My wife and I are trying to book the high speed train out of Malaga to Valencia. When you call rail Europe they want to run you through Madrid and then to Valencia for an astronomical price. They said they cannot sell us that and that ticket can only;y be purchased in Spain?. We have been searching the web and found a train that leaves Malaga direct to Valencia but when we go to purchase the web site says something about the bank doesn't recognize the transaction. Does anyone know why this is and how we can purchase the tickets from the states? It is 1/3 of the price rail Europe wants. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
You just discovered that Rail Europe is a travel agency selling marked up tickets but providing a high service level. bahn.de will give you the schedules or routes available. Cannot purchase ticket there but us Renfe.com (Spanish rail) to view and purchase tickets. You may have to get a verified VISA to purchase there.
Posted by
FL USA
1560 posts
Go to the Renfe site and search the schedule, but I don't recall existence of an ave between these two cities. Tripadvisor has a great forum for learning how to use the Renfe site. Patience is needed. We enjoyed Malaga and hope you do to.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17432 posts
You can book that trip on Renfe. There is at least one trip a day that goes through Ciudad Real without going into Madrid. Make sure you have registered your credit card with Verified by Visa AND you have called your bank to advise you will be making a foreign purchase from Spain so they don't block the transaction.
Posted by
Whittington
984 posts
A concise guide - http://www.seat61.com/Spain-trains.htm#How_to_use_www.renfe.com A comprehensive guide - http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g187514-c80518/Madrid:Spain:Buying.Renfe.Tickets.Online.html
Posted by
CA, USA
266 posts
I don't think there is an AVE option btw these two places. Use the Renfe site, make sure your credit card co (MC or Visa) is notified that you will be making a foreign transaction, prepare to be frustrated using the website, but you will eventually get through.
Posted by
OP
phoenix
2 posts
Thank you all for your suggestions. I tried a few and had no success and then i found PETRABAX EAST booking site. I was able to book the segment no problem and it took my amex the first try. I need some help with were to stay in Marbella one night and Malaga another night. We really like hotels on the beach and have also heard Pueblo Benito outside of Marbella is really nice. Has anyone stayed in either town recently?
Posted by
CA, USA
266 posts
I find TripAdvisor is usually right on the money for hotel reviews.
Posted by
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
4088 posts
Nicole: How do you identify the TA hotel reviews planted by the hotel staff?
A considerable number of travel authorities, including the venerable Arthur Frommer and at least one European government agency, have expressed concerns about authenticity.
Posted by
CA, USA
266 posts
Really? I honestly never thought about it? I guess I just assume that most people are genuine. You could take a peek at a few guidebooks in a store to see what those recommend? RS doesn't cover those parts of Spain, but many others do. I stayed in 3 hotels on my recent trp to The Netherlands and Spain. All the TA reviews were spot on.