Interrail pass
265gbp (€308.70 / $332.53 / £265)
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interrail (16 out of 28)
🗁Added 40 photos to album Spain, Morocco, Gibraltar.
Despite the hiccup in Gibraltar, I managed to get to Malaga in time for the 7 hour train to Barcelona. This ran late, quickly eating up 25 of the 31 minutes I had to catch the last train to Cardedeu. Barcelona Sants is huge, and I had no idea where to go; Renfe staff were no help at all. I did a bunch of research on the station to work out where the regional trains were likely to be, and decided I get a taxi to Cardedeu rather than sleep in the station or walk into town for a very expensive hostel. Off the train, dodging slow pullers of suitcases, I saw no signs to the regional trains, and had to pause to ask someone. I sprinted in the direction pointed, to be met by a wall of ticket barriers, too robust to climb over or squeeze through. My interrail pass never opens barriers, and there were no staff in sight. Fortunately a nice lady let me tailgate behind her. I continued to run, unable to see the train I was expecting on a screen, but aware it was an R2 (but there are 3 R2 lines, all going to different places, and I didn't know the end destination). I saw a train that was a candidate, ran down the wrong stairs, back up again, down the right stairs, determined it was my train as it began to pull away.... I kept running in desperation, onto the platform... and it stopped. And opened the doors.
Eternal thanks to that driver, and thank goodness this thing is run by human beings and not computers.
So I made it to Cardedeu to stay with B, very late, and woke up E.
But it was wonderful to see B. The next day we had coffee, walked around the town, and got tasty food from a market stall.
And then I set off again. Back to Sants for a train to Latour de Carol. This train was slow, winding through beautiful mountains. A busker in the carriage made it feel like a dream. The journey reminded me of my 2013 interrail through Austria.
The night train to Paris was waiting, and I found my bunk straight away. Another great train sleep.
Another walk across Paris, this time in torrential rain. My Eurostar was delayed by an hour and a half. Thank goodness for LNER being flexible about interrail passes. I made it to Edinburgh about three quarters of an hour later than expected, which is not too bad in the grand scheme of things.
London to Edinburgh 🚅
Leaving London, UK at 2:30pm (+01:00) on Friday the 22nd of September 2023 and arriving in Edinburgh, Scotland at 7:11pm (+01:00) on Friday the 22nd of September 2023
Better late than never
Paris to London 🚅
Leaving Paris, France at 12:30pm (+02:00) on Friday the 22nd of September 2023 and arriving in London, UK at 2:53pm (+01:00) on Friday the 22nd of September 2023
Finally...
Eurostar seat reservation from Paris to London
32eur (expensed) (€32 / $34.12 / £27.81)
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Paris to London 🚅
Leaving Paris, France at 11:08am (+02:00) on Friday the 22nd of September 2023 and arriving in London, UK at 12:30pm (+01:00) on Friday the 22nd of September 2023 delayed!
Nearly home..
Train reservation from Latour de Carol to Paris
21.50eur (expensed) (€21.5 / $22.92)
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Latour de Carol to Paris 🚅
Leaving Latour-de-Carol-Enveitg, France at 6:49pm (+02:00) on Thursday the 21st of September 2023 and arriving in Paris, France at 6:33am (+02:00) on Friday the 22nd of September 2023
These night trains are so great, worth the reservation price
Barcelona to Latour de Carol 🚅
Leaving Barcelona, Spain at 2:31pm (+02:00) on Thursday the 21st of September 2023 and arriving in Latour-de-Carol-Enveitg, France at 5:51pm (+02:00) on Thursday the 21st of September 2023
Another slow regionales train. But a gorgeous journey.
Cardedeu to Barcelona 🚅
Leaving Cardedeu, Spain at 1:20pm (+02:00) on Thursday the 21st of September 2023 and arriving in Barcelona, Spain at 2:20pm (+02:00) on Thursday the 21st of September 2023
Slow and late, but got there
Barcelona to Cardedeu 🚅
Leaving Barcelona, Spain at 11:31pm (+02:00) on Wednesday the 20th of September 2023 and arriving in Cardedeu, Spain at 12:15am (+02:00) on Thursday the 21st of September 2023
An actual miracle I caught this. It even pulled out then stopped and waited for me as I ran down the platform!
Malaga to Barcelona 🚅
Leaving Malaga, Spain at 4:44pm (+02:00) on Wednesday the 20th of September 2023 and arriving in Barcelona, Spain at 11:00pm (+02:00) on Wednesday the 20th of September 2023
25 minutes late, cutting it very fine..
Reservation from Malaga to Barcelona
12eur (expensed) (€12 / $12.76)
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🗁Added 40 photos to album Spain, Morocco, Gibraltar.
The journey to TPAC begins. An early train from Edinburgh to London, Eurostar to Paris, then an afternoon of wandering around Paris in the scorching sun. Cake at Cloud Cakes, and dinner and supplies from Land & Monkeys.
I had to walk from Nord to Austerlitz station, but had many hours to do it in. I wandered along the Seine, and found a sculpture park, and platforms by the water with people dancing.
After dark I waited in Austerlitz, for the night train to Toulouse. The night train was way more comfortable than I expected. The bed was comfy, the temperature in the cabin was perfect, my cabinmates were silent, and the train sounds were very soothing. Better night's sleep than I'd have had in a hotel in Toulouse, if I'd taken a fast train earlier. Definitely recommend.
From Toulouse I took a local train to Narbonne, and then from Narbonne the long distance Renfe train to Madrid. I'd hoped to reserve a seat on the next available train from Madrid to Seville and arrive at a reasonable time, but after being passed between three different Renfe ticket offices (after taking a number and waiting in line each time) I was told that the next available train wasn't until 8pm. So I waited for three hours, and arrived after midnight. At least I made it.
Reservation on train from Madrid to Sevilla
13.90eur (expensed) (€13.9 / $14.89)
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Madrid to Sevilla 🚅
Leaving Madrid, Spain at 7:58pm (+02:00) on Sunday the 10th of September 2023 and arriving in Sevilla, Spain at 11:00pm (+02:00) on Sunday the 10th of September 2023
Much later train than anticipated from Madrid to Seville for TPAC 2023.