Flight-Free Travel to Barcelona from the UK

Flight-Free Travel to Barcelona

Travel by Ferry + Train

Getting to Barcelona from the UK by Ferry + Train

Travel By Train Or Coach

Getting to Barcelona from the UK by Train or Coach

DIY Walking Tours For All

Accessible DIY Walking Tours in Barcelona

Travel to Barcelona without flying.

There are three different ways to get to Barcelona in Spain which don’t involve going anywhere near an airport:

The direct Eurostar train between London and Paris – which takes just 2 hrs 16 mins (if you are arriving in London from other parts of the UK and need to travel across London first, see the Getting To London St.Pancras International From Other Major London Railway Stations article); then travel across Paris, from Paris-Nord to Paris Gare de Lyon (it’s quite an easy journey on RER D, and is only 2 stops direct – but with time at either end, I’d leave around 1 hour for this); then direct TGV InOui train from Paris (Gare de Lyon) to Barcelona (around 6-7 hours);
A UK train to Porstmouth; then the 2-night Brittany Ferries ferry from Portsmouth to Bilbao; then a direct train between Bilbao (Abando) and Barcelona (Sants), journey time is 7 hours;
A FlixBus coach from London to Barcelona (around 26 hours sitting on a bus though). Plus, this is NOT an accessible option (yes, some coaches are accessible, but until coaches have accessible toilets too, they’re to be avoided – 26 hours is a long time to cross your legs).

Option 1 (Accessible): Eurostar Train from London to Paris; cross Paris; TGV InOui Train from Paris to Barcelona

The direct London to Paris Eurostar train takes just 2 hrs 16 mins (but you also have to add the one hour time difference).

However, you’ll need to leave London St.Pancras Station by around 9-10am at the latest, iof you want to reach Barcelona later the same day. Otherwise, you’ll have to spend the night in a London hotel (or a Paris hotel), and travel on to Barcelona on the earlier TGV InOui the following morning.

[My advice would be to stay in a Paris hotel instead of a London hotel. It’s likely to be cheaper. And you can use your night in Paris as a time buffer in case of delays. In this case, you would then be able to catch any London to Paris Eurostar train (the last train to Paris currently leaves London at 20:01)];

Hotels near Paris Gare du Nord train station:

4-Star Hotel

25hours Terminus Nord

Paris Gare du Nord train station

The perfect Paris Gare du Nord hotel if you are arriving on the Eurostar train from London

Directly opposite Paris Gare du Nord – any closer and you’d be on the tracks!

Accessible Rooms Also Available [1]

3-Star Hotel

ibis Paris Gare du Nord TGV

Paris Gare du Nord train station

Another great option for those arriving on the London to Paris Eurostar train

An easy 2-minute walk from Paris Gare du Nord train station

Accessible Rooms Also Available [2]

Hostel

St Christopher's Inn Paris

Paris Gare du Nord train station

The Paris hostel nearest to Paris Gare du Nord

Just 200 metres from the station

Dorms & Private Rooms Available

More....

For details of other Paris hotels near Paris Gare du Nord train station (including nearby hostels and apartments), see Booking.com Paris Gare du Nord

Tips for finding Accessible Hotels near Paris Gare du Nord (including hostels & apartments):

Finding a truly accessible hotel, hostel or apartment anywhere can be a bit of a nightmare.

But the accessibility filters on the Booking.com Paris Gare du Nord Hotel search (simply scroll down on the left), make it much easier.

There’s a wee trick though:

By default, the filters are a bit limited. So, ignore the filters initially, simply enter your desired dates, and make an initial search. You will then be presented with ALL properties that are available on your desired dates – and much more detailed filters (on the left – keep scrolling down until you see the “Property accessibility” and “Room accessibility” filters). NOW, filter the results as required. As I need step-free access & a roll-in shower as a minimum, I select BOTH of the “Wheelchair accessible” Property and “Roll-in shower” Room filters.

IMPORTANT: Always specify that you MUST have an accessible room, in the “Comments” during the hotel booking process.

[1] Annoyingly, the accessible rooms at the 25hours Terminus Nord hotel can’t be specifically booked online. So ALWAYS request this in the comments – and ask them to confirm that it has been reserved.

[2] Like a lot of lifts/elevators in Paris hotels, the lift/elevator in the ibis Gare du Nord TGV is quite small. So wheelchair users may have to board the lift on their own (so the ability to self-propel may be required).

To continue on your flight-free London to Barcelona journey, you need to travel across Paris, between Paris Gare du Nord and Paris Gare de Lyon train stations (it’s just two stops on the direct RER D though). You can buy tickets from an automatic ticket machine when you arrive in Paris Gare du Nord – although these tickets may also be available to buy from the cafe/bar on the London to Paris Eurostar train (only in lots of 10 though – a “carnet”). The actual RER D journey itself takes just 13 minutes – but I would leave around a full hour for this journey, as you will also need to allow for time at either station, and also allow for the waiting time for the next RER D train to arrive at Gare du Nord;

Then finish your journey with a direct trip on a highspeed TGV train between Paris (Gare de Lyon) and Barcelona (Sants). The journey takes 7 hours. And there are currently two direct trains between Paris and Barcelona each day (one in the morning, and one leaving Paris around 3pm).

Accessibility:

Eurostar (London to Paris). There’s a real benefit for wheelchair travellers travelling on Eurostar trains:

Wheelchair spaces are available – but these spaces are only available in the pricier Standard Premier and Business Premier class carriages.

However. They are sold to wheelchair using passengers at a discounted Standard Class rate.

And, although your companion/assistant also has to buy a ticket too (no free companion tickets here I’m afraid), they also travel at this same reduced rate.

RER D (cross-Paris transfer). This is also an accessible journey. But you will need to use lifts in both Paris stations (however, those nice French people have created an online list which tells you the status of each lift in both Paris Gare du Nord and Paris Gare de Lyon train stations).

TGV InOui (Paris to Barcelona). Wonderfully accessible (downstairs only on a double-deck train though).

Option 2 (Accessible): UK train to Portsmouth; Ferry from Portsmouth to Bilbao; Train from Bilbao to Barcelona

Portsmouth has two main train stations: Portsmouth & Southsea and Portsmouth Harbour, both of which are close to the Portsmouth Port ferry terminal (although Portsmouth and Southsea station is slightly closer). Taxis from either train station to the Portsmouth Port ferry terminal should cost around £5. You should allow plenty of time to make it to the port from the train stations (it’s only a mile, but I’d leave at least an hour – just in case your train is delayed as well).

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The Portsmouth to Bilbao ferry service is provided by Brittany Ferries. There are two sailings from Portsmouth to Bilbao each week, each being a 2-night crossing: one at 21:30 on a Sunday evening (arriving in Bilbao 08:00 on the Tuesday morning), the other departing Portsmouth at 19:00 on Thursday evening (and arriving in Bilbao at 08:00 on the Saturday morning). Both sailings are aboard Galicia.

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There are also two main train stations in Bilbao. You want Bilbao-Abando train station, for your onward Bilbao to Barcelona train.

There is one direct train from Bilbao to Barcelona each day, which takes 7 hours (currently 15:20 – 22:20). There are earlier trains too, but these involve a change of train.

The RailEurope articles “Renfe train ticket collection” and “Understanding your Spanish train ticket” will help you collect, and understand, your Bilbao-Barcelona train ticket/s.

There is no shuttle bus service between the port and central Bilbao (a distance of 21km). However, a taxi should cost around €25. These can be booked online at:

www.taxibilbao.com (website in Spanish only though – but as always, Google Translate will be your saviour).

Accessibility:

UK Train to Portsmouth & Southsea (or Portsmouth Harbour).

Arrange Passenger Assist assistance as normal (the actual assistance available will depend on the train companies that you use within the UK);

Portsmouth to Bilbao Ferry.

Galicia, the ship used by Brittany Ferries on the Portsmouth to Bilbao route, is very accessible.

Wheelchair-accessible cabins are available on the Portsmouth to Bilbao ferry, with specially-adapted bathrooms for wheelchair users. They are limited in number though, so book early to avoid disappointment [and by “early”, I’m talking months in advance if possible – before you book any hotels or trains, book the ferry, as it’s central to this whole flight-free UK to Barcelona journey].

When the Brittany Ferries ferry arrives in Bilbao, it actually arrives in the port of Bilbao at Zierbena (some 21km north of Bilbao city centre – where you need to get to to reach Bilbao-Abando train station, for the onward rail journey to Barcelona).

Accessible taxis (‘Taxis adaptados’) are also available from www.taxibilbao.com.

Bilbao to Barcelona train.

As every change of train means that assistance is again required (twice – both to get off the train you arrive on, and again to board to board your next train), I would most-definitely recommend that you take the one direct Bilbao-Barcelona train that leaves Bilbao (Bilbao-Abando station) in the afternoon each day.

This train is one of Renfe’s ALVIA trains. ALVIA trains are equipped with “H seats”, which allow wheelchair users to remain seated in their own wheelchairs. ALVIA trains also have wheelchair accessible toilets.

Both Bilbao-Abando and Barcelona-Sants train stations provide “servicio de asistencia permanente” (a permanently available assistance service). Staff will assist you on and off trains as required.

The meeting point for assistance at Bilbao-Abando train station is at the “Atención al Cliente ADIF”.

As the direct train doesn’t arrive in Barcelona (Barcelona Sants station) until 22:20 – I would definitely recommend staying in a Barcelona hotel (or Barcelona hostel/Barcelona apartment) that is easily reached from Barcelona Sants, although actually staying in the Barcelona Sants area itself is definitely recommended – as you are then on a direct metro line (L5) to both Sagrada Familia (for La Sagrada Familia itself), and Diagonal (for Casa Mila – La Pedrera) metro stations. It’s also on another direct line (L3) to Paral.lel metro station (for the accessible Montjuïc funicular railway up to Parc de Montjuïc, where you then connect with the accessible Montjuïc Cablecar).

Option 3 (NOT Accessible): Flixbus Coach from London to Barcelona

This is the budget option. You’ll be sitting on a coach for 26-27 hours though, which includes one change (there is no direct London to Barcelona coach service).

FlixBus coaches leave from London Victoria Coach Station.

Accessibility:

The coach is NOT an accessible option for getting to Barcelona though.

Yes, some coaches are accessible, but until coaches have accessible toilets too, they’re to be avoided (unless you’re happy crossing your legs for up to 27 hours).

Public Transport in Barcelona

TMB is the public transport operator in Barcelona, operating the Barcelona Metro and Barcelona bus networks.

And the very first three things that you should do, before you even travel to Barcelona, is to:

1 – Download the TMB App (available on both the App Store and Google Play);

2 – View the official TMB Visting Barcelona online guide; and

3 – Buy your Hola Barcelona Travel Card online (2, 3, 4 and 5 day options are available – and you simply collect your physical travel card from a ticket machine in any metro station when you first arrive in Barcelona – including at Barcelona El Prat airport).

The TMB App:

As well as telling you when your next Barcelona bus or Metro train is due, the TMB App now includes a very handy “live” guide to the availability of the lifts at Barcelona Metro stations – pretty much invaluable when you need to know in advance whether a planned trip in Barcelona using the Barcelona Metro is indeed possible on the day.

The Hola Barcelona Travel Card:

First, these are not some tickets for over-inflated fares run by some profit-making third-party. They are provided by the official Barcelona public transport operator (TMB).

There are 2, 3, 4 and 5-day tickets available.

The process for buying your ticket online now, and then collecting it from an automatic ticket machine in any Barcelona metro station when you arrive, is very straightforward and simple to follow:

First, you simply purchase the relevant ticket/s from here (in advance of your trip). When you buy your ticket online, you will be given a voucher code (keep this number very safe – you will need it on arrival in Barcelona);

Then, when you arrive in Barcelona (at Barcelona Sants if arriving by train), you simply find a ticket machine, select your language (English is available), enter your voucher code – and your ticket is printed.

There’s a financial advantage to buying online before you go. You will get a discounted rate (the discount is currently 10%).

But don’t worry if you didn’t buy your ticket in advance (as suggested above). You can simply buy the relevant ticket from the machine when you arrive. You won’t get the discounted rate though.

Accessibility.

Getting Around Barcelona by Accessible Metro:

Nearly all of the 165 Barcelona metro stations are now accessible (the 12 that are not accessible are listed here – although by 2024 the entire Barcelona metro network is planned to be 100% accessible).

That same page also indicates the accessibility of transfers between two different lines. Again, it is the few exceptions that are listed.

Getting Around Barcelona by Accessible Public Bus:

The entire Barcelona bus network is 100% accessible!

All Barcelona buses are equipped with wheelchair ramps, and have dedicated spaces for wheelchairs.

TWO wheelchair spaces:

Accessible buses with TWO wheelchair spaces onboard!!!! Have you seen these before? I found these in #Barcelona - which has one of the best accessible bus systems in Europe! Feel free to share 🙌🏻 let me know if you have any questions! pic.twitter.com/ATwSKOVFha
— Jennie Berry (@WheelieGoodLife) February 23, 2023

Getting Around Barcelona by Accessible Taxi:

There’s no single telephone number to request an accessible taxi in Barcelona (there are many different taxi cab operators in Barcelona – and although they all operate the same distinctive black and yellow cars, they all use different telephone numbers).

One of the biggest taxi operators in Barcelona who have wheelchair accessible taxis though is Taxi Amic (they have 53 accessible Barcelona taxis).

Accessible taxis can be requested directly from a form on their website too, but you still have to confirm this with a telephone call (most of your information will have been sent already though, so any language barrier is minimised).

Your Barcelona hotel should also be able to arrange an accessible taxi for you though (and will be able to give you a number to call to request a return journey – although it may be easier just to arrange a return time at the start).

NEW: There is a relatively new app that you can use to arrange an accessible Barcelona taxi using your mobile phone. And as you don’t have to speak to an actual person, there is no language barrier to get in the way at all here. There is an option to only request an accessible taxi.

The name of the app is AMB Mobilitat (Picmi). Available on both the Google Play & Apple App Stores.

Barcelona Hotels / Barcelona Hostels / Barcelona Apartments

4-Star Hotel

Granvia Plaza Espana

Plaça España Barcelona

Although Espanya is one of the few Barcelona Metro stations yet to be made accessible, both nearby Tarragona and Poble Sec stations are

Accessible Rooms Also Available

3-Star Hotel

Occidental Barcelona 1929

Sants-Montjuïc Barcelona

Fabulous Barcelona hotel with rooftop bar & swimming pool

Less than 1 km from Barcelona Sants Railway Station; 150 metres to Plaça Espanya

Accessible Rooms Also Available

Hostel

Meeting Point Hostels

Barcelona Sants

200 metres walk from Barcelona-Sants station, THE transport hub in central Barcelona, from where all Barcelona attractions can be reached

Dorms & Private Rooms Available

More....

For details of other Barcelona hotels, Barcelona hostels and apartments in Barcelona, see Booking.com Barcelona

Accessible Barcelona Hotels, Hostels & Apartments:

Finding a truly accessible hotel, hostel or apartment anywhere can be a bit of a nightmare.

But the accessibility filters on the Booking.com Barcelona Hotel search (simply scroll down on the left), make it much easier.

There’s a wee trick though:

IMPORTANT: Always specify that you MUST have an accessible room, in the “Comments” during the hotel booking process.

DIY Walking Tours of Barcelona

There are currently two different DIY Walking Tours of Barcelona:

Barcelona Central DIY Walking Tour (circular walking route).

Points of Interest: Plaça de Catalunya > Barcelona Cathedral > Gothic Quarter > Santa Caterina Market > Picasso Museum > El Born > Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar > Plaça de Sant Felip Neri > Basílica de Santa Maria del Pi > Plaça Reial > La Rambla > Columbus Monument;
Barcelona Gaudi DIY Walking Tour

Points of Interest: Casa Vicens > Mercat de la Llibertat > La Pedrera-Casa Milà > Casa Batlló > Casa Amatller > Casa Lleó Morera > Plaça de Catalunya;
Barcelona Sagrada Familia DIY Walking Tour

Points of Interest: Barcelona Design Museum > Mirador Torre Glòries > La Sagrada Familia > La Monumental > Arc de Triomf > Parc de la Ciutadella > Barcelona Zoo.

Accessibility:

All three DIY Walking Tours of Barcelona are completely accessible/step-free, with dropped kerbs where needed.

For full details of accessibility in Barcelona, including an in-depth explanation of all accessible public transport in Barcelona, see the Accessible Barcelona Guide.

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Thank you so very much – and have a great time in Barcelona!