Transport to the holiday home – the easiest way to get there

When staying in one of our authentic holiday homes in Catalonia, transport is an important part of the planning.

Many of the houses are located exactly where you get the peace, the views, the space and the special Catalan atmosphere. This also means that they are rarely just around the corner from a train station or a bus stop.

That is why, in most cases, we recommend that you have access to a car during your stay. It gives you the freedom to get to the house easily, do your grocery shopping, go on excursions and experience the area at your own pace.

Flight, train or your own car?

Most of our guests arrive in Catalonia by plane. From there, many choose to rent a car at the airport and drive on to the holiday home.

The most commonly used airports are Barcelona Airport, which has by far the most international connections, as well as Girona Airport and Reus Airport. The latter two have especially good connections from other European countries during the summer season and can be practical options, depending on where in Catalonia your holiday home is located.

Some guests prefer to drive all the way in their own car. This can be a really good solution, especially if you would like plenty of room for luggage, sports equipment, children’s gear or simply want to enjoy the flexibility of having your own car with you. If you are considering a self-drive holiday, we have written a separate blog with useful advice and experiences about driving to Catalonia.

In recent years, train travel has also become a more popular form of transport. The French high-speed train TGV is connected with the Spanish high-speed train AVE, providing good connections from places such as Paris, Lyon and Marseille to Catalonia. The main stops are Figueres, Girona, Barcelona and Tarragona. From there, you can continue by rental car, taxi or, in some cases, local transport combined with pick-up.

Our experience with car rental

When it comes to car rental, there is no single solution that suits everyone. However, our experience is that it is often easiest to rent directly from the car rental company rather than through intermediaries and price comparison sites.

When booking through comparison sites, the price may look lower at first glance. On the other hand, some guests find that pick-up becomes more complicated, and that extra insurance, upgrades or add-ons are offered at the desk.

This does not mean that price comparison sites are always a bad solution. But it is important to read the terms and conditions carefully, especially in relation to insurance, excess, fuel policy, mileage limits and credit card requirements.

We always recommend that you check in advance:

• What is included in the price
• Whether there is an excess
• What type of insurance is included
• Whether the car is picked up inside the airport itself or outside the terminal area
• What rules apply for drop-off outside opening hours
• Whether a credit card in the driver’s name is required

We have gathered more practical tips about car rental in our FAQ, where you can find advice about insurance, pick-up and other things that are good to be aware of before departure.

If not everyone arrives at the same time

When several families or a larger group travel together, it often happens that not everyone arrives at the same time. Some may fly to Barcelona, others to Girona, and some may arrive later by train or in their own car.

Here, our approach is simple: We find a solution together.

We are happy to help look into local bus connections, train options or combinations of public transport and pick-up by other members of the group. Often, it is possible to take the train to a nearby station, where the rest of the group can pick you up by car.

The most important thing is that you let us know your place of arrival, arrival time and which holiday home you will be staying in. That way, we can better advise you on what makes the most sense in practice.

Do you need an SUV?

One question we are often asked is whether you need to rent an SUV or a four-wheel-drive car to reach the holiday home.

Fortunately, the answer is almost always no.

The vast majority of our holiday homes can be reached without any problems in a regular car. The roads are generally good, and there is normally no need for an SUV, four-wheel drive or extra ground clearance.

However, there are a few houses located at the end of a longer gravel road or along smaller country roads. In those cases, we always try to mention it in the house description, so you know the conditions in advance.

If you are unsure about the access conditions for a specific holiday home, you are always welcome to ask us. We know the houses well and are happy to advise you on which type of car is best suited to your specific destination.

Freedom to experience Catalonia

A car is not only about getting to the holiday home. It also gives you a much better opportunity to experience the area around the house.

Many of our holiday homes are located close to small villages, local markets, good restaurants, hiking routes, wine regions, beaches or historic towns. With a car, you can set off whenever it suits you, and you are not dependent on timetables or taxis.

This is especially useful if you are travelling with children, staying together as several families or would like to combine relaxation at the house with small excursions during your holiday.

Ask us – we are happy to help

The most important advice is actually quite simple: Ask us if you are unsure.

Write or call us with information about your place of arrival, arrival time and which holiday home you will be staying in. We will be happy to help you find the solution that best suits your travel plans. Tel. +45 50 56 76 24 or e-mail: info@sydensferiehuse.dk.

We know the houses, the area and the local transport options, and we are happy to share our experience. That way, transport does not become something that takes up unnecessary space in your holiday planning, but simply a practical part of the journey towards a wonderful holiday in Catalonia.