Laurelmcg

I will be traveling to San Sebastian via Madrid, and we plan to take the train. Based on other trips. I'm working under the assumption that we can get tickets the same day we are traveling? Unless it's way more advantageous to buy in advance? Thoughts?

PalenQ

Yes you can usually have no problem getting tickets on arrival BUT you can save a ton by booking at www.renfe.com - Spanish Railways site - far in advance - but those are train specific and non-changeable so if flying into Madrid and training out the same day leave plenty of fudge factor time for late planes plus you have to get to the in town train station.

But if staying the first night in Madrid, recommended for many reasons, then that would work for the next day.

For lots of info on Spanish trains check www.seat61.com- great info on discounted tickets; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

MonicaRichards

Just a tip, to buy tickets on the Renfe site use Paypal. My transaction was getting hung up on a lag time between the credit card company site and the renfe site for approval, at least I'm assuming that's what was happening. I tried for days and was getting very frustrated. But when I chose to pay with Paypal it went right through.

Southam

Some travellers, including the master, www.seat61.com , suggest using a private company to access RENFE. It applies a small charge but the site is easy to use, not always true with RENVE itself:
http://www.petrabax.com/renfe/

Robert2016

Why not book a connecting flight? The fastest train, without changing lines, takes nearly 5-1/2 hours. Flying takes 1 hr 15 min, but is more expensive.

PalenQ

The fastest train, without changing lines, takes nearly 5-1/2 hours. Flying takes 1 hr 15 min, but is more expensive.>

Actually nearly all trains take over 6 hours - a few take 5.5 hrs- and getting to the Madrid train station from the airport takes another hour or so- so flying right from the airport dto San Sebastien's airport makes total sense if possible.

chapla

I took the train once thinking it might be scenic. Never again,very very boring. Check out air fares not that much more.

PalenQ

Yes train in Spain run mainly on the plains and the plains are often stark blah looking areas all the same kind of.

PalenQ

I stayed once in Burgos and found it a really interesting old town - if you want t break your train trip into shorter segments.