We are planning on taking the high speed AVE train from Madrid to Sevilla when we arrive on June 24th. My daughter is studying in Sevilla right now and one of her advisors said we should just wait and purchase the tickets when we arrive, vs. in advance, to avoid issues if we have a problem with our flight or other logistics issues that might cause us to miss the train if we reserve in advance and are wrong on our timing. Is this good advice, as it seems from what I have read that you should reserve a spot on this train. Help!
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
Advance ticket generally have restrictions on refunds or exchanges. So if you miss the train you could be out the money. Trains, rarely, if ever, sell out so you don't need to worry about getting on the train. If over sixty you can get a discount card for a discount at anytime.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17440 posts
The advantage of advance purchase for the AVE trains in Spain is that you can get substantial discounts, up to 60% off. But the tickets are non refundable, and many people have trouble buying them on the Renfe website. I suppose your daughter could buy them for you. But you would still have the problem of timing the journey. The fare from Madrid to Sevilla is not that great, so I would opt for the flexibility and buy them on arrival at the atocha station. The airport bus will take you there. The trains to Sevilla run hourly or so, and rarely sell out. We rode them during the April Feria and even then they were not completely full. So you do not need to buy in advance just to insure a seat, just to get the Web fare which may be gone for your travel date anyway.
Posted by
LaGrange, Ga, USA
1178 posts
From the airport to the Atocha Train Station is roughly one hour, via Taxi (expensive) Aerocity Van (less expensive) or the Airport Shuttle (2 euro or so). Also, you may take the subway, about 45 minutes or so. The shuttle will be the best choice. The processing through immigration can be 1/2 hour, including the long walk from the plane landing area. Customs is -0- Take this into consideration if you prepurchase the Renfe AVE ticket. I would allow at least 2 hours, or maybe 2 1/2 so as to not be into a time problem. This will let you get lost in the airport or train station, maybe even grab something to eat. I have done this several times. Puchase the ticket up to 62 1/2 days in advance and you will save money most likely. I understand from reading various comments on this site that this can be an issue. I have done it in the past with only a small amount of frustration. But, I am sure there are seats on most departures. There is a cafe car on the train with drinks, sandwiches, etc. And the attendants are very helpful as well. About 2 1/2 hour train ride with two stops or so. The car Number and the seat number will appear on the ticket. Ask one of the conductors to get you to the right car.
Posted by
OP
Alpharetta, GA, United States
7 posts
Thank you all for your thoughtful comments!
Posted by
Ypsilanti, MI, USA
233 posts
I flew in to Madrid-Barajas in February, landed at 8:45 am, caught the 9:30 am 2-euro Airport Express bus to Atocha, and was at Atocha by 10:00 am. I bought an AVE ticket to Sevilla on arrival at Atocha for 83.90 euros and was on board at 11:00 am and in sunny Sevilla by 2:30 pm. I was worried about committing to a timed train ticket beforehand, so I spent a little extra (well, more than a little) and just bought it when I got there. I don't regret it. In 2009, I got an advanced train ticket from Paris to Bayeux, and the stress of worrying about a late flight (like my 8-hour delay in Philadelphia in February 2009) was no fun.