http://andorra.hypermart.net/arinsal...novatelgb.html

That's the link.. €28 from the airport to the Andorra Bus Station / €31 to hotels
I'm not having good luck finding the Autobus station in Andorra... Google maps hints that it's at PARKING AUTOBUS @42.509078,1.537308 but not sure... might just reserve the €31 trip.. :)

Jenni: Any luck changing flights?

You don't want to climb all that mountain with a suitcase, believe me. Either get to the station and take a taki (will be cheaper) or book the hotel drop thing.

bus
 

It is really necessary to reserve the bus ahead of time? I mean if we don't what are the chances we can get on the 3pm bus just by walking up and trying to buy tickets? Will it likely be sold out ahead of time? I ask b/c the bus website won't take my credit cards because i don't have any of that verified by visa crap. I ran into the same problem when i tried to buy train tickets in Peru last year.

So you recommend paying the 31E to get the bus to drop us off right at our hotel? I don't want to play the part of annoying American tourist (too late) but what are the chances that the people manning the bus depot will speak English on either the BCN side or the Andorra side for the return back to BCN on Sunday (we are heading back after spa time to spend our final night in the city)?

No luck ever changing the flights. Everytime I called or my guest called they insisted 'sold out' dc to chicago is our only option. Whatever, we decided to just go with the flow. Can't expect much when the tickets were so cheap i guess.

Hey, i just noticed your bus link is different than mine. I was trying to buy on http://www.andorrabybus.com/web/index.php. Which was a pain b/c first of all i tried to get google translate to translate the page for 10 minutes from spanish to english until i googled andorra and discovered the language was not actually spanish. Then i couldn't get passed the verified by visa requirement- none of my visa cards meet that requirement. Maybe your link will be easier....

Once you visit Barcelona (and Andorra), you'll know about Catalunya and the Catalan language, but there's no need to translate. There is a group of flags at the top of the home page of the website you're using. If you click on the British flag, presto! English!

As far as the credit card denials, you may need to advise your credit card company to expect charges from Spain and Andorra.

I think there are multiple companies operating buses from BCN.

I made a note of Alan's earlier post (#737)

Sep 23, 09, 3:18 pm
alanw

"Quick question for the organizers: is it feasible to walk from the bus station on Av. de Tarragona in Andorra to the hotel? It doesn't look far on the map, but any idea on how flat/steep is it?"

"It's pretty much a vertical climb, but nothing a fit young man such as yourself can't handle.

Actually, it's not that bad because there is an elevator that takes you from town level up the mountain to the hotel. You want to head to the Magatzems Pyrenees department store - the elevator entrance is in their parking garage - and take it up to the fifth floor. There is an exit at the back the leads directly into the hotel's garden. You'll need to walk around to the front entrance of the hotel."

Any reason that wouldn't work, even with luggage?

credit card
 

The credit card isn't denying anything and it has nothing to do with using my card overseas in general. :) The business is declining to take the credit card because it's not enrolled in the special verified by visa programme. I ran into the issue last year in Peru once for the Machu Picchu Train. I only have one visa [typically use amex] and its not in the VBV program.

Fair enough. Our bus from Barcelona Nord is with a different company, and the first cc I tried to use was denied because it was a foreign transaction and I hadn't yet alerted Chase of my travel plans. Another feature "for our protection" that can easily get in the way of commerce.

boo!

dragonfirebcn - I think SeeYa is disappointed there won't be nametags on Saturday night, as well! :p

Those busses are usually not full, but better safe than sorry, so if you can book in advance the bus ticket, do it, it won't harm.

The chances that the bus driver will speak any other language than catalan or spanish are minimal (unless he's portuguese or rumanian, in which case they'll speak portuguese or rumanian). But play the basic words 'un billete a Barcelona, por favor' and that'll do it. Sharing a taxi from the bus station to the hotel will be cheaper than paying extra 3 € each for the ride. Again, tell the taxi driver Park Hotel, por favor and he´ll know his way.

Ouch.. dollar just hit $1.50 to the Euro.

Guess it won't be top shelf liquor for you, eh?

I thank AlanW and the organizing crew for making us prepay most events and SPG for having cash and points available to make this whole thing less painful.

Link to my currency fluctuations.

It's all clear in Andorra, though: http://www.el-viking.info/trafic.html

Long-range forecast is calling for light rain, temps between 6 and 15. Bring a jacket. :)