night train from Madrid to Barcelona?

Either, depending on how much you want to pay.

Hi Karyn,

We just took this train a couple of months ago. You can pay more, as Philip mentioned, to sleep in a 6-berth compartment instead of sitting up in seats. That's what we did.

But I feel compelled to offer a word of warning: The ride was awful. I've slept happily on many overnight trains, but not this one. Our compartment must have been from the 1960s, and the ride was the roughest I've ever been on -- screeching, bumpy, etc. If you're a light train sleeper, this might be one to avoid. Or at least don't spend too much extra money to get a sleeping berth. You would do just as well sitting up.

We don't consider ourselves "soft" travelers -- we're young hostelers -- but even by our low standards, this was a rough night. We now wish we had sprung for the expensive AVE daytime trains and stayed one more night in Madrid.

Just my humble two cents! Spain is so awesome that you'll love it no matter what transportation you take.

OK, so far all the advice seems to point to no/take an ave train or a flight. Any idea how much more the beds are in tourist class? I seem to have figured out most of the renfe site, but not that!

Also, just to be sure, the train hotel runs from Barcelona to Granada or Sevilla have bed included, right?

Some of the trains you are asking about, when last I checked, did not offer couchettes but only private compartments. You can use the German site to see what is offered.

Did you guys buy the tickets in advance? If so, where?

Or should I buy it directly at the station before departure, what is the availability like?

I plan on taking it on Thursday night sometime early December from MAD to BCN.

Thanks

OK, Here's what I'm down to - It looks like we will probably take at least 3 overnight trains to cut down on cost of rooms and travel time. On the renfe site, the web fares seems to mean to me that Tuista class you only get a seat and cama turista you get a bed in a 6-berth cabin. The cost seems to be about 10 euros difference. Does that sound like I have the right idea? Because none of the web tickets are changeable, I don't want to buy the wrong thing and find out later. Also, can we upgrade once we are on the train (for example, if I learn on my first trip that i don't sleep well in the seats, can I buy beds on the next two) or am I completely stuck?

Thanks - the routes we are looking at would be madrid-barcelona, barcelona-granada, and lisbon-madrid

Hi guys! I also planning trip to Spain in October and found very similar problem with buying train ticket on night train M - B. Rick recommended in his book rent sleeping berth or bed in quad compartment, but Renfe website give me option to buy tourist (e 41), first (e 54) or bunk beds ticket (e 52). So I don't understand how I can get sleeping bed - should I buy 1st class and later pay for bet additional money or buy bunk bed?
Also I'm considering as option take overnight bus and checked ALSA bus website. They have "Supra" buses but their departure at 15:00 so it not not very convenient for us. From other hand excellent departure at 23:59 provide by "Normal" buses. Did anyone use this "Normal" bus and can give me idea how good or bad they are?
Thanks!
Yuriy