Purchasing Train Tickets: Granada to Ronda to Madrid

Granada to Ronda is a valid train route, but you're looking too early - sales won't open until mid August (60 day window), and Renfe is notorious for late sale openings. Plus you don't need to prebook that route.
As for Ronda to Madrid, it's also a direct train route, and there you might get better fares through prebooking, but again you have the same sixty day Window.

But may I humbly suggest Córdoba instead of Ronda, if you're not already going there? It's both much more interesting and a bit more convenient (quicker) transit wise.

I realize my actual travel dates are too early for booking, however my concern is that there are no available tickets showing for the last half of September (which should be in the booking range). I was trying to use that to estimate costs and this made me concerned that these routes might not be available this fall?

As far as Cordoba and Ronda go - we are looking to go to Ronda to not have anything to do for a couple of days (relax, visit a vineyard, etc). We will probably need some rest at this point in our trip. I have been very tempted by Cordoba though almost to the point of wondering if renting a car in Granada, driving to Rhonda, and then stopping by Cordoba on the drive to Madrid would be a better option than the train. Of course the 6 hour drive to Madrid sounds less appealing than just relaxing on a train, but Cordoba seems amazing.

There is a schedule change in mid-September and Renfe often doesn't make tickets available on the "usual" schedule in such cases. However, the schedule changes are usually small.

Ahhh....makes perfect sense. Thank you both for your help. I won't worry too much now. I'm such an advance planner, that doing things like this just a couple of months before make me nervous. :)

Just checked today and the schedule still only goes out to September 15. If you want to estimate costs, use the schedule that’s published. It should provide a good idea.

Hi from Wisconsin,

To calm your nerves, which is all understandable, go to 'man in seat 61'. Scroll down and read about the Spanish rail (I hate to use this next word for the Spanish rail) system.

60 days in advance, is the maximum. Not necessarily when it happens. It happens when some one gets around to it.

Seat 61 will suggest, and I do too, go to 'loco2.com'. It is a British site. You can ask them to notify you as soon as tickets are actually posted. You can buy tickets thru them at no extra cost. And remember to select your wagon and seat number.

Enjoy. Two good restaurants at the southern end of Ronda, south of the gorge.

wayne iNWI