Getting from Girona to Andorra by bus

handpass

Hi, I've got a couple of free weeks on my hands and I'm looking to head off on a cheap skiing holiday (my first one) and Andorra seems to be a good spot for beginners. Ryanair have cheap flights into Girona, Barcelona however the flight arrives in at 21:15 and the last public bus to Andora leaves at 18:30. Does anyone know if there are other private buses that you can just pay for there and then? Due to the fact that this trip is a last minute decision I'm going on my own so I don't fancy having to pay a taxi or whatever for the trip to Andora. I haven't got accommodation booked yet so any suggestions for decent hostels would be appreciated. Same goes for beginner ski schools.
Cheers.

EileenG

My impulse in that situation would be to get the bus into Girona and get a cheap bed for the night there, then normal bus or train to Andorra in the morning. Otherwise, you will be paying a fortune, as even private buses cost as much as taxis, and arriving in at the middle of the night.

cocopop

http://www.andorrabybus.com/web/index.php

http://www.hola-andorra.com/arinsal/english/novatelgb.html

http://www.shuttledirect.com/en/php/airport_shuttle_direct.php?cod=TKG1056644510MKL&gclid=CKS3nP6YypgCFccJ3wodlRXe1w

handpass

I've ended up getting a flight to Barcelona which arrives in early in the morning so I can now get public transport to Andorra. However I've discovered that Andorra doesn't seem to have any cheap hostels with dorms just hotels where the single rooms are turning out to be quite expensive (I'm heading on this trip on my own and want to keep costs down) so does anyone have any recommendations on suitable accommodation, don't really mind where in Andorra I end up.

EileenG

Just as a matter of interest, why are you going to Andorra? There are ski resorts much closer to Barcelona which seemed pretty cheap last time I looked.

loobylou

Why Andorra indeed? I've been there twice and would never go back.
Advantages. Cheaper package trips from Ireland. Cheap alcohol, especially spirits, ie sold in huge measures. Good English spoken tuition.
Disadvantages. 4-5hr transfers. Crappy hire service. Limited slopes. Susceptible to poor weather given the slope altitudes. Gangs of drunken British youths, Ibiza style. Way too many beginners, poor food and more.
I've never understood the Irish love affair with Andorra. It's much easier to get to the Alps, can be done very cheaply DIY, is organised and efficient, huge choice of resorts, plenty of off slope activities, charming litle villages or bigger towns, cultural stuff, real living local communities (as oposed to holiday resorts built on a hill), world famous skiing..... all this at no extra cost.

handpass

I thought originally about heading to Andorra because a buddy of mine was there a few years ago and said it was good, plus it seems to cater well for beginners. However I've discovered that it does not cater too well for independent travellers so thanks a million to Eileen for the suggestion on ski resorts north of Barcelona, didn't even there was any to be honest. I think now I'll be heading for La Molina/Masella, seems to have everything I want with regards to english speaking ski schools and hostel accommodation.

Rev. Kitchen

Can anyone recomend a resort close to Girona, i was going to go to andorra Arnisal i have the flight booked and hotel but i can cancel the hotel without loosing any money. my flight lands at 10am and since the next bus isnt utill 6 30 i was going to get a private car but thats costing aboud 250 ( we only have mon-thurs to ski so i cant really wait for the 630 bus as it wastes a full day skiing)

So any tips on resorts around there and how to get there would be great !!

handpass

Two resorts that you might want to look at are La Molina and Masella, if you google both you'll find them closer to Barcelona than Andorra.

Rev. Kitchen

handpass wrote: »

Two resorts that you might want to look at are La Molina and Masella, if you google both you'll find them closer to Barcelona than Andorra.

Yea i googled them did some reading im finding it hard to find transport to them though ill have a better look later

Rev. Kitchen

They are closer but the only way i can see to get to them is go to barca train station and get a train with times quoted of 3.5 hours :eek: by the time ive gooten a bus to barca from girona and got the train it will be too late looks like im going to be stuck getting the car to drop us up costly at 250 euro but my only option.

mooretr

It takes two hours to get to La mOlina by car (providing the roads are clear of snow) The last 45 minutes are very windy and could be treacherous if icy. Alternatively you can get a bus/taxi from Gerona to a town called Vic which is further up the train route from Barcelona. It will still take two hours from there (renfe.com is the spanish train website). The train station in La Molina is right at the very bottom of the town, but there is a public bus going every fifteen minutes to the top of town. The more expensive hotels are at the top of town and the cheaper ones down the bottom.