Hello and thanks in advance!
How much earlier than my train departure should I be at the station in order to be on time? I will taking a train In Madrid, Seville and Cordoba. Also, our train from Cordoba leaves at 9:10p.m. and arrives in Madrid at 11:00p.m. Would there be any place in Cordoba that we could grab a quick dinner at that time and, if not, would there still be dinner options in Madrid that late?
We took trains in all those cities, and you must pass thru security. I would say 20 minutes early would be fine in Sevilla and Cordoba (assuming you already have tickets) and for Madrid, if you are using Atocha, the first time you are at the station you may find it big and overwhelming so you might allow more time. That said, when we purchased train tickets at the airport to get to Sevilla, the helpful and pleasant RENFRE employee sold us tickets that allowed about 20 minutes between our train arrival at Atocha and departure at Sevilla. She told us we would be fine and even though the train arrived a few minutes late, we had plenty of time. Are you asking if there are restaurants close to the Cordoba train station, if so, I can't recall anything close, there are a couple faster food restaurants in the station tho I thought the were pricey. Within Cordoba old town there are lots of restaurants and they just start for dinner at 8pm at the earliest though it appeared there was always something open. I thought Madrid was "open" rather late and at 11pm I think you'd find dinner options.
In Spain, there is a light security check just prior to the platform. You must show your ticket for access to the platform and most of the time the platform area will not open until 30 minutes before. Second, dinner in Madrid doesn't start until about nine, eight at the earliest so you will have plenty of options at 11. The locals are just getting started. Remember they had a nap from 2 to 4pm. There is nothing around the station in Cordoba and you could be too early for anything in Cordoba except for some light sandwiches or Take Away places.
Thank you both! I think I would probably be too worried or rushed to try and eat at 8 in Cordoba and catch the train as we are a party of 4. Madrid at 11 it is!
I'm not sure about dining in Madrid. When you get off the train, don't you want to go to your hotel first to check in and drop your luggage. It is likely to be at least 11.30 before you are out the door and headed to a restaurant. What you could consider is buying the fixings for a picnic dinner (including wine and plastic cups) and eating on the train. If you haven't bought the train tickets yet, you could get the 4 seats facing each other with a small table at the end of the car.
I see lots of people picnicking on the train!
Thank you Chani! That’s an even better idea.
