Traveling alone in a yellow train

Juan De Dios Pantoja

This video has been trending in Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Venezuela, Chile, Ecuador, Guatemala, Bolivia, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Paraguay, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Uruguay, and Puerto Rico

The creator opens the video by explaining why he chose to take the famed Yellow Train of the Pyrenees alone—a century-old line that links Villefranche-de-Conflent with Latour-de-Carol, crossing valleys, suspension bridges, and peaks of nearly 1,600 m. From the first minute he makes it clear that traveling solo heightens the connection with the landscape: free of distractions, the train’s yellow cars stand out against the deep-green forests and gray rock formations, creating a striking play of color that is spectacularly mirrored in the panoramic windows.

Throughout the journey, the video alternates aerial shots of the Séjourné and Gisclard viaducts with point-of-view footage from the open coaches. The host provides historical tidbits—the line’s construction began in 1903 and it still uses its original power-supply system—along with practical information on schedules, fares, and the best times of year to ride. He notes that spring and autumn see fewer travelers, making it easier to snag a seat in the roofless compartments, which are perfect for landscape-photography enthusiasts.

The middle section focuses on the sense of freedom that solo travel provides. Viewers are reminded to plan ahead, dress in layers (temperatures change dramatically between 400 m and 1,500 m), and book lodging in small villages like Font-Romeu to experience authentic Pyrenean life. The author points out that even when journeying alone, the Yellow Train sparks spontaneous conversations; sharing a bench with French hikers, cycle tourists, and even pilgrims on the Catalan branch of the Camino de Santiago enriches the trip.

Around the halfway mark, there’s a stop at Mont-Louis–La Cabanasse. The presenter hops off to showcase Vauban’s fortress, samples a raw-milk cheese typical of Cerdanya, and climbs back aboard, illustrating how railway travel can be combined with brief culinary and cultural outings. The main takeaway: traveling solo lets you adjust your schedule without external constraints.

In the final stretch, slow-motion shots of sunset over the Capcir plateau set the scene for a more personal reflection. The creator emphasizes that the train’s vibrant yellow paint symbolizes optimism and adventure; seeing your own car framed against the mountain reinforces the idea that each traveler writes their own itinerary. He wraps up by recommending that tickets be booked on SNCF’s official site at least a week in advance, advising viewers to pack a power bank and, of course, not to forget a yellow jacket for the iconic photo on the train’s rear platform.

The video ends in Latour-de-Carol-Enveitg. The host tallies expenses (€22 for the one-way ticket, €12 for local food, zero euros for outdoor activities), encourages viewers to ditch their fear of solo travel, and reminds them that the Yellow Train is more than transport: it’s a journey in itself, a rolling lookout that—thanks to its signature color—fills anyone on board with energy and possibility

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