Hello! We are getting ready to purchase train tickets from Barcelona to Madrid. We have a group of 7, and noticed on the RENFE site that if you purchase tickets in blocks of 4 and 3, respectively, you can purchase tickets at the "Turista Mesa" rate. If I read the description correctly, does it mean that if I buy in blocks of 4, each passenger pays 58.80e, whereas if I purchase in a block of 3, each passenger pays 78.80e? Also, does anyone have experience purchasing RENFE tickets online? Are there any problems using American credit cards? Thank you!
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17612 posts
The "Mesa" price is for the whole table of four, just for you. It works out best when there are four people. For three, the whole price will be divided in 3 instead of 4, so of course it is higher. Depending on when you are traveling, you may do better with Web fares if you can get them. But maybe they are already gone for your dates. As far as using American credit cards, Renfe is notorious for rejecting them. I was able to make numerous purchases last Spring, however. There are detailed instructions on Tripadvisor in the Madrid forum. Pay particular attention to the advice to register your card with Verified with Visa, and of course call your bank to advise you will be making a purchase on the Internet that will come from Spain. Some people have had better luck with debit cards than credit cards. And good luck and enjoy the train. Those high speed AVE trains are amazing-not only fast but smooth, quiet and very comfortable.
Posted by
Whittington
984 posts
Lola has it in a nutshell.
Here is the guide referred to, covering usage of the RENFE site, discounts and all known problems - http://tiny.cc/5ynb6 - paying attention to point 49.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
If any of the group is 60 or older, you can buy the Tarjeta Dorada (Gold Card) for 5.05Euro. With the card (which is actually a ticket) you get a 40% discount on train travel in Spain if you travel on Mon-Thur. The discount is 25% if you travel Fri-Sat.