trying to decide if we should pre-book, online, the seat reservations needed with the rail pass for train travel in Spain in May. can the reservations be purchased at an auto kiosk at the stations? are lines long just for the reservation ? we will be in Spain in 10 days, have a 3 day rail pass. fly into Madrid,spend 2 nights, then to Toledo,Seville, etc. My plan was to make reservations 2-3 days in advance of each train trip, ie, when first arriving in Madrid get reservations for the Toledo round trip and trip from Madrid to Sevilla.I wonder if we need to book ahead a reservation for a day trip to Cordoba from Sevilla ?
and lastly,the day we arrive in Barcelona or the next day, to make a reservation for a Sunday trip back to Madrid in 4 days. I'm trying to avoid too much planning as far as exact times and the high cost of the Rail Europe reservations.I asume that a reservation made in each train station will cost less than that made online, is this true?is it possible to book just the reservations on the Renfe site ? my Spanish is close to zilch. any suggestions/thoughts ?
thanks
Posted by
Seattle
80 posts
Provided you aren't traveling a Spanish holiday, I wouldn't worry about it too much.
All of those routes listed have many trips per day - get the reservations the day before.
Posted by
New York
317 posts
I will also be in Spain in May (next weekend) and am making reservations for my trip to and from Salamanca from Madrid, mostly because there will be a bus strike the days i'm traveling, one for partial day and the other for the whole day, so i just want to be sure i'm not stranded or otherwise inconvenienced. Otherwise i usually purchase at time of travel.
Posted by
Alta Loma, CA
10 posts
Hi,
I travelled in Spain last October via trains. If you book in advance online (60 days, I think) on some lines you can actually get a decent discount. I like to play things by hear, so it can be a delicate balance. Definitely book your train from Madrid to Toledo ahead of time. The Royal Palace was closed on the day we had planned to visit, so we tried for train tickets, (and bus too), to Toledo but everything was booked. There are previous postings on navigating the Renfe train website. I don't speak Spanish either but was able to secure tickets. Have Fun!
Posted by
Novato, CA, USA
47 posts
I just finished booking my train trips to and from Barcelona, Madrid, and Sevilla in June. Very easy actually...once your bank let's the credit card purchase go through. Printed them out and got 60% off by using the Web fares that are posted 62 days in advance. I'd do it ahead if you're travel days are firm.
Posted by
Midwest, U.S.
189 posts
I'd agree that if you know your train travel dates to book them ahead online. there are significant discounts: 60%, tho I doubt those are available any more, they go fast at the 62 days ahead mark, and 40% off. we've booked all but one of our trains. I've also read that the Madrid to Toledo AVE is very popular so booking in advance is a great idea if you know what day you'll be going. enjoy!! (I leave for Spain in 14 days!!)