My wife & I are both 60+ and I heard the Dorada card in Spain for Renfe trains gives us a 40% discount. Problem is it sounds like you must buy the Dorada card at the station and we want to buy tickets before we leave (Sept 24). Can't find a way to buy Dorada card on-line. Do we pay regular price then get a refund or credit after we buy the Dorada card or should I just wait and buy the card once I am in Madrid (3days before I train to Seville)?
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
Yes, there is no on-line purchase for the card, so you can wait until you arrive to purchase it....then buy your tickets at the same time. The card will give you 40% off Mon-Thurs, and 25% off Fri-Sun. Try the travel agency in El Cortes Ingles department store in downtown Madrid. Purchasing tickets in advance on the RENFE website can save you up to 60%. But, since I assume you are travelling around September 28th, that's probably not an option, since the sale fares available over the web for those dates seem to have all been snapped up by now.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
You do have to buy at the station because you have to show proof of age. We used our passports. Last year we bought all of our tickets the day before with no problems. There is a Renfe office in the airport where you can buy your tickets and card. Contrary to our training by our Am airlines, the need for advance reservation is nearly zero. In all of our travels includes holidays we have never found a full train.
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
Just to clarify Frank's comments, you can purchase the card (and tickets) at travel agencies in Spain as well. It doesn't have to be at a train station. The only times I've encountered full trains have been on Friday afternoons/evenings, and on some of the early runs Madrid-Toledo.