What's the best and cheapest way to get a RT ticket from Madrid to Barcelona. I've tried Renfe website and I get the price of 423.60 euros for 2 turista seat. Isn't too expensive? would it be better and cheaper if I purchase the tickets in Madrid a day or 2 before I travel to Barcelona?.
Please advise. Thank you
Posted by
LaGrange, Ga, USA
1178 posts
Best and cheapest is via the Renfe AVE web site, 62 1/2 days prior to your journey. Will be more expensive to purchase at the last minute... Have never found a "sale" fare that way.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17435 posts
You are going fairly soon, right? Most of the web discount fares will be sold out. But are you sure you looked at Renfe.es, and didn't get switched to RailEurope? I tried pricing a return ticket on Renfe, picking 2 random days in March (departing March 5 and returning March 9). There were still some Web fares left for the early morning departures, 70 to 83 euros from Madrid and 55 for the return. With a reasonable departure time in each direction (around 8 am), the RT fare for those days is 138,50 per person. Earlier departures would be even less. These discount fares will likely be gone if you wait until you arrive. Book now on Renfe.es if you possibly can. The website is quirky, so if you can't get your purchase to go through consider trying rumbo.es. It is a travel agent and they charge a small service charge, but if you can get the Web fares you are still way ahead. Either way you shold call your credit card company in advance to authorize a purchase from Spain, or they will likely reject it.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17435 posts
Just to clarify, once the web discount prices are gone, that's it. There is no benefit to waiting until you get there to purchase---look for the discounted fares now, and take one if you see it. You might check several different days just to cover the options.
Posted by
OP
California
74 posts
I already bought Madrid to Barcelona for 83.30 euros per ticket departing 3/5, but returning on 3/7 the tickets are at 117 euros per ticket. I going to keep trying hopefully I get lucky before I leave LA
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17435 posts
117 euros is the standard fare for Barcelona to Madrid on Renfe. Check different days/times to see if there are any discount fares left, but you may be stuck with that one.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17435 posts
Another thought. There is a discount on round trip tickets, although not off the web fares. You could show the ticket you have to the agent at Atocha (Madrid station) and ask if you can get the RT discount applied to the return ticket.