I went on the raileurope website and the train on 12/29 seems to be sold out. Are there other trains that go between the 2 cities? Thank you for your help!
Barcelona/Madrid train sold out
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Don't depend on Raileurope as it does not nearly list all trains - and it's hard to believe that all would be sold out as they run about hourly and there is also an overnight service. If you want to reserve in US, call BETS (800-441-2387), a Raileurope agent and have them search for a train on that date and see if they really are all full. Normally i'd say you can easily buy these tickets in Barcelona but perhaps on Dec 29 for some reason holiday related the could be full - unlikely in my experience but not sure; in nay case you'll pay a bit more thru BETS/RailEurope but for peace of mind it could be pricelss. You can also investigate www.renfe.es - the Spanish rail website.
RENFE's web site shows seven day trains from Barcelona to Madrid on 29 December. The overnight train doesn't seem to run on this date.
While those days are high season and the trains use to be full, I don't believe they are already sold out. But, anyway, don't delay your buy very much.
Go to www.vueling.com and get a flight from 30 to 70 euros. Much quicker and nicer.
Rgds, Cova
Spanair and Iberia also compete heavily on that particular route with basically hourly service and if you book far enough out very low one way fares.
And the booking on their webistes is quite easy. Check all those as well as the Vueling prices.
Flight time is about 1 hr 10 minutes
keli22o - my wife & I ran into this scenario after a connection from Nice snafu'd with a half-day delay in getting to Barcelona and missing our reservation for the train to Madrid. We got on the next (completo) high-speed anyway without seat reservations, and made the best of the trip by chatting with folks in the "bar car". The conductor knew our situation, and would occasionally direct one, or the other, of us to a vacant seat until the righful owner boarded in one of the cities down-track. Missed the wonderful 1st class meal our 1st class Eurail pass afforded us, but we were just happy to be moving again.
btw, getting "stranded" in Nice provided most of the quirky stories I still tell about that vacation!
Cova:
Right on! People cannot fathom that flights are so cheap!