Train issues - Madrid to Toledo beginning of June

It's quite normal for them not to release those tickets until closer in. I'd try back in early May. Fortunately, there's no price advantage to early purchases, so you have nothing to lose out on there. And while those trains can sell out, that really only happens the same day, or maybe a day or two prior.

Do I understand you bought June tickets in January? That's far more strange than not seeing them 50 days out.

Thanks for your feedback, Scudder. Yep, I bought train tx to Toledo in January on Renfe. Our friend tried to buy tx in March but got a website response that tx release would be 60 days prior to travel date. She has tried unsuccessfully to purchase tx since April 1 for our June 1 travel date. We're trying to lock down certain destinations in our upcoming trip - like a day trip to Toledo - so we can enjoy more leisurely days elsewhere.

I can't imagine there will be any problem getting a train to Toledo on June 1. In the unlikely event of something like a rail strike, you could take a bus. The buses take longer, but it wouldn't be a disaster.

Just wait a bit and the train tickets will be visible for sale. The fare is always the same, so you don't have to worry about buying tickets early.

Just make sure that the tickets you bought back in January really are for June — the travel date will read “1/6/2023”. If you bought them for “6/1/2023” then that would be for January 6.

As Scudder said, it would be unusual for Renfe to release tickets 6 months ahead, but it certainly could happen.

And yes, keep checking on the additional ticket — it will show up soon.

Enjoy your trip!

You really can plan that date with confidence, even if your friend can't get tickets yet.

As DebVT mentioned, it would be wise to check the dates of the tickets you bought. Such an early purchase really is odd.

However tickets for other routes out of Madrid in June are available.

I forgot to comment on this in my first reply—high-speed and long-distance have always gone on sale earlier than other trains—normally actually closer to the 60-day mark. Renfe has been even more proactive about this on the routes where they now face competition.

Thanks for all your feedback. Yep, my tickets are for June 1. However, I see I purchased them on March 2 not in January. I've been planning this trip since January! It's just odd that the availability window was open 90 days out, then closed, and remains closed 50 days out. Will keep checking!

RS doesn't sell train tickets. You probably used a link to RailEurope, which sometimes (maybe always) charges more for the tickets either in terms of higher prices or added fees. I'd try buying from Renfe first. There is no hurry here at all. The rail fare to Toledo will not increase.

I am having the same issue. I bought train tickets several weeks ago to go from Toledo to Barcelona through Madrid for June 12 using Trainline. At the time I could see tickets for Madrid to Toledo on June 11 as we plan to stay the night there.

I waited to purchase our Mdrid - Toledo tickets to be sure of the time we wanted to go. Today Trainline says all times on June 11 are sold out. Renfe states they are not available at this time and the link on the Rick Steves website also says not available at this time.
Should we assume they will show up again in a week or two? Strange that we could have bought them several weeks ago but cannot now.

I really, really wouldn't worry. If some sort of massive maintenance campaign in announced for that rail line, you can take a bus; it will just take longer.

Diane, Definitely strange! Suggest setting up an alert on www.raileurope.com for the travel date you want. You'll get an email alert when tx become available. Glad there are frequent buses just in case.