Planning to travel from Granada to Madrid in July. Only two trains a day and we need the late one. Should we buy tickets in US in advance, perhaps paying more, or can we buy them there? What's the best way?
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
Any reason you need to take the train? The bus run (modern comfortable coaches) is only about 20 minutes longer than the train, and the fare is about 16 Euro pp. Otherwise, for July, I'd buy the tickets in advance.
Posted by
OP
Seattle, WA, USA
8 posts
For such a long trip the train seems more comfortable..and would be something different for kids raised in the US..is RailEurope the only way to buy tickets in advance? I've heard they are more expensive.
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
RailEurope is a lot more expensive. You can try purchasing through the Spanish national rail service , but I have heard scattered reports that some credit cards are not being accepted. Fares there range from 26 Euro to 65 Euro ($33-83) if you can get the specials over the web. You can book seats here up to 62 days out. If not, then you WILL have to book thru RailEurope to ensure seats....they charge $99 U-S pp, plus fees. You can book there 62 days out as well.
Posted by
Chicago, Illinois, USA
586 posts
I'd buy them there, maybe a day or so before you depart Granada for Madrid...we were in Spain and bought our tickets in advance with the help (and surcharge) of a European-based agency (for the AVE high-speed trains, with some key travel dates blocked out here in the US)...and it turns out we did so for no reason. Could have simply bought them there for less!
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
As I mentioned earlier, purchasing them thru RENFE (the Spanish national rail website) will give you big savings, if you can get through on the web. If you wait until you arrive in Madrid, chances are this popular train will be sold out.