Getting There & Away: Perpignan

Air Travel

Nearby Airports

Perpignan–Rivesaltes Airport (PGF) is closest. Girona–Costa Brava Airport (GRO) and Barcelona–El Prat Airport (BCN) in Spain offer more options.

Airports

PGF (Perpignan): 5 km north, regional/low-cost.
GRO (Girona, Spain): 100 km south, low-cost.
BCN (Barcelona, Spain): 180 km south, major international hub.

Airlines & Routes PGF

PGF serves Ryanair (Dublin, London Stansted), Volotea (Nantes, Strasbourg), Transavia France (Paris-Orly), Air France (Paris-Orly), Aer Lingus (Dublin seasonal).

Connecting Flights

No direct flights from North America to PGF.
Connect via Paris CDG, Barcelona BCN, or London LHR.
Flight frequency and routes grow in summer.

Bus Transfers PGF

Line 6 from airport to Place de Catalogne. 15-20 min ride, €1.30. An economical choice.

Taxi Transfers PGF

Taxis outside terminal. City center ride is around €15-€25.

Car Rental PGF

Desks for major rental companies (Hertz, Europcar, Avis, Sixt) are at the airport.

International Connections

From Girona GRO

Direct Bus service (Froment Voyages, Sagalés) to Perpignan (1.5-2 hours).
Local bus to Girona train station, then regional train (TER) to Perpignan.
Car rental also an option.

From Barcelona BCN

High-speed train (TGV/AVE) from Barcelona Sants (SNCF Connect) (1h20-1h45).
Several bus companies (FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus) from Barcelona Nord (2-3 hours).
Car rental also an option.

Airport Facilities PGF

Basic Services

Small terminal offers car rental, restaurant/bar, duty-free shop, ATMs, Wi-Fi.

Efficiency

Handles arrivals and departures efficiently due to compact size.

Dining Options

A restaurant or bar is present for refreshment options.

Land Transportation

Train Travel

Gare de Perpignan is the main train station. High-speed trains link to Paris (5-5.5h), Barcelona (1.5h), Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse.

Train Options

Regional trains (TER Occitanie) connect to Narbonne, Montpellier, Collioure.
Purchase tickets online via SNCF Connect, at station ticket offices, or machines.
Booking in advance for TGV often yields better prices.

Bus Travel

Gare Routière (Bus Station) is next to the train station. FlixBus and BlaBlaCar Bus offer routes to French cities (Toulouse, Marseille) and Spanish cities (Barcelona, Girona).

Bus Advantages

Affordable long-distance connections.
A budget-friendly choice compared to trains on some routes.
Journey times vary by destination.

Self-Driving

A valid driver's license is needed. International Driving Permit for non-EU citizens. Vehicle registration and insurance documents also required.

Driving Requirements

Minimum age 21 (sometimes 25 for some cars), often with surcharge.
Roads in France are generally excellent and well-maintained.
Motorways are toll roads (péages); pay cash or credit card.

Driving Safety

Be aware of speed limits, strictly enforced. Roundabouts are common. In some urban areas, "priorité à droite" (priority to the right) applies.

Road Awareness

Speed cameras are common.
Rural roads are winding, especially in the Pyrenees.
Parking in city center is challenging; use underground car parks.

Border Crossing

Close to Spanish border (Schengen Area).
For EU citizens, seamless border crossing.
Non-EU citizens follow standard Schengen procedures.

Show passport and required documentation upon request.
No specific entry fees for tourists to France.
No general departure taxes charged separately.

Other Arrivals & Departures

Sea/River Access

Perpignan is an inland city. No direct sea or river arrivals. Nearest major port is Port-Vendres (30 km away), serving small cruise ships and yachts.

Water Travel

No major international ferry services directly to Perpignan.
Têt River is not navigable for commercial or tourist boats.
From coastal ports, connect via bus or taxi to Perpignan.

Departure Details

No specific departure taxes or fees are charged separately; these are in the ticket price.

Departure Times

Airports: 1.5-2 hours before domestic/Schengen, 2-3 hours before international.
Train Stations: 20-30 minutes before TGV, a few minutes before regional.
Allow extra time for security checks during peak travel.

PGF Airport Facilities

Small café and duty-free shop for last-minute purchases.

Train Station Facilities

Shops, kiosks, cafes, and waiting areas are present.

Refreshment Options

Snacks or drinks are purchasable for your journey.

Final Check

Confirm all travel documents. Check flight/train status. Pack any last-minute essentials. Enjoy your departure!

Getting There & Away