We will be traveling later in October, so I know we can't make reservations yet. We will need to reserve a train or bus from Granada to Sevilla, and the AVE train from Sevilla to Madrid. But I've read that you can't make reservations using a US Visa card, and I'm wondering if you have found a way around that. Do we need to use PayPal? Go through a travel agent?
Posted by
Chicago
8166 posts
But I've read that you can't make reservations using a US Visa card,
Try your credit card on Renfe first (I remember booking a ticket on that site with a US credit card albeit Mastercard)
http://www.renfe.com/
if it does not work this site sales tickets at same price
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
Renfe does accept PayPal, which would get around any credit card issue you have there. I don't know which bus companies do or don't have the same credit card strictures or PayPal options.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
If over 62, you can get a discount for walk up tickets - 40% weekend, and 25% weekend including Friday. So we don't bother with advance ticket purchases.
Posted by
California 🦋
5294 posts
Connie,
Your best bet will be paying with Pay Pal on the Renfe website.
I didn't buy bus tickets online so not quite sure if your credit card will be accepted but you can try.
We took the ALSA BUS from Granada to Sevilla and we enjoyed the scenery very much.
Take a light water proof jacket as you may encounter some October showers ;-)
Make sure you book your Alhambra Tickets 3 months in advance for best time selection!
Enjoy your time in Spain! October is a nice time to be there!
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4656 posts
You can also purchase train tickets through loco2 website. Even if you end up buying from renfe, you can set up an account and then a reminder request. They email you when you are able to book the trains.
I'll be there similar time. I have decided on bus from Grananda to Sevilla.
In the event you are traveling Oct 31 or Nov 1, I have been warned that transportation has a higher demand and fills up as people return to their villages for Nov 1 All Saints day activities.
Posted by
OP
35 posts
Thanks to all for the great feedback. Has anyone booked train tickets through the Rick Steves website?
Posted by
CA, USA
266 posts
I booked the Granada to Seville bus directly on ALSA. I find Renfe too frustrating so I booked the train on loco2.com. Note that you do have to have actual printed tickets to travel on Renfe, so print before you leave home.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
I was able to book on Renfe using PayPal and following the directions on the Tripadvisor tutorial: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g187514-c80518/Madrid:Spain:Buying.Renfe.Tickets.Online.html. I tried first with a credit card, but that was a waste of time; Paypal worked fine, so just use that.
Posted by
Irvine, California
48 posts
I am traveling in Spain right now. Made all my train reservations using trainline.eu. Very user friendly site. You can use American credit cards and print the tickets at home. I wouldn't even try Renfe. Very problematic. I made the reservations in the U.S. and printed the tickets at home. DO NOT tear off the bottom part of the tickets. The whole page is the ticket.
Posted by
OP
35 posts
Thanks for the additional tips. I will check out these alternate sites. Happy traveling!!