alienx

I'm planning to go to Barcelona from Madrid by AVE train. My friend suggested me to buy the ticket on the departure day. He said it will be much cheaper if I just go there and buy rather than buying online. Is anyone here know whether if it's true?

and I am also worried about the availability of the tickets. I am more than glad if anyone could advice me the best way to purchase the ticket please.

danon

the cheapest tickets are on line ...as soon. as possible ( 60 days), you can save 60 %.
Your friend is wrong.
RENFE web has been a bit of a problem for some posters.

P_M

I recently tried renfe.com and had no success after many tries so I recommend paying the small fee and using raileurope.com. Rail Europe won't make things difficult for you.

WomBatt

'He said it will be much cheaper if I just go there and buy rather than buying online.' - You do not say when you wish to travel - but probably I would call your friend tonto.
A simple guide to use and possibility of cheap tickets - http://www.seat61.com/Spain-trains.h..._www.renfe.com

alienx

urgh I knew my friend was wrong. Now I need to purchase my ticket as soon as possible.
btw thank you so much for the replies and advises guys.

Robert2533

If you have any problems buy tickets, you might want to check the pricing with Petrabax.com, the official Renfe rep in North America.

i_am_kane

I'll chime in here. While I was in Italy, I depended upon someone else purchasing the AVE tickets from Madrid-Barcelona for the 3rd week in June. The cheapest price was 42 euros per person 60 days in advance.

Because of a problem with her U.S. credit card on the website, she was unable to book the tickets. End result: 110 euros per ticket for six passengers.

Follow the advice other have given you on this forum. Span is terrific!

BigRuss

Tonto means stupid, btw.

Check Vueling's prices too - these can be far less than the train and the semi-local train from the airport (BCN) to wherever you'll stay won't bust your budget. We had 3 passengers and a big difference in fares (even with cabfare to our apartment) between the AVE and Vueling so we flew even though we'd rather have taken the train.

Honestyrules

Renfe is now offering this route up to 120 DAYS IN ADVANCE! Check it out.

danon

it is true...Vueling is cheaper than AVE
but if one can get discounted tickets, it is nice to avoid going to and from the airport.

alienx

Oh I just read your suggestions about Vueling. I have already booked the ticket through Renfe btw. It costs me 47.10 euro per person (return ticket turista class). I compared the price with Raileurope and it was twice as expensive (171 euro).

The guide that WomBatt gave helps me a lot. So thank you for that!

p/s: Now I have learned a new Spanish word too: Tonto. haha

WomBatt

Thanks for the thanks.

P_M

alienx, YIKES!! I also compared renfe to Rail Europe and the differnece was only 5€. I did not know renfe had a representative in North America, I will check that out if I ever need service again.

In my case flying cost about the same as the AVE when you factor in taxi fare to/from the airport, but we found the train to be more pleasant and less hassle.

alienx

P_M, I used to compare the prices like 1 or 2 month before and as far as I remember it was not so much difference (I don't remember how much though).

For your information, my train is scheduled next week. Maybe it was because of the last minute booking. I should have just bought it earlier

Nepenthe

Bookmarking...great info...thanks!

pookymimi

Tonto isn't stupid, Estupido is stupid
Stupid is a strong word in Spanish

Tonto is dummy, fool or silly, depending on context