madrid to seville train selling out?

Your travel date is a Friday but no, I would not pre-book nor worry about all the trains selling out. I think that those two departures are just not yet open for sale and Renfe put up a confusing message; they are displaying the same message for the same departures on multiple days. I see that the earlier trains still have promo/discount fares available, so those aren't close to filling up. The later trains that you're more likely to be able to take are only showing full fare, so there's no cost savings to book ahead. It's also possible that promo fares are still to be added as a later step in their database, if they're still in the process of loading all options.

Thank you Laura, very helpful. How do I look to see if it's full fare or promo? Does it say promo on Renfe's website?

Yes, in the buying process, it usually displays the cheapest fare and the early morning rates were cheaper and said "Promo" while the full-priced rates said "Flexible."

If you are looking at the Renfe website, you will find this TripAdvisor tutorial invaluable: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g187514-c80518/Madrid:Spain:Buying.Renfe.Tickets.Online.html

Julie,

In my experience if you see the message; "Tren Completo", it means that that particular train is already sold out.

It's generally not recommended to to book your train ticket(s) for the day of arrival due to possible unforeseen delays ( flight delay, long lines at passport control, luggage claim, etc, etc...)

Keep in mind that just because your flight ticket specifies a landing time, it will take time to deplane, to go through passport control, to claim your luggage, to walk to the train platforms, take train, bus or Metro to Madrid, etc.

I'd suggest you buy your train ticket ( Madrid to Sevilla) at the the Renfe station at the airport. The staff will sell you a ticket with the best connection time.
You will also get a Cercanias train ticket (free) which you can use to take to the Puerta de Atocha train station in Madrid.
Once at the Atocha station, you will transfer to the AVE, or ALVIA train (on a different level of the station)

Here is the information for the C 1 Cercanias train which you can take to Atocha's station: http://www.aeropuertomadrid-barajas.com/transportation/madrid-airport-bytrain.htm

Enjoy your trip!

You don't need those trains anyway. Ignore them, just look at the AVE trains. You'll pay more at the last minute, but you don't risk losing your money or standing in line to change them.

Thank you all for the helpful replies. Is the Renfe ticket office easy to locate in the T4 terminal? I was also just reading that the express bus is easy too. We can do either.

Priscilla, yes, that's exactly why I hadn't bought tickets yet. So hard to predict when you will actually arrive. I was reading someone saying that they could easily change tickets on raileurope's phone app. Looks like captain train has the same ability? Would be neat if yes! I think I will for sure buy my tickets ahead of time for Granada to Madrid since it falls on the holiday and I don't want to miss it.

Reread Priscilla's excellent advice. Buy your tickets at the airport. Take the Cercanias train from the airport, since it goes to the train station. In the airport just follow the signs to the train. If you get confused, ask people. The Spanish word for train is tren - sounds about the same. Just say "train" with a question mark in your tone and they'll point.

Chani, I'm trying to double-check if the Renfe ticket station is located within the T4 terminal. My apologies if that is an uneducated question. Just want to make sure we don't have to go somewhere else within the airport to get them.

Julie -
Yes, the RENFE Station is in Terminal 4. Just follow the signs and you will have no difficulty finding it.

Thanks Jack! I've read that it's one of the largest airports in Madrid so I wanted to make sure we knew where to go, especially after a long flight.

Over the years I've found European airport signage quite good. Even in a jet-lagged state I can follow the signs. Now, once you get outdoors and are looking for exactly the right bus stop, things are sometimes not so clear! In Madrid, I had to ask someone, then walk about 50 feet to the right spot. In retrospect, a bit of Googling in advance would probably have yielded pictures of the bus I wanted to take, then I could have spotted it myself.

It is my understanding that the train from Granada to Antequerra (the city/station where you change to get on the AVE Train) is currently under construction, so you will have to take a bus to Antequerra.

Julie,
Yes, the Renfe office/ station is in Terminal 4. It's as small office with 2-3 personnel.

As mentioned by others, you follow the signs or ask for assistance.
I'd recommend taking the C-1 Cercanias train which will be free when you purchase your AVE ticket to Sevilla at the airport.
The Cercanias train takes 25 minutes to travel to Atocha's station & it runs every 30 minutes.

Once you arrive to Atocha's Station, you'll have to go up to a different level where the AVE train tracks are found. There are Renfe " Información" booths where you can show them your train tickets & they will direct you.

As I remember correctly, the Renfe staff wear purple vests.

Once you arrive to Sevilla, I'd suggest taking a taxi to your hotel.

The taxi stand is right outside the station.

Please send me a PM if you need more information.

EDIT to add...

Julie,

I just found this very helpful website which explains in detail (& it includes photos) of the signs you'll find at the airport: http://www.madrid-traveller.com/barajas-airport-transfer-to-madrid-city-center/

You'll want to read #3 which reads: "3. Go From Terminal 4 (T4) Arrivals Hall To Terminal 4 (T4) Metro Station"

The last moving ramp leads you to a big hall where both the Metro and train stations are located. The entrance to the Metro station is the first one on your left.

The Renfe station is to the right, if I recall correctly.

Julie,

Puerta de Atocha is Madrid's largest train station & honestly... I found it a bit confusing, especially when I arrived with jet-lag!
My mom & I managed to find our way around this huge station. I wished I'd studied this map before our trip last year.

Anyway, I will try to explain....

Here is a map of Atocha's Station

• If you take the Line C-1 Cercanias train from Barajas Airport, as
  previously suggested, you will arrive on the subterranean level (the
  lowest level), which is designated as, 'Planta -1', on the cross
  section of the map (located on the top right of each of the map
  pages)

• You will need to get to, "Planta 1", which means first floor (we
  consider it the 2nd floor, here in the US) where you can check the
  digital monitors for your train number, to find your train's platform
  (you'll find platform numbers posted overhead). Platform information
  may not be posted till 10-20 minutes prior to train's departure)

• Once the platform # is posted, you will see a bunch of people heading
  for the platform, where your ticket will be scanned by 1-2 Renfe
  agents, prior to going down the escalators to the train tracks.

• Your luggage may have to go through an x-ray conveyor belt, as a
  security check, however, I don't recall doing this at the Atocha
  station... but my mind was a bit fussy then.

• Planta 0, is where you'll find the beautiful tropical gardens, as
  well as many shops & places to eat. If you need a SIM card for your
  phone, you will find it on this level @ the 'Telecor' shop (#16 on
  the map)

My mom & I took the AVE train to Córdoba, which may be the same train you will be taking to Sevilla.
We had to wait for about an hour and a half for our train, so we had plenty of time to grab a bite to eat & to buy a SIM card for my phone.

Towards the end of our trip, we left most of our luggage at this station, before taking the train to Toledo for a few nights.
And... we took the Cercanias C1 line back to the airport the day before our flight home (we stayed at a hotel near the airport that provided courtesy airport shuttle service)

Hope this helps!