Hey guys, I am trying to book train tickets from Barcelona->Madrid and Madrid-> Sevilla for early May. We are just at the 60 day mark, and I've read on here that there are good discounts available, but as I go to the website they are the same price as usual. Does this just mean that they aren't available, or is there something I'm missing? Any help is appreciated, thanks!!
Posted by
Marin, CA
527 posts
See if this tripadvisor link helps. I was very frustrating last year. I looked back and saw that I finally got the great discounted fare on April 12th for travel June 3rd. I definitely was glad we travelled first class from Madrid to San Sebastian. We had a special waiting room with amenities, and a great breakfast and wonderful service onboard. http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187514-i126-k3451522-Buying_Renfe_Tickets_Online_Revised_March_5_2010-Madrid.html
Posted by
Whittington
984 posts
As advised - see the guide - today is 4th March and I see discounts for up to 4th May.
Posted by
OP
Atlanta, GA, 30096
30 posts
Thank you both so much for your help. I think I was trying to make it more complicated than it is. I appreciate it!
Posted by
Marin, CA
527 posts
As my link said, at least last year, you can start in English but to purchase you have to switch to the Spanish version. I actually did computer screen shots of both languages and laid them side by side so when I finally got to purchase I didn't make a mistake. That said it still took many attempts once the tickets were available for the purchase to go through. Maybe a timing issue. We also had to use a different credit card even though the French rail and a European airline accepted our main card so it's a bit frustrating at times
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16765 posts
You have to go to "purchase" for a particular date to see the discount fares. I had no trouble buying them on Renfe a year ago. I do not think it matters if you use the website in English or Spanish, I believe I used both. What does make a difference is registering your credit card with Verified by Visa in advance. See Tripadvisor for detailed instructions if you have difficulty.
Posted by
Marin, CA
527 posts
Both of my credit cards were issued by Chase and Verified by Visa in advance but the site only accepted my second choice credit card. Got it in the end though
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16765 posts
And if you are totally frustrated with Renfe, RailEurope offers prices that are close. The Web fare for the AVe from Madrid to Sevilla is 33,30 euros on most trains. RE charges $47 for this. The Renfe fare for the Alvia train is 26 euros; RE charges $37. Those are slightly higher, and Re adds a handling fee, but it is still way better than paying the regular full fare of 83 euros. And your card is charged in dollars so no foreign transaction fee. Renfe offers a couple of AVE trains as low as 25 euros but they seem to be at undesirable times.