.
Who it is for
For those who want to see França and Espanha without flying, for couples and families, and for those who enjoy traveling by train watching the scenery.
Your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about TGV Paris–Barcelona
Quanto tempo leva o trem de Paris a Barcelona?
Cerca de 6 horas e 30 minutos no trem direto, da Gare de Lyon a Barcelona Sants. Até Figueres são cerca de 5 horas e 40 minutos, e até Girona, um pouco menos de 6 horas.
Quantos trens diretos há por dia?
Poucos: costumam ser dois por dia, às vezes mais no verão. Fora desses horários, a viagem é feita com uma troca de trem, em geral em Perpignan ou em Figueres. Confira os horários da sua data no site da SNCF.
O trem tem check-in?
Não. Basta chegar à estação, achar o trem no painel de partidas e embarcar. As portas fecham alguns minutos antes da saída, e a Gare de Lyon é grande, então chegue com folga.
Quanta bagagem posso levar?
No TGV, cada passageiro costuma poder levar duas malas grandes e uma bagagem de mão, que você mesmo carrega e guarda no vagão. A SNCF pede etiqueta com o nome do passageiro em cada mala. Confira as medidas no site da empresa antes de viajar.
Vale usar o passe Eurail?
O passe vale nesse trem, mas a reserva de assento é obrigatória e paga à parte, e os lugares para quem tem passe são limitados. Para um trecho só, compare com a passagem comprada com antecedência.