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Best Agency to Book a Train in Portugal/Spain

Hi

Can anyone give me their thoughts on the best agency to use to book train travel in Spain and Portugal?

Thanks, Bill

Posted by
355 posts

I have traveled by train several times in Spain and recently in Portugal. I've never used an agency. Renfe is the Spanish company and Cp.pt is the Portugal website. You can choose English on both sites and book directly yourself. It's much cheaper if you purchase your tickets a couple of months out.

Posted by
11294 posts

Unless you have a specific reason otherwise, you always want to book tickets directly from the agency operating the train. You've been given the ones for Spain and Portugal. Here's a great master list, from the rail guru The Man In Seat 61: http://tinyurl.com/bo8x6o6

A quick trick: to determine if tickets are cheaper bought in advance, check prices for tomorrow vs for 3 months out. If there's no difference, you can wait until you arrive to buy tickets. If there's a difference, buy as soon as you know your travel plans; the cheapest tickets are non-refundable, and often non-exchangeable as well.

Posted by
11 posts

We are trying to book tickets from Tavira to Lagos but it says you cannot book online.must go to nearest ticket office?
Any suggestions?

Posted by
11294 posts

"We are trying to book tickets from Tavira to Lagos but it says you cannot book online.must go to nearest ticket office?
Any suggestions?"

Those are Regional (local) trains, and the price doesn't change with advance purchase. So, just buy the tickets when you get there.

Posted by
65 posts

Hi - A little feedback, after many starts and stops we finally booked thru RENFE. It wasn't easy and time will tell if we succeeded. We leave the 16th of September.
Bill