By Train from UK to Spain

[timg]

Oooh my first thread...
I recently enjoyed my first trip on the Eurostart from UK to Brussels. Certainly more comfortable than flying (especially as we upgraded on the way out). It got me thinking.. has anyone tried the fast trains to get from UK to Spain?
I guess it would be something like Eurostar to Paris or Lille, then SNCF down through France (and maybe into Spain?), then the AVE or other Spanish fast train on to wherever.
Might be a bit more relaxing than flying, though it would probably take a while longer...

Then again, flying is not just the actual flight itself - there's the travel to the airport, checkin, security, waiting at the gate, loading up, <flying>, unloading, passport, luggage, security, blah, blah....

Any ideas?

[rob]

I had a look at this and you go to Paris on the Eurostar, transfer to another train station in Paris and then catch the night train to Madrid. Its a direct route.

I was thinking about it but don't think I could afford the single cabin because I don't fancy sharing with 3 other strange train people in the economy class cabins.

I think Ben did this on his way to Spain so I'm sure he can tell you more about it.

[Ben]

Yes, I am a bit of an expert on this!! For my first five years in Spain I was terrified of flying (having flown half-way around the world already previoulsy!) So I would take the overnight train from Madrid to Paris that left at 7pm and arrived at 8 a.m. ish. What I loved about this trip was the meal in the restaurant car, usually opposite strangers who might or might not provide interesting conversation. The bar is always great too, just like a real Spanish bar in many ways. The view out of the window as you loop out of Madrid, past El Escorial and up into the hills of Castilla Leon, with the sun setting, is wonderful. Just how travel should be. What I didn't like so much was sharing a sleeping compartment with 3 others who might spend the night snoring or who looked somewhat scary!

Arriving in Paris it was time to cross the city by Metro, then hop on the Eurostar at about 10.30, arriving 3 hours later in London at lunchtime. So, about 18 hours in all. Great fun if you like train travel but a bit of a pain after I had done it ten times. I always enjoyed the meal in the cafeteria though and a drink in a bar, and loved the occasional time when I upgraded to a two berth cabin all for myself.

The journey from London is the same, obviously, but in reverse, and there is also a Paris-Barcelona train that does a similar overnight trip.

About three years ago we were invited to go to a wedding in the Dominican Republic and I decided it was worth getting on planes again. Now I love flying more than ever, even enjoyed the flight to Austalia 18 months ago!

[richardksa]

Ben, how much does that cost. I have friends in France who I would like to visit while journeying to Spain, but it always seem so cheap to fly. I checked up on the "Goya" Paris - Madrid train and thought it very expensive.

[Ben]

It was very expensive though I haven't done it for a couple of years and can't remember the exact price - definitely cheaper to fly...

[timg]

Well thanks very much - all sounds very possible. Is the train Paris-Madrid a fast train (Eurostar or AVE style)? Even if it's not, it still sounds like it might appeal to wifey (who really enjoys train travel).
thanks again,
tim

[Ben]

Not super fast no, pretty quick in France but very slow through Spain - doesn't matter though as you sleep through the slow bit if you do Paris to Madrid and wake up to have breakfast as you glide past El Escorial. Get a nice two berth compartment, book supper when you first get on (ask the conductor for your coach) and you will have a fantastic trip - I highly recommend it once at least!