Scrambling down the stairs, looking for a clean pair of jeans it dawned on me. I am going to be late to yet another meeting! TfL had contacted me last Friday to see if I wanted to test the new cycle hire scheme bike. I was happy to oblige but with a pending trip to Argentina in three days I was finding myself even less organised than usual. As I powered my way through London to get to Victoria Street and the TfL press offices I pondered how many people had tried out the bike. I must be in the first few. Also, what would the bike be like? Fast, slow, comfortable, cumbersome?
Upon arrival at the TfL offices I have a decision to make. Secure my bike with a cheap lock and keep my expensive one for the cycle hire bike or the other way round? Someone had commented to me that if you do the maths the scheme is costing £18,000 per bike. While I hold strong doubts about this back of an envelope calculation, I was still certain I wouldn’t want to be responsible for the prototype TfL cycle hire bike getting stolen!
Heading up on the high-speed escalator I reached into my bag to grab my notepad where I had jotted down the questions my Twitterers wanted me to ask. I realised I had left it at home. Soon the high-speed escalator was not looking so cool as I struggled to remember what I was meant to be asking.
No time. I’m shacking hands with Nancy from the TfL press office and having a look at the cycle hire bike for the first time. We take the bike down to the lobby and it’s time to test Nancy out with my questions. Luckily, she knows her stuff.
How will the distribution be done and will electric vans be used?
There will be vans managed by Serco redistributing the bikes to ensure even distribution. These are highly likely to be electric.
Considering the thefts in similar schemes, such as the ones in Paris Velib, what security features will there be?
Compared to the Paris scheme the bikes don’t come with an onboard lock. Hence people are encouraged to leave them at the cycle hire docks. Also, the cycle hire dock is easier to use. Unlike the Parisian one, it is a one step process so people won’t forget to do step two, which is securing the bike. The bikes are also much tougher to remove from the cycle hire dock without paying thanks to the design of the dock. If you don’t return the bike then a £300 charge is made on your card.
Saddle height adjusted, good to go
Once my questions have been answered there is nothing left to do but try out the bike. I adjust the saddle to my height using the useful quick release beneath the seat.
Lifting the bike off the curve and onto the pavement I suddenly notice how heavy it is. You certainly wouldn’t want to carry this beast up more than a couple of steps. I glance behind and set off. I’m instantly feeling more European. I’m on a cycle hire bike that has a chain cage so you don’t need to roll up your jeans, a basket for your bag and a step over frame eliminating the need for that awkward leg over manoeuvre. This is cycling in a way someone from Amsterdam would appreciate.
I head to Westminster bridge. While everyone else is taking pictures of each other next to Big Ben with their hands in the V-shape, I park up the bike, kick the stand down and start to take pictures of it. My doing so attracts a lot of attention and interested glances. This isn’t at all surprising. The bike really stands out. Its big blue frame and silver plastic handlebar covers are very noticeable. I instantly make the decision: I love the bold design!
The cycle hire bike parked up
Adjusting the seat on the cycle hire bike
Front basket with straps you can easily adjust
Handlebars on the TfL cycle hire bike
Hud powered lights at the back that stay on up to 2 minutes when stationary
Time to race..
Racing a cycle hire bikePictures out the way I decide there is only one mature and adult way to put this bike through its paces. A race! So I head over to The Mall next to St James Park and spot a reasonably fast moving bike messenger up ahead. I switch to the third gear and pedal as fast as I can. I overtake. I’m sure the messenger was very bemused to see a big chunky cycle hire bike overtake him. I’m also sure, that if he realised I was racing him, he would of beaten me by a mile!
However, the experiment did prove that you can reach speeds of 20 – 22 mph on a cycle hire bike. Though your feet will be spinning like you are in a rollapaluza race. Overall the 3 gear choices are fairly good and provide a good enough range. However, cycling even slightly uphill is a noticeable challenge due to the weight of the bike. Luckily in Zone 1 your chances of coming up against a major hill are slim.
Heading out into the heavy traffic
bike-vs-hgv With my confidence in the bike at an all time high I head out into the heavy traffic. Here I test out its manoeuvrability by heading between a bus and a HGV. Probably the least safe place in the world to be and an experiment I wouldn’t repeat. However, the bike steers well and the handlebars are not too wide so there is no problem with squeezing past tight gaps.
The bike is generally very comfortable and easy to ride after the first few minutes of getting used to it. You are in the upright position which gives you a clear view of the traffic. The chunky wheels mean it can handle potholes and a tiny bit of off-road action.
As my two hour introduction to the cycle hire bike drew to a close, almost as fast as it started, I travelled back to the TfL office. On the way back a motorbike pulled up next to me and commented on how funky the bike looked. I think it will be really interesting to be cycling around when the bikes first hit the streets in a mass number as they will be very noticeable.
Saying goodbye to the London cycle hire bike
TfL-cycle-hire-bike-on-speakers-corner
The receptionist back at the TfL office was amazed at how chunky the bike is. Needless to say she was very surprised to hear it can reach speeds higher than 20mph.
Talking to Nancy again we agreed there is a great buzz surrounding the launch of the cycle hire scheme. She told me that having the first 30 minutes free encourages people to use the bike for short hops rather than borrowing it for the whole day. This should mean more bikes are available for everyone to use.
Hoping back on my own bike felt good. I’m not sure if this was because I knew I would no longer be overhearing whispers of “that’s that new cycle hire bike” or because I could zip around at a higher speed again. When the cycle hire scheme launches on the 30th of July I highly recommend you give it a go.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Whipcar Introduces Neighborhood Car Rental Service In London
London based car owners can now make money from their cars when not using them. Whipcar is a UK based service which allows a car owner to rent it out to his neighborhood for a few hours to even weeks. What’s more, the renting has no impact on the car’s own insurance as it is automatically insured for the renter for the agreed duration of hire, without affecting the car’s existing insurance.
Both car owners and renters have to register with the site, after which Whipcar carries some background checks on them. When someone applies to rent a car, the owner is sent an email alert with the potential renter’s profile. The owner chooses the hourly rates and gets to accept or reject the renter. Once the booking is accepted, the charges are debited from the renter’s credit card and the owner is provided with the last 4 digits of the driver’s driving license for verification and both parties agree to meet at a chosen location for the driver to take the car and then drop off at the return time.
Founder Vinay Gupta cites a report that says many cars in the UK were used for less than an hour a day by their owners and his own research shows that there are people who would gladly pay for renting a car from their neighborhood. The service is initially operating in London with plans of expanding across the country shortly.
Both car owners and renters have to register with the site, after which Whipcar carries some background checks on them. When someone applies to rent a car, the owner is sent an email alert with the potential renter’s profile. The owner chooses the hourly rates and gets to accept or reject the renter. Once the booking is accepted, the charges are debited from the renter’s credit card and the owner is provided with the last 4 digits of the driver’s driving license for verification and both parties agree to meet at a chosen location for the driver to take the car and then drop off at the return time.
Founder Vinay Gupta cites a report that says many cars in the UK were used for less than an hour a day by their owners and his own research shows that there are people who would gladly pay for renting a car from their neighborhood. The service is initially operating in London with plans of expanding across the country shortly.
Budget Car Rental Madrid Nuevos Ministerios Tube Station – Rent a Car!
Spain’s capital, Madrid, is in the centre and is the site of instantly recognizable tourist draws such as Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace, Almudena Cathedral and the glorious Prado Museum. Other Madrid draws are its exciting nightlife venues and diverse restaurants serving delectable gastronomy. A convenient transportation mode is car rental at Madrid Nuevos Ministerios Tube Station.
Madrid Nuevos Ministerios Tube Station is a major interchange on Madrid’s Metro and rail network. Metro lines six, eight and ten intersect here. Line 10 is the route for Madrid Barajas Airport. The Nuevos Ministerios government office complex is above the Metro Station. Real Madrid’s Bernabeu Stadium is less than one kilometer north.
The station is a convenient budget car rental at Madrid Nuevos Ministerios Tube Station pick up point. The M30, Madrid’s inner city orbital, is a quick car rental at Madrid Nuevos Ministerios Tube Station drive away. Campo del Moro park, the Prado, Debod Egyptian Temple and La Casa de Campo are within easy range.
La Casa de Campo is a vast park on the opposite side of the M30 which offers Madrid Zoo, a scenic lake, a fairground, a swimming pool and memorials from the Spanish Civil War. The M30 links to Madrid’s outer ring roads and motorways for Segovia, the Sierra de Gredos, Salamanca and Toledo. Sierra de Gredos has bucolic mountain camp grounds and trekking trails.
Toledo is south and features draws which include the El Greco Museum, the Mudejar style Puerta del Sol and the 10th century Puerta de Bisagra. Segovia, north of Madrid, features a complete Roman aqueduct and the fairy tale Segovia Castle. Extra cheap car rental at Madrid Nuevos Ministerios Tube Station reductions are available with pre-bookings.
Madrid Nuevos Ministerios Tube Station is a major interchange on Madrid’s Metro and rail network. Metro lines six, eight and ten intersect here. Line 10 is the route for Madrid Barajas Airport. The Nuevos Ministerios government office complex is above the Metro Station. Real Madrid’s Bernabeu Stadium is less than one kilometer north.
The station is a convenient budget car rental at Madrid Nuevos Ministerios Tube Station pick up point. The M30, Madrid’s inner city orbital, is a quick car rental at Madrid Nuevos Ministerios Tube Station drive away. Campo del Moro park, the Prado, Debod Egyptian Temple and La Casa de Campo are within easy range.
La Casa de Campo is a vast park on the opposite side of the M30 which offers Madrid Zoo, a scenic lake, a fairground, a swimming pool and memorials from the Spanish Civil War. The M30 links to Madrid’s outer ring roads and motorways for Segovia, the Sierra de Gredos, Salamanca and Toledo. Sierra de Gredos has bucolic mountain camp grounds and trekking trails.
Toledo is south and features draws which include the El Greco Museum, the Mudejar style Puerta del Sol and the 10th century Puerta de Bisagra. Segovia, north of Madrid, features a complete Roman aqueduct and the fairy tale Segovia Castle. Extra cheap car rental at Madrid Nuevos Ministerios Tube Station reductions are available with pre-bookings.
Budget Car Rental Barcelona – Tuset C – Rent a Car!
Spain’s fine metropolis of Barcelona is home to many of the country’s most famous sites and attractions. Ideally situated on the Mediterranean coast, this world-class city attracts tourists from around the world. Many visitors to the city opt to rent a car when they arrive. Renting a car in the city is highly recommended and allows you to travel around at your own leisurely pace.
Tuset C is a popular street within Barcelona. Along with some fine restaurants, bars and shops, you’ll also find rental car options. This area serves as a great base for checking out the city’s many districts. From Tuset C, head to the many parks located within the city. Each park boasts a unique layout and offers a variety of outdoor activities.
With cheap car rental in Barcelona – Tuset C, make your way to the city’s famous Gaudi architectural sites. Situated atop a hill overlooking the city, Parc Guell boasts a plethora of fine Gaudi works. From here, head to the nearby Sagrada Familia. This incomplete structure is one of Spain’s most famous landmarks.
Don’t miss the chance to visit Barcelona’s numerous top-notch museums and galleries. The Catalan Archeological Museum houses many of Spain’s most valuable artifacts. After a fascinating tour around the museum, drive to Palau Nacional. This art museum boasts priceless collections of fine arts from around the world.
With budget car rental in Barcelona – Tuset C, head to the infamous Nou Camp. Even if you’re not a football fan, this infamous football venue is definitely worth a visit. The home of FC Barcelona, Nou Camp offers tourists plenty of photographic opportunities. Car rental in Barcelona – Tuset C provides easy access to most of the city’s most popular sites.
Tuset C is a popular street within Barcelona. Along with some fine restaurants, bars and shops, you’ll also find rental car options. This area serves as a great base for checking out the city’s many districts. From Tuset C, head to the many parks located within the city. Each park boasts a unique layout and offers a variety of outdoor activities.
With cheap car rental in Barcelona – Tuset C, make your way to the city’s famous Gaudi architectural sites. Situated atop a hill overlooking the city, Parc Guell boasts a plethora of fine Gaudi works. From here, head to the nearby Sagrada Familia. This incomplete structure is one of Spain’s most famous landmarks.
Don’t miss the chance to visit Barcelona’s numerous top-notch museums and galleries. The Catalan Archeological Museum houses many of Spain’s most valuable artifacts. After a fascinating tour around the museum, drive to Palau Nacional. This art museum boasts priceless collections of fine arts from around the world.
With budget car rental in Barcelona – Tuset C, head to the infamous Nou Camp. Even if you’re not a football fan, this infamous football venue is definitely worth a visit. The home of FC Barcelona, Nou Camp offers tourists plenty of photographic opportunities. Car rental in Barcelona – Tuset C provides easy access to most of the city’s most popular sites.
BARCELONA TO PARIS FOR STRANDED PASSENGERS
THE.CAT hopes to be able to help some international passengers who want to reach home and who are in Barcelona. THE.CAT is a just a personal website made in Barcelona.
The obvious option would be by plane but this may not be an option due to the plane restrictions caused by the ashes of this pretty Icelandic volcano. You can go to www.aena.es to know what is going on with your plane in any of the Spanish airports.
These last weeks there has been a strike in the French railway service. You can check what is going on at www.sncf.com .
Anyway, there are few Spanish trains that cross the border. Some go to Montpellier, to Milano in Italy, to Zürich in Switzerland or to Paris. These trains are very full or completely full for these days. Milano, Zurich or Paris trenhotel more information at www.elipsos.com Besides, sometimes these trains cannot cross the border because of the French strike so the passengers are transfered to buses. BE AWARE, that if finally you can catch an ELIPSO TRENHOTEL (or a TALGO to MONTPELLIER) you must know if the train departs from BARCELONA SANTS or BARCELONA ESTACIÓ DE FRANÇA. As far as I know all depart from ESTACIÓ DE FRANÇA except the TALGO that goes to Montpellier at the afternoon and that comes from the south of Spain. As I have said THE STRIKE IN FRANCE may cause change in this trains!!!!!! I have heard that sometimes some trains have been cancelled and other times the passengers have had to continue with buses, maybe from FIGUERES.
So another option is to take a regional train to the border – it can be full of people but they go without reservation so you always can have a ticket. They leave from Barcelona each hour or two. Some of them go to CERBERE – CERBERE is the first village in the French State, and some go to PORTBOU. PORTBOU is a Catalan town too but on the south part of border, so inside the Spanish state. When there is strike in France the trains just go to PORTBOU.
If this is the unfortunate case then you will have to go from PORTBOU to CERBERE with other means. I imagine that with a TAXI. It is about a 5 km ride through the mountain that separates both coastal villages.
BARCELONA-SANTS or BARCELONA-PASSEIG DE GRÀCIA are good places to take the train. Nevertheless the big big station is BARCELONA SANTS. There you have a place to leave the lugagge, you have offices to rent a car, you have a lot of taxis, you have a bus station next to it. And a McDonalds and other restaurants. The McDonald’s has WIFI. Nearby, at about 5 minutes, in the street you have some small INTERNET CAFÉS. I also have heard that last night the station remained exceptionally open for stranded passengers.
Once you are in CERBERE you are in France. Even if there is a strike I saw that there were some services so you may find some way of going north. PERPIGNAN would be the first big city to reach.
I have heard that some people united themselves and just rent buses to go to their destinations. In my personal opinion then it is best to remain in a big city to do that.
Another option to go to France is taking a bus in Barcelona. EUROLINES has buses, quite full too. In Barcelona there are two bus stations so you must check which one you need. ESTACIÓ SUD is next to RAILWAY ESTACIÓ BARCELONA SANTS, the main railway station in Barcelona. Then you have ESTACIÓ DEL NORD with much more buses in general.
Some people go with train to FIGUERES and in FIGUERES they take a bus or a taxi or somebody comes to pick them. After all FIGUERES is next to the highway that passes through PERPIGNAN too.
I hope this post can be helpful.
PERPIGNAN and FIGUERES is a 60 km drive that should take about 45 minuts just through the toll highways A9 and AP-7.
Let me say that I offered myself for a limited time as a free translator ENGLISH SPANISH for stranded passengers.
LINKS:
www.aena.es (SPANISH AIRPORTS WEBSITE. YOU CAN CHOOSE THE AIRPORT AND THE LANGUAGE. FOR EXEMPLE, FOR BCN AIRPORT AND IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE: http://www.aena.es/csee/Satellite?SiteName=BCN&c=Page&cid=1045569607459&pagename=subHome OR SPANISH: http://www.aena.es/csee/Satellite?SiteName=BCN&c=Page&cid=1045569607459&pagename=subHome )
www.sncf.com (FRENCH RAILWAY COMPANY)
www.renfe.com (SPANISH RAILWAY COMPANY)
www.barcelonanord.com (ESTACIO DEL NORD IS A MAIN BUS STATION IN BARCELONA. BUT REMEMBER THAT NEXT TO BARCELONA SANTS RAILWAY STATION YOU ALSO HAVE A BUS STATION WITH BUSES TO EUROPE!)
www.linebus.com (BUSES TO EUROPE)
www.eurolines.es (BUSES TO EUROPE. NEXT TO BARCELONA SANTS RAILWAY STATION THEY HAVE OFFICES AT THE BUS STATION)
www.bcn.cat (IT IS THE WEBSITE OF BARCELONA CITY COUNCIL. IF YOU HAVE RUN OUT OF MONEY REMEMBER THERE ARE PLACES IN BARCELONA WHERE IT IS POSSIBLE TO EAT FOR FREE FOR THOSE IN NEED)
—–
I am at www.eurolines.es. I have read that the buses are very full or totally full but I also have heard that there are more buses now so who knows maybe one can take one of these buses.
I put BARCELONA SANTS (it refers to the bus station next to the big building of the railway station) or BARCELONA NORTE (it refers to ESTACIÓ DEL NORD) and you can go
GERMANY, BELGIUM, TCHEC REPUBLIC,FRANCE, HOLAND/NEDERLANDS, ITALY,LUXEMBOURG, MOROCCO, POLAND,PORTUGAL, ROMANIA, SWITZERLAND and MOLDOVIA.
This means cities, like, for example, BREMEN,BERLIN, DUSSELDORF, FREIBURG,FRANKFURT, HEIDELBERG, HAMBURG,HANNOVER, KOLN,MUNCHEN,STUTTGART,AMBERS, BRUSSELS, GANT, LIEJA,PRAGUE, PLZEN,AVIGNON, BORDEAUX, BEZIERS,CARCASSONE, DIJON, GRENOBLE, LILLE,LYON, MONTPELLIER, MARSEILLE, NICE,NARBONNE, NANTES, PERPIGNAN,TOULOUSE, PARIS, REIMS,AMSTERDAM, EINDHOVEN, ROTTERDAM,UTRECHT,BOLOGNIA, FIRENZA, MILANO, NAPOLI,ROME, VENEZIA,KRAKOW, WARSAW,BUCAREST,ZURICH, BASEL, GENEVE, LAUSANNE,CHISINAU.
—-
Wow! It is about two hours that I have written this post and I am already receiving visits related to this post. Here you can see the searches that bring visitors to this website!:
APRIL 20TH 2010 good morning! I just have read that now the things are easier. Some flight have left Amsterdam towards New York.
I wanted to comment also about another place in the border with FRANCE. It is called TOUR DE CAROL. The trains from Barcelona, when there is not strike, they also go to this city in France. If there is a strike in FRANCE, the trains only go to PUIGCERDÀ because they do not cross the border. To go to TOUR DE CAROL or PUIFCERDÀ the train leaves from BARCELONA SANT ANDREU ARENAL so this is an inconvenience so I think it is much better to go to PORTBOU. Anyway, I write about TOUR DE CAROL because there may be somebody interested in going there!
I am also visiting the links I put before and I have realised that some information is difficult to get in English so I will try to put here the timetables I find, etc. I may even open a twitter account. For the people wanting to go to the UK I imagine they know about ships from the army going to SANTANDER. I have to know more about this. Maybe I should also put here a list of embassies.
HERE IS THE LIST OF TIMETABLES I HAVE FOUND FOR APRIL 20TH 2010. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THERE CAN BE MISTAKES SO PLEASE VISIT OFFICIAL SITES:
BARCELONA SANTS – PORTBOU 0916-1155 (a regional train. lots of stops)
CERBERE – PERPIGNAN 1228 (as you have to take a taxi from Portbou to Cerbere I wonder if this can be done only in 33 minutes!, the time between 1155 and 1228. Maybe one has to wait for the other train …)
BARCELONA SANTS – PORTBOU 1016-1230 ( a md train. few stops)
CERBERE – NARBONNE 1409
BARCELONA SANTS – PORTBOU 1116-1355 (regional train. lots of stops)
CERBERE – PERPIGNAN 1503
CERBERE – PERPIGNAN 1544
BARCELONA SANTS – PORTBOU 1316-1555 (regional train. lots of stops)
CERBERE – PERPIGNAN 1653
CERBERE – PERPIGNAN 1722
BARCELONA SANTS – PORTBOU 1516-1755 (regional train. los of stops)
CERBERE - NARBONNE 1825
The next are trains to Portbou. From Cèrbere I have not seen any but this may be because where I look only gives me some trains. I do not konw. I am just loking at a widget called PROCHAINS DEPARTS that I downloaded from http://www.ter-sncf.com/Regions/languedoc_roussillon/Fr/Se_deplacer_en_TER/Avant_mon_voyage/Widget_prochains_departs/Default.aspx
Once you are in that page choose the option TELECHARGER THE OBJECT. THEN CHOOSE SAVE! I choose to save it in my desktop and know I can have the timetable of FRENCH TRAINS!
BARCELONA SANTS – PORTBOU 1716-1955 (regional train. lots of stops)
BARCELONA SANTS – PORTBOU 1746-2000 (md train. few stops)
BARCELONA SANTS – PORTBOU 1916-2202 (regional train. few stops)
I just have looked at LATOUR-DE-CAROL. I see that there are some buses going to TOULOUSE-MATABIAU departing at 0955 and at 1320. I have no idea if it is easy to go from Puigcerdà to La Tour de Querol.
Looking at the departures from PERPIGNAN I see two TGV to PARIS – GARE DE LYON. I just wonder if it has seats available these days. The times I see are 1135 and 1535. Some of the stops are NARBONNE, BEZIERS and MONTPELLIER. I also see TER trains going to AVIGNON, TOULOUSE, NARBONNE, …
At 1238 I see at www.aena.es that some flights are going to HAMBURG and FRANKFURT.
LAST UPDATE: 1226 APRIL 20TH 2010
The obvious option would be by plane but this may not be an option due to the plane restrictions caused by the ashes of this pretty Icelandic volcano. You can go to www.aena.es to know what is going on with your plane in any of the Spanish airports.
These last weeks there has been a strike in the French railway service. You can check what is going on at www.sncf.com .
Anyway, there are few Spanish trains that cross the border. Some go to Montpellier, to Milano in Italy, to Zürich in Switzerland or to Paris. These trains are very full or completely full for these days. Milano, Zurich or Paris trenhotel more information at www.elipsos.com Besides, sometimes these trains cannot cross the border because of the French strike so the passengers are transfered to buses. BE AWARE, that if finally you can catch an ELIPSO TRENHOTEL (or a TALGO to MONTPELLIER) you must know if the train departs from BARCELONA SANTS or BARCELONA ESTACIÓ DE FRANÇA. As far as I know all depart from ESTACIÓ DE FRANÇA except the TALGO that goes to Montpellier at the afternoon and that comes from the south of Spain. As I have said THE STRIKE IN FRANCE may cause change in this trains!!!!!! I have heard that sometimes some trains have been cancelled and other times the passengers have had to continue with buses, maybe from FIGUERES.
So another option is to take a regional train to the border – it can be full of people but they go without reservation so you always can have a ticket. They leave from Barcelona each hour or two. Some of them go to CERBERE – CERBERE is the first village in the French State, and some go to PORTBOU. PORTBOU is a Catalan town too but on the south part of border, so inside the Spanish state. When there is strike in France the trains just go to PORTBOU.
If this is the unfortunate case then you will have to go from PORTBOU to CERBERE with other means. I imagine that with a TAXI. It is about a 5 km ride through the mountain that separates both coastal villages.
BARCELONA-SANTS or BARCELONA-PASSEIG DE GRÀCIA are good places to take the train. Nevertheless the big big station is BARCELONA SANTS. There you have a place to leave the lugagge, you have offices to rent a car, you have a lot of taxis, you have a bus station next to it. And a McDonalds and other restaurants. The McDonald’s has WIFI. Nearby, at about 5 minutes, in the street you have some small INTERNET CAFÉS. I also have heard that last night the station remained exceptionally open for stranded passengers.
Once you are in CERBERE you are in France. Even if there is a strike I saw that there were some services so you may find some way of going north. PERPIGNAN would be the first big city to reach.
I have heard that some people united themselves and just rent buses to go to their destinations. In my personal opinion then it is best to remain in a big city to do that.
Another option to go to France is taking a bus in Barcelona. EUROLINES has buses, quite full too. In Barcelona there are two bus stations so you must check which one you need. ESTACIÓ SUD is next to RAILWAY ESTACIÓ BARCELONA SANTS, the main railway station in Barcelona. Then you have ESTACIÓ DEL NORD with much more buses in general.
Some people go with train to FIGUERES and in FIGUERES they take a bus or a taxi or somebody comes to pick them. After all FIGUERES is next to the highway that passes through PERPIGNAN too.
I hope this post can be helpful.
PERPIGNAN and FIGUERES is a 60 km drive that should take about 45 minuts just through the toll highways A9 and AP-7.
Let me say that I offered myself for a limited time as a free translator ENGLISH SPANISH for stranded passengers.
LINKS:
www.aena.es (SPANISH AIRPORTS WEBSITE. YOU CAN CHOOSE THE AIRPORT AND THE LANGUAGE. FOR EXEMPLE, FOR BCN AIRPORT AND IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE: http://www.aena.es/csee/Satellite?SiteName=BCN&c=Page&cid=1045569607459&pagename=subHome OR SPANISH: http://www.aena.es/csee/Satellite?SiteName=BCN&c=Page&cid=1045569607459&pagename=subHome )
www.sncf.com (FRENCH RAILWAY COMPANY)
www.renfe.com (SPANISH RAILWAY COMPANY)
www.barcelonanord.com (ESTACIO DEL NORD IS A MAIN BUS STATION IN BARCELONA. BUT REMEMBER THAT NEXT TO BARCELONA SANTS RAILWAY STATION YOU ALSO HAVE A BUS STATION WITH BUSES TO EUROPE!)
www.linebus.com (BUSES TO EUROPE)
www.eurolines.es (BUSES TO EUROPE. NEXT TO BARCELONA SANTS RAILWAY STATION THEY HAVE OFFICES AT THE BUS STATION)
www.bcn.cat (IT IS THE WEBSITE OF BARCELONA CITY COUNCIL. IF YOU HAVE RUN OUT OF MONEY REMEMBER THERE ARE PLACES IN BARCELONA WHERE IT IS POSSIBLE TO EAT FOR FREE FOR THOSE IN NEED)
—–
I am at www.eurolines.es. I have read that the buses are very full or totally full but I also have heard that there are more buses now so who knows maybe one can take one of these buses.
I put BARCELONA SANTS (it refers to the bus station next to the big building of the railway station) or BARCELONA NORTE (it refers to ESTACIÓ DEL NORD) and you can go
GERMANY, BELGIUM, TCHEC REPUBLIC,FRANCE, HOLAND/NEDERLANDS, ITALY,LUXEMBOURG, MOROCCO, POLAND,PORTUGAL, ROMANIA, SWITZERLAND and MOLDOVIA.
This means cities, like, for example, BREMEN,BERLIN, DUSSELDORF, FREIBURG,FRANKFURT, HEIDELBERG, HAMBURG,HANNOVER, KOLN,MUNCHEN,STUTTGART,AMBERS, BRUSSELS, GANT, LIEJA,PRAGUE, PLZEN,AVIGNON, BORDEAUX, BEZIERS,CARCASSONE, DIJON, GRENOBLE, LILLE,LYON, MONTPELLIER, MARSEILLE, NICE,NARBONNE, NANTES, PERPIGNAN,TOULOUSE, PARIS, REIMS,AMSTERDAM, EINDHOVEN, ROTTERDAM,UTRECHT,BOLOGNIA, FIRENZA, MILANO, NAPOLI,ROME, VENEZIA,KRAKOW, WARSAW,BUCAREST,ZURICH, BASEL, GENEVE, LAUSANNE,CHISINAU.
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Wow! It is about two hours that I have written this post and I am already receiving visits related to this post. Here you can see the searches that bring visitors to this website!:
APRIL 20TH 2010 good morning! I just have read that now the things are easier. Some flight have left Amsterdam towards New York.
I wanted to comment also about another place in the border with FRANCE. It is called TOUR DE CAROL. The trains from Barcelona, when there is not strike, they also go to this city in France. If there is a strike in FRANCE, the trains only go to PUIGCERDÀ because they do not cross the border. To go to TOUR DE CAROL or PUIFCERDÀ the train leaves from BARCELONA SANT ANDREU ARENAL so this is an inconvenience so I think it is much better to go to PORTBOU. Anyway, I write about TOUR DE CAROL because there may be somebody interested in going there!
I am also visiting the links I put before and I have realised that some information is difficult to get in English so I will try to put here the timetables I find, etc. I may even open a twitter account. For the people wanting to go to the UK I imagine they know about ships from the army going to SANTANDER. I have to know more about this. Maybe I should also put here a list of embassies.
HERE IS THE LIST OF TIMETABLES I HAVE FOUND FOR APRIL 20TH 2010. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THERE CAN BE MISTAKES SO PLEASE VISIT OFFICIAL SITES:
BARCELONA SANTS – PORTBOU 0916-1155 (a regional train. lots of stops)
CERBERE – PERPIGNAN 1228 (as you have to take a taxi from Portbou to Cerbere I wonder if this can be done only in 33 minutes!, the time between 1155 and 1228. Maybe one has to wait for the other train …)
BARCELONA SANTS – PORTBOU 1016-1230 ( a md train. few stops)
CERBERE – NARBONNE 1409
BARCELONA SANTS – PORTBOU 1116-1355 (regional train. lots of stops)
CERBERE – PERPIGNAN 1503
CERBERE – PERPIGNAN 1544
BARCELONA SANTS – PORTBOU 1316-1555 (regional train. lots of stops)
CERBERE – PERPIGNAN 1653
CERBERE – PERPIGNAN 1722
BARCELONA SANTS – PORTBOU 1516-1755 (regional train. los of stops)
CERBERE - NARBONNE 1825
The next are trains to Portbou. From Cèrbere I have not seen any but this may be because where I look only gives me some trains. I do not konw. I am just loking at a widget called PROCHAINS DEPARTS that I downloaded from http://www.ter-sncf.com/Regions/languedoc_roussillon/Fr/Se_deplacer_en_TER/Avant_mon_voyage/Widget_prochains_departs/Default.aspx
Once you are in that page choose the option TELECHARGER THE OBJECT. THEN CHOOSE SAVE! I choose to save it in my desktop and know I can have the timetable of FRENCH TRAINS!
BARCELONA SANTS – PORTBOU 1716-1955 (regional train. lots of stops)
BARCELONA SANTS – PORTBOU 1746-2000 (md train. few stops)
BARCELONA SANTS – PORTBOU 1916-2202 (regional train. few stops)
I just have looked at LATOUR-DE-CAROL. I see that there are some buses going to TOULOUSE-MATABIAU departing at 0955 and at 1320. I have no idea if it is easy to go from Puigcerdà to La Tour de Querol.
Looking at the departures from PERPIGNAN I see two TGV to PARIS – GARE DE LYON. I just wonder if it has seats available these days. The times I see are 1135 and 1535. Some of the stops are NARBONNE, BEZIERS and MONTPELLIER. I also see TER trains going to AVIGNON, TOULOUSE, NARBONNE, …
At 1238 I see at www.aena.es that some flights are going to HAMBURG and FRANKFURT.
LAST UPDATE: 1226 APRIL 20TH 2010
Reykjavik rent a car provides the right car for traveling in Iceland
Iceland, the land of fire and ice, home to several glaciers, exploding geysers and numerous volcanoes. Melting glaciers and raging rivers form magnificent waterfalls that mesmerise the masses of tourists that flock to the volcanic island every year.
However, the right car and equipment is essential to ensure an unforgettable experience and Reykjavik rent a car has the solution. The Icelandic rent-a-car company offers a wide range of high-performance rental cars that are all equipped with a range of useful extras often needed in rural Iceland, such as Garmin Navigation, roof boxes, children seats and other accessories.
For travellers wishing to explore the astonishing volcanic landscape that Iceland has to offer the selection of vehicles includes top makes such as Volvo, Jeep, Suzuki and Ford; all available with automatic transmission and considerable engine power, which is needed in the remote areas of Iceland.
Iceland Car Rental will either pickup you up after booking from Keflavik International Airport or delivery at any Reykjavik hotel, any address in Greater Reykjavik area or BSI, the main bus terminal in downtown Reykjavik.
To make a booking or enquire about the fleet of cars Reykjavik rent a car provides log on to www.reykjavikrentacar.is
However, the right car and equipment is essential to ensure an unforgettable experience and Reykjavik rent a car has the solution. The Icelandic rent-a-car company offers a wide range of high-performance rental cars that are all equipped with a range of useful extras often needed in rural Iceland, such as Garmin Navigation, roof boxes, children seats and other accessories.
For travellers wishing to explore the astonishing volcanic landscape that Iceland has to offer the selection of vehicles includes top makes such as Volvo, Jeep, Suzuki and Ford; all available with automatic transmission and considerable engine power, which is needed in the remote areas of Iceland.
Iceland Car Rental will either pickup you up after booking from Keflavik International Airport or delivery at any Reykjavik hotel, any address in Greater Reykjavik area or BSI, the main bus terminal in downtown Reykjavik.
To make a booking or enquire about the fleet of cars Reykjavik rent a car provides log on to www.reykjavikrentacar.is
Port Elizabeth Car Hire
Port Elizabeth Car Hire
Port Elizabeth car hire is much like any other car hire. It is much easier to rent a car from the airport than to take public transport on your holiday or business trip, which is why choosing a car from Budget, Avis or Hertz is the cleverest thing you can do. Each of these great car hire dealerships has a huge selection of vehicles for you to choose from, whether you need to hire one for a week or simply a weekend. Often they have specials on, which means that you should keep your eye out for the most affordable rates available by scanning their online sites. When you’re done, you simply return the car to the airport which is incredibly close to the city centre. You will be able to see all the sights hassle free.
If you’ve never visited PE before then choosing Port Elizabeth car hire is certainly the safest and most reliable way for you to get around. Great car hire companies like Hertz, Budget and Avis often provide you with the option of hiring a GPS system so that you can make sure you don’t get lost in the city centre or surrounding areas. If you’d prefer not to use a GPS they will certainly provide you with a map from the airport to relevant landmarks or to your accommodation. The longer you hire a car for, the more you are likely to get affordable rates. That’s why it is perfect to hire a car for the holiday. Nevertheless, that short week or weekend business trip can often be taken without worrying too much about the cost. Choose the car you want from the many vehicles they have on site and you will be ready to go.
If you’d prefer to book your car hire in advance this is possible by looking online to decide which of the affordable rates you’d prefer. The digital age has made everything much easier and there is very little point waiting until the last minute to book your Port Elizabeth car hire.
Port Elizabeth car hire is much like any other car hire. It is much easier to rent a car from the airport than to take public transport on your holiday or business trip, which is why choosing a car from Budget, Avis or Hertz is the cleverest thing you can do. Each of these great car hire dealerships has a huge selection of vehicles for you to choose from, whether you need to hire one for a week or simply a weekend. Often they have specials on, which means that you should keep your eye out for the most affordable rates available by scanning their online sites. When you’re done, you simply return the car to the airport which is incredibly close to the city centre. You will be able to see all the sights hassle free.
If you’ve never visited PE before then choosing Port Elizabeth car hire is certainly the safest and most reliable way for you to get around. Great car hire companies like Hertz, Budget and Avis often provide you with the option of hiring a GPS system so that you can make sure you don’t get lost in the city centre or surrounding areas. If you’d prefer not to use a GPS they will certainly provide you with a map from the airport to relevant landmarks or to your accommodation. The longer you hire a car for, the more you are likely to get affordable rates. That’s why it is perfect to hire a car for the holiday. Nevertheless, that short week or weekend business trip can often be taken without worrying too much about the cost. Choose the car you want from the many vehicles they have on site and you will be ready to go.
If you’d prefer to book your car hire in advance this is possible by looking online to decide which of the affordable rates you’d prefer. The digital age has made everything much easier and there is very little point waiting until the last minute to book your Port Elizabeth car hire.
Advice about an Online/Offline Rent a Car business
Hello everyone, I know there are many innovative minds on this forum so I wanted to ask...
I am looking for some advice on an offline/online combination project I am working on.
I am working with a local rent a car company in Turkey. I will handle their website and online promotion. I am pretty confident the SEO campaign, etc can bring favourable results.
However, I dont know much about the business really, so I would prefer to simply pass the orders to the company and take comission which is also what the boss of the company prefers.
My problem is, how can I track that I generated the customer for them and collect my comissions? if I am not dealing with all of the day to day customer problems, questions etc.
Also, if the company wants to look reputable it should have its address on the website (I think) but what if customers just go to the address from my site and dont mention the website (which would be common in Turkey).
I am really wondering how to track this, has anyone come across a similar problem.
Thanks in advance.
I am looking for some advice on an offline/online combination project I am working on.
I am working with a local rent a car company in Turkey. I will handle their website and online promotion. I am pretty confident the SEO campaign, etc can bring favourable results.
However, I dont know much about the business really, so I would prefer to simply pass the orders to the company and take comission which is also what the boss of the company prefers.
My problem is, how can I track that I generated the customer for them and collect my comissions? if I am not dealing with all of the day to day customer problems, questions etc.
Also, if the company wants to look reputable it should have its address on the website (I think) but what if customers just go to the address from my site and dont mention the website (which would be common in Turkey).
I am really wondering how to track this, has anyone come across a similar problem.
Thanks in advance.
Hertz buys Dollar/Thrifty rent-a-car
In a blockbuster deal that is sure to have significant effects on the consumer rental car market, Hertz has bought Dollar/Thrifty in a $1.2 billion takeover. Hertz will regain its title as the largest rental car firm with this buyout.
From a consumer traveler’s point of view, the pending results of this merger are murky. This combination of Hertz together with Dollar/Thrifty would link a company that has been known for some of the most expensive rental car prices together with a group that normally offered some of the least expensive rentals.
From a consumer’s point of view it seemed that Hertz focused on business travelers and Dollar/Thrifty marketed to the leisure market and families. Building a new brand image will be a challenge.
Perhaps Hertz will keep the companies operating under two separate brands here in the U.S. and combine brands overseas.
From a consumer traveler’s point of view, the pending results of this merger are murky. This combination of Hertz together with Dollar/Thrifty would link a company that has been known for some of the most expensive rental car prices together with a group that normally offered some of the least expensive rentals.
From a consumer’s point of view it seemed that Hertz focused on business travelers and Dollar/Thrifty marketed to the leisure market and families. Building a new brand image will be a challenge.
Perhaps Hertz will keep the companies operating under two separate brands here in the U.S. and combine brands overseas.
Budget Car Rental Homburg – Rent a Car!
Western Germany is home to some of the country’s most stunning natural attractions and famous historical sites. Homburg, a small city of approximately 44,000 inhabitants, is located within the beautiful western state of Saarland. Many visitors to Saarland choose to rent a car upon arrival.
Cheap car rental in Homburg Downtown is highly recommended and serves as a great way of touring the city and its surrounding areas at your own pace. Rather than deal with the sometimes complicated local transportation, tourists find that rental cars are easy to drive around the country’s world-class roads and provide that extra bit of freedom.
Within Homburg you’ll fine some reputable car rental companies. Most of these agencies employ friendly staff who are more than willing to point you in the direction of the area’s most popular attractions. Perhaps the best place to begin your tour is downtown Homburg.
In Homburg’s city center you’ll find a concentration of fine restaurants and bars, along with some historic buildings. From downtown, hop in your car rental in Homburg Downtown and make your way to some of the city’s surrounding areas. A pleasurable drive from Homburg, Saarbrucken is the capital of the state and offers plenty of attractions.
In Saarbrucken, make sure you visit St John’s Basilica. This historic structure is architecturally stunning and affords plenty of prime photographic opportunities. From here, drive with budget car rental in Homburg Downtown to Tbilissi Square, where you’ll discover many boutique shops along with historical buildings and monuments. With your rental car, all of Saarland’s sites are easily accessible.
Cheap car rental in Homburg Downtown is highly recommended and serves as a great way of touring the city and its surrounding areas at your own pace. Rather than deal with the sometimes complicated local transportation, tourists find that rental cars are easy to drive around the country’s world-class roads and provide that extra bit of freedom.
Within Homburg you’ll fine some reputable car rental companies. Most of these agencies employ friendly staff who are more than willing to point you in the direction of the area’s most popular attractions. Perhaps the best place to begin your tour is downtown Homburg.
In Homburg’s city center you’ll find a concentration of fine restaurants and bars, along with some historic buildings. From downtown, hop in your car rental in Homburg Downtown and make your way to some of the city’s surrounding areas. A pleasurable drive from Homburg, Saarbrucken is the capital of the state and offers plenty of attractions.
In Saarbrucken, make sure you visit St John’s Basilica. This historic structure is architecturally stunning and affords plenty of prime photographic opportunities. From here, drive with budget car rental in Homburg Downtown to Tbilissi Square, where you’ll discover many boutique shops along with historical buildings and monuments. With your rental car, all of Saarland’s sites are easily accessible.
U.S. Rent A Car Releases Live Car Hire Search and Advanced Car Hire Reviews
www.usrentacar.co.uk has today unveiled its latest innovations, “live search” and their advanced supplier review service.
U.S. Rent A Car has become the first car hire company to offer a glance in to real time searches. Offering customers a dynamic way of researching and choose their next hire vehicle.
“Live Search”, located in the usrentacar.co.uk footer, displays to customers the latest searches made by renters, it includes the location, dates and car category selected.
Managing Director, Gavin Boswell stated “The live search option gives our customers the chance to see what other similar renters are hiring; it can also be used to show a friend or family member a quote instantly”.
U.S. Rent A Car.co.uk is still the only car hire USA broker to include supplier reviews written by actual renters. U.S. Rent A Car now includes over 10,000 individual reviews within their search results.
Today usrentacar.co.uk are happy to confirm that they have released the second updated version of the review service which now includes vehicle type collected and image uploading options. They have also revised the review service to show relevant reviews per office pick up.
U.S. Rent A Car estimates that over 5000’s reviews a day are read via its network of sites.
“Customers are finding our review service more and more influential in making their car rental choice. We have also noted that customers are becoming more at easy with the service and are offering invaluable advice for future renters” Gavin Boswell stated.
U.S. Rent A Car has become the first car hire company to offer a glance in to real time searches. Offering customers a dynamic way of researching and choose their next hire vehicle.
“Live Search”, located in the usrentacar.co.uk footer, displays to customers the latest searches made by renters, it includes the location, dates and car category selected.
Managing Director, Gavin Boswell stated “The live search option gives our customers the chance to see what other similar renters are hiring; it can also be used to show a friend or family member a quote instantly”.
U.S. Rent A Car.co.uk is still the only car hire USA broker to include supplier reviews written by actual renters. U.S. Rent A Car now includes over 10,000 individual reviews within their search results.
Today usrentacar.co.uk are happy to confirm that they have released the second updated version of the review service which now includes vehicle type collected and image uploading options. They have also revised the review service to show relevant reviews per office pick up.
U.S. Rent A Car estimates that over 5000’s reviews a day are read via its network of sites.
“Customers are finding our review service more and more influential in making their car rental choice. We have also noted that customers are becoming more at easy with the service and are offering invaluable advice for future renters” Gavin Boswell stated.
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