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Train travel in Spain - Eurail pass or sourcing a Tarjeta Dorada (senior discount) card

Posted by on

Hi, looking to do a 2 week trip in Spain this fall with main train trips being from Madrid to Sevilla and Granada to Madrid (and likely a couple of small day trips from Madrid). Rest of the trip will likely be by bus. Wondering if anyone has used the Spain Eurail pass for these routes and/or the Tarjeta Dorada card for discounts?

I'm not sure that I can source the Tarjeta Dorada card in North America in advance. I'd prefer to do that so I can book my train trips in advance.

Welcome any guidance on the use of the Eurail pass vs booking single tickets and/or use of Tarjeta Dorada card and if folks were able to source it in advance of their trip.

thanks!

Posted by
3977 posts

You will not need a train pass or the Tarjeta Dorada card for this itinerary. For your high-speed train tickets from Madrid to Seville and Granada to Madrid, you can best save money by checking on the train fares among the several different train companies which do
those routes: Renfe, Ouigo Espana , Iryo and Avlo.
You can get a general idea of pricing and schedules at www.TheTrainline.com. You can then go to the website of each train company to see what the best prices are.

Most often, the earlier you buy your tickets, the lower the prices will be,

For your daytrips out of Madrid on local trains, there’s no need to pre-book. Only consider pre-booking for the high-speed trains to destinations such as Toledo and Salamanca.

Posted by
2 posts

thanks! appreciate your advice. Do you know when tickets are typically available for sale? Is it 60 or 90 days in advance?

Posted by
320 posts

Yeah, I agree. I don't think you can buy the senior discount card until you're in Spain and you want to book in advance.

Those train trips shouldn't be expensive.

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