Paris to Barcelona by 300km/h TGV Duplex high speed train
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- čas přidán 16. 06. 2024
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In today's video I take the iconic TGV InOui Duplex from Paris to Barcelona. This is one of my top high speed routes in the world - the variation of scenery and the linking of two of Europe's most fabulous cities makes this a real bucket list item. I'm in first class on the top deck (where else?) as we negotiate a 90 minute delay, a suspect package and I show you how to cheat at the cafe-car queue. Enjoy!
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0:00 Intro
0:21 Paris Gare de Lyon
1:18 Boarding our "double Duplex" TGV to Barcelona
3:58 Route details
4:15 Delays...!
4:57 Seating review
5:55 Sponsor segment - thank you Surfshark!
7:13 Diversion
8:17 Cafe-bar and how to order online!
10:00 Southern France and skirting the Mediterranean
11:20 Beziers and the scenic highlight of the trip!
12:47 How to book, and conclusions
14:18 --coming soon--
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In today's video I take the iconic TGV InOui Duplex from Paris to Barcelona. This is one of my top high speed routes in the world - the variation of scenery and the linking of two of Europe's most fabulous cities makes this a real bucket list item. I'm in first class on the top deck (where else?) as we negotiate a 90 minute delay, a suspect package and I show you how to cheat at the cafe-car queue. Enjoy!
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What's the website to purchase tickets?
Favourite fast train was Barceloa to Madrid. First class got me breakfast & dinner at my seat. Spent the day at the Prado. For me it was a great use of time.
We rode this train in first class and something that surprised me, as an American, is how quite the train ride was. I’m used to a hum from jet engines, so very limited travel sound almost freaked me out.
That's only because Amtrack trains are from the 50's....i know , i'm French but live in the US...Took a train ride once from Chicago to Mineapolis..and i was wondering when the Robbers on horses were going to attack my train )
Yes, especially at 300 kph!
😂
@@jean-yvesmartin69341990s* and getting replaced soon
@@jean-yvesmartin6934Not really in the east coast, in the east coast like boston, NYC, philadelphia amtrak trains go 150 mph and they are surprisingly modern, the midwest just has one 110 mph route chicago to St. louis.
I did this journey in 1983, and it took two days!
I had to stop overnight in Perpignan before resuming the next day for the border crossing. This involved a change of trains at the Cerbère/Portbou tunnel because of the change of gauge from French ‘international standard’ to Iberian gauge. God, that part of the route was slow!
Back in 1983 getting around France by train was still a bit slow. I think you made a mistake at 5:44 about the Lyon line starting in 1983 as it was already established by then (I once had a superb journey on that line where a very proud Frenchman insisted on talking to me about the superiority of French trains (I had offered up my seat so that he could sit next to his wife, but he refused because he wanted to chat to this young English guy with his quite poor CSE-level French).
You are right about the scenery in the South. I stared out of the window for the whole journey.
I love these European double-decker trains and just wish we had them (and European rail prices) here.
Comfortable, fast and cost effective country to country train travel. I'm crying from Australia
It would take a rather long railway bridge to New Zealand don't you think?
I rode this route in 2000 aboard a Talgo set from Montpellier to Barcelona. One of the most spectacular trips I’ve taken and the view along the Mediterranean coast was absolutely stunning.
Question in the video, "Do you have a favourite high speed route?"
Me: *Cries in American*
Paul, your videos are just getting better and better (and I’ve followed you since before “winging it”!! What a gorgeous ride, thanks!!!
We just traveled in March. I booked Paris to Strasburg, then to Lyon, then Geneva, all 1st class. Coming back it was Geneva to Lyon, then Lyon right into CDG for an overnight, leaving the next day for home. We loved the scenery, comfort, and we always purchase food before boarding. Great video as always ❤
What beautiful scenery! Thanks for another informative video Paul! I always look forward to watching your newest submissions.
Love your train journeys!! But, I also delight in watching your aircraft videos, too! I’ve been watching your videos since before Covid.. thank goodness I found you. It’s the best trips ever, traveling along side of you!
Love the train journeys more than the flying , more intresting cities ,more intresting everything!
Two of my favorite cities in the world, linked by my favorite mode of transxportatin. And I am SO here for it!
Did this exact route in first class in 2018…couldn’t recommend it enough. Relaxing, beautiful, and quite enjoyable.
Excellent trip report as always Paul!😸
Nice video. Beautiful scenery. Thanks Paul.😀💚
Just returned from a trip from Leicestershire to Istanbul, all by train. I've travelled on the bullet train and of course Eurostar, but the high-speed TGV runs the bullet train a very close second. Left on time from Paris and arrived on time in Stuttgart - its like flying on rails! The sense of speed is exhilarating and the trains are spotless with extremely polite staff. Simply cannot see the point of flying (which I do a lot of) when the TGV is an option.
That sounds like an epic trip!
Good to see you back on the rails again!
I love the train announcer so much!
What a fantastic trip and video and a great video as always.
Nice video! That diversion is like a traffic jam on the busy Route de Soleil😅
Love the info on the discount card. Brilliant!
Awesome trip and great views from the train. I love double deck trains. You have nice voice and good narration. Just subscribed.
I reallly enjoyed this trip sitting at home in the US. Thanks!!
Love the trains here 😊I am going to Madrid from Alicante on Thursday sitting up top. I have done the train to Barcelona, Paris , London. Budapest back to Spain etc . Much more relaxing than flying
We did the same trip just in reverse in 2019, what a great trip it was. This August we are going from Frankfurt to Paris(Est) and I also used SNCF connect to book.
Probably Ningbo to Xiamen is my favorite high speed train route. And all the way down to Shenzhen. Plenty to mountains and wide rivers to cross... Great route!
Brilliant movie Paul, thank you & keep it up!
Thanks Paul.... I am retiring to Spain in a couple of years and being from Australia, I'm very keen to work out the Europe trains and I love that journey....
Great trip report, did this journey back in 2019 very enjoyable high speed journey through the south of France indeed!
Now it’s a party Aussie Jetsetter is here! 😂 😊
@@Calebs_Aviation haha fancy watching at same time. That's gold small world out there!
Would love to do that trip. Many years ago did Lille to Nice on the TGV, great train and accommodation and even better scenery. Happy days😂
Your trip was also my favorite high speed train in France. But I really like to drive from Barcelona to Nime. That way I can spend time in Argele sur Mere. It's a gem.
Great seeing these transnational high speed trains in Europe.
The scenery is worth each cent or euro, I love traveling by train ( more in France than other countries)
Stunning, congrats
Great trip. Finally you try this route.
I applaud your effort to pronounce the names of départements correctly. You did brilliantly ! Specially the "Ain" that is quite tricky. Well done !
We are going on this exact route in april. I can't wait
Haven't seen someone smiling so broadly about being 93 mins late on the journey. And why not? A true rail enthusiast loves spending more time on the train
Great tip about the Carte Avantage, thanks!
Great video Paul as always 😎 As someone who lives in France I am forever grateful for the wonderful TGV network we have here (even if the Riviera region past Marseille where I am does not have a high speed line). Just curious if you applied for a G30 delay repay to make up for the 90 mins delay you incurred on this trip? SNCF makes it fairly easy to apply for the compensation online on the SNCF G30 webpage
Thanks Mr for this rewiew.
My favourite high speed route has been Eurostar London to Lille and then TGV Lille to Angouleme or Libourne - a great way of avoiding Paris when travelling to and from the Dordogne.
Brilliant video paul
What an awesome trip!!!!!
I have done this full trip 3 times and been delayed by border checks at Perpignan for 90ish minutes, but was on time the other 2 occasions. Earlier this month, I broke it up heading north by spending 3 nights in Nimes, a nice city to visit with both strong Italian and Spanish influences like the "Feria" bullfighting and bull runs like la Corrida in Pamplona and the Arenes de Nimes, the most intact Roman arena in the world. Sadly I missed the Feria which is 6 days at the end of May each year. I then spent 1 night in Avignon, from where the TGV route to Paris is slightly different up to Valence. Love the French, Spanish and Italian high-speed trains!
Great video and very informative. Thanks!
We just took it to catch a plane in Barcelona and it was packed. Word to the wise. The cars are not designed to handle 50 lb airline luggage. Try lugging these up to the second level and not finding a cubby hole to put them in . Good luck. You need to get by with a carry on and a back pack even you are old like us. No one told us of the dearth of luggage storage capacity. At that the views of the mountains were beautiful and I would take it again in a heart beat to see these.
Great video I was starting to miss them.
Rode the same route first class Barcelona to Paris 2019. Great ride and so far my favorite high speed rail.
Great video !!
Messi’s taking down notes.
:-D
Great video, very helpful
That looks like a fantastic journey - I can’t get over the price of it either - that’s about the cost of a single from London to Birmingham these days. The French do high speed rail well!
I love European High Speed Trains!! ICE from Duesseldorf to Amsterdam, Eurostar from Amsterdam to Brussels, TVG Brussels to Paris and Back to Amsterdam. Renfe Trains in Spain, and Frecciarosa in Italy 😎
Train travel beats flying by miles!❤ oh yes! Tres Bien ❤
Bon Voyage, Paul Lucas!
Seeing Beziers again in your video was a treat.
LoVeLy!
I loved the station , the train, and your cam is superb brilliant views shots and footage !
Thumbs up!
ThAnK YoU!
Bravo France je t'aime France!
Nîmes is amazing as is Sète on the coast. Check them both out when you're down there. Enjoy your videos, keep up the good work.
It is not high-speed, but the Nice to Marseille route (TGV going to Paris) is absolutely magnificent along the reviera and Estérel mountains.
How is it not high speed ..?
@hiesseeliott3177 the rails are not made for high speed between Nice and Marseille. Thén it goes HS from Marseille to Paris
Great video….thanks
I have only been on trains in Europe twice. The first was just from London to Alton and the second being the Eurostar from London to Paris. Enjoyed both of them very much. I am not counting the Heathrow Express.
Another great video. Gare de lyon is called because it was on rue de lyon
Le Train Bleu in Hall 1 has got to be the best railway station restaurant.
My favorite LGV is Paris to Geneva which I used to ride in the 1980s. 300 kph, and all fun and blurr.
Interesting to see! I have been to Beziers some years ago. I stayed in Narbonne. The last time I was in Girona, Spain, they were still building that high speed line from France to Barcelona. 3 weeks ago I traveled to Bilbao in Baskia north west Spain. I took the TGV Inou from Paris Montparnasse to Hendaye on the French / Spanish borden west of the Pyrenees. It took in total 4h45 min from Paris to Hendaye. I traveled 2end class. And I noticed that the seats were quite hard. I began to feel my bottom. I had expected more comfort from a long distance train. But I guess I had to book 1st class. I used the Interrail Card, and I could not select my seat as you could do. And did you know they only have a few seats for Interrail card holders per train?
Trains in France have really come a long way. Although the pre ticket scan just to get to the platform and the cramped overhead space is a little annoying, but the free WiFi, definitely a huge plus!
The scanning and composting of TGV tickets has been stopped since February...
it's worse in Spain, where even many regional trains have mandatory reservations, and almost all stations have pre-boarding ticket (and security!) checks. It's a real and unnecessary hassle...
I will use this train on coming Sunday at midday in 1.class. It will be an interesting Journey
Nice video 👋
Another great video. Wow getting money back for a train being late. Operators would be broke in the UK 😂
very nice
These are my type of trips, sit back, watch the world roll by, both my wife and I hate flying, so the train takes the strain.
Did this service ever go via Toulouse, I remember seeing a Barcelona train there in 14
My favorite high speed trains are the Italian Frecciarossa 1000. I usually travel Executive Class with its buttery yellow soft luxurious leather seats and delicious meals served seat side. It’s the top class/level of service offered. Inexpensive? NO … BUT WORTH EVERY LAST PENNY! 😉👍🏻
I frequently travel with these trains. They are the fastest train connections in Italy (similar to the TGV in France or the ICE in Germany) and the most comfortable and reliable, but not really fast. They very rarely go faster than 200 km/h because the network is not developed for high speeds for the most part. Never had lunch in Executive class though, need to try this! I ride Business class, which includes a comfy seat and a box with a small sandwich, juice, water, snacks and free coffee (not recommended!), tea, soft drinks etc. from a trolley.
Sadly Spanish frecciarossa (Iryo) doesn’t have executive; although Iryo’s food is much better than Trenitalia, their gourmet Haizea food is astonishing
@@hypernewlapse … good to know 👍🏻
Thanks Mate
Hahah loving the French announcers in English :D
Great video Paul! I’ve never been on a high speed train in Europe or any train! But I think that looks cool to try someday but I still think I’ll prefer flying as I’m an Avgeek and a plane guy! 😂🎉
Cheers 🥂
Did this journey when it involved travelling by Talgo Hotel Train from Paris Austerlitz. A fantastic overnight journey that included dinner, overnight sleeper cabin and breakfast
Sadly I missed that one 😔
It was fantastic. That was a real train journey. And the individual cabins had a lavatory with shower. It was costly though. But dining very well while leaving Barcelona (first turn) and then a drink in the bar before retiring to your fantastic "room" with bath... well, it was awesome. Good old days. Yes it took longer but sleeping on the train both ways saved you 2 hotel nights and of course you went from one city center to the other. No airport mess.
@@bcnmanhattan5022 your description exactly mirrors my own experience.
@@grahamwebster9937 We were lucky to live then. Unfortunately we are old now. (At least I am... LOL)
Great vlog as always! I love trains too! What airline will give you 25% of the price of the ticket on a that short of a delay? Keep up the good work. Be safe!
A journey I have done many times, but for me the overnight sleeper is the way to do it...
Have done this journey a couple of times and have to say had none of the hassles you had at all..boarding made easy as there are always lots of extremely smartly dressed and multilingual SNCF staff on hand to help with any queries you may have ..no queues at the onboard cafe/bar either and train left and arrived bang on time ..even the train announcer you featured seemed to be having a bad day as normally they speak up to three languages fluenty ..vids are great though ..thanks
I will have a favourite one as soon as the open the route Madrid - Gijon 😂😂
Nice report !
Upper deck can be very noisy and busy with people going to and back from the coffee car. There is no connection between coaches on lower deck (you'll need to take the stairs to upper deck to get to coffee bar). So my advice is to take first class, upper deck for the view, but in the last of first coach (depending on train configuration, choose from the map at booking) so you get almost no passing by. Note that if you get motion sickness, i'll advise lower deck in all case.
About the seat, it's electric recline function, not electronic ;-) and it often doesn't work as it should. And wifi is free yes, but is not that reliable either, I don't connect to it anymore, breaks down way too often.
Train manager does speak english on this train because it's international route. Don't expect other then French language on domestic, if you hear another language, that's just a coincidence.
3:58 What kind of programm do you use for making this animated road/train routes?
I’ve taken a number of high speed trains in Europe. A few tips. If you have a bag that’s not carry on size you of course can bring it onboard but it can make it more challenging to travel by train. I always have a large bag so I am used to having to deal with it. I recommend always booking a premium cabin because there will be more luggage space available. In France if you are traveling from a larger station expect the boarding process to be hectic. If you have never traveled by train before take note of your car number or “voiture” in French. If you do not board your car it can be virtually impossible to navigate your way to it while onboard especially if you have luggage. I don’t 100% remember if they did this in France but definitely in Switzerland they have a diagram displayed on the station platform screen that shows what zone a particular car will be at on the platform. Being on the upper deck has its pros and cons when it comes to luggage. In my experience it tends to actually be easier to find luggage space on the upper deck for large bags because few people are willing to carry them up the stairs but it is obviously easier to deal with if you’re on the lower level. Although if you are on the lower level there can still be a few steps up to the door platform from the lower deck. I have found the trains in Switzerland and Germany to be the best for large luggage if you are traveling in first class. If you have large luggage and the train isn’t stopping for long at your station please be sure to gather your belongings and move to be near the exit about 5 minutes before you’re expected to arrive. If you are transferring trains at a station please try to book at least 15 minutes between transfers.
What about security if you presumably have to leave your luggage on the racks?
@@newbris Yes, that is a valid concern. I haven’t personally had any issues fortunately with this. I recommend if possible trying to stow it on a rack that you are able to see while sitting but that’s not always possible. If it’s of any comfort to you they are typically good about checking tickets to make sure everyone on the train actually has a ticket for it especially in Italy, Switzerland, and Germany (expect random checks onboard). France though they are not as proactive about checking tickets though in my opinion but they do tend to check tickets before reaching the platform at busy stations. I don’t personally know of anyone who has had issues with luggage getting stolen on the train but I’m sure it’s happened. I would say though it’s far more likely it gets stolen while buying tickets at the station than onboard. I do know someone who got their bag stolen while buying train tickets at the Amsterdam airport. Keep in mind a lot of the airports and train stations are rather crowded in Europe so it can be overwhelming to keep track of your luggage too. There is though in my opinion good video surveillance onboard the train so that would hopefully deter bag theft. Some other things that may help deter this is taking high speed trains on popular tourist routes such as Rome to Venice or Paris to Amsterdam or London. The other thing is if you buy a more exclusive cabin with minimal seats that has a dedicated attendant who maybe even manages handling your bags onboard I’d say it’s unlikely then to get stolen. Another option is in some places such as Switzerland it is possible to have the train company handle your luggage and bring it to your destination for a fee (I don’t recall the exact price but I believe it was rather reasonable). The only thing I don’t like about this option is that there is a day or two delay in receiving your luggage at your destination. Another possibility is if you don’t need a particular bag with and will be coming back to the station you are departing from. Most major stations in Europe have a left luggage counter or locker where you can leave your luggage to be securely stored. Some stations are more reasonably priced than others.
Good video
Florence to Palermo is my favorite route.
Looking to make this journey later in the year is top carriage the best to travel in?
Also is standard class that much worse than first class comfortability wise? I’m a tall guy and get uncomfortable on long journeys if the seats are really bad. It’s also very expensive on the days I plan to travel sadly
I reckon this is a similar distance as New York to Chicago (not quite, but similar). And that makes it seem like a better value.
Paul, do apply your suncream as you're looking somewhat ruddy there. Great video though.
Is Colonel Gadaffi’s private A340 still resident at Perpignan airport? It spent an extended holiday in the south of france I believe
For reservations, I like to use "the trainline" which shows you all the trains and companies.
My favorite high speed train is still the Japanese Shinkansen, especially the Tohoku line in northern Honshu and on to Hokkaido.
i did the in Feb 2022. Due to Covid the cafe car was still shut. That made a difference.
Your journey was more successful than mine last summer. 90 mins late on the way to Barcelona due to major strikes down south, no way to order food from the cafe bar. On the way back the train was cancelled at Montpelier and we all had to disembark in the blazing sun, thankfully to board a replacement about 90 mins later. No food at all on that one and very limited water.
Still better than our trip, due to french strikes, all of the TGVs which we booked got cancelled and we had to divert to Bordeaux, then Montpellier, but thanks to our interrail pass, we still got to Barcelona on the planned day. But we had to change 6 times in total over a course of a one day journey. All the TGVs to Barcelona during the strikes were cancelled and we ended up taking the old route to Portbou.
@@nathanchan8955 Wow, that sounds like a real treat - not! Glad you made it there in the end.
@@NancyPickering I would say the 3 hr journey from R11 from Cerbere to Barcelona is absolutely beautiful and would recommend it despite the long journey time.
@@nathanchan8955 how was the train? Typical Rodalies stock, or something a little more comfortable? I loved the trip through the Pyrenees I made last week via Latour-de-Carol, but the Spanish train really was not meant for a trip of over 3 hours...
@@barvdw I can say it's a typical Rodalies stock (3 carriages in total), the seats were ok for sitting that long but it wasn't designed for passengers to go all the way to Cerbere. Many passengers get off either at Girona or Figueres.
Hi Paul, what is the name of the app you used to booked the train ticket? Thanks
Is it better to book ahead of time or o the day? If we should book ahead, how soon should we book ahead?
I use this route for work every couple of weeks. I can also take my Brompton 😅
Hey Paul, this is a hard route to find a ticket can you give me an advice. if you are in Amsterdam and you want to book a Paris to Barcelona train ahead where is the best way to do it considering you have a eurail pass? Seat reservations too?
Caught the sun a bit mate lol...
Great video. Trains, not planes!