Subscribe to receive top tips, train news and travel inspiration straight to your inbox
London to Barcelona by train
-
Cheapest Price CA$85.80
-
30 days in advance CA$547.30
-
First train05:40
-
Last train20:31
-
Avg changes1
-
Fastest journey9hr 54m
-
Distance1,141 kilometres
-
Trains per day21
-
Avg. journey time18hr 13m
-
Train operators
London to Barcelona train travel explained
Want to know how to get from London to Barcelona by train? We have gathered for you all the useful information about this trip!
The fastest trains from London to Barcelona take around 9 hours and 54 minutes, covering a distance of approximately 1,141 kilometres.
On weekdays, the first train leaving London is scheduled to depart at around 05:40. The last departure is usually at around 20:04 . On Saturdays and Sundays, trains leave London at around 06:18, with the last train leaving at around 20:31. There are frequent services on this particular rail route. On average, there are about 21 trains per day travelling between the two cities. They leave approximately every 28 minutes.
Prices for a single ticket between the two cities start from CA$85.80.
We think any time is a great time to visit Barcelona, as each season has its own unique charm. Nevertheless, please make sure you check the local weather and average seasonal temperatures at destination before deciding on your holiday.
For more tips to help you plan your journey, check out our help articles, or read our guide to Barcelona.
Is there a direct train from London to Barcelona?
The journey between London and Barcelona usually involves one change of train.
We usually find at least one departure on the route from London to Barcelona every weekday that leave enough time to change trains without waiting around for longer than necessary.
There are typically fewer trains leaving at weekends, when we found at least one departure.
How long does it take to travel from London to Barcelona?
The London to Barcelona train travel takes about 9 hours and 54 minutes, no matter when you leave.
What are the London to Barcelona train times and schedule?
If you're travelling on a weekday, you'll find the earliest train to Barcelona leaving London at around 05:40 and the last train leaving at around 20:04 . At weekends, the first train of the day leaves London at around 06:18, with the final departure at 20:31.
Other journeys to Barcelona View all journeys to Barcelona
-
From Madrid to Barcelona From CA$8.45
-
From Montpellier to Barcelona From CA$61.75
-
From Paris to Barcelona From CA$31.20
-
From Avignon TGV to Barcelona From CA$15.60
-
From Toulouse to Barcelona From CA$86.45
-
From Narbonne to Barcelona From CA$46.15
-
From Lyon to Barcelona From CA$20.80
-
From Perpignan to Barcelona From CA$20.80
-
From Bilbao-Abando to Barcelona From CA$10.40
-
From Brighton to Barcelona From CA$306.80
-
From Bath Spa to Barcelona From CA$715.00
-
From Marseille to Barcelona From CA$20.80
Other journeys from Barcelona
-
From Barcelona to Madrid From CA$8.45
-
From Barcelona to Paris From CA$31.20
-
From Barcelona to Seville From CA$15.60
-
From Barcelona to Tarragona From CA$13.65
-
From Barcelona to Benicàssim From CA$14.30
-
From Barcelona to Perpignan From CA$40.30
-
From Barcelona to Córdoba From CA$10.40
-
From Barcelona to Ronda From CA$206.70
-
From Barcelona to Granada From CA$31.85
-
From Barcelona to Zaragoza From CA$10.40
-
From Barcelona to Almería From CA$156.65
-
From Barcelona to Cáceres From CA$100.10
Other journeys from London
-
From London to Nice From CA$146.90
-
From London to Rome From CA$110.11
-
From London to Florence From CA$121.16
-
From London to Turin From CA$104.00
-
From London to Venice From CA$248.82
-
From London to Verona From CA$225.68
-
From London to Milan From CA$103.35
-
From London to Paris From CA$55.90
-
From London to Brussels From CA$126.75
-
From London to Berlin From CA$87.75
-
From London to Frankfurt am Main From CA$110.50
-
From London to Munich From CA$87.75
Eurostar & TGV
Travelling by train from London to Barcelona became so much easier with the launch of the new high-speed rail service from Paris to Barcelona. During the peak summer season in 2018, there will be a later departure too, also routing via Paris and reaching Barcelona late evening. On certain days - but not in winter - there is a good alternative route from London to Barcelona with one easy change of train in Lyon. It's no quicker than the Paris route, but it saves the hassle of having to change stations in Paris.
The most frequently booked route starts by taking a Eurostar from London to Paris, where you’ll need to change stations from the Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon. There you’ll board the TGV for Barcelona. There's quite some drama in a journey which tracks south through France, skirts the Mediterranean coast and then tunnels under the Pyrenees to reach Catalonia.
London to Paris
The first part of the journey from London sweeps through Thameside landscapes and rural Kent to reach the Channel Tunnel. Little more than an hour after leaving London you'll already be in northern France, tracking south through Flanders fields towards Paris.
Remember to factor in at least half an hour for Eurostar's airline-style baggage check prior to boarding your train. There is a luggage and body scan and you'll be asked to show your passport. There are no restrictions on taking liquids on board Eurostar trains.
Paris interchange: Paris Nord to Paris Lyon
When you alight from the train at Gare du Nord look for signs to the Metro and RER. Once you've bought a ticket follow the signs to 'RER D', direction 'Melun' or 'Malesherbes'. So long as you're heading in the right direction, all the trains on this line stop at Gare de Lyon. The actual train journey takes around 10 mins with just one stop on the way at Châtelet-les-Halles. Upon alighting from the RER train at Gare de Lyon, follow the signs to the mainline station. The signs read 'Accès aux trains Grandes Lignes'. The whole journey from the concourse at Gare du Nord to the mainline departure platforms at Gare de Lyon will normally take about 40 mins but we recommend leaving at least 50 mins.
If you are arriving at Gare du Nord from London, bear in mind that you can buy Paris Métro tickets at the Eurostar terminal at St. Pancras and on board the Eurostar train. Similarly, passengers arriving at the Gare du Nord on Thalys trains from Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands can buy Metro tickets on the train (at the Thalys Bar). Although universally referred to as Métro tickets, they are in fact valid on RER trains too.
Paris to Barcelona
Direct TGV trains to Barcelona leave Paris two to four times per day. The frequency is higher in summer than winter. The TGVs to Barcelona leave from the Gare de Lyon in Paris. In Barcelona they terminate at Sants station. This journey is focused on speed, so there are not a lot of stops along the way - from six to ten depending on which train you take. All trains stop at the historic cities of Montpellier, Perpignan and Girona. There is some very fine scenery along the way too. Early on in the journey, you sweep through Burgundy vineyards, and later on there are engaging views of the coastal landscapes of Languedoc. After the stop at Perpignan, the train speeds south towards the Pyrenees, before diving under the mountains in the Perthus Tunnel.
If you worry that six and half hours if a long time to spend on one train, fear not! This rates as one of favourite high-speed routes. You can relax and gaze out of the window and, from to time, wander along to the bistro for a coffee or a snack. The direct services from Paris to Barcelona are all operated by French TGV trains. But it's a joint venture with Spanish rail operator Renfe, so you find a dash of Spanish style combining with French flair on this international route.