How to get from Spain to Andorra - Barcelona to Andorra la Vella - by DirectBus
Posted: May 5 2024 | Tagged: Andorra, Border Crossings
After just 2 nights in Barcelona, I'm heading out again. This time to Andorra my 109th UN MEMBER STATE and 116th Country and Territory.
Time is precious. I want to spend more time in new countries instead of doing revisits. Barcelona was just another stop, but a great one still with perfect weather. Here I am backpacking the Arc de Triompf in Barcelona:
I had backpacked Barcelona in 2007 and 2012 before the Nomadic Backpacker blog even existed.
I had wanted to stay a few more days but the cost of accommodation has gone crazy. You can still find ok deals in the week, (OK deals mean less than 20€ a night) but like London, Glasgow, Milan, Friday and Saturday nights are impossible. Dorm rooms cost 50 € upwards. Insane. Andorra on the other hand, 15 € a night in the week, and just 17 € at the weekend. In Andorra, I paid just 88 quid for 6 nights.
There is no airport and no railway station in Andorra, so bus (or car or donkey) is the only way you can enter this landlocked gem of a country, high in the Pyrenees sandwiched between France and Spain.
And there is just 1 border to and from Spain, at Sant Julià de Lòria.
If you want to come by rail, Gare d'Andorre-L'Hospitalet is your nearest station and it's in France. Then you'll have to find a way to get from there over the El Pas de la Casa. There are direct buses from Toulouse, France as well.
I had wanted to stay a few more days but the cost of accommodation has gone crazy. You can still find ok deals in the week, (OK deals mean less than 20€ a night) but like London, Glasgow, Milan, Friday and Saturday nights are impossible. Dorm rooms cost 50 € upwards. Insane. Andorra on the other hand, 15 € a night in the week, and just 17 € at the weekend. In Andorra, I paid just 88 quid for 6 nights.
There is no airport and no railway station in Andorra, so bus (or car or donkey) is the only way you can enter this landlocked gem of a country, high in the Pyrenees sandwiched between France and Spain.
And there is just 1 border to and from Spain, at Sant Julià de Lòria.
If you want to come by rail, Gare d'Andorre-L'Hospitalet is your nearest station and it's in France. Then you'll have to find a way to get from there over the El Pas de la Casa. There are direct buses from Toulouse, France as well.
So in between eating breakfast and checking emails, I multi-tasked. I booked a seat on DirectBus which currently runs 8 services a day in each direction from Barcelona Sants, which is very convenient as it's just a 10-minute walk from the Albergue Pere Tarrés.
After a long breakfast and a relaxed checkout, I had time to catch up on some writing. Too many places and things to do and see means the backlog is building up. I am hoping for a day of crappy weather so I won't have to feel guilty for sitting in front of my laptop playing catch-up.
At the Barcelona Sants Bus Station, you need to check-in. You need your id and get your boarding pass. Just like flying:
At the Barcelona Sants Bus Station, you need to check-in. You need your id and get your boarding pass. Just like flying:
The bus is coming from the airport, which makes DirectBus a great option for those not wanting to overnight in Barcelona.
Here's the timetable posted at the Barcelona Sants bus station:
Here's the timetable posted at the Barcelona Sants bus station:
The bus was comfortable. Super fast Wi-Fi for those needing it. I sent emails to myself with 12 images attached for use on my blog later. I organise the photos on my phone, send by email and download them on my laptop, before uploading them later. This works a treat. The emails were sent in about 5 seconds. Incredible for bus Wi-Fi.
Then I just switched off and enjoyed the ride.
Snatched photos from the bus as Spain passed by and then some Andorra signs:
Then I just switched off and enjoyed the ride.
Snatched photos from the bus as Spain passed by and then some Andorra signs:
Crossing into Andorra:
There are no formalities here although the bus did stop at the aduana:
There are no formalities here although the bus did stop at the aduana:
Arrival at the bus station in Andorra la Vella after 2 hours 50:
I had booked at the Alberg Els Andes, which is in neighbouring Escaldes-Engordany, a few kilometres away.
But first I needed food. I snuck into a local place L'AIGÜETA.
I took the Menu del Día. 3 courses for 14€ including a beer. The menu was all in Catalan which is of course the official language here:
But first I needed food. I snuck into a local place L'AIGÜETA.
I took the Menu del Día. 3 courses for 14€ including a beer. The menu was all in Catalan which is of course the official language here:
Amanida Caprese amb Salsa de Pesto:
Filet de Llobarro amb Verdures (Sea Bass):
Macedònia de Fruita Natural:
