Train through Europe to Spain

[jedimistress]

Trying to get a train to Santa Ana (near Malaga), Spain.

I can go from Roscoff if I get a ferry from Plymouth, or can go across to London (from Exeter) I guess and go on the eurostar.

I just cannot find out how to book or see timetables, or prices. Is there a website where I can book this journey? Would you think it be best value to buy a Global Eurail pass or a return ticket?

Thanks in advance. I'm pullingmy hair out here.

[Buenchico]

All European rail timetables are brought together on the Die Bahn website:
http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en

National Rail's partner, for booking European rail travel, is Rail Europe:
http://www.raileurope.co.uk/

However, when I ran a railway station, we always directed people to Die Bahn's UK booking centre, as their booking fees are usually lower than those of Rail Europe (and their staff seem to actually know what they're doing!):
http://www.bahn.co.uk/

Chris

[jedimistress]

Thank you so much.

[Buenchico]

Thanks for your response.

I've just dug out my rail map of Europe. Travel via Roscoff doesn't look very promising because you'd have a long and tedious journey, on local train services before you could pick up an international service.

You could travel on the Portsmouth-Bilbao or Plymouth-Santander ferries but both leave you with a lengthy journey (with probably many connections) to get to the far side of Spain.

Eurostar looks to be by far the best option.

Both my road atlas and Google maps deny that there's a 'Santa Ana' anywhere near to Malaga. If you've been told that you need to travel to Santa Ana station, it's probably a reference to the station of that name in the town of Antequera, which is 25 miles north of Malaga.

Chris

[jedimistress]

Hi Chris, I was unable to find Santa Ana either, even on google. I am heading to is a Donkey Sanctuary near a place called Fuente De Piedra. I can see there is a railway line running through it, but unsure which station I would need. I was told "Santa Ana" on the phone. You are right though, Antequera is just down the road I can see it now....I wonder how on earth you knew that!

Roscoff isnt so bad as you can pick up the TGV to Paris from Morlaix, though services are quite limited between Roscoff and Morlaix. I wondered if it would be better to get to Paris this way or via London.

It's mainly beyond Paris which really baffles me. Best options, the way to go and how to get tickets.

Thanks again for looking into this.

[Buenchico]

Here's how I'd do it. (Times are based upon travel for this coming Monday)

Depart Exeter St Davids 0957
Arrive Paddington 1223
(It's possible to start out at 1140 from Exeter St Davids, and still arrive at the same time in Antequara, but it means catching a later Eurostar service and the connection across Paris is then too tight for my liking)

Circle Line (or Hammersmith & City Line) to Kings Cross-St Pancras.

1404 Eurostar to Paris Nord. (Arrives 1726 CET)

Metro LIne 5 to Gare d'Austerlitz

1945 overnight service to Valladolid Campo Grande. (Arrives 0622 Tuesday)

0650 service to Madrid Chamartin. (Arrives 0752)

Taxi to Madrid Puerta de Atocha
(OR Metro LIne 10 to Plaza de Castilla, then Line 1 to Atocha Renfe - but, given the short connection time, a taxi is probably best)

0840 service to Antequera Santa Ana. (Arrives 1122).

That journey takes just over 24 hours from Exeter. The fastest journeys from Roscoff take around the same time, so you'd probably take about twice as long from Exeter.

Chris

[Buenchico]

PS:
I don't know how good your Spanish is, but I thought that this might be of interest to you:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBBKBlO1IuM

Chris

[Buenchico]

PPS: I forgot to mention that most of that travel plan was provided by the Die Bahn website. It permits you to enter 'Exeter St Davids' (or 'Exeter Central') as your starting point and 'Antequera Santa Ana' as your destination. (In practice, it's simplest just to put in 'Exeter' and 'Antequera' and then select the exact stations from the drop-down menus on the next page). It then plans everything for you. You just need to check that it allows enough time for the Eurostar check-in (which is a minimum of 30 minutes) and for the cross-city transfers.

Rail Europe or Die Bahn should be able to book tickets for you, for the whole trip (excluding cross-city transfers).

Chris

[jedimistress]

Thanks Chris. I really appreciate the time and effort in everything you have done for me. I feel more confident now, especially about using the site you gave me.

[jedimistress]

PS. I dont speak a word of Spanish (except curveuza), but the video was interesting. I think I've seen my accomodation for the next few months. Thanks again.

[Drisgirl]

Cant help -but just back from our wee house tonight -'cerveza -bueno' - the fiesta rocked it was mental hot -I am like a berry -jut thought i'd share that -and i really have to get off here cos itsttaking me longer to correct my typos than usual -hope you have fun xxxxxx