Traveling between Madrid and Barcelona
Sep 2nd, 2015, 02:14 AM
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Traveling between Madrid and Barcelona
I am a woman traveling alone to Spain for 12 days in February 2016. I will be flying into Madrid and then taking the train to Barcelona. Will stay in Barcelona for a week before taking the train back to Madrid for the rest of my trip. My questions are surrounding train travel. I know that I should use the Renfe website for information/reservations, but 1) Do I need to buy my ticket ahead of time, or can I just walk up to the ticket window at the train station and purchase then? I'd like to be able to count on my flight being on time, but you never know... 2)Should I try to navigate public transportation with all my luggage when I'm going between the Madrid airport and Madrid train station and then again from the Barcelona train station to my hotel? Or is it worth it to just spring for a taxi in these situations? This will be my first solo trip and I'm a little nervous (but mostly excited!) Any tips or advice would be most welcomed. Thanks in advance.
Sep 2nd, 2015, 04:40 AM
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You can buy the train tickets there and then at the Atocha station, but usually much money to save if you buy in advance, at least for the high speed AVE trains.
A flat 30€ taxi rate from Madrid airport to the center of town and the Atocha station. From the Sants station in Barcelona, you could take a taxi to all of central Barcelona for less than 15€.
A flat 30€ taxi rate from Madrid airport to the center of town and the Atocha station. From the Sants station in Barcelona, you could take a taxi to all of central Barcelona for less than 15€.
Sep 2nd, 2015, 05:14 AM
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You say: "all my luggage." Uh-oh. Standard advice for the first time around: Pack everything you think you need. Then lug the bags around a couple of city blocks and up two flights of stairs. Catch your breath, and then eliminate half of the burden. It's great motivation to pack light, forgetting about multiple pairs of shoes, heavy denim pants, and the worry that anyone will notice you wearing the same two sweaters for the whole trip (one on the plane, any time of year.)
But yes, dealing with a strange city, especially after a tiring long-distance flight, makes a taxi a worthwhile indulgence in a calmer mind -- first time.
But yes, dealing with a strange city, especially after a tiring long-distance flight, makes a taxi a worthwhile indulgence in a calmer mind -- first time.
Sep 2nd, 2015, 06:39 AM
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Thank you, kimhe and Southam, for the advice. Very helpful! I spent two weeks on a tour with my daughter this summer and was able to pack everything in a carry-on suitcase. But this time I'm coming in winter, and those clothes take up more room! Plus, I'm coming for the Barcelona Half Marathon and that's a whole other wardrobe. LOL. I am going to have to step up my packing game 
Sep 2nd, 2015, 07:42 AM
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You can book the train at www.renfe.com - which now accepts PayPal - or at www.loco2.com or www.petrabax.com/renfe if that's easier, both of which connect directly to Renfe.
Fares start at €35 or so and rise to over €105 on the day, so yes, just as you can walk into the airport on the day of your flight and buy your trans-Atlantic airline ticket just before take-off, and you can do the same with high-speed train tickets, but it will cost you! ;0)
Fares start at €35 or so and rise to over €105 on the day, so yes, just as you can walk into the airport on the day of your flight and buy your trans-Atlantic airline ticket just before take-off, and you can do the same with high-speed train tickets, but it will cost you! ;0)
Sep 3rd, 2015, 01:52 AM
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Flying into Barcelona and out of Madrid is a fantastic idea! I will look into it. I thought maybe it would cost a lot more (I am using Delta FF miles), but on first glance, it doesn't seem that it will. Any thoughts?
I so appreciate everyone's help. This is my first solo trip (and I suspect it won't be my last
I so appreciate everyone's help. This is my first solo trip (and I suspect it won't be my last
Sep 3rd, 2015, 04:54 PM
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"Flying into Barcelona and out of Madrid is a fantastic idea! I will look into it. I thought maybe it would cost a lot more (I am using Delta FF miles), but on first glance, it doesn't seem that it will. Any thoughts?"
As I understand it, using FF miles can complicate things -- but I don't know, as I've never flown with FF miles. (I generally only fly only once a year, and prefer the freedom of using any airline that suits my needs.)
But IME, "open jaw" tickets (into one place, out of another) are rarely more than round-trips into and out of the same city, particularly once you consider the extra time and expense necessary to return to your starting point.
"This is my first solo trip"
If you're looking for inspiration, check this thread with lots of links to relevant trip reports:
http://www.fodors.com/community/trav...collection.cfm
Enjoy!
As I understand it, using FF miles can complicate things -- but I don't know, as I've never flown with FF miles. (I generally only fly only once a year, and prefer the freedom of using any airline that suits my needs.)
But IME, "open jaw" tickets (into one place, out of another) are rarely more than round-trips into and out of the same city, particularly once you consider the extra time and expense necessary to return to your starting point.
"This is my first solo trip"
If you're looking for inspiration, check this thread with lots of links to relevant trip reports:
http://www.fodors.com/community/trav...collection.cfm
Enjoy!
