I just purchased train tickets on the Renfe website for Granada to Madrid. Per advice on tripadvisor, these are electronic tickets (bar coded) that will be wanded by the conductor before I board the train i.e. I do not need to go to the ticket window and swap these tickets for "real" tickets. However, the RS Spain guide says first time users must present these online tickets at the station ticket window and get "real" tickets. So which is it?
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
Mary....if you have the printed-out tickets that look like a boarding pass or ticket, then all you have to do is take them on board the train. You go through a "pre-boarding" security check in Granada, where your bag is x-rayed and your ticket checked-scanned. After that, you're home free. This print-at-home feature is relatively new, so maybe the info isn't up to date in Rick's book.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23325 posts
Who knows??? I would do the ticket window just to be covered. Procedures will change over time. At most you may waste a few minutes standing in line or none if no line.
Posted by
OP
Reno, NV, USA
2429 posts
Thanks. That's what I figured but just wanted to be sure.
Posted by
San Francisco, California, USA
446 posts
Same in Germany, except there is no pre-boarding security check.
One thing to remember: the conductor who checks tickets on the train may ask to see your credit card (the one you used to purchase your tickets). At least, that's the rule in Germany with online, self-print tickets -- you have to show the same card you used to buy the tickets.