New superfast trains open up Europe
Rail Europe is forecasting that one million passengers will travel across the French/Spanish border on new superfast trains in 2014.
Business has boomed on the direct high-speed service between Barcelona and Paris since its launch in December.
The twice-daily (6h25m) service is enjoying close to 100% capacity across all of its three classes, a major improvement on the service it replaced, the overnight Elipsos Trenhotel.
Other high-speed services running between France and Spain include Barcelona-Montpellier (2h50), Barcelona-Toulouse (3h02), Barcelona-Lyon (4h40) and Madrid/Barcelona-Marseille (7h03).
Manager Australasia of Rail Europe, Richard Leonard, said leisure and corporate travellers are now enjoying even more seamless and faster services between the two countries without the previously required train changes at Figueres.
"With less travel time involved, leisure travellers are also more encouraged to go beyond Paris, Barcelona and Madrid to explore other cities," he said.
Direct France-Spain superfast trains run at speeds up to 320kmph. Facilities aboard include free wi-fi, restaurant and bar areas.
Ian Jarrett
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