Train Reservation - Barcelona to Le Puy

[Florida Bill]

Can someone tell me the best way to book a train to Le Puy for Via Podiensis? Should I use Rail Europe, SCNF, TGA and what’s the policies regarding cancellation or schedule changes? Also, I guess it’s best to get a hotel in Le Puy at least first night since train may arrive past or near curfew of gites.

 

[Tincatinker]

As you’re dealing with two separate national rail companies I’d go with Rail Europe. That said “if I were going there I wouldn’t start from????”
That’s London to Amsterdam via Madrid. Starting in Kochin for a short walk in the Hindu Kush. Couldn’t you just fly into Paris?

 

[mspath]

Florida Bill,
Have you looked at Trainline?
It is in English and provides much helpful info.

 

[TMcA]

Barcelona to le Puy is a long haul by train or bus. That is because a very mountainous region in France "blocks" rail travel through it - the Massif Central. Even flying doesn't cut the travel very short. Here is what I found on the useful travel site Rome2Rio.

Rome2rio

Discover how to get anywhere by searching plane, train, bus, car and ferry routes

www.rome2rio.com

If you were to fly from the US to France and walk the Via Podiensis across the Massif Central to at least Cahors, you would be much more easily able to get to Barcelona.

I only know this because I once persuaded my daughter to travel from Grenoble, where she was studying, to the Dordogne region. As the crow flies and looking at a map of France, this is a more or less direct route and seemed doable to me. But it was an arduous train ride and our first two days, for both daughter and parents, were painful. (She had brought with her two pairs of skis for us to schlep home.)

I have hiked the entire le Puy route, some of it twice. Loved it. Love Barcelona. So I am not trying to dissuade you.

Bon chemin.

 

[mrosenlof]

fly Barcelona to Lyon and then train?

 

[naplesdon]

Paris or Lyon for starters, maybe Toulouse but don't even consider trying to get to Le Puy from a Spanish airport, unless you are a masochist and want to take the bus ride through hell for 24+ hours.

 

[JulieandPeter]

Flying from Barcelona to Lyon is quick and inexpensive. There is a train from the Lyon airport to the Lyon train station and there are several trains each day to Le Puy. You can purchase a ticket at the station. If you want to purchase in advance my favorite app is Omio https://www.omio.com/ . I've used Omio to purchase tickets minutes before a train was departing because the station kiosk was giving me troubles. It's great!

If your desire is to take the scenic route by train from Barcelona instead of flying (the cost is about the same). Again, train to Lyon and then to Le Puy. If you break up your search on Rome2Rio or Omio, you will get better results.

https://www.demeure-du-lac-de-fugeres.fr/ in Le Puy is a lovely place to rest after a long journey.