Has anyone had success booking this train through renfe.com? Are US credit cards blocked from working on this site? Has anyone taken this train? Am thinking about splurging on the Gran Tourist class with dinner and breakfast. There is a current promotional price I'd like to get online.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17436 posts
I haven't book that train on Renfe but I have booked several others. US credit cards are NOT blocked but there are some steps you have to take, such as registering your card with Verified by Visa, and calling your bank ahead of time to authorize the charge. There are detailed instructions for booking on renfe on Tripadvisor, on the Madrid forums page. If Renfe still doesn't work, try rumbo.es, a travel agency that will seel Renfe tickets onlline. They charge a small handling fee, but it is still way less than buying from Rail Europe. rumbo.es generally passes on the promotions and discounts offered by Renfe.
Posted by
Ottawa
1446 posts
I have taken that train and found it a pleasant way to get to Paris. We pulled in before 8AM or so (Gare Austerlitz). I took a bunk in a quad compartment and slept well. Since I arrived so early, I went to a self-serve coin laundromat on Boul Saint-Marcel (10 min. walk from the station and 1 min. from the Saint-Marcel metro) and got my laundry done by 10AM! The Gran Tourist class would be very nice, I am sure!