rialtogrl

Has anyone taken one of the overnight trains in Gran Clase? I already booked one from Barcelona to A Coruna (my own compartment for $96 that I purchased from Petrabax.com) and now I am considering a return to Barcelona from Vigo (this one is $160 for my own compartment.) The price includes breakfast and dinner.

I am definitely doing the first journey as I have already purchased it but before I pull the trigger on the return I am hoping to hear from anyone who has traveled this way.

Also it says with this ticket I can use the "club lounge" which I assume to be the business class lounge in the station - if anyone has any experience with that, especially in Barcelona, I would love to hear about it.

Gracias -

Man_in_seat_61

The Sala Club is great - free beer, coffee, snacks. I was there a month or two ago catching the Barcelona to Paris train, photos are at http://www.seat61.com/Spain.htm#Barcelona_Sants_station

The trenhotel you're on should be of the latest type, very swish, very comfy. Gran clase comes with a compact en suite shower and toilet. See photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/renfeop...n/photostream/

The only thing to guard against are unreasonable expectations - some people expect a room the size of a tennis court, when a sleeper on a train is of course based on space sufficient for a bed and room to stand up next to it.

rialtogrl

Thank you so much ManinSeat61. I've taken overnight trains before so this is not my first time at the rodeo - that is maybe why I am a little nervous. I've never had an ensuite bathroom before

I took an overnight train in Romania with my own compartment last summer and emailed you some info about that experience for your website. Suffice to say I did not get much sleep due to the noise (but I did not expect to.)

I am not sure I will be able to use the club lounge in Barcelona unfortunately. For one thing I have a promo ticket and it appears they will not work for club lounge; for another the club lounge at Sants appears to be closed for remodeling. If they reopen by June, I will see if they will let me in. I don't care about the snacks, I would just like a nice quiet place to hang out with all my luggage.

Thanks again

Robert2533

The Trenhotel makes 19 stops before reaching A Coruña. Only the Plus and full fare tickets allow access to the lounge at the station. There is no restaurant, only a cafeteria.

The following is from Renfe:

The cabins in Gran Clase are designed to guarantee the greatest comfort with a new concept of service: travel and accommodation, in a single or twin compartment.

All Gran Clase compartments include all that is required for personal hygiene: shower, basin and toilet, a complete toilet bag and all the necessary linen items.

Our on-board staff will welcome you and give you the key to your private compartment. Throughout the journey, our on-board staff provide cabin service.

The connections:
Trenhotel Barcelona - A Coruña / Vigo and vice versa
are made using trains of the latest-generation, with design inspired by home comfort and warmth.

Customers travelling in Gran Clase enjoy courtesy parking, club lounge and press services.

On these new trains comfort is added to by:
Longer and wider beds than before (200 cm x 80 cm)
A full offer of leisure facilities including: 4-channel audio system, up to 8 video titles, seen in DVD quality on 15 inch TFT screens.
New electric sockets for recharging any electronic devices.
Intercom phones for contacting on-board staff and receiving an automatic wake-up call.
New more ergonomic seats, in daytime position.
Fold down tables and ample space for luggage and objects.
There is an adapted compartment, a larger WC and accesses to the cafeteria and restaurant with dimensions conforming to standards for people with reduced mobility.

rialtogrl

Thanks Robert - I have read everything on renfe about this train. I was hoping for some first hand experiences of people who have actually taken it. It does sound pretty nice, so I probably will go ahead and book the return from Vigo to Barcelona.

Robert2533

It's been a while since I've taken one of the Trenhotels, but we've had several clients who have insisted on the overnight train. Do not expect to get much rest with all of the stops along the way. I would fly myself.

Robert2533

It's not the same as taking El Transcantabrico, the luxury train across northern Spain (www.renfe.com/trenesturisticos/), which is a unique experience.

rialtogrl

Thanks. I would love to take that luxury train someday when I have the time and the cash.

PalenQ

Certainly is one of the spiffiest most comfy accommodations on any overnight train in Europe.

rialtogrl

Have you traveled in one of these compartments PalenQ?

I am still on the fence about flying vs. train but since flying Vueling is going to cost $120 and I still have to get a room on top of it I should just go ahead and do the train. One less place to check into and out of hotel wise. Decisions decisions

Dukey1

I've done it four time on various routes and always in a Gran Classe cabin. The accommodations are compact as has already been stated. I've always found them to be comfortable, including the beds, and also quiet despite the number of stops the train might make. The shower is very compact but adequate IMO. Really up to you vs. flying which is, in some ways, simpler.

lincasanova

Not sure what day you are flying but if you can easily get back to Santiago, there are inexpensive ryanair flights that even when checking and paying for a bag are quite reasonable.There might be cheaper flights with other companies, too.

lincasanova

Be sure to check round trip and not use return.. you may be lucky and find a return date that helps drop the fare. I do see RT for under 100E in May

lincasanova

I meant from Vigo

rialtogrl

Thank you so much Dukey and Linda. Dukey that is exactly the first hand experience I am looking for. How was the dinner and breakfast?

Ryanair? I'll have too much stuff as I am traveling for 3 months. Vueling is an option and I'll look at that from S in C, thanks Linda. I'll be in Pontevedra and thought it might be kind of neat to see a bit of Vigo as I have never been there. I fly a lot in Europe and get really burnt out on it so I am going to try this new option and see how it works.

thursdaysd

" Really up to you vs. flying which is, in some ways, simpler."

How is flying simpler when the train is city center to city center and no stupid securty checks?

" I'll have too much stuff as I am traveling for 3 months. "

I take the same for three months as for one week... If you have too much for Ryanair do you really want to schlep it through stations and on and off trains?

rialtogrl

thursdaysd I am speaking solely of the charges Ryanair will charge for what I have with me. I have no problem shlepping it through train stations etc. and am very used to that.

lincasanova

vueling charges for luggage, too, doesn't it?

rialtogrl

Vueling charges for luggage too but not as much as Ryanair. Also they allow you to bring on one suitcase or duffel and a personal item. They are easy peasy compared to Ryanair.

lincasanova

ryanair now allows one carry on ( strict on measurements and weight), plus one personal item that must fit in another smaller bin ( purse, computer bag).JFYI

They did that a while ago.