mentira

Hey guys, so I'm just drafting up the formalities of my intinerary, and I found that no matter what I do, travelling from Nice to Barcelona will result in my arriving around 9:45, I'm staying at the BCNHello hostel, which is about 8-10 minutes away by car. I was wondering if you found the taxis safe? I'm 17, and a single traveller, which is why I'm asking. If anyone has stayed at the hostel, do you know if they can do pick ups from the train station?

Thanks everyone

-A very nervous and paranoid Alli

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Leavin' On A Jetplane February 10th: England, Wales, France, Germany, Spain, Portgual, Italy, Croatia, Greece

travelpunk

I think you'll be fine with the cabs. I always ask for a "ticket" (reciept) when I pay for a cab. This usually has their cab ID number and they sign it. That way there is less of a chance that I'll get ripped off because I have their info.


As a general rule about cabs when I'm in any country outside North America, is I will put my backpack in the back seat with me and not in the trunk. I remember reading a couple of horror stories about backpackers paying the cab driver inside the car, then getting out of the cab, walking to the trunk to get their backpack when the cab driver speeds off suddenly. By the time the authorities get involved, your goods are dust in the wind.

Maybe I'm a little paranoid, but better safe than sorry...

Brookers13

have u checked out the subway? it may be really easy to just hop on the underground at the train station? just a thought.

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"I wanna be there, I wanna go back down and get high by the sea there, with a tin cup for a chalice, fill it up with good red wine, and ill be chewin' on a honeysuckle vine...." - Jimmy

joe7f

I never thought of that Tony! Very good point! Although this is a little tougher with more than one person traveling with you (even if you are doing the solo bit, you will still meet people along the way) so maybe if you have to put your pack in the trunk you make sure to let the driver exit the car first.

I assume 9:45 is based on the 24 hour European clock right? If so, then Brookers is right, Barcelona's metro is very easy to get around in and safe (apart from pickpockets). I think if you are traveling from Nice, you will probably be going to Barcelona Franca (that is how I left for Milan) which is across the street from a metro stop (my quick map looking on tmb suggests Barceloneta and that sounds familiar )

From a map on TMB.net, I think you can take L4 (the yellow line) from Barceloneta to Passeig de Gracia and switch lines to L3 (Green) and get off at Paral Lei which is near the hostel.

From there you need to finalize directions or do what I do, look for kids my age with backpacks and ask them if they are staying where I am. :-D

This is what Hostelz says:

• Located just behind the Apollo Theatre - 2 minutes walk from the metro stop 'Parel.lel'.
• From the airport: Catch the Aerobus (blue bus) to Plaza Catalunya or the train to the main train station, 'Sants' (see below). From Plaza Catalunya you can take the Metro - green line - to Paral.lel (direction 'Universitária' / exit Av de Paral.lel). Walk one block (behind the Apollo Theatre) to the street 'Vila i Vilá' and then make a slight left to enter the street Lafont. Look out for number 8! You can't miss it!!!!

How psyched are ya? :D

--Joey

mentira

Thanks for all of the advice guys, and by the way, I am very psyched. I leave in less than a week now!

I meant 9:45 PM, I never get used to the 24 hour clocks. I was just concerned because it was night.

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Leavin' On A Jetplane February 10th: England, Wales, France, Germany, Spain, Portgual, Italy, Croatia, Greece

joe7f

I still think you are probably okay to take the Metro but it isn't worth stressing over. Just take a cab and put your mind at ease

--Joey

space virgin

When I first saw this thread I thought it said "Are crabs safe in Barcelona?"

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Various bloggings (Version 2.0)

Traveler

Good tip about backpack in the trunk of cab.
Another is make sure if your going to take a cab, that you get a license cab. There are people who paint their car's as cabs, to make extra money on the side, but others do it..., to rip people off. So, be careful that you get into the right cab...

Traveler.