transfer from girona to pas de la casa

hey all,
im looking to travel with 6 others from ginrona to pas de la casa.
can anyone tell me how long it takes and how much, i just read that a shuttle takes 5 hours!? costing 54 pounds and so thought id might be just as easy to go from barcelona??

many thanks!

scottdog28 wrote:

hey all,
im looking to travel with 6 others from ginrona to pas de la casa.
can anyone tell me how long it takes and how much, i just read that a shuttle takes 5 hours!? costing 54 pounds and so thought id might be just as easy to go from barcelona??

many thanks!  

I'm guessing that you are wanting a private transfer. Alternatively Novatel runs a public bus service from Girona 2x daily for 46 Euros return. It's 177 kilometres (ish) each way, and only runs to Andorra La Vella.
Barcelona/Girona/Pergignan are all about the same distance away. The shortest route from Girona to Pas de la Casa is NOT autoroute and will be slow to very slow in winter . You must take snowchains, if you rent a car/minibus for yourself.
The road up to Pas de la Casa from the French side is sometimes not ploughed after a big snowfall, due to local disputes. This led to coaches with British skiers being stuck on the hill overnight a while ago.

thanks again bandit your a fountain of all things good!
is it possible to get to pas de la casa from barcalona via train??

scottdog28 wrote:

thanks again bandit your a fountain of all things good!
is it possible to get to pas de la casa from barcalona via train?? 

There is no rail service. The nearest train station is at Puigcerdà, which is east of Andorra. To use the train, you would need to catch a train from El Prat airport, into Barcelona city, then change. Puigcerdà is the end of the line, and you would then need to catch a bus to Andorra La Vella and onward to Pas de La Casa. Bit of a messy journey!

http://horarios.renfe.es/hir/ingles.html

looks like were stuck with a 4 hour transfer then,worth the wait when we arrive i guess!

scottdog28 wrote:

looks like were stuck with a 4 hour transfer then,worth the wait when we arrive i guess! 

There are really sound reasons for Andorra being a Duty Free, independent tax haven. One of them is that it's quite a way from....anywhere

There are plans to build an airport close by though..

http://www.contentlog.com/new-airport-boost-for-andorra-ski-holidays-and-property/

Of course, if it is to be built by Spanish constructors, then the timescale may slip somewhat

very good point! i didnt ask how long youve worked for the andorran tourist bourd but were sold anyways, flights booked to barca on the 2nd of march, just gotta sort out hotel and transfer.
any recomendations? we like the look of aparthotel alaska as its rite next to gondola in pas de la casa

Sorry scottdog28, I can't recommend anywhere to stay in Pas, and those apts you mention do look quite smart. I would suggest that you rent an apt that's slightly bigger than your group numbers, so that you're not cramped.

I have done this trip a dozen times. Don't muck about with sodding buses, rent a people carrier through airline-network.co.uk or similar. You will get it for a week for about £30 a day max. The drive is easy, the tourist office at the airport will give you a map and the directions. For about £15 they will also give you a set of snow chains, ditto for a roof rack with carrier.

My best time was on about 2 3/4 hours Girona into Pas and you can stop at the great services at the tunnel del cadi for a break and something to eat. Pick the right hotel and you will get free parking or go into the sports center which is free anyhow but a bit of a walk.

Then you are independent and if the snow is crap this year again at least you can head over to Arcalis or Pal where it was and this year is again considerably better than Grand Valira for snow and crowds.

Alaska is good but a 200-300 meter climb from the ski lifts. Take oxygen.

Cheers

Gas