Coming to the Costa Brava by high-speed train from Paris: practical guide
Every year, many French people cross the border to settle or spend their holidays in Spain, and it is not always necessary to take the car. Real estate investment can be achieved thanks to the railway networks connecting France to Spain. So how to reach the sun of the Costa Brava from Paris?
How to go to Spain by high-speed train from Paris?
The TGV Inoui line easily connects Paris to the Costa Brava. The full journey to Barcelona takes about 6h30, with regular departures from Gare de Lyon. This line serves several major cities in southern France before crossing the Spanish border.
To get to the Costa Brava, the stations in Perpignan, Girona, and Figueres are the preferred stops. At Perpignan, the last French station whose famous decoration is the work of painter Salvador Dali, you are already at the gateway to Catalonia. You can also get off at Céret, closer to the border along the coast, than at Perpignan. If you plan to go to Girona, Figueres will be the first stop station along the way.
The closest stations to Empuriabrava
Ideally located north of the Costa Brava, about forty kilometers from the French border, Empuriabrava is easily accessible by train.
Getting off at Girona, it takes about 45 minutes by car to reach Empuriabrava. At Figueres, the journey is about 20 minutes by car, and 30 minutes by bus. You are therefore spoilt for choice to reach appreciable summer destinations, such as the Bay of Roses in Cadaqués or Empuriabrava.
Is reaching Spain by train from the provinces so practical?
The advantage of the Inoui line is that it serves several major regional metropolises and fits into the network of small lines served by TERs (Regional Express Trains). The first advantage of the line for the traveler is being able to reach Girona, Figueres, or the Barcelona station in one go, without a connection and therefore without the hassle and logistics that complicate multi-stop trips. Inoui high-speed trains departing from Paris stop at several places before crossing the Spanish border:
- Béziers
- Valence (Valence TGV Station)
- Nîmes
- Montpellier
- Sète
- Agde
- Narbonne
- Perpignan
For travelers coming from Toulouse, TER connections are possible to Narbonne or Perpignan. From Bordeaux, it is possible to reach Toulouse and follow the same path. From Lyon, high-speed trains join the line at Nîmes or Montpellier, the same for Marseille via Nîmes. Although large local networks exist in the south to serve Occitania, not all cities are served without extra stops by the Paris-Barcelona line, which sometimes involves organizing travel in multiple trips, one to reach an Inoui station, the other to reach the heart of Spain.
Why prioritize the high-speed train?
Despite the distance, the TGV connects Paris to Figueres in a record time of about 5h30, limiting straight-line detours and speeding up connections with the center of Spain.
On board, the traveler enjoys comfort adapted to a long journey. Forget the air conditioning of flights and traffic jams at highway tolls near the sea: the train has an integrated wifi network, suitable catering options, and spacious seats with electrical outlets, perfect for a business trip or to pass the time for children with consoles and tablets: these small details make the difference on a long family trip.
Finally, a TGV trip emits less carbon dioxide than a long car or plane journey, whether you come from the provinces, the south of France, or Paris, not to mention the useful time spent on board reading, sleeping, or working, allowing you to arrive in Spain in the best conditions.
Is the real estate market on the Costa Brava accessible from France?
The ease of access offered by the TGV and airplane allows for many opportunities to stay on the Costa Brava: while many French families only go there for vacations, others have chosen a permanent lifestyle or to create a rental investment.
Rental options in the region are diversified and affordable given the tourist activities available around seaside resorts and towns, or increasingly luxurious complexes set up in Spain; the offer has been built over a long period of strong summer growth, which explains why for equal service, purchasing in France can be up to twice the purchase price of a Spanish property (depending on characteristics and location).
To finalize this investment and ensure local living conditions, nothing replaces a thorough visit and buyer support. A few hours by train from France, the Immo Center Empuriabrava team welcomes you throughout your project from defining your criteria to your installation. A retiree looking for an apartment in the heart of Empuriabrava? In search of an exceptional property or a house with sea views or near a golf course? Consult the properties of the Immo Center agency, present throughout the region to find the property that best meets your expectations.