I"m looking at buy a First Class Eurail Pass for an upcoming trip to Spain. We will go from Madrid to Seville, Seville to Grananda and Granada (Cordoba) overnight to Barcelona. The total cost is $1,000. This is for the pass and reservations. Does this sound right? Any recommendations on how to travel by train a little cheaper? The Rail Europe Rep told me that since we wanted the overnight train we had to get a first class Eurail Pass. Thanks for your help!
Posted by
OP
Saratoga, CA, USA
8 posts
Oh and the $1,000 is for 2 travelers.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
Ya, point to point tickets and second class -- much cheaper. Buy in advance and take advantage of prepurchase discounts.
Posted by
OP
Saratoga, CA, USA
8 posts
Thanks for the responses. My understanding is that the Eurail Pass and reservations are non changeable. I went to the RENFE site and could not find the English reservations page. I went to one page that was in English but when I clicked on the routes I wanted, it went to Spanish.
Thanks!
Posted by
St Louis, MO, USA
4 posts
Your $1K Eurail pass sounds expensive to me. I agree with using Renfe, and purchasing at least 15 days in advance for the cheapest fares. The regular Spanish website can be sorta confusing, but here's the link in English: http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/index.html
If your trip is more than 2 months away, be aware that Renfe only has schedules listed for the next 62 days. Some routes/times will appear, but not all of them, if it's > 62 days to your travel date. Be patient!
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
I suggest before making any move you call Euraide (1 781-828-2488), www.euraide.com.
Most night trains I know of only require a first class rail pass. for deluxe reservations. The RailEurope rep might mean that they, RailEurope, will only sell you overnight reservation if you have a 1st class pass.
I added up p-p tickets prices from Renfe and got Madrid-Sevilla, Preferente class, €121; Sevilla-Grenada, Tourista class (regional), 23,90; and Grenada-Barcelona, Cama G. Clase Doble, 155,60. That's €300,50 pP, $735 for two.
Posted by
the Middle Coast
292 posts
I'm thinking that buying point to point tickets for those three trips will be quite probably hundreds of dollars cheaper, so I would agree with everyone else and say buy the individual tickets! And I am jealous of your trip; a friend of mine spent the past year teaching in Granada and it looked gorgeous. Have fun!