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The train from London to Valencia takes at least 36 hours and requires a change in Paris and Montpellier or Barcelona. The Eurostar (T 08705 186 186 in the UK, T 1-800 EUROSTAR in the USA, or T 915 478 442 in Madrid, http://www.eurostar.com), takes three hours from London Waterloo to Paris Gare du Nord and offers good deals if you book early enough (at least 14 days in advance for the best fares). One direct train departs daily from Paris’ Gare d’Austerlitz for Barcelona and takes about 13 hours. For more information, or to get details of the various European rail passes available (which are only useful if you plan to make several long journeys), contact Rail Europe, 179 Piccadilly, London, T 08705 848 848, http://www.raileurope.co.uk or Rail Europe US, T 1-800-438 7245, http://www.raileurope.com A high-speed, luxurious train service runs between Barcelona and Murcia, stopping at all the main tourist resorts and major cities (including Valencia) on the way. If you buy a one-way ticket, hold on to it as it will entitle you to a reduction on your return fare. There are regular long-distance services to Madrid, Barcelona and Alacant/Alicante, plus less frequent services to Sevilla, Bilbao, Granada, and Málaga. These usually require prior reservation in advance, and are often fully booked at weekends. Book well in advance to get the best prices and ensure a seat. The national rail company, RENFE, has a telephone information and booking line, T 902 240 202, or you can check times and prices online at http://www.renfe.es Madrid: express, 3½ hours, E 36.50 single; Regional, six hours, E 20 single. Barcelona: express, three hours, E 29–33.50 single; Regional 5½ hours, E 18.50 single. Alacant/Alicante: express services, 1½ hours, E 22.50 one-way; Regional 2½ hours, E 10.30.
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