World Borders: How to Get From Andorra to Catalonia (Escaldes Engordany to Barcelona)

Arrival into Catalonia after four epic days in the tiny country of Andorra was by bus and yet another magical journey on this here sphere. While based in Andorra, I decided to stay in the town of Escaldes Engordany, which houses southern Europe’s largest spa!

Yes and Andorra was a tad special too. I had an incredible night celebrating my 100th “fake country” (on a different list from the FIFA and UEFA list I currently use) in the Caldea Spa complex and I had a few nights in the special Residencia Nuria Hotel in downtown Escaldes Engordany.

In fact, Andorra proved a bit of a gem to me as I loved touring the sights of Andorra La Vella (the capital city), the beautiful mountain village of Ordino and the bars of this mini country. It was a good time of my life, but soon I headed to Barcelona for the first time to have a long overdue catch up with cousin Paul for the first time in 17 years!! Here’s how to get from Escaldes Engordany to Barcelona.

Booking Your Bus Ticket
To book your bus ticket out of Andorra with Direct Bus, you have two options:
1.Book it in the office in Andorra La Vella
2.Book it online

I actually booked my online, here at Andorra Direct Bus. Prices vary of course but generally a single bus ticket from Andorra La Vella to Barcelona costs you around 25 – 30 Euros. The current rate in July 2016 is 29.50 Euros.

Leaving Escaldes Engordany
Basically I walked from Escaldes Engordany to Andorra La Vella as the two cities border each order, separated only by a road! In fact you wouldn’t even be sure which is which sometimes. The bus station is the second one on the right as you reach Avenue Tarragona, the exact address is here: Av. de Tarragona, 44, AD500 Andorra la Vella, Andorra.

Leaving Andorra La Vella
Once you get checked in and put your luggage on board, you are ready to leave. We crossed the border within the first 40 minutes of the journey and were now in Catalonia, currently a part of the Kingdom of Spain. You will see the flags of each country and the border post, but the bus is rarely stopped here.

Arrival in Barcelona at Sants Station
After around 3 hours exactly and a gorgeous drive, we arrive in Barcelona Sants station. No passport or bag checks were needed and the journey was smooth!

Here is some information about the service from Direct Bus
DISCOUNTS FOR AGE (rounded prices) 0 – 3 years: 80% 4 – 12 years: 50% 13 – 25 years: 10% From 60 years: 10% Groups of more than 10 people: 15% LUGGAGE Two suitcases per person + hand luggage. Any additional luggage will be transported subject to free space available in the luggage storage area. Passengers will be responsible for their own hand luggage. Bicycles will not be transported unless they have been packed correctly for transportation. No animals will be transported (except guide dogs), even in the luggage area. INSIDE THE COACH Smoking is not permitted anywhere on board the coach for legal reasons. For legal and safety reasons, all passengers will be required to wear a seatbelt for the entire journey. We would like to remind you that non-compliance with this rule may result in a fine from the authorities. For hygiene reasons and as a courtesy to other passengers, food may not be consumed on the coaches as they are hermetically sealed.

Once in Barcelona, be sure to have booked one of the popular Barcelona City Breaks and check out the top 5 sights and best bars of this Catalonian Gem. I had a crazy reunion with cousin Paul before heading on a Food Tour with Devour Barcelona!

And don’t forget to learn a bit of Catalan to impress your hosts here!