I'm planning to travel in late September on the AVE train from Madrid to Barcelona. The schedule and prices for my intended date are not yet posted on the Renfe website. (For earlier in September Renfe lists a fare of approximately 118€ in tourist class.) I've read on this blog about much lower fares, and those fares are also quoted on the www.rumbo.es travel agency's website. Is it possible to get a discounted web fare from Renfe, and if so, how far in advance can that reduced fare ticket be purchased? Are discounted fares available only through online travel agencies?
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17440 posts
Yes, you can get the fare and tickets from Renfe. We did for several AVE trains, although not the Barcelona to Madrid run. Renfe is quirky about accepting American credit cards and I had to make a first purchase on Rumbo.es first. Still, it was worth the handling fee on Rumbo to get the Web fares. The Web fare between Madrid and Barcelona is 47 euros, and it is supposed to be available 62 days in advance. In our case it did jot appear on the appointed day for the train we wanted, so I booked the Web fare for Preferente (1 st class ) instead. After that I was able to book the Web fare for every AVE train we took. The Spanish trains are wonderful-modern, comfortable, and fast. Read the instructions on Tripadvisor for booking tickets on Renfe. For me the key was to register my card with Verified by Visa ( a pop up window will ask younto confirm during the booking process), and of course to inform your bank in advance so they do not decline the charge. Itnis ell worth the effort, as you not only get the discount but a printed ticket. No need to wait in line anywhere.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
If over 60 you can get a discount of 40% for week days and 25% on weekend at all times.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17440 posts
Yes, but the Web fare is a 60% discount, so even better than the senior fare.
Posted by
OP
New York, NY, USA
4 posts
Thanks to everyone who responded with advice. Has any other traveler using this helpline had some experience--good or bad--when booking with the agency www.rumbo.es? Are there other online agencies you could recommend for travel in Spain?
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
Yes, but it is a walk up fare. Go any time.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17440 posts
Steven, to see the Web fares on Renfe you must go to "Purchse". The "Fares and Schedules" section will not show them. Right now Renfe is offering Web fares from Madrid to Barcelona (47,10 or 55,50 euros depending on the train) for September 12, but no later dates. Wait and they should appear for your date, about 60 to 62 days ahead. If you want to find more people who have used rumbo.es try the Tripadvisor Spain forum. There are several there who used Rumbo.es because they could not get their credit card to work on Renfe.