Spain train travel using RENFE

Eurail will be more expensive, it is an agency and does not run the trains, RENFE is the national rail company. This pass is new (perhaps six months since introduction) so little tested and even less reported back on forums, however I think - as written up in the description - 'It is valid for all AVE Long Distance and Medium Distance trains (excluding couchettes)' - covers it, i.e. not for use for your Granada to Barcelona journey by TrenHotel.

Thank you, that's what I wanted to know. But, could I use the pass on the overnight trip if I didn't get the couchette?

The TrenHotel is not mentioned as being available on the pass. You will have to make the enquiry direct for true clarification - I can only place an interpretation on the wording, as you can.

Bonnie, try the RENFE site virtual assistant, Irene, with specific questions. Also, to get the best online price for specific rail trips, go the part of the website where you click on the shopping cart icon for a specific date and train. This opens up another page with a limited number of reduced price seats. The problem you may have with RENFE is getting the website to accept your American credit card. TripAdvisor has many, many discussions about this issue, and other RENFE topics.

Dear Bonnie: I don't know if my experience will be helpful to you, but I have been in Spain for 2 months now (staying for another month) and have been using a combination of RENFE trains and local buses to take 1-3-day trips: Madrid, Malaga, Toledo, Alhaurin El Grande, Granada, Cordoba, Nerja. I do not believe that the RENFE 4-day pass covers the bed fee for an overnight train. I can't remember where I read it on the RENFE website which can be confusing! I am VERY impressed with the buses and trains for short trips here: they are clean, comfortable and (mostly) on time. On some routes, the bus departure times are more convenient than the train. I google "bus routes (between) my departure and destination," so the various bus companies, with links to their schedules, all come up. For this reason, I decided not to buy a pass of any kind. I have not had a problem just showing up at the ticket window and buying a ticket for the next bus or train that I want. (Of course, it's winter...) One helpful hint: at the bus stations, they will print out for you a complete schedule of buses between any two cities and hand it over with your ticket. These schedules seem to be more up-to-date and accurate than the websites. Also, if you're old enough, the RENFE "Tarjeta Dorada" (Gold Ticket) for 62-up has saved me a bundle!!!

Thank you! That is a lot of very useful information. And we are indeed old enough to take advantage of that benefit. We do plan to use the buses between some areas before we rent a car in the hill towns, and they seem to be quite frequent and inexpensive. Thanks for your confirmation of that.

I made several train trips during my 2 week trip to Spain last year, and I agree that the trains and train service is great. I used the Renfe website to buy several of my tickets in advance (and some substantial savings), and I was pleased to discover things went smoothly at all the stations where I passed through (Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid, Cuenca, Cordoba, Figueres). I found tourist class to be very comfortable and I never once wished I had booked a first class seat - even for the 6+ hour trip between Barcelona and Bilbao.

I have used RENFE many times in the past few years. It is a first class operation. And yes, the senior citizen pass is well worth the small charge to obtain. You can purchase tickets 60 days in advance on line, but actually in most cases the walk up to the counter with the senior citizen pass is almost as cheap and less trouble. To get it, go to the desk at the station with your passport. No problem. The train ticket will have a coach number and seat number printed on it. Some seats face forward, some backwardk. I can never guess which. The luggage storage is at the end of the car, and some smaller piecse can be placed in the overhead racks. Remember, you must carry the luggage. The porters are helpful as well. On the longer trips there will be a food service car (sandwiches and snacks betwene Madrid and Sevilla) as well. Have not had any experience on an overnight trip however.

Thank you Kia and H J. I'm really thinking that the trains aren't as confusing as the website makes them appear. We've used trains in many European countries with no problems, but the RENFE site was just odd for me. I'm sure we'll figure it out. Thanks everyone, for the help.

Hi Bonnie, I lived in Spain for many years and I had a look on Renfe. There is a trenhotel that leaves from Barcelona and arrives in Granada. The route is BARCELONA-SANTS 21.30 TARRAGONA 22.22 22.24 SALOU 22.36 22.38 CASTELLO DE LA PLANA 23.57 23.59 VALENCIA-NORD 00.42 00.57 ALMANSA 02.01 02.02 ALBACETE 02.40 02.42 ALCAZAR DE SAN JUAN 03.39 03.54 LINARES-BAEZA 05.32 05.42 GRANADA 08.05 So basically you leave Barcelona at 9:30 pm and then arrive in Granada at 8:05 the next morning. Renfe trains are excellent trains and they run on time 95% of the time. There is always a cafe on the train where you can get drinks and dinner. Here is the link about the trenhotel
http://www.renfe.com/viajeros/larga_distancia/productos/trenhotel.html I hope this helps!