TGV Perpignan to Barcelona

redneckrover · Post by **redneckrover** » Mon 11 Feb 2013 16:57

I am travelling to Perpignan in April and I have been trying to find out when the passenger service begins.I have seen two reports, one said April, the other said July.
I have tried to advance book tickets without success.
I would appreciate information from anyone who keeps in touch with such matters.

redneckrover · Post by **redneckrover** » Wed 13 Feb 2013 16:59

Since I posted this question I have looked at the English language version of the Adif website which deals with all Railway matters in Spain.
This website states that "The full opening of the Figueres Barcelona stretch took place on January 8th 2013 in a ceremony presided over by HRH The Prince of Asturias " !!!
Now I'm really confused , this suggests that the high speed connection is already in service, I would have thought that this would have received more publicity.

Post by **Kate** » Wed 13 Feb 2013 17:44

I usually follow all of this quite closely but must admit that they have lost me somewhere along the track!
http://www.anglophone-direct.com/-Health-and-Beauty-

As far as I know, the line is to open in April, despite safety measures for passengers not having been finalised in three of the tunnels ie evacuation in case of accident

I did read about an opening ceremony, but assumed it was just that....ceremony. I could be wrong (and often am

) so it would be interesting to know if anybody has more up to date info.

Post by **Kate** » Wed 13 Feb 2013 18:27

Just 'phoned a friend' in Giona who works for the Generalitat and he says that the inaugeration was for the Figs - Barcs line which is running the TGV, and it is hoped the Perps to Barcs will start in April but dont hold your breath!!

Santiago · Post by **Santiago** » Wed 13 Feb 2013 19:09

What I don't understand is that you can go to Figures on the TGV from Perpignan and you can go from Figueres to Barcelona on the TGV, but not Perpignan to Barcelona.

Did they miss joining the tracks or something? Wouldn't surprise me.

Looking at SNCF, you can get a direct train but it takes 3 hrs or you can make a change at Figueres which only takes 1hr30.

Franco-Hispanic cooperation

redneckrover · Post by **redneckrover** » Wed 13 Feb 2013 19:34

Yes, that's precisely what I don't understand, I was under the impression that the new line bypasses Figueres , there is a new station on the outskirts. Then it doesn't make sense that both sections are open already yet its not possible to go the whole way non stop. !!

Post by **Kate** » Wed 13 Feb 2013 19:56

As I understand it, the TGV from Perps to Figs is not yet high speed!

redneckrover · Post by **redneckrover** » Wed 13 Feb 2013 20:02

Yes, Kate it looks like none of it is high speed yet, the TGV booking site shows a direct train but the journey time is given as 2 hours 50 minutes !

Santiago · Post by **Santiago** » Wed 13 Feb 2013 21:56

So it's really a TPGV

redneckrover · Post by **redneckrover** » Thu 28 Feb 2013 16:04

For anybody whose interested I have tracked down the exact story on this High speed connection.
From January 9th we have had High speed from Perp to Figueres,change platforms and wait a while in Figueres, then proceed to Barcelona.
This takes 1 hour and 32 minutes.
From April, currently planned for 29th April, the changeover at Figueres will be eliminated and we will have the long awaited 1 hour journey. !!
There is still one old Talgo connection per day which takes 2 hours 50 minutes, leaving Perpignan around 8 am.

Daphne · Post by **Daphne** » Fri 01 Mar 2013 08:13

Do check that it is only platforms you need to change and not stations. The normal trains from Perpignan go the old station and the AVE leaves and arrives from the new Figueras Vilafant station (on the road to Olot). They are a long way from each other, too far to walk and taxis are expensive in Figueras. We have booked the AVE from Figueras Vilafant to Madrid with a stop at Barcelona, it only cost 190 euros for 2, return and we will be in Madrid in around 4 hrs or less. You can find out all train times, prices and stations on the Renfe website. Good Luck.

Martyn · Post by **Martyn** » Sun 24 Mar 2013 11:37

Today's L'Indepentant says that the through services will be starting on 28 April. The SNCF ipad app still thinks that no such service exists (it will not even give you a timing for the "old" way, which suggests that it is all still in suspense, or that they have not yet updated the timetable).

blackduff · Post by **blackduff** » Sun 24 Mar 2013 14:32

Martyn wrote:Today's L'Indepentant says that the through services will be starting on 28 April. The SNCF ipad app still thinks that no such service exists (it will not even give you a timing for the "old" way, which suggests that it is all still in suspense, or that they have not yet updated the timetable).

Martyn
I had a quick look at the article this morning and there was something about 2017 being the final date. That will be a long wait for the train to arrive 28 April, 2013. I was waiting for my coffee to be ready at McDo and I left reading this story after seeing 2017.

Blackduff

redneckrover · Post by **redneckrover** » Sun 24 Mar 2013 18:39

I imagine the 2017 refers to the complete Paris Madrid line including the bit between Montpelier and Perpignan.

QB · Post by QB » Tue 09 Jul 2013 15:18

Does anyone have any further information about a revised opening date?

Many thanks.

Daphne · Post by **Daphne** » Wed 10 Jul 2013 10:13

We went to Madrid from Figueras on the AVE, it takes 50 mins to Barcelona and then carries on the rest of the journey. Parking is secured at the station and very cheap. Highly recommend, must better than the TGV and once the tgv is operative it will be much more expensive as you are crossing a border.

Pauljhonley · Post by **Pauljhonley** » Tue 23 Jul 2013 19:33

A friend advised me that they still had problems with vibrations under Barcelona Cathedral and the project was on hold - don't know how true that is as I've not read it anywhere. I've still only ever seen one TGV on the line to Figueres.
Paul

Pauljhonley · Post by **Pauljhonley** » Thu 25 Jul 2013 19:24

Local shopkeeper near Argeles reckons it will be November before Barcelona section is opened.

Post by **Kate** » Thu 25 Jul 2013 19:53

I used to get quite regular press releases about the ongoing situation, but haven't had a sausage for a while. No news is good news I hope!

Owens88 · Post by **Owens88** » Thu 25 Jul 2013 21:13

It is BBQ season. I am sure somebody will present you with a sausage soon.

Post by **Admin** » Fri 26 Jul 2013 09:02

Ha ha. I did get an email last night from a French forum member, whose English is actually impeccable.....but didn't get that one. It actually made me question whether I just made it up myself?

For our French and other nationality readers, it's a slang way of saying 'nothing' - but it might just be my slang way, so dont quote me until someone else backs me up....or shoots me down!

Sue · Post by **Sue** » Fri 26 Jul 2013 09:49

I understood perfectly and have used the same saying many a time so its not a north south divide thing!!

Post by **Admin** » Fri 26 Jul 2013 10:43

Phew! Thanks Sue. I know I have been known to utter the odd bit of gobbledygood (otherwise translated as total cr-p) but happy to see that on this occasion, it's not an expression that I have just plucked out of the sky!

Might have to move part of this thread to the language forum!

Pearsonb · Post by **Pearsonb** » Fri 26 Jul 2013 16:44

You'll be pleased to know that it is in the Cambridge Dictionary.

You'll be less pleased to know that it is described as "old fashioned".

Pearson

Sue · Post by **Sue** » Fri 26 Jul 2013 16:46

I dont mind being old fashioned!

Post by **Admin** » Fri 26 Jul 2013 18:06

Ha ha! Moi non plus. We're just a couple of ol' fashioned gals. Thanks Pearson. Really surprised it's in the dictionary. It's going to have to go in the next POL then, in the Améliorez votre Anglais!

sue and paul · Post by **sue and paul** » Fri 26 Jul 2013 18:10

"We're just a couple of ol' fashioned gals"...all you need then is an 'ol' fashioned millionaire" . Well, 2 I guess

Owens88 · Post by **Owens88** » Fri 26 Jul 2013 22:59

I understood it quite clearly. I was just playing.

Sue · Post by **Sue** » Sat 27 Jul 2013 06:57

I knew that too John. Just playing back!

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