Train journey UK to Spain considered

We've caught the overnight from Paris to Cerbère, and caught the morning train to Barcelona from Portbou before now as its cheaper than from Cerbère.  We've purchased a targeta dorada( senior railcard equivalent) in Portbou before buying the onward tickets and  saved 20% on the fare.  There's usually a wait of a couple of hours at Barcelona Sants which gives time to find lunch at one of the station outlets, with a quick stroll outside the station for some fresh air.

From arrival in Alicante we've taken a taxi to Torrevieja, although I believe there is a late bus from the bus station around 10pm.

I'm not sure that the Paris Cerbère train is still in operation.  We'd (2) get a berth in a six berth compartment and double lock the door inside at the sncf mans insistence. We did sleep quite well, although once at one en route stop somebody kept knocking hard on the door.  We didn't answer so don't know if it was somebody with a reservation, or a bandit.  The train is accessed by a vertical ladder, difficult if not impossible if you have impaired mobility.

The alternative now is TGV directly to Barcelona from Paris.  The discount ticket does not apply on this route, but can be purchased at Sants station to save on the Alicante leg.  It is valid for twelve months

We had booked from Alicante to London on this latter route for December 2019, but the TGV leg, and so the whole trip, was cancelled due to French strike action.

Thanks for that PG.  I was looking at the Rail Europe site for route and price suggestions and it didn't mention the place that you did - Cerbère.  It was a relatively straightforward trip to Paris, change stations there of course, then on to Portbou on what is a stopping train and presumably quite slow as it literally takes all night.  I wasn't sure about the reclining seat option - less secure obviously than a locked cabin door.  A quick change at Portbou for a train to Barca, and then on another to ALC.  

I'm trying to balance the costs against the sheer physical effort of driving myself from Luton to Torrevieja (perhaps via Eurotunnel).  There would be no time constraints on me so I could do it, but I have never done such a long journey solo.  The flight I had was perfect, and only about £12, but Wizzair cancelled it without explanation which is very annoying.

More planning and calculating needed.  My motivation for making the trip at all is waning at the moment, but I'm not giving up yet 

We have owned a property in Cerbère since 2007, first as a second home, then living full time from 2012 before relocating here 3years ago.  We used to drive several times a year from Bristol, and a few times drove to Paris Bercy, where the car was loaded on an overnight train to Narbonne, whilst we caught the overnight sleeper.  In fact we once left a full car in Paris on Friday night, collected it in Narbonne on Saturday morning, drove an hour and a half to Cerbère, unloaded the car, and returned to Narbonne for the return trip to Paris then drove back to Bristol via Eurotunnel and had a good nights sleep before work on Monday.

We drove several times from Cerbère to Torrevieja and back, ten hours direct just the once, stopping for meals, coffee and comfort breaks.  The rest of the time we stopped overnight in a comfortable budget hotel in Benicassim.  We found that way we could utilise national rather than toll roads.

I should have said that Cerbère is the last village in France, 1/4 mile from Portbou via the train tunnel, Portbou being the first village on the Costa Brava.

Although travelling via train is very enjoyable, would it not be easier to just drive down? Sounds like it takes roughly the same amount of time. That way it saves you waiting at stations and changing trains 

I’ve done the trip lots of times but I use the fast Paris to Barcelona 6.40 to 7.40 hrs and spend a hotel night in Barcelona. I change station’s in Paris using the underground which has a colour system but lots of information kiosks. If you want a cheaper route you can go Paris Beziers 5.30hrs Beziers Barcelona 2.40hrs, but you only save about £60. You can book a cushette sleeper. There is a Bus for £36 which takes 15hrs rather than trying to take the slow trains through France 🇫🇷 because you won’t get much sleep on them. Good luck.

Bob

Thanks all for the above comments but I’ve managed to find a suitable flight from Gatwick which works out just right, and is obviously cheaper than either overland means of travel.