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Barcelona to London by train
How to take a thrilling high speed rail journey from Barcelona to London
Two of the European rail routes which have been particularly impacted by the pandemic and the resulting reduction in the numbers of usual departures, are those between London and Paris and between Barcelona.
However, despite that it is still possible to take a journey by train in a single day by train from Barcelona to London with lots of time available to make the connection between high speed trains in Paris, which should virtually ensure a stress-free journey.
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Routes
From Barcelona Sants to London St Pancras International
Journey Summary
11hr 34min
Mon-Fri and Sunday
Travel Information
This routing involves taking the 10:05 train from Barcelona to Paris, which is scheduled to arrive in the Gare De Lyon at 16:50.
The connecting train to London departs from the Gare Du Nord at 19:13 on Mon-Fri and Sunday.
So you will have nearly 2hrs 30 mins to make the transfer between the Gare De Lyon, where the TGV will arrive, and the Gare Du Nord, from where the Eurostar will depart, which should ensure a stress-free connection.
An Alternative journey option:
Both RailEurope and Trainline will also usually sell tickets for a journey option available which involves departing Barcelona at 08:15 and arriving in London at 19:39 on Mon-Fri; on Saturday at 18:39 and on Sunday at 19:15.
This routing involves making connections in either Lyon or Montpellier and in Lille, but the journey via the French capital also involves transfers at two stations.
So this routing via Lille avoids the need to cross Paris and it can be cheaper too.
Though the connecting times between trains in Lyon or Montpellier of around 40mins are essential to being able to complete this routing in a single day.
1 x optimum connection per day (not Saturdays, though an alternative route via Lille is available on Saturday)
Change trains in: Paris
Tickets
Book Early And Save: Yes
Online bookings open: 4 months ahead usually
It's worth comparing the prices on RailEurope and Trainline, both services will add a booking fee for this journey, but on Trainline the additional charge won't be apparent until the final stage of the booking process.
Eurostar does not sell tickets for this journey.
Your ticket will not include the RER train across Paris from the Gare De Lyon to the Gare Du Nord..
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| RailEurope | * | |
| Trainline | * |
Train 1
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
Final Destination: Paris Gare de Lyon
All trains also call at: Girona and Figueres-Vilifant
Note that these trains arrive at the Gare De Lyon in Paris
Between early June and early July there are there are 3 x trains per day.
Between early July and late August there are 4 x trains per day.
Final Destination: Paris - Lyon
All trains also call at: Girona; Figueres-Vilifant
This is a journey of three distinct parts.
1:Between Barcelona and Perpignan the train travels on a high speed line.
2. Between Perpignan and Montpellier the train follows the coast, don't expect incredible seascapes, but there are some nice views as the train threads through the marshes - particularly north of Perpignan
3. Between Nimes and Paris the train switches back to the high speed line.
Train 2
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
As a consequence of the Covid-19 crisis Eurostar is operating a particularly limited timetable for the time being - further information is available on Eurostar.com
Note that these trains depart from the Gare Du Nord.
Final Destination: London St Pancras
Some trains also call at: Ashford International or Ebbsfleet International (these station calls are currently suspended_
Note that London is in a different time zone to mainland Europe, it is one hour behind, so when looking at a timetable the journey will look as though it's an hour shorter.
Checking-in:
Eurostar requests that holders of Standard Class And Standard Premier tickets check-in a minimum of 30mins before departure, and 45mins before departure on weekends and holidays.
It is up to you to allow time to pass through check-in and board the train.
If you have a Business Premier ticket, Eurostar recommends that you only have to check-in 10 mins before departure.
At Gare Du Nord the check in and waiting area for the Eurostar (the 'Hall Du Londres') is at an upper level, above the main concourse.
The access to this upper level is some distance from the voie/platforms/tracks that the Eurostars depart from.
The escalators leading up to Eurostar departures are located at the rear wall of the station building, on the opposite side of the concourse to voies/platforms/tracks 14 - 15.
It's not a scenic journey, but it is a journey with distinct phases and highlights:
1: There is little to see from the high speed lines in France, particularly after Lille (the trains to Paris will rush through Lille Europe station).
2: The train will slow down as it approaches The Channel Tunnel.
Announcements are no longer made that the train is about to enter the tunnel.
The journey through the tunnel will take around 22 mins.
3: As the train nears Ebbsfleet International station, comes the scenic highlight of the journey - the crossing of the River Medway on a high bridge.
4: After Ebbsfleet International (which can only be seen from the right) the train will enter a tunnel under the River Thames.
As the train exits this tunnel, from the left, the Queen Elizabeth II road bridge can be seen.
5: For most of the final 8 -10 mins of the journey the trains use tunnels to enter London (Stratford International station is located between the tunnels).
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