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What Am I Doing Wrong on Renfe train site?

Posted by Barb (Lake Forest, Illinois, USA) on 09/24/14 01:00 AM

I'm perplexed. Just trying to purchase a one way ticket on renfe from Madrid to Sevilla. Made it through once to a purchase point, but it rejected my transaction (or, it said it was my bank's fault).

Starting over after deciding to use paypal instead, I've tried multiple times after that, and each time I enter my destination and date info, and it only gives me one train selection (even though I know there are hourly trains and there were LOTS of seats just hours ago) ... and that one they give me has a duration of 7 hours and 15 minutes! What the heck am I doing wrong? Tried different browsers with no success. hmmmmmm

Posted by Michael

Gastonia, NC, USA

09/24/14 01:21 AM

4 posts

Hi,
It can be tricky. Go to http://www.seat61.com/Spain-trains.htm#How_to_buy_train_tickets_for_Spain

Look up how to buy tickets in Spain. This is a great website(quirky name) I have used for years.
I had trouble at first also, but by following their tips, was able to charge to my US Credit Card. See the note about buying tickets 60 days in advance. Web Estrella Fares can be up to 70% off.

Hope this helps.
Mike

Posted by Barb OP

Lake Forest, Illinois, USA

09/24/14 01:59 AM

59 posts

I'm sorry but the site is crazy. I tried to register myself to see if that helps. I get an error message saying I need to fill in personal data even though I filled in all the data points. I'm about to give up. I'm not this much of a novice but this one has me beat at the moment. Cries for help... please ...

Posted by Douglas

Oak Park, Illinois

09/24/14 02:04 AM

4535 posts

renfe can be difficult to work with, no doubt. Make sure you are entering the stations correctly, for example, don't enter Madrid Atocha Cercanias as it will give you the wrong results (Puerta de Atocha is the right one). The main Sevilla station is Santa Justa.

Definitely use Paypal as people have reported it works much easier that way. Getting a credit card to work is hit or miss and seems to be random.

Hope this helps.

Posted by Barb OP

Lake Forest, Illinois, USA

09/24/14 02:23 AM

59 posts

Brilliant, Douglas!!! I forced it to say Puerta de Achota as you suggest vs. Madrid Achota station selection that the website brings up and then like magic, the real timetable comes up. Thank you!!!!!! And yes, paypal saves a headache. Correct again.

Posted by Rosie

Rick Steves' Europe

09/24/14 09:38 PM

123 posts

Glad you were able to make it work. That website can be a headache as they don't accept our cards so Paypal is best. You can also buy tickets through our website with Rail Europe at this link: http://ricksteves.raileurope.com/us/rail/point_to_point/triprequest.htm. You can generally find cheaper fares though on Renfe, or in the case of France the SNCF site (also only accepts Paypal).

Posted by coevan

Grand Junction, Co

09/24/14 11:35 PM

44 posts

I used Paypal and my credit card linked to my Paypal account, very easy. I did register and it seems like the process is easier if you register. Now the Italian trains are a whole different animal. You can not register unless you have an Italian address, weird.

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