hkto

Look at Bilbao Greeters, it's a non profit that coordinate local volunteers who are willing to do 2hr walking tour. No fee and no tips but can donate to the organization later on. Need to book in advance. We took it a while ago, was good. As far as pintxos are concerned there are some bars in old town. IMHO pintxos bars in San Sebastian are way better.

On 1/25/2019 at 2:39 PM, lifeasme123 said:

I am looking for suggestions on how to get from point A to B:

 

1.  Airport to Apt:  We arrive into Barcelona early Friday morning (1am).  We rented an apartment near Placa Cataluyna.  

2,  Apt to Cruise Port:  Is there Uber in Spain?

3.  Cruise Port to Train Station:  going to Madrid after the cruise.

 

Regarding train tickets, if anyone has caught a train from Barcelona to Madrid after a cruise, I would love your suggestions.  Should I book the tickets beforehand?  What time should I get the train tickets?  Ship docks at 5am (Yikes!)  I did not realize that until just now!  Does this mean RCCL expect us to get off the ship that early???

 

1. Make sure that you can get in your appt @1am. Unless there are things there like lock box or smart lock I doubt that owner will be around.

2. Take taxi. There is Uber but it's not much cheaper and subject to 15 min delay (to appeal to taxi industry which keeps strking anyway)

As far as train goes buy as a soon they appear on Renfe site. Cheaper tickets sell out fast. And full price ones are much of a bargain. Yes it's possible to stay later on the ship and eat breakfast. Don't know exact time but up to 10am sounds reasonable.

Places that have separate lunch and dinner service usually open @8:30 for dinner. But lots never close in between. Barcelona has both. TA has tons of reviews by type, price, location, etc

If everything fails I would take Renfe train from T2 terminal to Passeig Gracia station, switch to metro (same tickets) and go to Drassanes station. Port bus goes from there.

There is one more luggage storage near Plaza Catalunia, open 9-9 daily. There is airport bus from PT

http://lockerbarcelona.com

I would take taxi from port to Sants train station (around 20€ with all surcharges) and keep luggage there. They got large and small lockers for any luggage size. In Sants can buy T10 metro ticket (10.20€) and enjoy the city. T10 can be used by more than one person and also good for airport ride on Renfe train from Sants. That train arrives on T2 terminal so if flight is from T1 then take shuttle bus.

Look at https://www.andorradirectbus.es/en/buy-tickets (buses from Santa rail station). Also buses go from Barcelona Nord bus station. Trip is slightly over 3 hrs o/w so day trip is definitely feasible.

From purely practical perspective RT time between Cadiz and Seville is close to 5 hrs counting time for to/from dock to stations to major attractions. Realistically visit to Alcazar takes at least 1.5 hrs (and that's with prepurchased tickets, longer without). So for 12-13 hrs Cadiz stop it makes sense, for 7-8 hr probably not.

It's a very nice area. For dinner can try Cervecheria Catalana (very promoted and therefore busy), Baltazar and La Polpa. For breakfast I don't remember anything special but there are lots of places serving coffee and pastries. For quick and cheap lunch I like 100 Montaditos

Looking at description https://barcelonadaytours.com/tour-from-airport/ it appears to be 1 stop tour (Park Guell) with rest of attractions shown from the vehicle. Higher cost is for private service and not necessarily for more coverage. But it's a good idea for someone who arrives early AM and can't get into hotel till later. Most hotels keep luggage for free or in can be left in storage for small fee near plaza Catalunia.

Any destination from aeroport to central Barcelona should be in 27-35€ ballpark with all surcharges. Depends on time of day and number of suit cases.

If want to go to center look for #4 (should be marked on stop), direction - Ayuntamiento (city hall). There several stops there but buses #s are marked. Buses go in 10-15 min intervals on weekdays. 

Public transit option is possible but not really feasible within 7-8 hr port stop. Car rental option in Málaga port is doable assuming that tickets are purchased in advance. Distance 150km to Alhambra to port.

Some ideas for quick day trips: cava wineries in Sant Sadurní d'Anoia. Tarragona, Girona, Dali museum in Figueres. For 2 day trip may be Andorra.

There is no car hire near cruise terminal. There is Sixt near Drassanes where port bus goes. In any case airport rental offers more choices and more likely better prices.

I think it took us about 20 min to get to Sants from port with taxi. But of course it could be longer. Security is fast; I suggest having tickets printed as sometimes they can't read the barcode from the phone 

Didn't stay but can comment on location. About 15-20 walk to train station and then 30 min direct train to Passeig de Gràcia or Plaza Catalunia. Also beach nearby. I think T10 is accepted with makes commute very cheap (sane price as metro).

It's hard to guess prices. Under $1k in the summer sounds ok for nonstop. One of the reasons for waiting are sales which may or may not happen. Another comment is that Norwegian gets large # of complaints primarily for flight delays and cancellation. There are cheaper options but with stop in London. Check Google flights.

FYI Always buy RT ticket, much cheaper than 2 OW. This is current bus schedule but it may be different next year.

http://www.tgcomes.es/horarios_13.htm

Timing for bus or train trip are very close. Train tickets can be bought on Renfe site or vending machine in the station.

If it's Barcelona then Sheraton 4P is not that central. Located in Poblenou area. Taxi is more likely the best way to get from port. May be 20 min by car. 

With 13 hrs I'd go to Seville. If schedule allows take the bus (TG Comes). Its cheaper and bus station (PRADO SS) is in walking distance to all major tourist sites. If not - train is more frequent. Try for San Bernardo rather than Santa Justa as it's closer. Can take T1 tram (1.40€) tram from there to Alcazar/Cathedral area. Otherwise 25-30 min walk. 

The closest is Arcos. The most interesting is Ronda but technically is probably not a white village.

Can check this but it's quite pricey. The other option is to hire taxi. 

https://www.getyourguide.com/cadiz-l428/day-trip-from-cadiz-the-white-towns-of-andalusia-t73916/

Then go for AC Sants considering price and move around on metro or cabs.

In warmer weather there is also beach option in Cadiz. Horse show in Jerez is not every day, always at noon and better to be bought online as it may be sold out. Bodega tours are nothing special, same product can be sampled in Cadiz bars. Also Cadiz market in the AM and cathedral are interesting.