I’d fly from Barcelona to Amsterdam. Vueling and Transavia have reasonable fares, but I’d try to book soon so you can get the cheapest fare possible. You can still be flexible about how much time you’ll spend in Amsterdam and Paris.

I’d fly from Barcelona to Amsterdam, and then take the train from Amsterdam to Paris.

Thanks for the advice. The cheapest I could find is 127 euros for both of us. Is it completely unreasonable to take the train?? I’m trying to budget somewhat…Or do you think it would be just as expensive to buy a train ticket like that?

The overnight train from Barcelona to Paris will run you 118 or 157 per person for a tourist-class couchette (118 is if you qulaify for student discount) and a reclinging seat is 100 or 133. I’ve made that train trip a few times and it’s fine, but don’t expect the best night’s sleep on the train.

If you’re hell-bent on saving money you could try the bus. I see busses that leave Barcelona at 20:00 and 20:30 and arrive in Paris at 10:45 for 84 euros per person. To me it isn’t worth the extra time and discomfort; I’d fly.

The cheapest flight I found leaves at 0600. Do you think it will be difficult finding transportation running at that time of day to get us to the barcelona airport (from Barcelona Mar Hostel)?

You should be able to get a bus. Check out the Barcelona airport website for more info.

http://www.barcelona…

Here’s a different opinion: Think about what you’d like to get from this vacation. You’ll have about 12 days (minus time recovering from a long flight to Europe), and you’ve planned all of your time in 3 major cities.
If you were to take the train from Barcelona to Paris, you’d pass through or near villages or cites such as Collioure, Montpellier, Arles, Avignon, Oranges, Lyon, Beaune, and Dijon—— any of these would be very worth stopping in, and and I’m willing to bet might be the high point of your trip.
What I see again and again from first-time travelers is the question about how to get between major cities most quickly/cheaply, while you’ll be passing through some real gems, and never realizing it because you really can’t tell unless you stop. I’d urge you to take the train, and stay a day at one or more of the places I’ve mentioned.