Barcelona and Madrid by Rail

Two Cities in One Train Trip

Travel Tips

• Fly direct to Barcelona from major UK airports, or if time allows you may wish to travel via Paris using high-speed Eurostar and TGV services.
• Generally, 3 days is a good amount of time to explore Barcelona’s key sights, enjoy its culture, and experience its vibrant atmosphere. However, if you prefer a more relaxed pace, or wish to take day trips to surrounding areas - such as Montserrat, Sitges or Tarragona - then allowing 4 to 5 days may be best.
• If you time your visit well, on the first Sunday of each month, admission to many of Barcelona’s museums and galleries is free.
• If you intend to visit any of Gaudi’s famous buildings, it is highly recommended to book far in advance. Attractions can often be fully booked for 2-3 weeks, so planning ahead is paramount!
• You may also be able to visit the Railway Museum of Catalonia during your stay at Barcelona, direct services run regularly, and the journey is around half an hour from Barcelona Sants.
• Heading south, you’ll arrive in Madrid via direct high-speed AVE service. Allow 3 to 4 days here to allow time for sightseeing in the city and visits to nearby gems such as Toledo, Segovia and El Escorial.
• While most attractions can be reached using public transport, it may be beneficial to hire a car while in Madrid to visit nearby rural areas such as Chinchón, Sierra de Guadarrama National Park and Buitrago del Lozoya – direct public transport options are rare and so hiring a car will allow you to explore more freely.