I am trying to book train reservations from Barcelona to Granada on May 14th. I have tried to get into the site for three weeks but the site is telling me that they have yet to receive information about my selected schedule and fares. Just for kicks, I selected a date in april to see if I was too far out in scheduling but it stated the same thing! Ugh! Is this common? When can I book the train?
Posted by
Midwest, U.S.
189 posts
are you using this site:
I just keyed in a trip for 5/18, but haven't gone further than the price page but I did get that far. you should be able to book something for 5/14 since it's 62 days prior. I've heard one should just keep trying, that it burps occasionally.
good luck!
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
There is no Rail Europe in Spain or anywhere else. It is a travel agency that books tickets for you on limited number of trains with prices substantial marked up. Much better prices and option can be had at the local rail sites.
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
You can book now on the Spanish railway website, RENFE, and get up to 40% off. If you're taking the day train, the price is as low as 36 Euro. For the night train, there's a bunk in a four-bed couchette (Cama Turista) for 53.50 Euro, a bed in a comfortable second-class two-unit sleeper (Cama Preferente Doble Familiar) for 67 Euro, and a single sleeper in second class (Cama Preferente Individual) for 97 Euro. Strangely enough, it seems that, on your travel date, there are first-class single sleepers (Cama Gran Clase Individual) for 93 Euro, regular price....but when you get to the checkout, it shows up at the regular price of 208 Euro.
The website is in Spanish, unfortunately, but it's not hard to manouever. On the billing page, "Correo Electrónico" is your e-mail, "Nombre" is first name, "Apellido 1" is your last name (don't worry about "Apellido 2",) "Tipo de Documento" should be set to "pasaporte," then enter your passport number at "Numero Documento,"..."Direccion" is street address, "Codigo Postal" is zip code, "Poblacion" is your town or city, "Provincia" is your state, and "Pais" is country. You'll find the U.S. listed near the bottom under the U's, but as "Estados Unidos" (go figure). Under your phone number, just enter your area code and number.
Under all that, uncheck the first box, which simply asks if you want to receive offers via e-mail (they'll be in Spanish), but check the second one, which means you accept the terms and conditions.
For the credit card info, "Numero de Tarjeta" is your card number, "Fecha de Caducidad" is expiry date, "Titular de las Tarjeta" is the name on the credit card, and "CVV/CID" is that 3-digit security code on the back of your card.
Posted by
Midwest, U.S.
189 posts
aha! found the answer in here. thanks again Norm! a wealth of information!
Posted by
Bellevue, WA
106 posts
Have you thought about flying? Veuling has fares of 30 to 40 Euro available and the flight takes about 1 1/2 hours. Two times: 7 AM or 7:45 PM departures.
Posted by
OP
Herndon, Virginia, USA
3 posts
Wow! Thanks everyone for all the information! I will set out to investigate the trains and planes! Your pricing for both was so much better than my research. I found the rates for the Renfe to be around 60 euros per person but could not purchase them online - only able look at the pricing. Good thing I could not because your advice has directed me to planes again! I think I looked at that and thought it was way too expensive. This is my 4th European trip with my family using Rick Steves as a guide but my first time on the helpline! What took me so long?? Awesome....
Posted by
santa rosa, california, usa
35 posts
we are flying but in reverse order from Granada to Barcelona on Spanair- a 1-12/ hr evening flight allows us to still spend most of a day before heading out to the next sleeping location.we will pay about 50 euros each, with tax, etc., and I think it's worth it. Iberia went through Madrid and added several hours to the overall trip.I tried to figure out a train route because I favor train travel, but seemed too long, I think 9-12 hrs !
I tried the Vayama website, but the Spanair site was the cheapest.
Posted by
OP
Herndon, Virginia, USA
3 posts
Georgia - you are completely correct! After I finally figured out how to book a 11 and one half train from Barcelona to Granada, I found a $67.00 flight from Spanair on Expedia!! That flight will be only take 1 and one half hours - what an amazing difference. I booked the flight on Spanair as fast as I could type!! I am so happy that I posted my question here and received such awesome information.
Posted by
Tempe
12 posts
I used the tips on this forum (link below) to book a train on the Renfe Spanish site. I do not know Spanish and it worked perfectly.