Railbookers

Paris and Barcelona

7-day rail trip: Paris to Barcelona by high-speed train

Illustration of Paris and Barcelona

Railbookers runs Paris and Barcelona, a 7-day, 6-night rail vacation between the two cities. Three nights in Paris open the trip, with a hop-on hop-off bus pass for sightseeing, a visit to the Eiffel Tower, and a scenic Seine cruise with a glass of Champagne included. A high-speed train then carries the journey to Barcelona for three more nights. There, a local guide leads a tour of Gaudí's Sagrada Familia, explaining the symbolism behind his designs, with skip-the-line access to the towers included. A second day in Barcelona is left to your own pace, with time for the colorful mosaics of Parc Guell and the Gothic Quarter. The trip suits travelers drawn to architecture and history, with a mix of guided highlights, such as the Sagrada Familia tour, and open days for independent exploring in both Paris and Barcelona.

What to know before you look closer

  • Railbookers lists 12 accommodation options across tiers and cities for this trip; the specific hotel you get depends on the tier and city you choose.
  • Several day descriptions in the evidence are cut off mid-sentence, including the rest of the Arc de Triomphe visit on Day 2 and the rest of the Barcelona day on Day 5, so some sightseeing detail is not fully confirmed.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Paris

    Your Journey Begins in Paris

    Welcome to Paris! Upon arrival, make your way to your hotel and check in for a three-night stay. Settle into your accommodation and then head out to begin your exploration of this incredible city. Maybe stroll along the River Seine and enjoy a meal at one of the city's excellent restaurants.

  2. Day 2overnight: Paris

    Paris

    Make use of your Hop-on Hop-off bus pass today and be sure to visit some of the city's exquisite bakeries to enjoy fresh pastries and delicate Macarons. The best way to see the sights of the city is by open top bus tour - various routes run throughout the city and you can get on and off the bus as many times as you like. Perhaps visit the stunning Arc de Triomphe, offering wonderful views from the top of the Arc across the twelve Parisian avenues that connect around it. Maybe take a tour of the spectacular Notre Dame and admire the gargoyles and bells of this incredible Gothic masterpiece built between 1163 and 1345.

  3. Day 3overnight: Paris

    Paris

    After breakfast, enjoy another day discovering the iconic sights of Paris with your Hop-on Hop-off bus pass. Of course, no visit to Paris is complete without a visit to the legendary Eiffel Tower and from its base enjoy a scenic one-hour cruise along the river Seine with a glass of Champagne in hand, which is included in your trip. Later, dip into the boutiques of the Champs-Élysées or perhaps stop by the bohemian hilltop district of Montmartre to enjoy sunset views over the rooftops overlooking the Eiffel Tower and the city skyline.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Barcelona

    Paris to Barcelona

    Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then make your way to the station for your train to Barcelona. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel for a three-night stay and then perhaps head out for some dinner at a local restaurant before retiring to the hotel for a good night's rest.

  5. Day 5overnight: Barcelona

    Barcelona

    Start your Spanish adventure today with a guided visit to Barcelona's most iconic landmark, the Sagrada Familia. Led by a knowledgeable local guide, learn about Gaudí's extraordinary vision, the rich symbolism behind his designs, and how nature influenced every aspect of this architectural masterpiece. Explore the breathtaking interior and discover why this basilica remains a must-see highlight of the city. The rest of the day can be explored at your own leisure to see other highlights of Barcelona, such as Park Güell, the Gothic Quarter, or the bustling La Rambla.

  6. Day 6overnight: Barcelona

    Barcelona

    After breakfast this morning, enjoy a second day exploring Barcelona at your own pace. Stroll through the Plaza de Catalunya, discover the colorful mosaics of Gaudi's famous Parc Guell or explore the Gothic Quarter at leisure.

  7. Day 7rail

    Depart Barcelona

    After breakfast this morning, check out of your hotel and continue with your travels. If you wish to extend your journey, perhaps with an additional day in a different city, one of our Rail Specialists will be happy to assist you with the details.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3From the base of the Eiffel Tower, a scenic one-hour cruise along the Seine is included, with a glass of Champagne in hand.
  • Day 5A local guide leads a visit to Gaudí's Sagrada Familia, explaining the symbolism behind his designs and how nature influenced the building.
  • Day 6Barcelona's Parc Guell, with its colorful Gaudí mosaics, and the Gothic Quarter are explored at your own pace.

Included

  • Rail travel in standard class throughout
  • 3 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast in Paris
  • 3 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast in Barcelona
  • 48hr Hop-On Hop-Off pass in Paris
  • Sightseeing cruise along the river Seine
  • Tickets for the Eiffel Tower with priority access and summit
  • Skip the line tour of Sagrada Familia with Towers access

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Rail travel in standard class is included throughout, including the high-speed train from Paris to Barcelona.
Which train connects Paris and Barcelona?
SNCF, in standard class, per the evidence.
What's included besides rail and hotels?
A 48-hour hop-on hop-off pass and a Champagne Seine cruise in Paris, Eiffel Tower tickets with priority access and summit, and a skip-the-line tour of the Sagrada Familia with towers access in Barcelona.
How many nights are spent in each city?
Three nights in Paris and three nights in Barcelona.
Is Barcelona sightseeing guided or independent?
Day 5 includes a guided visit to the Sagrada Familia; Day 6 is described as exploring "at your own pace."
How much does it cost?
From $989 per person, per Railbookers.

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