Hello all, I am trying to go from Barcelona to Paris and I would like to take the Little Yellow Train across the border. I have a Eurail select pass for 4 countries. I am not from Europe and I don't understand the booking system. What reservations do I need to make in order to do this trip? Thank you for any help you can give.

EDIT: I have found the connections portion of this website but I don't really understand how it works, either. Any help is greatly appreciated.

http://www.raildude.com/en/train-connec ... france/118

You only need a reservation for the night train to Paris - either from Latour de Carol or from Perpignan; both routes are described at the above link.
You can get these reservations for instance at Sants station at the counter.


Flo

Awesome! Thank you .

This is a wonderful website!

deerinheadlights wrote:This is a wonderful website!

Thank you!

deerinheadlights wrote:I have found the connections portion of this website but I don't really understand how it works, either.

In our "Train Connections" section we present connections on many routes throughout Europe which are either
- fast
- scenic
- cheap (in terms of necessary reservations)

Example Barcelona - Paris: http://www.raildude.com/en/train-connec ... france/118

If you click on the first connection you will get to the details http://www.raildude.com/en/barcelona-pa ... ity/id/649
Timings, intermediate stops, changes, train categories with reservation costs.

Of course, we cannot show _all_ connections there are but usually we selected those that make most sense for InterRailers.
If you want you can search yourself on the online schedule planners http://www.raildude.com/en/train-schedules


Flo

Thank you again! You have been incredibly helpful

I went to the Estacion Francia here in Barcelona today to try to reserve the train from Perpignan to Paris but the man at the counter told me that I could only make that reservation in France. I've tried calling the Eurorail assistance phone number for international trains in Spain 4 or 5 times but the line has been busy each time and a recorded voice tells me to try again later. Do you know if it is possible to make a reservation on the phone?

I won't have a chance to go to the Sants station for another couple days, but also do you know if I could make a reservation there? Or does it have to be done in France?

Many many thank yous for all the help so far!

Also, a less important question: Later in my travels I intend to go from Brussels to Hamburg. I did not see a connection listed on this website, but I have been able to find some options elsewhere on the internet. Do you have any suggestions as to the best (easiest, cheapest, most interesting, etc) route to take? Muchas gracias!!

Hi.
Concerning Perpignan to Paris, just book online.
http://www.raildude.com/en/eurail-night ... it-3730/77
Select the link under the map called "SNCF Reservation". Select date and train and as option "Abo Forfait 2e". Then you can chose between couchette (EUR 18) and seat (EUR 1,50).
Print the e-mail you receive. That's it.
As option you can also pick your ticket up at the railway station in Perpignan.
Peter

Go to Barcelona Sants! I have made reservations there (for IR though) myself several times without problems - twice for the very Cerbère - Perpignan - Paris night train.

You could also try this option spain-renfe-online-reservation-how-to-t4995.html and this one tgv-reservation-peak-period-t2344.html

Bruxelles - Hamburg: I've edited the best connections here http://www.raildude.com/en/train-connec ... ermany/785


Flo

Thank you both for the replies! I will go book my reservation online. I hope you that helps you out somehow.

Also, thank you for the Bruxelles - Hamburg connection! I really appreciate all the help you guys have given.

I have said it already, but again: Wonderful website!

Thanks! Recommend us to other travellers as well - and if you have any information to share (price information, nice places, hostels etc) feel free to do so to help other travellers as well.


Flo

One more brief question.

I tried to make my reservation for the train from Perpignan to Paris, but I couldn't find the train listed on Raildude. That only train that showed up on the website was one that left at 22:30 and took more than 12 hours (indirect). This, unfortunately, will not work for me. The latest direct train to Paris leave at 17:37, and so in order to get there in time on the Little Yellow Train I would have to be on the one that leaves at 9:20.

Do you have any suggestions for getting from Barcelona to Latour de Carol by 9:20 on a Friday morning?

Exact date of travel?

Friday, 21 July

Hi.
"Friday, 21 July" doesn't exist.

20.07.2012 - Friday: the train is running
21.07.2012 - Saturday: not running to Paris, but to Luxembourg
22.07.2012 - Sunday: not running to Paris, but to Luxembourg

Peter

Oops! I meant 20 July.

So just so I understand fully, there should be a Cerbère-Paris night train that leaves Perignan at 22.13 on Friday night?

Thank you!

Yes.
The night train is leaving Perpignan at 2204 (starts at Cebère at 2115). Arrival time in Paris Austerlitz is 0722.
Times always change a little bit due to rail track construction work on the French network. But for the 20.07.2012 these time are fix.
Peter

I had been searching for 21 July.... I should have looked at a calendar...

I have my reservation.

Thank you for being so patient and helpful with me! I will definitely recommend this site to any friends who plan to travel in Europe.

Perfect!
If you want to see some photos, just added a post to the Raildude blog - but in the reverse direction (Paris to Barcelona): http://train.raildude.com/paris-to-barcelona/

And recommendations are always the best to help Raildude!

Have a sunny trip, Peter