Barcelona to Latour-de-Carol by train

How to take the rail journey from Barcelona to La-Tour-De-Carol

Why take a train from Barcelona to a tiny village just over the border in France?
Well there are three reasons:

  1. This is by far the most scenic rail journey which can be taken from Barcelona (though if you want to head this way on a day trip for the scenery, leaving the train at Puigcerda and having lunch there is a better option).
  2. The 'Petit-Jaune' trains, which take one of the most scenic rail routes in France, also leave from La Tour De Carol.
  3. Connections are available in Tour De Carol for trains on to Toulouse.
    If you'll be taking a train from Barcelona to Toulouse then this a much more scenic route through the Pyrenees than the route via Narbonne.
    If you will be travelling with Eurail and InterRail pass you can travel this way from Barcelona to Toulouse without paying any additional reservation fees.
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Routes

From Barcelona Sants to Latour-de-Carol

Journey Summary

Travel Time
3hr - 3hr 15min approx
Frequency
Daily
Travel Information

Final Destination: Latour-de-Carol

All trains also call at: Puigcerda

There are 5 x trains per day, but on Sat/Sun the trains operate at different timings to those on Mon-Friday.

Connections in La Tour De Carol:

The connections in La Tour De Carol between the arrival of these trains from Barcelona and the departure of TER trains on to Toulouse had been greatly improved in recent years.
Though yet again SNCF, the French national rail operator, has recently changed its timetable with apparently no regard for the timings of the trains on to Toulouse, so all of the connections are rather random.

TER trains link La Tour De Carol to Toulouse on a route Foix, though the connections aren't generally conveniently timed.
Depart Barcelona at 06:01 or 08:31 and you'll be hanging around La Tour De Carol for around 1hr 45mins, though you can cut this time down to only around 45 mins if you leave Barcelona at 11:31 on Sat/Sun or at 14:31 on Monday to Friday

5 x trains per day

Tickets

Tickets for this journey aren't sold online, so book them at the station in Barcelona, you'll need to use the Media-Distancia ticket desks.

Rail Pass Users:

Take these trains and connect in Latour-de-Carol and not only will you avoid the reservation fees charged on the RENFE-SNCF trains (2nd class pass users will save at least €15 and 1st class pass users will save at least €20) - you'll also have a much more scenic journey!

Where to book
Ticket Provider Approximate Cost
*

On this journey

Journey Features

Scenic - YesLandscape (Hills / Mountains)

Good to Know

SMTJ has cheated by classifying the trains used on this route as Regional Express trains.
What they in fact are Rodalies trains, the trains used on the local and commuter routes around Barcelona.
They happen to have their regular journeys from Barcelona extended, so that they cross the border into France.

The scenery from the right of the train as it leaves Barcelone behind The scenery from the right of the train as it leaves Barcelone behind
The train crosses numerous rivers - this is a journey which showcases an atypical side to Spain The train crosses numerous rivers - this is a journey which showcases an atypical side to Spain
Most of the towns that the trains passes through are beautifully preserved Most of the towns that the trains passes through are beautifully preserved
For the final hour of the journey the best of the views are on the left For the final hour of the journey the best of the views are on the left
Towards journey's end the trains descend to the plain which houses the town of Puigcerida Towards journey's end the trains descend to the plain which houses the town of Puigcerida
For the final 15 mins the trains cross a plain with distant views of the Pyrenees in all directions For the final 15 mins the trains cross a plain with distant views of the Pyrenees in all directions

The majority of this train ride is an absolute delight
Though best of the views are around 20-30 mins from journey's end on the left hand side of the train.

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