For two weeks of travel (Madrid, Toledo, Seville, Granada, Barcelona) we are having no luck with either Rail Europe or Renfe, the two websites recommended in Steves' Best of Spain book. Are we too early for Dec 22-Jan 5 tickets? Too late? Should we just go with busses? Thanks!
Posted by
Washington DC
28073 posts
Too early, I assume, because there's a major schedule change in early December.
But stay away from RailEurope. It often doesn't show all the options, sometimes seeming to favor those that will cost the most money. And there may be a substantial service charge.
If you have trouble with Renfe (sometimes it doesn't like US credit cards) and cannot use PayPal, try trainline.eu or loco2.com.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
Renfe does have a number or trains for sale now for holiday travel, which have just recently become available. Book what you can and wait a week if you're not finding what you need on other routes.
Posted by
South Yorkshire, UK; formerly St. Louis, MO, USA
317 posts
I suspect you are just a little too early those tickets.
EDIT: I am a week after and change after your original post. Just did a quick look for MAD-BCN. Loco2 showing both trains and buses.
As for sites to use for tickets, I have had good luck with: https://loco2.com/ Not had a hassle using a US credit card.
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Indeed, train tix now available. loco2 seems more straightforward than Renfe. Thanks for the advice!