Europe - Paris to Spain: any competitive train fares, or do I just fly?

Looking to fly Paris-Madrid, and possibly Paris to something in southern Spain. I see there are low cost carriers in the market, so there are some cheap airfares -- starting at about US $35. I'd be interested in taking the train, but can I assume the train fares would not be competitive with the budget airlines? It also seems like it would be a fairly long train ride.

Thanks.

There is no way you will be able to find train fares coming anywhere close to $35.

You don't really have to fly a proper lowcost- the full-service Spanish airlines are often priced similarly, and, while their Y experience doesn't offer a whole lot more than the lo-cos, you get full FF benefits plus a handful of miles if you're elite with the respective alliance...

There is no way you will be able to find train fares coming anywhere close to $35.

You don't really have to fly a proper lowcost- the full-service Spanish airlines are often priced similarly, and, while their Y experience doesn't offer a whole lot more than the lo-cos, you get full FF benefits plus a handful of miles if you're elite with the respective alliance...

Thanks -- that's what I expected. I do recall seeing some great train fares from the Low Countries and Germany to France a year or so ago, so I was wondering if there was anything comparable to Spain. Frankly, I think the distance is far enough that flying would make more sense even at about the same price.

Do the legacy carriers actually match the sale fares on EasyJet between Madrid and Paris? I have flown Lufthansa in Germany where they've matched the budget carriers, but $35 to fly from Paris to Madrid seems "unmatchable."

Do the legacy carriers actually match the sale fares on EasyJet between Madrid and Paris? I have flown Lufthansa in Germany where they've matched the budget carriers, but $35 to fly from Paris to Madrid seems "unmatchable."

They don't specifically match them, but they do offer some very low prices at times. For example, UX offer ORY-MAD starting at 5 Euros before taxes and charges (which come to a substantial €53.83). The free luggage allowance and assigned seating are easily worth the difference from Easyjet. If you have a Skyteam E+ card, you get lounge access and priority check-in, and it's a total no-brainer.

They don't specifically match them, but they do offer some very low prices at times. For example, UX offer ORY-MAD starting at 5 Euros before taxes and charges (which come to a substantial €53.83). The free luggage allowance and assigned seating are easily worth the difference from Easyjet. If you have a Skyteam E+ card, you get lounge access and priority check-in, and it's a total no-brainer.

Thanks. Yeah, flying Air Europa would be of interest to me at that price. I do have a SkyTeam E+ card, at least until CO leaves Skyteam and they throw me out. :p

I usually use whichbudget.com to figure out which low cost European airlines fly the routes I need. Is there a more modern/efficient search engine these days?

I usually use whichbudget.com to figure out which low cost European airlines fly the routes I need. Is there a more modern/efficient search engine these days?

Skyscanner.net and Dohop.com perform a similar function - don't know if any of them are better or worse than the other but you can play around and decide what suits you.

Try looking at Vueling. Spanish low cost airline. Departures from CDG to Madrid and other Spanish cities. Also fly from Orly (but not to Madrid) to southern Spain. Modern aircraft. Used them a few times and they are OK.

I got MAD to CDG on Iberia for nine Euros, plus taxes. Cheaper then several of the LCC! Found that one on Expedia so check everyplace!

Taking the train from Paris to Spain takes a lot of time ... There is no reason not to fly, given the price of air travel.

I flew Vueling last year from Lisbon to Madrid. It was a budget airline in every sense: everything (headphones, sodas, baggage, air [ok, just kidding]) had an extra fee associated! Their free carryon bag size is the size of a ladies handbag (not even as big as a laptop bag).

For those flying Vueling, please pay the extra money to check your bags at the time of ticket purchase, in order to avoid virtually mandatory much higher baggage check fees at the airport.