12 day trip - paris, barcelona and madrid - a good idea?
Sep 8, 2015, 8:46 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 1
12 day trip - paris, barcelona and madrid - a good idea?
Hi all,
I am planning a 12 day trip in October.
I want to go to Paris, Barcelona and Madrid.
Here is the itinerary that I've made up so far.
Fly to Paris on 20th - land on 21st (Wednesday). Stay in Paris until the 25th (Sunday)
Fly to Barcelona and stay there until the 29th (Thursday)
Leave to Madrid by high speed train and stay there until November 1st (Sunday).
Am I doing too much? I really want to go to all three cities, but also don't want to have a too crammed trip.
Thanks for any feedback
I am planning a 12 day trip in October.
I want to go to Paris, Barcelona and Madrid.
Here is the itinerary that I've made up so far.
Fly to Paris on 20th - land on 21st (Wednesday). Stay in Paris until the 25th (Sunday)
Fly to Barcelona and stay there until the 29th (Thursday)
Leave to Madrid by high speed train and stay there until November 1st (Sunday).
Am I doing too much? I really want to go to all three cities, but also don't want to have a too crammed trip.
Thanks for any feedback
Sep 9, 2015, 1:43 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Heraklion, Greece
Posts: 7,565
Hi all,
I am planning a 12 day trip in October.
I want to go to Paris, Barcelona and Madrid.
Here is the itinerary that I've made up so far.
Fly to Paris on 20th - land on 21st (Wednesday). Stay in Paris until the 25th (Sunday)
Fly to Barcelona and stay there until the 29th (Thursday)
Leave to Madrid by high speed train and stay there until November 1st (Sunday).
Am I doing too much? I really want to go to all three cities, but also don't want to have a too crammed trip.
Thanks for any feedback
I am planning a 12 day trip in October.
I want to go to Paris, Barcelona and Madrid.
Here is the itinerary that I've made up so far.
Fly to Paris on 20th - land on 21st (Wednesday). Stay in Paris until the 25th (Sunday)
Fly to Barcelona and stay there until the 29th (Thursday)
Leave to Madrid by high speed train and stay there until November 1st (Sunday).
Am I doing too much? I really want to go to all three cities, but also don't want to have a too crammed trip.
Thanks for any feedback
Sep 9, 2015, 3:25 am
#3
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Posts: 2,833
Sep 9, 2015, 4:12 am
#4
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Of course you can do the whole journey via TGV to avoid Barcelona airport and Paris for a second time.I'm sure you could price it cheaper too.
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Sep 10, 2015, 12:27 am
#5
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Sep 10, 2015, 12:37 am
#6
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I'd suggest doing just Barcelona and Madrid, with more than half of the time in Barcelona. With the travel days gone, you don't have enough time in either Paris or Barcelona. It's really just three full days in each of Paris and Barcelona and one full day in Madrid.
Sep 10, 2015, 12:49 am
#7
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I'd suggest doing just Barcelona and Madrid, with more than half of the time in Barcelona. With the travel days gone, you don't have enough time in either Paris or Barcelona. It's really just three full days in each of Paris and Barcelona and one full day in Madrid.
Sep 10, 2015, 12:51 am
#8
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However, I think you're being a bit optimistic about what can realistically be done on travel days. Even with just three hours between cities, one needs to allow for packing an checking out of the hotel, getting to the train/airport on time (allowing for delays and other problems, including finding the correct track or gate), checking in to new hotel and getting one's orientation, finding local transportation, etc. There will be some time to walk around the city a bit and have drinks and dinner, but not to visit museums, etc. unless there are special late hours that day.
Last edited by MSPeconomist; Sep 10, 2015 at 12:57 am
Sep 10, 2015, 6:24 am
#9
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I don't think the trip is too crammed. As others have pointed out, don't under-estimate the time eaten by travel days and plan accordingly.
I would absolutely plan this itinerary for myself. Just plan your time efficiently. Figure out what you want to do and see each day in advance of your trip. You will tweak when you get there, but that will ensure you have no regrets. You have enough time in each city to see the sights and enjoy.
I would absolutely plan this itinerary for myself. Just plan your time efficiently. Figure out what you want to do and see each day in advance of your trip. You will tweak when you get there, but that will ensure you have no regrets. You have enough time in each city to see the sights and enjoy.
Sep 10, 2015, 10:13 am
#10
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However, I think you're being a bit optimistic about what can realistically be done on travel days. Even with just three hours between cities, one needs to allow for packing an checking out of the hotel, getting to the train/airport on time (allowing for delays and other problems, including finding the correct track or gate), checking in to new hotel and getting one's orientation, finding local transportation, etc.