I am trying to determine the best way to get from Madrid to Barcelona and back. Outbound we will be taking the train from Toledo to Madrid. Coming back, we are flying back to the US from Madrid so we will be going to the airport. Looking at Rail Europe, it appears the cheapest roundtrip ticket (for 2 people) is $642. Vueling Airline, with which I am not familiar, has round trip flights for $371 total. I feel like I have to be missing something here for the costs to be so different. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16338 posts
Don't use Rail Europe for Spain. The Spanish company is Renfe.com. If you book in advance you can get tickets on the high-speed AVe train from Madrid to Barcelona ( and back) for around €42. That is a Promo fare. Look for the P code. The journey is under 3 hours and very comfortable. It is sometimes not easy to convince Renfe to take your American credit card. There are instructions on Tripadvisor, on the Madrid forum page. Or try Man in Seat 61. If all else fails, try the Spanish agency Petrabax.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23296 posts
What you are missing is that Rail Europe is a travel agency and not a railroad company. The only sell tickets to a limited number of rail options at prices that include a good mark up. BUT they provide high service level that you are paying for. You do realize that Toledo is not on the way to Barcelona and that you have to come back through Madrid? Did you look at open jaw ticket into Madrid and home from Barcelona? That probably would have been cheaper than coming back to Madrid.
Posted by
FL USA
1530 posts
Take the train for a better hassle free experience.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32213 posts
Tom, As the others have pointed out, using Rail Europe is not the best idea, as their prices tend to be more expensive than buying directly from the rail company. Now that AVE (high speed - 300 kmH) trains are operating on that route, it makes no sense to fly and will take longer when all is considered. As Lola mentioned, you can get fares from about €40-80, depending on which train you choose. Note that ticket purchase will "lock" you into a specific train and departure time, as they will be reserved seats. I did the Barcelona - Madrid trip in June, and it's a very pleasant three hours or so. Note that your departure station will be Madrid-Puerta de Atocha and your arrival station Barcelona Sants. Have a look at www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/ for all the details and prices. Happy travels!
Posted by
LaGrange, Ga, USA
1178 posts
By all means take the train!!! As noted above, check the site on trip advisor
Madrid: Buying Renfe Tickets Online, d on July 30 it gives the procedure to navigate the Renfe site...and be sure to register on the Renfe site before making the purchase..will simplify your life! The train Madrid to Barcelona is about 3 hours and leaves Madrid from the Atocha station. To get to the Madrid airport, take the airport bus for 5 euros from the station, about a 30 minute ride in traffic. Check the www.madridman.com site for a pictoral representation of the station at the Atocha station. Purchase tickets about sixty days in advance on the Renfe site for a substantial discount, somewhere around forty euros vs the normal price. And purchase the tourista ticket.