I have been trying all morning to buy two tickets from Madrid to Granada with the Renfe site. I have gotten through all the information but when I got to select my seats it is it can't go through with it. I have not let my cc company know yet. Is this the reason why it won't go through? Also, does the Renfe take AMEX? It doesn't seem to. I am getting a a little frustrated. Please help.
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
No RENFE does not take AMEX....and its bookings are usually open 62 days in advance. It is optimised for Visa, but I've used MC before, too. You may want to call your CC company and ask if it's blocked the transaction. If not, then let us know exactly what steps you've taken, and where it hangs up.
Posted by
OP
Surf City, NC
4 posts
I finally got it to go. It was getting hung up on the seat selections. I changed my fare from web to estrella and that seemed to work and contacted my cc company. However I had to buy the preferente tickets which is more than I wanted to spend but I am glad I got space on the train. I think it was filling up fast which may have been why I couldn't book it. Thank you for your help.
Posted by
OP
Surf City, NC
4 posts
Hey Norm, this may be a stupid question but are your renfe tickets supposed to have your name on it?
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
Nope, they don't.
Posted by
OP
Surf City, NC
4 posts
Thanks to both of ya'll for the info. One more question. How early should we arrive at the stations before the train leaves?
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
They usually start boarding 15 or 20 minutes before the scheduled departure time...you'll have to go thru a quick baggage scan and ticket check on the platform, but thatès not too long. Doors close two minutes before the departure time, and they're usually pretty strict on that. If you are running late, just jump aboard the first car, then work your way back to your car.
Posted by
santa rosa, california, usa
35 posts
norm- what's this about baggage scan at the Madrid to Granada train station ? not that I would have anything illegal, but a time thing. Is this typical in Spain ?
WE will be taking train Madrid to Toledo, Seville, Cordoba and Granada.
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
As I mentioned, it's not too long a procedure....on the beltway, thru the machine, and out the other end. Because of that, you can't dash through the boarding gate at the last second and jump aboard the train. The close doors 2 minutes before departure, and they seem pretty strict about this.
Posted by
Seattle
80 posts
Norm -
I definately got off the bus at the Seville train station at 0942, ran across the parking lot, into the station, found my track, ran down the stairs, threw my bag INTO the scanner, yanked it by a strap out the other end, and lept through the nearest door of the train just as it closed.
It was a 0945 departure.
Its possible!
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
Yes, that would have been about 2 minutes before departure, which is when the doors close. Had you been 30 seconds later....who knows!
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
P.S....have you thought about the USAA's Olympic tryouts? ;)