Is there a train from Santiago to Barcelona?

[E. O. Pederson]

Paris may be a better alternative unless you want to visit Barcelona as part
of your trip.  The direct connections across Spain from Santiago to
Barcelona are complicated with changes and almost a full 18 hours riding.
In fact, the easiest way from Santiago to Barcelona is to take the train to
Madrid and and change there to Barcelona; fast Talgo trains on both legs
with a quick transfer at Chamartin.  It is also possible to take the slower
trains via Leon and Burgos across northern Spain, but my timetable suggests
connections require lots of time waiting in stations and slower trains.

On average, Spanish trains are slow (except the link from Madrid to Sevilla)
while French trains are very fast. There are two major options to Paris, the
Talgo to Madrid and thence to Paris on a fast train (including a sleeper
option), or a slow train from Santiago to Burgos with a change there to a
fast train.  Check the RENFE and SNCF sites on the internet (sorry, I am
writing from a place where I do not have the website addresses handy)for
connections. If you are flying to/from DeGaulle, there is a train station at
the airport where you can buy tickets or terminate your trip.
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