Help/Tips for booking cheap tickets on Renfe

We did all that by train and bought our tickets in advance on Renfe, getting the 60% discount Web fares. Renfe does not like US credit cards but there are detailed instructions on Tripadvisor, in the Madrid forum, and on ManinSeat61. It is apparently essential to register your card with Verified by Visa or the Mastercard equivalent. Some people have had better luck with debit cards. If they are flying into Madrid and out of Barcelona, visiting Sevilla between, here are the discount fares on Renfe: Madrid to Sevilla, 33,30 euro for the AVE train or 26,10 for the Alvia train, which takes only 7 minutes longer. Sevilla to Barcelona, a 5+ hour trip for 85,40 (Estrella price; I could not get it to show a Web fare). If there are four of them they can use the "Mesa" price which is shown per person for 4 seats at a table. If you are comparing to flights, be sure to include the cost of travel to and from the airport, and the "extras" if using the budget airlines.

Thanks for the tips. Good information for me to take while we search for the best options.

The posters before have given the tips....I purchase my Renfe tickets on line here in the states, print them out, and present at the gate. No problem, sometimes a little difficulty in geting the initial purchase, but it saves time and money. The tickets will have the train date, time, etc. Be sure to be on time as the trains are definitely punctual. The tickets will also have the coach number and seat number on them as well. The trip from Madrid (Atocha) to Sevilla i 2 1/2 hours. Great scenery along the way which would be missed in the plane. Also, there is a food car, stand up counter, sandwich, drinks, etc. on the car. The attendants are helpful in loading and unloading, pass out reading material etc., as was the case years and years ago on the air planes. A very pleasureable experience. In Sevilla, check out Really Discover Sevilla Tours - very informative, small groups, not a chain of fifty tourists trying to see and hear. Also they can arrange a flamenco show - excellent!! Have not taken the Madrid - Barcelona route but plan to do so this spring. Madrid -- Good hostals - Phillip V and Montecarlo both on Gran Via in the same building...Central, safe, secure. I have stayed in both. Sevilla - I recomment Un Patio De Santa Cruz in the old quarter. Visited it on my last trip and will stay there on the next one this spring.

Arnold Do I understand corrently that the flights have already been purchased? If so, I suggest she fly from Seville to Barcelona via discount airlines. Check www.skyscanner.com. Flights currently start at $52 and take 90 minutes or so. Discount airlines are very strict on luggage weight and size and number. Charges are exorbitant if you go over. Also they charge for everything so read the fine print carefully and make sure you go through the entire booking process so you know the total airfare. I hope she has a long spring break because she will spend a lot of money and time between all of these destinations if it is just a week. Bobbie.