jeno

We will be traveling from Valencia to Barcelona by train on Saturday Dec 23. Although the tickets for Dec aren't available yet, it appears to me that the first train doesn't leave Valencia until 1:08PM on Saturdays. Does this seem possible? Maybe I am not looking at the right site or I am checking on a certain train or something. I would appreciate any help you can give. Thanks, Jeanne

kenderina

Don't worry, between Valencia and Barcelona there's at least one train every two hours (different kinds of trains). Look for the "Euromed" ones, they are the faster ones. And the first one is at 6:40 AM

jeno

My daughter found a train for us, but I can't seem to book it unless I have an N.I.F. number. It seems to be some type of identity number for security, but I don't know how to get one. Has anyone dealt with this before? Thanks

kenderina

The NIF or DNI is the Spanish ID card. So you have to put your passport number if there's no other place to put it

kenderina

By the way, I don't think you can buy tickets for December now.

WallyKringen

Check on www.renfe.es as to how far in advance you can book, and do so as soon as you can, including paying extra for seat reservations, that date will be one of the most heavily travelled dates of the year.

WK

laclaire

Also, that train ride is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful available on this great Earth. Seriously. First off, you leave from the turn of the century train station, which has beautiful mosaics that say "Bon voyage" in many different languages. I love having layovers there so I can just poke around. Once on the train, you head up the coast and have a view of the Mediterranean almost the whole way. You will see how the landscape goes from sandy and smooth (Benicassim) to more wild and rocky (Costa Brava). Once you make the stop in Tarragona, you have about an hour of cliffs, water, crumbling old villages, and of course the unfortunate modern monstrosities. I almost always sleep from BCN to Alicante (same line just a longer trip) because I am tired, but heading back up I keep my eyes open and always try to score a window seat.

jeno

Thanks for all of the info. The passport number did work for my registration. It looks like I can buy the tickets about 2 months out. Now I am all set because I am registered. Thanks again!

jeno

Well I am now exactly two months out. I am having two problems. One is that it is asking me for my Localiser. I have no idea what that is. I have my account number and my secret word, but I don't know what a localiser is. The other thing is that at one point it said that I can't buy the ticket at this location or on the internet. I don't know why because the date is listed. The trains did come up at one point, but now I can't get to them. Thanks for any help. Jeanne

Maribel

jeno,
Even though you are exactly two months out and the date of Dec. 23 is available from the drop down menu, it is too early to book, despite the Renfe rules.

This has happened to me several times this year on the Altaria, Alaris and Alvia trains. I have dutifully gone to TIKNET exactly 2 months ahead but haven't been able to book, getting that same annoying message.
Finally I called Renfe, and they told me just to be patient as they hadn't finalized their schedules for my date yet. So I waited a month more until the train became bookable on TIKNET.

I just tried to book your Valencia-Barcelona Euromed (chose 8:30) train for Dec. 23 with my code and password and I received the same message. However, when I tried Nov. 23. it was available. I stopped the process when I reached the "select your seat" page. So I suggest you just you wait and keep trying every day.

The localizer number is the number you will receive AFTER the purchase is made. This is the very important number you will need, along with your credit card (the one you used to purchase), to pick up your tickets in Spain.

For security reasons, first time users to TIKNET must "validate" their identity by picking up tix in Spain at any train station or at the Renfe office downstairs (next to Lost & Found) in Terminal 1 Madrid's Barajas airport.
Once you've picked up your tickets, for future Spain train travel you'll be able to purchase on TIKNET and print out your ticket.

Hope this helps.

stardust

If you decide to pick up the tickets in the Valencia train station, make sure to arrive there well in advance, or even better: don't do it the same day as your departure. The lines can be huge ! When you enter the waiting room (it's on your left when you enter the main gate), immediately take a ticket by pressing the button on the ticket machine that says "Internet" and then wait till your number comes up.

Laclaire is right, it's a wonderful train ride !

Maribel

jeno,
The very easiest Renfe ticket pick up would be upon arrival at Madrid's Barajas airport, provided you'll be arriving in Madrid via plane and provided your arrival will be in Terminal 1, not the new Terminal 4, which doesn't have a Renfe counter. The Renfe counter in Terminal 1 opens at 8 a.m.

If not, during your travels you can pick up at any Renfe station in Spain, but if you leave this until Valencia, I totally agree with stardust that you should try to do this before your day of depature, as the lines can be very long.

lincasanova

i have only picked up pre-paid telephoned tickets at the customer service counter INSIDE the valencia train station next to the tracks on the left.

this is a very easy convenient pick up, however, i am not sure the internet tickets are picked up there.

but if it says on website that you will pick them up at customer service, do not fret, these are not the same lines as outside to purchase tickets.

but do not trust the timing in any case. that will be an especially busy travel day.