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Buying tickets on the Renfe web site, aka visiting Pan's Labyrinth.

Posted by (San Jose) on

Have attempted to purchase tickets from Barcelona - Granada. The scheduled train we desire to travel on leaves Barcelona @ 21:30 on Oct 4, 2010. I've tried to purchase the tickets on the web page, and called the Renfe Offices twice.

So far here's the results:

1) I've gotten two different price quotes.

2) Appearently there are two different Tourista classes -- one w/4 same sex travelers per compartment. One w/2 travelers -- ideal for my wife and myself.
However the customer service rep. either couldn't identify the name of this ticket class, or couldn't spell and/or pronouce it.

3) Was told I cannot use a credit card from an American bank. I was planning to use my AMEX card and have already contacted AMEX informing them of my planned purchase.

4) Finally, the customer service rep said I should go to a travel agent and have the agent purchase the tickets.

This seems to defeat the whole idea of doing research, going on-line and purchasing the tickets at a sizable discount.

Is there someone out there in webland who's successfully purchased tickets on Renfe, 60-days in advance who can share the secrects of their success?

Awaiting your replys.

Thanks in advance for your assistence.

Best regards,

T. E. Scatchard

Posted by
4555 posts

Tom...the overnight trains on the new RENFE site have a major glitch in terms of ordering,...the dropdown menu that lists the classes doesn't work on the English language version.
But you can order the thru the Spanish language site...since it follows along closely with the english version, it' pretty easy to do. When you get to the English ordering page, just click on Bienvenido at the upper left.
What you're looking for is Cama Preferente, not Cama Turista. After you've selected it, a new window with a working dropdown box appears. Select Cama Preferente again, and you will get a choice of "Indivudual" and "Familiar." Select 2 in that box, and proceed with your sale. That'll give you the two-bedroom compartment.

Posted by
4555 posts

BTW, America Visa and Mastercards will work....Amex will probably not.

Posted by
477 posts

I was able to purchase tickets a couple months ago. I used a Capital One Visa and my purchase went right through. I left the site in Spanish and followed Norm's directions. It was very easy to do. Though they did let the purchase go through, Capital One called me immediately to verify that the purchase was legit. Everything I have read, says it works best to leave it in Spanish.

Posted by
1446 posts

To reinterate the previous comments, the Spanish Renfe website indeed works best for ordering.

In addition, your AMEX card will be turned down most anywhere in Spain...

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