Expert: Terry Casey - 11/5/2009

Question
Hi Terry
I hope you can help me. I need to be on the 12th of November, so, next Thursday noon at Toulon. The thing is I'm in Barcelona and I don't know how to get there, should I go by train? by airplane? The exact address I need to go to is this one: 5, Avenue Philippe LEBON

Budget wise...well, the cheaper and faster way to get there the better.

Thank you!!
Marina

Answer
Hi . . . Marina from Spain!

On your question of getting from Barcelona to Toulon, there are options, but none of them are easy, quick and simple.  None would be cheap or fast.  Sorry I don't that easy, magic solution!   Here are the potentials:

1. AUTO: Per the MapQuest.com link listed below, it would take 5 hours 21 minutes to drive the 353.74 miles from Barcelona to Toulon.  

2. AIR: You could fly from Barcelona to Marseilles, the nearest airport and then get to Toulon.  By public transportation, you would need to get from the airport into the main city and then take a rail trip from the Marseilles station to Toulon and then a cab to your exact location.  A cab direct from the airport would be easier, but it would not be cheap.    It is about 45 miles from the airport to Toulon.  

3. TRAIN: It would take most of a whole day and several train changes getting from Barcelona to Toulon.  Possible, but it would involves some major time and hassles.  

TELL ME MORE about how tight/limited is your budget and the number in your party?

Do you have to be in Toulon by noon?  You might have to consider traveling the previous day and then staying overnight in order to make your noon meeting in Toulon.  

Does this start to help a little? What are your reactions and needs for added information?  Be happy to provide additional info and answer other questions after learning more from you.  Be sure to complete the evaluation section so that our "bosses" on this volunteer service know we are working hard to make inquiring minds as happy as possible. ENJOY!  Merci Beaucoup!

Thanks.  Terry Casey in Columbus, Ohio


CAR RENTALS OPTIONS:
We have had excellent success with
www.autoeurope.com
Their phone toll-free is 1-888-223-5555 (North America only).
There are also rail-auto plan options through raileurope.com
Avis has lots and lots of location around France and Europe.
Don’t assume one price will be the THE PRICE, best price.  Make an advanced booking at a good price, but keep check back as different specials will come up, especially in these fast-changing economic times.

WEB-MAPPING FOR FRANCE:
Use this website to get any detailed maps you need. Scroll to the bottom of the page and follow the directions with your details on where are coming from and going to. It will give both graphic maps and written point-by-point instructions.
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/main.adp?country=FR
or
http://www.mapquest.com/directions/europe.adp?do=nw

RAIL SCHEDULES: You can go to this website
www.raileurope.com
and check all of the various train options, timings and costs on rail travel within Europe through the "schedules" option on their web page.  For some routings, such as Avignon to Barcelona or Nice to Rome, it will not yield results.  You will be need to break it out into separate routings such as Nice to Genoa, then Genoa to Rome.  Great, very useful site!