I'm about to book the train from Barcelona to Sevilla using renfe. Unfortunately, I won't be getting the cheapest rates, but better than paying full fare. 3 questions:
1) For $30 less, I can take a "Con Transbordo" with a connection in Madrid and it will add 1/2 hour to the trip. The only reason I considered doing this is to see the country because after 3 nights in Sevilla I will be flying to Paris. Is it worth saving the $30?
2) How complicated is it change trains in Madrid?
3) If I take the direct route, I will take a P+ fare and have my choice of seat (I think). Is there an advantage to being on the left or right side of the train? (I tried looking at seat61's diagrams, but couldn't quite figure it out). Thanks in advance.
Posted by
LaGrange, Ga, USA
1178 posts
- Have no idea what the con transbordo is..a new term!
- Will be simple to change trains....get off the Barcelona to Madrid, up the escalator to the waiting area, down the other escalator to the other train when time to board.
- You will see the same scenery on either the left or right side of the car. I prefer to face the direction of travel, but have traveled facing in either direction.
Posted by
Whittington
984 posts
Con transbordo means with the transfer (in Madrid).
Posted by
Oak Park, Illinois
4535 posts
The transfer will be at Atocha Station in Madrid. If you haven't been there, it's one of the great European train stations. You could spend your time looking at the turtles... It's an easy transfer.
Doesn't matter which side you ride on. There really aren't any "amazing" sites to see on that trip, just pretty arid landscape (if you like that landscape).
Posted by
OP
19 posts
Thanks all! I'm booking the con transbordo so that I can see the turtles :) Plus it gets me to Sevilla a little earlier. I'm just going to go with the P fare, so hopefully they will give me a decent seat.
Posted by
Oak Park, Illinois
4535 posts
Your seat will be fine and you can always change to a better one that is not-reserved.
Say "Hi" to the turtles. They are my favorite :-)
Posted by
OP
19 posts
I'll be sure to tell the turtles 'hello' for you. They assigned me seats 5A on the first leg and 6A on the second. It was all very easy to do online thanks to all the wonderful posts on this site - especially the link to seat61. I did pay with paypal.
Now to figure out where to stay....