Reduced Night Train service between France and Spain

Peter
Traveller
9333 comments

Hi Richard.

Thank you for your post. I know about this change and it will be updated in the railcc schedules. :)
But I am not unhappy about this change (often train service is limited during winter season). These are horrible expensive night trains and the railccs do NOT recommend them!

Take care what you read on the website you mentioned - if you use this direct night train (example now Paris-Barcelona) with your Eurail pass in the cheapest option (seat), you pay an additional reservation fee of EUR 50 ([u]https://rail.cc/en/night-train/paris-barcelona-elipsos-477/86[/u]).
If you use the more scenic route, the cheaper route (which is not mentioned at the Eurail website), you pay only EUR 6 ([u]https://rail.cc/en/night-train/paris-portbou-icn-3731/78[/u]).
Here the full example: [u]https://rail.cc/blog/little-yellow-train-video/[/u]

More connections:
[b]Train connections for France[/b]: [u]https://rail.cc/en/search-train-route[/u]
[b]Train connections for Spain[/b]: [u]https://rail.cc/en/search-train-route[/u]

Best wishes to Australia, Peter :)

ardeeay
Traveller
99 comments

Hi Peter

Thanks for your helpful observations (as always). My initial concern was concerning the Paris to Madrid night service but as it appears that the old schedule will be reinstated before my anticipated travel dates in May this will probably not be a problem for me.
Are there any less expensive alternatives for this journey using night trains in May-June 2013?

Cheers :)

Richard

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

Hej Richard,

although the Elipsos has rather expensive reservation costs, I think it is worth considering if you want a fast and smooth overnight journey on that route.

The alternative would be to travel with a domestic night train to the French border (6€ for a reclining seat, 20€ for a couchette), then continue with a domestic RENFE train to Madrid (6,50€ on the route from Irún but including a long wait due to the bad connection at the Hendaye/Irún border at the moment; in fact this route would take almost 24 hours! | 10€ on the route from Portbou including a further change of trains at Barcelona; this is the faster route although it will take you around 16 hours as well).

The direct Elipsos would take you just 14 hours or so without the hassle of changing trains plus providing a much more decent accomodation (at higher costs, of course).


Flo 8)

ardeeay
Traveller
99 comments

Hi Flow (and Peter)

Thanks for the advice.

Your thoughts Flo were similar to my own because:
1. the reservation and supplement costs for the more expensive night train would offset the alternative cost of a hotel (my hostelling days are over!);
2. the night train would maximise my daylight hours at the destination (the 24 hour alternative effectively means the loss of one day's experience in Madrid);
3. the direct train would avoid any hassles with delayed trains and missed connections; and
4. the major cost of my trip will be the airfare from Australia and return, so the reservation and supplement costs for the night train are less significant in the overall scheme of things.

I have already decided that (apart from the challenge of finding the cheapest alternative route) I will try for a little bit of luxury in my six week journey, and most night trains with a sleeping car cabin (WC, shower, breakfast etc) offer this. So the cheapest journey may not always be the best for me. My draft itinerary includes most of the train travel in the evenings and overnight so, although I will miss out on seeing some of the scenery, the longer evenings will provide some scenery and most of my free time will be in the cities.

I hope that during my trip that I will meet many people who are using couchettes and seats on the trains to exchange stories and tips, and in this way will not miss the excitement and experiences of train travel.

Thank you again for sharing your knowledge and advice.

Cheers :D

Richard

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

Hej Richard,

I totally see your point. Although the other connections (via Irun or via Portbou) offer reasonably cheap alternatives they take quite a bit more time (when going via Irun one could make a stop in San Sebastian, although there are no luggage facilities at the station) and require several changes.
The Elipsos certainly offers a more comfortable journey - since you mentioned that you are willing to spend that extra money for some luxury, I would definitely recommend to get a Gran Clase compartment where you will have not only a suite with en-suite shower and WC, but can also enjoy a complimentary five course dinner and breakfast. :)

Have fun!