Presentation
Taking a train and moving from one country to the other within the EU member countries is an interesting and convenient way of transport that dosen’t include airport stress. If you intend to travel from Nice, France to Barcelona, Spain, this guideline will give you all the details to enable you have a pleasant and successful journey.
1. Rail routes
When it comes to the train services between Nice to Barcelona there are several choices of routes to choose from. There are two ways to get to Barcelona: the first one is to travel by train starting from Nice, move to Marseille and the second way is to travel by flight to Barcelona. This means that the trip is fairly balanced to travel distance to any of the two airports and the convenience it provides.
The second possibility is driving to a Nice train station to take a train to Lyon, then to Barcelona. Though, this might slightly deviate from the recommended fastest way, one will have an opportunity to visit Lyon, a wonderful city in France.
Advice :
- Thus one must plan their travel and check out the time table and connections that they will be able to make so that they do not end up waiting for long.
- It is advisable to purchase tickets in advance in our website to secure better prices and the best seats.
- You should ensure to check the authenticity of your tickets prior to boarding the train may lead to some penalties or complications.
2. Railway companies
There are two key railway operating companies that link Nice to Barcelona;
a) SNCF
The Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Français (SNCF) is the direct translation of French National Railways or French National Railways. They have several direct services daily from Nice to Marseille and Marseille to Barcelona. Some facilities that can be availed when traveling by SNCF are; WiFi and electricity supply are some of the facilities that clients can access within the train.
b) Renfe-SNCF
Renfe-SNCF is a Spanish rail operators Renfe and France’s SNCF management cooperation. They have trains that ply between the cities of Barcelona and Marseilles, and their service is quite fast and convenient.
Advice :
- Make it a point to check for the various companies that operate the train and come up with the most convenient option in terms of the prices and time taken.
- If the traveller is planning to visit different countries in Europe, it is better to buy a Eurail pass.
3. Ticket options
However, when buying train tickets between Nice to Barcelona, there are some options that are available to the customers.
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a) One-way tickets
Depending upon the length of your stay in Nice and your green flavoured travel plan, if you are not coming back then one-way tickets will be the more appropriate. They can be purchased either from the railway company’s internet platform or at the station.
b) Round trip tickets
For those who are planning to come back to Nice after visiting Barcelona, it is possible to catch a plane for the return tickets for a cheaper price. Such tickets are valid for a longer duration compared to the other cards hence provide more freedom.
c) Eurail Pass
If you have planned for visiting several countries or several cities within different countries, then Eurail pass is ideal. This pass enables the holder to make an unlimited number of train trips for a specified number of days and at a relatively cheap price.
Advice :
- Don’t forget to search for special rates or vouchers which can be offered for the travelling period as well.
- It is advisable to book in advance for your ticket to be sure that you will get a place to sit during summertime.
4. Duration of the trip
The duration of the journey times depend with the rout and train used in Nice to Barcelona journey. On average:
Itinerary Travel time From Nice to Marseille to Barcelona Approximately 7 to 8 hours From Nice to Lyon to Barcelona Approximately 8 to 9 hours
Advice :
- It is also important to entertain, for example through books or podcast as this will help time pass when on the trip.
- Carry food and especially drinking water to ensure that one is not fatigued during the trip.
5. Border crossing
When schooting from Nice, France to Barcelona, Spain by train you will come across certain procedures including the crossing of the border that separates the two countries. This sometimes entails a document check from the authorities. Most of the scenes require the passport or the ID card to be handy throughout the process.
Advice :
- As a result, I will ensure that I reach the station early enough to go through the procedures of the border control.
- One of those documents that are important to carry for any travel is the passport, and ensure that it is valid.
Conclusion
It is always an exciting trip for tourists to choose train transport from Nice, France to Barcelona, Spain due to the opportunity to see the beautiful scenery of both cities. Therefore, through planning for the right train route, the available tickets and the time taken in the journey, one can make the best out of a particular trip. Thus, do not hesitate and purchase your tickets and let the fantastic train journey across two European beautiful places begin.
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