Train to Toledo from Madrid

Yes, the Toledo-Madrid train can sell out for certain times. You are best buying the day before to avoid a sold-out train. Plus ticket lines at Atocha can be very long (over an hour) so buying ahead avoids missing the train you want even if it isn't sold out. Buy round-trip to avoid the return train being sold out.

We bought our tickets for a day trip to Toledo the day before, just so we didn't have any surprises. The train appeared to be pretty full...this was in late May. BTW the Renfe website now lists only AVANT trains to Toledo (which is what we took), they were cheaper than the AVE and took all of 3 minutes longer.

We did not reserve our tickets and had to wait 1 1/2 hours for the next train to Toledo. We arranged our bullfight tickets only a few days in advance and had great seats (fifth row).

I purchased tickets on the Renfe website from the US about a month before we left last October. The issue I encountered was the validation of the credit card I used. I had to call my bank to expain that I'm purchasing something on a Spanish website. Otherwise, the ticket I got were good.

I would suggest getting the tickets in advance on the net. Print them out and go straight to the loading platform. The tickets will each have a coach number and seat assignment on them. Trip is about 25 minutes from Atocha to Toledo. There are tour buses as you exit the train station in Toledo. Also, taxi cabs. But if you want the real experience, walk out of the station to the street, using the exit on your right. There is a bus stop there for a couple of euros or so that will take you to the center at Plaza Zodocover. The driver will let you know when you are there. Exit, and all that you will want to see is within walking distance (not flat land at all!). Have fun. It is a most interesting city, and one of my favorite places in Spain.

We didn't purchase our tickets to Toledo in advance - we arrived at the train station from the airport at 9:30 a.m. and the first train we could get was at 6:00. We took a bus as described in Rick's Spain book - another option to consider. We bought bullfight tickets a couple of days in advance at a kiosk at Plaza del Carmen.

Thanks for all the good advice. I bought tickets on the Rail Europe website yesterday. Much easier to use than the official RENFE website. Thanks again!