I will be in Spain from May 20 to June 3. Looking at purchasing train tickets in advance and found these on the loco2 site. Are these prices reasonable? I am over 60 so prices are based on senior tickets. All are fastest travel times/direct.
Barcelona to Madrid $100
Madrid to Toledo $16
Toledo to Madrid $16
Madrid to Seville $70
Granada(Antequera) to Madrid $85
Thanks for any comments and recommendations!
Chris
Hi,
Yes, these prices look standard to me - it is too late to grab cheaper advance tickets. On Barcelona Madrid, if you are flexible on time of day and travel duration (some trains take over three hours) you might be able to save $25 or so - try a few different times perhaps? But don't sweat over it.
That's about right
Thanks! I also plan to rent a car in Seville to drive the south area.. Ronda, Gibralter, Costa del Sol and end in Granada. Is it better to rent the car in advance or when I am in Seville?
Hi,
Always rent cars in advance, walk-in rates can be prohibitive (this said, rental rates are usually very low in Spain outside summer). You typically have a choice between "pay now" and "pay later" rates, the latter is slightly higher but typically gives you free cancellation up to a certain point before the trip (usually 2 days but sometimes as little as 1 hour, check small print). You can also use brokers such as Auto Europe for price comparison and refundable bookings.
Avoid rental company "goldcar" no matter what.
I'm not convinced that those "prices are based on senior tickets." You may have specified your age but, since that alone does not qualify you for train ticket discounts in Spain, you would just be offered currently available adult/advance purchase rates. Seniors ticket discounts require purchasing a Tarjeta Dorada in Spain for €5 per person. To get this rate from Loco2, you have to go to "Add Railcard," select the Tarjeta Dorada rate, and then don't forget to actually buy that card at a Renfe office or train station before your first travel. For instance, the standard fare from Madrid to Toledo is €13.90 while the rate with a Tarjeta Dorada is €10.45.
Also, Barcelona-Madrid tickets can go higher than $100, if the train gets booked up.
You can use the Renfe website to check prices. When you enter your trip info, check the "tarjeta dorada" box. The site will give you the lowest price available. I just looked at Madrid-Sevilla for May 30, the price for the AVE train (fastest) is €45.80.
You can't get the discount on the Renfe site until you have the TD card number. Once you are in Spain you can buy tickets in advance on the Renfe site (use Paypal - most US credit cards don't work) or in person (cash or credit card) at any train station. You need to show proof of age when you buy the TD card - I used my driver's license last time. It was €6. If you're landing at El Prat and taking the train into the city, buy the TD card at the Renfe station at the airport, though if you're staying near Placa Catalunya, the bus is better.
I've bought train tickets at Barcelona Sants - long lines, but you get a number and sit and wait BUT there are lines for different types of tickets so be careful. Avoid buying tickets at Madrid Atocha station! Lines are very long.
Hi from Wisconsin,
Easiest of all go to the site, loco2. Much easier to use than Renfe.
Wayne iNWI
