I got on the Renfe site earlier than 62 days ahead, just to get familiar with it, and it does list one ticket Cordoba to Toledo for our trip on October 10. It's 65 euros. I expected there to be more choices (for both times and cost/type of ticket) and was hoping for a discount. The Rick Steves book shows an estimate of 80 so maybe this is discounted but I thought there would be deeper discounts this early. Should I wait to see if more choices/discounts are shown later, or do I grab this because it might go up?
Posted by
California 🦋
5213 posts
Jenie,
I would buy separate tickets, Córdoba >> Madrid ( AVE train), and Madrid >>Toledo ( AVANT train) to take advantage of the discounted price now (for AVE tickets only)
If you check Renfe, you'll see several AVE train tickets for €44,70pp ( Turista Plus Promo ticket) for October 10th.
Keep in mind that AVE ticket prices will continue to increase, as the date to your trip approaches (similar to airline tickets), however
AVANT tickets will not change in price.
You can certainly buy your AVANT train tickets in advance, but the price will be the same ( €12,90pp), now or the day of travel.
Make sure you choose, 'Madrid-Puerta de Atocha', as the train station in Madrid.
If you plan to visit Granada on your trip, make sure you book your Alhambra tickets now, for best time selection! ;-)
Have a wonderful trip!
Posted by
OP
63 posts
I forgot that AVANT does not give discounts. Makes sense to buy separately, but how long do I need to allow at Atocha for the transfer? Are AVE trains consistently on time or are they apt to be late? I wouldn't want to miss the train to Toledo. Alhambra tickets have been on my to-do list; thanks for the reminder! I will make it happen today. I appreciate your input, Priscilla!
Posted by
OP
63 posts
I got the 44.70euro Cordoba to Madrid tickets. Yay! Our train arrives at Atocha at 11:50. The next train to Toledo leaves at 12:20. Is it safe to book that one, just a half hour for the transfer? I don't know how far away the AVANT trains are from the AVE trains. We will each have 1 carry-on, so not a lot of luggage to move. The next soonest train doesn't leave until 1:50. I hate to waste 2 hours in a train station, but also don't want to miss my train! I wish I had checked out the Madrid to Toledo train schedule first; I could have booked an earlier train from Cordoba to Madrid. Live and learn.
Posted by
San Francisco
993 posts
I don't remember exactly where the trains were, but the station isn't that huge and I would guess 30 min transfer is plenty of time! You can probably get a snack too!
Also, when we were there in March in Cordoba, there was a luggage xray as you got on the train... our train had no line, but anther train had a huuuuuuuuge line, so not sure what that was about. I had never seen that before and didn't leave time for it, just to be aware.
Kim
Posted by
California 🦋
5213 posts
Jennie,
Yes, 30 minutes to transfer from the AVE train to the AVANT train should be enough time.
The Puerta de Atocha train station is huge & I found it a bit tricky.
As Kim has mentioned above, your luggage will go through an x-ray machine before boarding the trains in Spain (as a security measure) & the trains depart 2 minutes before the time noted on your ticket(s).
Once you arrive to Madrid, I would find a Renfe representative, & ask where you'll need to go to take the AVANT train to Toledo, as it's in a different area from where the AVE trains arrive/depart.
Once you arrive to the correct area, the train track # may not be noted on the departure monitors till 15-20 minutes prior the departure time. Once the train track # is posted on the monitor, you'll see a bunch of people line up to get their tickets scanned by the Renfe staff (before going down the escalator to the train tracks)
The Toledo train station is very small but it's one of my favorite stations! ;-)
Posted by
Oak Park, Illinois
4535 posts
Actually, I think 30 minutes for the transfer is very tight and leaves no margin for error or delay. Expect about a 5 minute walk from gate to gate, but also time to get off the train and possibly walk all the way down the platform if you are at the rear. Factor in the security line, which goes quickly but could be a 5-10 minute wait. The train will close its doors several minutes prior to departure. Atocha IS a big station with multiple levels and while it is efficient, it could take time to orient yourself and find your way to the right platform (which is in a completely different area than where you arrive).
So if your inbound train is even just a few minutes late, you might miss your Toledo train. If there is another one an hour later, I suggest taking that and then have little to worry about. Enjoy a snack or say "hi" to the turtles. Or if you don't mind risking the fare, you can push for the 30 minute transfer and hope all runs smoothly.