Paris to Barcelona Coastal Express: 7 Days by Rail
A masterwork cross-border rail itinerary linking France and Spain. Spend 2 days in Paris, take the TGV to Lyon for culinary delights, stop in sunny Montpellier, and cross the Spanish border along the Mediterranean directly into Barcelona Sants.
Swipe to follow the full route.
Intercity route legs
Day-by-day itinerary
Paris Arrival and Historic Seine Walk
ParisArrive in Paris. Walk through the Tuileries Gardens, visit Notre-Dame exterior, and enjoy sunset from Pont des Arts.
Louvre and Montmartre Views
ParisMorning timed entry at the Louvre Museum. Afternoon walk up to Sacre-Coeur in Montmartre with evening dinner in Le Marais.
TGV to Lyon and Fourviere Funicular
LyonTake the 1h57 high-speed train to Lyon. Ride the funicular to Fourviere basilica and explore the secret Renaissance traboules in Vieux Lyon.
Train to Sunny Montpellier
MontpellierTake the train south into Occitanie. Walk the grand pedestrianized center of L’Ecusson and enjoy student dining on Place de la Comedie.
High-Speed Rail into Barcelona
BarcelonaCross into Catalonia on the high-speed line past the Pyrenees into Barcelona Sants. Walk down Las Ramblas and through the Gothic Quarter.
Sagrada Familia and Park Guell
BarcelonaTour Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia basilica and Park Guell. Stroll along Barceloneta beach and eat tapas in El Born.
Boqueria Market and Departure
BarcelonaPick up fresh fruit juices and jamon serrano at Mercat de la Boqueria before your departure flight from El Prat.
✂️ What I Would Cut If Short on Time
Take the direct 6h45 TGV INOUI from Paris to Barcelona with 3 days in each city to complete in 6 days.
Make this trip cheaper
These options use the current typical minimum fare in our route records. They are not guaranteed quotes, and prices can change before booking.
Make the itinerary fit your trip
Change the days in each city, leave out stops, and update the estimate without changing the published itinerary.