Girona to Perpignan

stuartmoss · 26 May 2025

Hi folks, I'm considering a twin centered break in July, flying into Girona and out of Perpignan, I see the train journey betwen the two is quite short at under 50 minutes, but noticed that there are both AVE and TGV services. I'm just wondering, is there an advantage to using one over the other? Would I be best to book in advance? Any advice appreciated, thanks.

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Sir Felix Pole · 26 May 2025

The Paris TGV is usually heavily booked and expensive; the Marseille AVE much less so. Advance booking recommended.

You also have the option of the 'old' line via Portbou / Cerbère - far more trains to choose from. Be aware, however, that Girona to Portbou is closed every weekend right up to October for catenary renewal, so is a dreaded RRB!

stuartmoss · 26 May 2025

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated. The Marseilles train it will be, I’d like to try the other route, but I’ll be with the other half and a couple of suitcases so a short and simple journey would work best.

Dougal2345 · 26 May 2025

I was heading Perpignan to Vic about three weeks ago, going the Portbou way in what would have taken a long time on the "Rodalies", but then all the French services were cancelled due to a strike, and I ended up getting a Flixbus, changing at Girona Airport.

So although I'd have preferred taking the train, the bus was fairly quick and cheap, and is another alternative in case other plans fall through.

peteb · 29 May 2025

Girona airport is a fair way out if the city. A taxi to the airport last week from the city was €36. There is a bus, not sure how frequently it runs.

Irritatingly the high speed line runs right past the airport. There's evidence of platforms by the tracks but it seems these are those used for emergency evacuation not intended for conversion to a station in the future.

A reminder that Girona high speed station is deep underground, to the side of the RENFE station. There are lifts fortunately!

Perpignan airport is tiny. There's virtually no catering apart from a Costa style cafe and a small duty free shop. However security took ages as only one x-ray machine was in use when we departed from there. A taxi from Perpignan station shouldn't cost more than €15. Again there are buses but I didn't use them. Rivesaltes is the nearest station but unless you can summon an Uber to meet you it's a bit quiet so difficult to get a normal taxi.

Wychwood93 · 30 May 2025

peteb said:
Girona airport is a fair way out if the city. A taxi to the airport last week from the city was €36. There is a bus, not sure how frequently it runs.

Irritatingly the high speed line runs right past the airport. There's evidence of platforms by the tracks but it seems these are those used for emergency evacuation not intended for conversion to a station in the future.

A reminder that Girona high speed station is deep underground, to the side of the RENFE station. There are lifts fortunately!

Perpignan airport is tiny. There's virtually no catering apart from a Costa style cafe and a small duty free shop. However security took ages as only one x-ray machine was in use when we departed from there. A taxi from Perpignan station shouldn't cost more than €15. Again there are buses but I didn't use them. Rivesaltes is the nearest station but unless you can summon an Uber to meet you it's a bit quiet so difficult to get a normal taxi.

From Girona station to the airport it is hourly, on the hour, from 04.00 to 00.00 and hourly on the return from 04.30 to 00.30. See: https://www.sagales.com/uploads/imagenes/4134a2079cf170d3c5a7ed5099edee9e7d9a7c6d.pdf The last time I used it, 2018 I think, it was very reasonable - I might have the ticket somewhere!

peteb · 30 May 2025

Wychwood93 said:
From Girona station to the airport it is hourly, on the hour, from 04.00 to 00.00 and hourly on the return from 04.30 to 00.30. See: https://www.sagales.com/uploads/imagenes/4134a2079cf170d3c5a7ed5099edee9e7d9a7c6d.pdf The last time I used it, 2018 I think, it was very reasonable - I might have the ticket somewhere!

Thanks, we're going again so will try the bus maybe next time.

stuartmoss · 31 May 2025

Thanks for your replies everyone, I'll be hoping to get the bus from Girona Airport into Girona, the AVE to Perpignan and a taxi to Perpignan Airport.

ricohallo · 31 May 2025

Just saw this topic, and I flew into Girona on a Saturday in January. When I arrived I found out that the city bus didn't run on Saturday and Sunday and that only infrequent long distance buses remained, of which only a few went to Girona itself. The bus fare was the same, to be paid in cash to the bus driver. I opted to wait a few hours to wait for the next bus, the airport is definitely quite a bit out of town and there's not much nearby outside of the airport such as restaurants to eat. Also Uber etc. don't operate in Girona either so your only other option would be a taxi. I think during the summer months the buses might be much more frequent but if you're going there on a Saturday or a Sunday do keep this in mind. It was very hard to find bus schedules but Google Maps seemed to be quite accurate.

stuartmoss · 31 May 2025

ricohallo said:
Just saw this topic, and I flew into Girona on a Saturday in January. When I arrived I found out that the city bus didn't run on Saturday and Sunday and that only infrequent long distance buses remained, of which only a few went to Girona itself. The bus fare was the same, to be paid in cash to the bus driver. I opted to wait a few hours to wait for the next bus, the airport is definitely quite a bit out of town and there's not much nearby outside of the airport such as restaurants to eat. Also Uber etc. don't operate in Girona either so your only other option would be a taxi. I think during the summer months the buses might be much more frequent but if you're going there on a Saturday or a Sunday do keep this in mind. It was very hard to find bus schedules but Google Maps seemed to be quite accurate.

Thanks for this golden nugget of advice, I'm flying in on a Saturday evening, so will be mindful...

ricohallo · 31 May 2025

stuartmoss said:
Thanks for this golden nugget of advice, I'm flying in on a Saturday evening, so will be mindful...

Not sure at what time you'll be arriving, I just checked Google Maps and this evening it looks like there's only one bus at 20:50, other than that there are a few buses direct to Barcelona and Lloret de Mar as well as an ALSA bus to Paris at 22:00 which also stops in Perpignan at 23:30.

The schedule Wychwood93 sent however seems to suggest that there's thankfully indeed a more frequent service till September, which apparently doesn't show up in Google Maps. That bus certainly wasn't running in January.

stuartmoss · 31 May 2025

ricohallo said:
Not sure at what time you'll be arriving, I just checked Google Maps and this evening it looks like there's only one bus at 20:50, other than that there are a few buses direct to Barcelona and Lloret de Mar as well as an ALSA bus to Paris at 22:00 which also stops in Perpignan at 23:30.

The schedule Wychwood93 sent however seems to suggest that there's thankfully indeed a more frequent service till September, which apparently doesn't show up in Google Maps. That bus certainly wasn't running in January.

I land at 19:40 and staying in Girona for 4 days before heading to Perpignan. If the bus works then great, otherwise I’m happy to get the taxi if no bus is available to Girona city centre.

Girona to Perpignan

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