Train to spain

diystarter7

Bicycleman22 said:

Ferry to Santander ? Amazing area to spend a holiday without the need to fly.

Thanks. We thought about that but its not warm in May. However, will seriously consider as an option I think it takes about 22 hours.

JJC1956

diystarter7 said:

Bicycleman22 said:

Ferry to Santander ? Amazing area to spend a holiday without the need to fly.

Thanks. We thought about that but its not warm in May. However, will seriously consider as an option I think it takes about 22 hours.

Ferry to Santander, Stay for a couple of nights.
Train Santander to Barcelona, stay for a couple of nights.
Train Barcelona to Alicante, stay for as long as you want, 
Fly Alicante to UK
Seemple 
Have a nice trip however you decide to get there

martindow

diystarter7 said:

Cheers @martindow

when are new tickets online please?

This is from seat61 in the link I gave above.  120 days for the TGV and 180 days for Eurostar, hence the advice to be sure of the TGV

Booking usually opens 120 days ahead.  Eurostar opens up to 180 days ahead, Paris-Barcelona TGVs up to 120 days ahead.  I strongly recommend waiting until the TGV is open for booking so you can confirm actual times for your specific date before committing to a non-refundable Eurostar ticket - unless you're happy taking a calculated risk.

diystarter7

Thanks all I've been looking hard.

Is there a package, train package to cost of Spain all inc or a coach trip that is direct I/we can catch the coach from London/Kent.

Thanks

martindow

You can use a company like raileurope to book - here's an explanation from seat61

https://www.seat61.com/websites/who-are-raileurope.htm

They will organise rail bookings to anywhere in Spain (and elsewhere) but you won't avoid changing in Paris as if you booked it yourself.

diystarter7

martindow said:

You can use a company like raileurope to book - here's an explanation from seat61

https://www.seat61.com/websites/who-are-raileurope.htm

They will organise rail bookings to anywhere in Spain (and elsewhere) but you won't avoid changing in Paris as if you booked it yourself.

Thanks and apologies, do you mean they will book both trains one from London then Paris and return inc a hotel etc? If so could I do it cheaper by a lot as I want someone else to book it and will we be covered if the intially train is delayed etc
Thanks again

macman

Bicycleman22 said:

Ferry to Santander ? Amazing area to spend a holiday without the need to fly.

Agreed, but the ferry is not cheap. nor is Santander likely to offer warm weather in May-it's one of the wettest regions in Spain, with an Atlantic climate.
The Costa Brava is the obvious choice if going by train, as the TGV takes you all the way to Barcelona.

diystarter7

Thanks all
We may end up not going but with your help I've been searching.

I'm a bit worried re trains and costs and what if the Eurostar was late etc

TBH, we've only been abroad with the children they lead but were thinking of going ourselves.
I/we did lead when they were younger, very young went to USA/Dubai etc it was easy to book those but not something like this.

Prefer a coach trip but am worried how full it will be and not clear on what is included or not and if the trip/coach co is realble as read many negatives.

We would hols in Corwall as never been poss take the car or coach but the weather is not guranteed.

Thumbs_Up

Doshwaster said:

Penguin_ said:

You could get the Megabus (now called Flixbus) from London to Barcelona for £47.98 one way per person....

Whoever said "getting there is half the fun" has never been on a long journey with Megabus.

In my youth did the USA east to west coast trip by Greyhound. 3 days to cross and only stopped for fuel and Maccy D.

martindow

diystarter7 said:

Thanks and apologies, do you mean they will book both trains one from London then Paris and return inc a hotel etc? If so could I do it cheaper by a lot as I want someone else to book it and will we be covered if the intially train is delayed etc
Thanks again

CIV covers international connections (up to a point)

https://help.raileurope.co.uk/article/41665-understanding-civ

Maybe someone can confirm that Eurostar connections are still covered after Brexit?