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Have Renfe Train Tickets but no Reservations on Granda to Seville one way,-- a problem ?

Posted by (Hatfield, PA, USA) on

I need an answer ASAP because I only have a 2 hour cancellation window. When I booked on Renfe 2x after canceling Granada to Seville San Justa (one way). I kept getting an error after they processed my tickets that "the IDA" reservation system was overloaded, and that I had the choice to void and start over "later. " So, I have valid tickets for my wife and I for an early train. Does this mean, I can't board at all. I can see if it's the AVE high speed train on a Madrid or Barcelona route. But, am I ok here ? It seems that an early April train on this route would not be problematic. But, who knows ?

Also, the date of travel is listed as "03/04/17" (European format?). I hope I'm traveling on April 3rd.

Posted by
8889 posts

Sorry, I have read your post a number of times and don't understand what you are asking.
"I have valid tickets for my wife and I for an early train" - if you have valid tickets, you can travel on the train listed on your tickets. What makes you think you "can't board at all"?

If in doubt, why not cancel anyway and book again, they you are sure you have what you want.

"03/04/17" is almost certainly 3rd April. The info in the ticket is designed to be understood by RENFE personnel, so would be Spanish format.

Posted by
5213 posts

Edmond,

I'm having the same problem as Chris. I'm confused.
Could you explain exactly what you have & how we can help?

Posted by
86 posts

I wasn't clear. Don't you need a ticket and a reservation on those trains that require the latter, as this one does. If I have only a ticket, does that mean I can board and just grab any free seat ?

Posted by
5213 posts

Edmond,

If I have only a ticket, does that mean I can board and just grab any free seat ?

What type of ticket are you referring to?

I will try to explain the 2nd part of your question... regarding seats.

If you have a Renfe AVE ticket that looks like this one, it species the following information:

  • Salida (departure) = Madrid- P.A ( Puerta de Atocha Station) plus date and time of departure
  • Llagada (arrival) = Sevilla SJ ( Santa Justa station) plus date and time of arrival
  • AVE 0230 = type of train and train number
  • Coche = carriage number (5 on the sample ticket)
  • Plaza = seat number (4D in sample ticket)

FYI: All long distance trains, such as AVE and ALVIA trains, as well as some short distance trains (such as the AVANT train traveling from Madrid to Toledo) will have a seat reservation ( just like on a plane), so you're expected to sit in your reserved seat.

You may want to refer to this website for more information: An Epic Guide to Train Travel in Spain or this one, Seat 61.com

I hope this helps ;-)

Posted by
8889 posts

A reservation is not a separate process (except if you have a rail pass). If you buy a normal ticket, you choose a train when you buy the ticket, and (as the previous poster says) it will say on your ticket which train it is valid for, and list your seats.

Posted by
86 posts

Please disregard my question. Something got lost in [Spanish to English] translation. After checking my Rick Steves Spanish Phrase Book, I realize I do in fact have a Reservation with assigned Seats. My bad. Renfe isn't exactly a walk in the park to navigate, even with a partial English translation. My bad.

Posted by
5213 posts

Edmond,

No problem. I'm glad you figured it out.
Have a wonderful trip!

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