First , I have been having the usual problems booking with Renfe website. I looked into the Rail Europe Spain pass. We have 3 days of train travel planned in this trip. Mad - Seville - Cordoba - Barcelona. The 3 day Rail Europe Spain pass with the required reservations is less expensive than individual tickets from Renfe. For Preferente (1st class) about $115 less for 2 people. I could not find a similar type pass on offer from Renfe. Does anyone know of how to get a less expensive pass from Renfe directly? The Rail pass from Rail Europe only allows you to pick 1st or 2nd class for all legs. Not sure 1st class is necessary for Seville - Cordoba since it is only 45 minutes. Any help or suggestions appreciated.
Renfe vs. Rail Europe Spain Pass
Recent Activity
View all Europe activity »
- 1 Need restaurant suggestions for Chipping Camden!
- 2 When to exchange US dollars to Euros
- 3 Croatia Question: Korcula or Lastovo?
- 4 Rhine River Intinerary
- 5 Cera 23 in Barcelona
- 6 Where to eat and visit in Barcelona + Venice June 2013
- 7 15 days in Central Europe
- 8 France in 7 days
- 9 Barcelona neighborhoods and hotels
- 10 Find ER, hospital, or clinic in Latin quarter, Paris
- 11 Southeast England - more planning ?
- 12 New & Improved 2 Week Honeymoon Itinerary Italy
- 13 Wife's first trip to Europe. Set on Paris & Rome, Need 3rd destination?
- 14 tickets- Cap du Roig festival, Palafrugell, Spain
- 15 Suggestions for France Italy
- 16 The Netherlands, France and Spain
- 17 Provence & Cote d'Azur in late September...and the planning begins!
- 18 Torun and Zamosc similar?
- 19 Netherland -> belgium -> Germany (Rhine Valley)
- 20 Good Base for Costa Brava Spain
- 21 Florence Day Trip to Sienna: should we stop along the way? Where?
- 22 First Timer - Itinerary Help - Europe tour for 22 days
- 23 rand versus euro
- 24
Paris May 23, 2013. What should I wear in Paris?
- 25 Please, assure me that Turkey is safe...
No, 1st class is not important on the the Sevilla-Cordoba run.
I don't see how a Rail Europe Spain Pass would be less expensive than purchasing your tickets through Renfe direct. Just make sure your VISA or MC is verified by your bank before attempting to buy your tickets.
For preferente seats it is cheaper. I do not see the cheap web fares for preferente seats. What does verify your card mean? I see nothing on my banks website that uses this term. I called my bank said I would be charging something in Spain through a web site and it still gives me the G011 error.
Calling your bank doesn't mean anything to VISA or MC. The credit card needs to verified in order to be use on the Renfe website in order to purchase the tickets. You have to call VISA or MC. Use the phone number on the back of the card for more information.
Renfe is not offering a lot of discounts for Preferente seats, but some of the routes do have the 40% discount Estrella fare.
scfphoto,
You may need - http://tiny.cc/yw8vf - particularly point 49 the highlighted paragraph for your credit card problems.
Best wishes.
Great article at TA. One thing to add.. I believe, when you buy a one way ticket, if you keep the ticket, and present it when you buy the return you will still be given the normal RT discount if within 60 days.