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Train travel from Madrid to San Sebastian

We are 2 seniors travelling from Madrid to San Sebastian. We need info/tips on train travel to places listed on Monday 8th May - is there any extra charge and/or restrictions on luggage?

Posted by
743 posts

Not sure if I understand your question, as a native Basque. You want to take the train on Monday May 8, from Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian (you will frequently see this spelling, both with the Basque and the Spanish name of this city), the train has racks for luggage and has bigger racks at the entrance of the wagon for the bigger luggage. No restrictions, to my knowledge, unless you are carrying your house with you!!

Posted by
6974 posts

The general rule for luggage on trains is that you can bring as much as you want as long as you can carry it yourself. There are some low cost services that enforce restrictions, but those are the exception and not the norm.

Posted by
1072 posts

Renfe (the main train company) does have limits on luggage. Three pieces per person with a combined weight of not more than 25kg. From what I have read on other forums this seems designed to discourage people from using the train to move house.

Renfe's AVLO trains (which don't run between Madrid and San Sebastian) have a stricter limit -

  • 1 piece of hand luggage (bag, rucksack, etc.), maximum dimensions: 36x27x25 cm, with no weight limit
  • 1 cabin bag, maximum dimensions: 55x35x25 cm, with no weight limit

Whether anyone will enforce the luggage policy - who knows?

We will be using trains extensively in Spain but as we travel light will be nowhere near the limit.