After arriving at Madrid's airport on a Friday morning in late April after Holy Week, we intend to purchase Dorada Cards at the Atocha station and will be taking the first available train to Cordoba. Our assumption is that trains to Cordoba run frequently enough that we will have no problem getting seats, even on a Friday at mid-day. Does that sound reasonable?? On Sunday morning we will be traveling to Granada and since trains are limited to only one before noon, we will purchase those tickets at Atocha when we purchase the Cordoba travel. We found the Renfe web page a little confusing, so are we correct that the Dorada discount will not apply because of advance purchase for Sunday travel??? If that's the case, then we would purchase those tickets on-line before leaving the U.S. Thanks for any help in working out this travel plan.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23461 posts
My understand is 40 % discount weekday and 25% on the weekend. Should be able to buy all at the same time. There is a train ticket office in the airport across from the TI you might consider buying everything there since is most likely less busy.
Posted by
OP
Silver Spring, MD
62 posts
Thanks Frank - our concern is from the translated page about the Dorada Card. It says "On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays the discount will be 25% for tickets that have NOT BEEN BOUGHT IN ADVANCE and with a reserved seat." If we buy the Sunday Cordoba to Granada ticket on Friday, it seems it's an advance purchase that does not get a discount. Are we mistaken?
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16789 posts
The discounts cited by Frank, and the language you quoted, are for AVE trains. Other trains have different rules and discounts. Avant trains have a reverse discount for Tarjeta Dorada holders, 25% on weekdays and 40% Saturday and Sunday. Media Distance trains are 40% all the time. The trains from Cordoba to Granada are Altaria trains. I do not know which category they fit, but you should just ask at Atocha when you are waiting for your Cordoba train, if you have time. Since there is only one train in the morning, it could sell out, so you might want to buy a ticket in advance regardless of the discount. It is not an expensive train. Or you could take the bus.
Posted by
OP
Silver Spring, MD
62 posts
Many thanks Lola. I think you are right about purchasing the Cordoba - Granada tickets on-line. Missing the early trains would create too many difficulties.
David
Posted by
Oak Park, Illinois
4535 posts
If you don't get the train to Granada, just take the bus. They'll run far more often and take about the same amount of time as the train would.
Posted by
Pomfret
10 posts
We are going to Spain in April as well. The only discount tickets you can get on line are for the Ave trains (within 62 days of rail travel). You can look up your train choice (use Madrid * if traveling to or from Madrid) for basic schedules from place to place. A useful guide to train travel in Spain is through Trip Advisor:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g187514-c80518/Madrid:Spain:Buying.Renfe.Tickets.Online..html This is a traveler article that I found to be very helpful and was able to book Ave trains in advance at a discount. We are waiting to purchase our Dorata card when we arrive. (There is some disagreement as to whether non-residents can purchase these).
Posted by
OP
Silver Spring, MD
62 posts
Hi Nancy - We will try to get the Dorada Cards when we arrive at Madrid's airport (see Frank's reply above). We were told it's no problem in-person with a passport. We already purchased some tickets that may soon show sold out seating (Cordoba to Granada and Granada to Sevilla). Cordoba to Sevilla tickets must already be in short supply (we will be there during Sevilla's Feria), since the proposed cost for our train on the Renfe web site was showing more than the minimum price. So we went to the RailEurope site and got them cheaper, even with the service charge. Hope we all have good weather. Enjoy your trip.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16789 posts
Nancy, where have you seen disagreement on the Tarjeta Dorada? There is nothing on the Renfe site about limitation to Spanish citizens or residents. I know Frank ( Centennial) uses one.