Social ConventionsNormal social courtesies should be extended when visiting someone’s home. Handshaking is the accepted form of greeting. Dress is informal and smoking is very common; customs are similar to those of Spain.
International Travel:Getting There by AirAndorra does not have an international airport.
Closest international airports: Barcelona (BCN) in Spain, 225km (140 miles) from Andorra and
Toulouse (TLS) (website:
www.toulouse.aeroport.fr), in France, 180km
(112 miles) from Andorra. For more information on the airports and their facilities, consult the
Spain and
France sections.
To/from the airport: Shared taxis and buses are available.
Getting There by RailRoutes from Perpignan, Villefranche, Toulouse and Barcelona go to
La Tour de Carol, 20km (12 miles) from Andorra. The nearest station is L’Hospitalet, but buses run from both L’Hospitalet and La Tour de Carol (see
Road below). Routes from Madrid (Spain) go to Lleida and then a connection by coach leads to La Seu d’Urgell. Routes from Barcelona (Spain) go to Puig Cerda and then a connection by coach leads to La Seu d’Urgell.
Getting There by RoadMountainous roads exist over the Envalira pass from Perpignan, Tarbes and Toulouse (France); and southwards to Barcelona and Lérida (Spain). Buses run regularly from Barcelona, Tarragona, Valencia and Madrid (Spain); and Toulouse (France). Taxis may also be taken and sharing is common practice to cut costs.
Bus: The journey from La Tour de Carol takes 2 hours 20 minutes. From L’Hospitalet the service takes 2 hours 40 minutes and runs early enough to permit a day-return trip from France. A seasonal service runs from Aix-les-Thermes and services may be available from Seo de Urgel in Spain.
Eurolines (tel: 0870 514 3219, in the UK; website:
www.eurolines.com) serves destinations in Andorra. Daily services from Toulousse, Lleida (Spain) and Madrid are available for
coach trips to Andorra.
OverviewAndorra is a duty free zone, but travelers should check French/Spanish regulations as both these countries maintain customs control at the borders.
Prohibited ImportsNarcotics, firearms, ammunition, explosives (including fireworks), flick knives, pornography, horror comics, radio transmitters, certain foodstuffs, plants, flowers, animals and birds and items made from endangered species.
Prohibited ExportsNo works of art can be exported without permission.
Internal Travel:Getting Around by RoadTraffic drives on the right. A good road runs from the Spanish to the French frontiers through Sant Julià de Lòria, Andorra la Vella, Escaldes-Engordany, Encamp and Canillo (about 40km/25 miles between frontiers). There is a road to El Serrat, and a secondary road from Ordino to Canillo, which is usually closed in winter.
Bus: There are buses and minibuses linking Andorra’s villages.
Car hire: International and local firms offer car hire.
Regulations: Minimum driving age is 18. Seatbelts are compulsory in both front and rear. Children aged under 10 (unless over 1.5m/4.9ft tall) must travel in the rear. Spead limits are 40kph (25mph) in towns, 70kph (44mph) on major roads.
Documentation: National driving license accepted.
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