I'm having problems finding a reliable way to search for train schedules in Spain. I've tried to use Renfe's website, and I've registered as is recommended, but it still seems to be hit or miss whether I get any information from them. For instance, it says that this Saturday there are only 4 trains all day from Barcelona to Sitges, two in the morning, and then two late at night. It doesn't show any trains that go to Montserrat. It seems to be good for big city to big city (Barcelona-Madrid, for instance), but the small trains I can't find. Are these Rodalies? Where do I find those schedules? I've never had a problem with train schedules before, because I've usually used DB as my main source for Europe. It won't show me most train schedules to smaller Spanish towns at all.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
A good schedule source and always easy to use is bahn.de. as you indicated. But most schedule sites are only going to show the national rail schedules. The train to Montserrat is part of the Barcelona commuter system isn't going to show up on general rail schedule. The trains to Montserrat and back run about every 30 minutes as I remember. The small private own train lines and systems within the cities rarely show on a national train schedule.
Posted by
Everywhere
67 posts
Hi Bill,
I just did a quick search and couldn't find anything myself, but I did stumble upon this website which holds a -supposedly- updated timetable for Barcelona-Montserrat (http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/tour/barcelona-montserrat.html) and some tips on the ToTMonstserrat ticket (http://www.montserrat-tourist-guide.com/en/transport/barcelona-to-montserrat-train.html).
Hope this helps!
Posted by
Barcelona (Catalonia)
3071 posts
Hi Bill,
Renfe website is notoriously known as a piece of c**p as per their customer services -including the 'friendliness' of their website. For information on regional trains within Catalonia -including commuting trains such as the one Barcelona-Sitges, please check out http://rodalies.gencat.cat/en/index.html instead. The Spanish government transferred the management of the regional trains to the Catalonian government some years ago and, if anything, the information services are now far better! And yes, the regional train service in Catalonia is called "Rodalies" (Catalan for "commuting"). Lastly to mention that in Spain RENFE is the only train operator, in Catalonia, it coexists with FGC -operated and owned by the Catalan government- which covers mostly inland routes within Central Catalonia, for example the line to Montserrat (http://www.fgc.cat/eng/index.asp)
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
If you're traveling with Rick's Spain book, see advice about the departure from Barcelona on p. 159. Departure times listed there match up to the current schedule for line Line R5 to Manresa (note that this PDF reflects other lines, too).
Posted by
OP
Lubbock, TX
416 posts
Enric,
Thanks for the link to the Rodalies website. I suppose I should have just searched for that myself, but it's exactly what I was looking for!!
Posted by
Barcelona (Catalonia)
3071 posts
Don't mention!