edit Andorra Travel Guide

• Skiing/Snowboarding For such a small country there are a large number of ski resorts, and recently all the ski resorts have gathered together so that one pass covers them all!
• Hiking Andorra is a great area for hiking with most trips leaving from Arinsal, and all ending in great panoramic views

Due mainly to the mountainous nature of Andorra, there is only one road entering Andorra from France, and only one widely-used road entering Andorra from Spain. Almost all entry into the country happens at one of these two points.

Visa Requirements

Customs and Immigration

By plane

There are no airports in Andorra - however there are daily coach services from the airports in Barcelona in Spain and Toulouse in France to Andorra.

The nearest airports are: Perpignan (France) 128 km to the east, no coach connections but you can take a Yellow train to La tour de Carol and further to l'Hospitalet. Toulouse–Blagnac (France) 196 Km (121.8 miles) to the north Barcelona (Spain) 202 Km (125.5 miles) to the south (From airports to Andorra by car: 3 hours)

By helicopter from the above airports, up 4 places, 35 minutes.

Andorra Airport (YourAndorra.com) 2007-05-14

• An airport for Andorra has come a step closer with the announcement on Friday that the Catalan Government has bought the land at Seu d'Urgell to develop an airport, for 8 million Euros.
• Andorra will pay for the building of the airport, just ten minutes from the Andorran capital. With the opening due in 3-4 years, this will impact property prices and encourage more ski holiday visitors.

By car

Roads in Andorra are generally of a good quality. Entering from the Spanish side is a relatively straightforward drive; however entering from France is a more stressful affair involving many hairpin bends. Border control officers at both sides are generally fine, but be prepared for delays during busy times. However, be sure your car is in good condition, since Andorra has a very high altitude.

Also beware of black ice and snow drifts as the temperature in Andorra can be much colder than at sea level.

The approach from the French side passes through TUNEL D'ENVALIRA which requires a credit or debit card for payment of the fee. This amounts to winter (remainder of year)

• Cars 5,60€ (4,80€)
• Others 16,70€ (10,70€)

Winter is from 1st December to 31st Mars

Car rental Avis, Hertz and Europcar:

• From December to March, is recommended to have winter tyres and/or snow chains to hand in the car.

By bus

There are many coach services operating into Andorra. From France there is a coach service from Toulouse, and one that operates via L'Hospitalet and La Tour de Carol. From Spain, coaches to Andorra can be caught from a variety of locations, such as Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga, Lleida and Valencia.

There are at least 2 bus companies operating daily service from Barcelona airport. Eurolines goes from outside the door of Terminal B, but you must be early and quick because the driver has a habit of arriving early and driving off if no-one is there. Also you don't pay for the ticket at the airport but travel to the Barcelona Sants and have to get off to buy a ticket. Service is slow. One should also remember that you will need to show your passport here. Trip time is about 3.5 to 4 hours.

The bus company Alsina Graells has eight trips a day from Barcelona. The trip takes 3.5-4 hours and costs €23 one-way and €40 round trip.

Bus or shuttle services between Andorra and:

• Barcelona Airport and Barcelona, Toulouse Airport
• Madrid, Valencia, Alicante, Castellon, Zaragoza, Lleida, Tarragona.

By train

There are no train lines or stations in Andorra, and none close to the Spanish border. However, the French train station of l'Hospitalet is located a few miles from the Andorran border. It is possible to catch an overnight sleeper train from Paris to l'Hospitalet, as well as many other services. There is a connecting coach service from l'Hospitalet into Andorra, calling at Pas de la Casa, Soldeu and Andorra La Vella.

The nearest rail stations are:

• L'Hospitalet (France) 3 km/1.85 mls from the Andorran border. With SNCF to L’Hospitalet. From L’Hospitalet to Andorra by bus (regular service)
• Puigcerdà (Spain) 80 km/50 mls from Andorra

For 715 years, from 1278 to 1993, Andorrans lived under a unique co-principality, ruled by the French chief of state and the Spanish bishop of Urgel. In 1993, this feudal system was modified with the titular heads of state retained, but the government transformed into a parliamentary democracy. Long isolated and impoverished, mountainous Andorra achieved considerable prosperity since World War II through its tourist industry. Many immigrants (legal and illegal) are attracted to the thriving economy with its lack of income taxes.

Economy

Banking

Currency

Euros are used throughout Andorra. Andorra La Vella is a good destination to buy all kinds of cheap goods, due to the country's status as a "tax haven".

Credit Cards

Tax

Tipping

Shopping

Costs

Holidays and Celebrations

Language

Andorra's official language is Catalan, but almost everyone speaks Spanish and /or French. English is widely spoken too, especially by those involved in the tourism industry.

Types of Restaurants

Types of Food

Etiquette

Drinks

To work in Andorra you are supposed to have a work permit issued by the government. If you are on business for only a few days then this would not apply.

Andorra is a well-connected country, and has accepted the Internet with open arms. Almost as many people subscribe to the Internet as own landline phones.

There is not much threat from other people in Andorra, but keep safe on mountains. Don't go too high without knowing what you are doing. See Altitude sickness for more.

Drivers are warned to avoid crossing back into France if the Spanish side of the Pyrenees has enjoyed beautiful warm sunshine all day and the road temperatures drop considerably towards the evening - there is danger of black ice from ice melt. The weather in the French Pyrenees is frequently vastly different to that of Andorra and the Spanish Pyrenees. Stay overnight if necessary as cold morning temperatures are more apparent and less treacherous than sudden evening icing.

Crime

Emergency

Police

Fire Department

Hospitals

Gays and lesbians

Illicit drugs and prostitution

Smoking

By train

By car

By bus

There are 8 main bus lines or 'linies' and all of these pass through Andorra La Vella. The fare is anything from about a euro to two or three euros depending where you are going. For the towns nearest to Andorra La Vella, the service is very regular as frequent as every 30 minutes during the day. If you are travelling to the outlying places like El Serrat, Arinsal and El Pas del la Casa, then there are only 2 or 3 buses per day to these places. So check the timetable.

The lines are:

• L1 Sant Julia de Loria - Escaldes-Engordany
• L2 Andorra la Vella - Encamp
• L3 Andorra la Vella - Encamp - Canillo
• L4 Andorra la Vella - Encamp - Canillo - Soldeu
• L5 Andorra la Vella - Encamp - Encamp - Canillo - El Pas de la Casa
• L6 Andorra la Vella - La Massana - Arinsal
• L7 Andorra la Vella - La Massana - Ordino
• L8 Andorra la Vella - La Massana - Ordino - El Serrat

By thumb