PRLCH

I am using the RENFE website and am trying to buy train tickets from Granada to Seville for 23rd December. There are no trains showing. When I play around with the system I only seem to get tickets until 10th December (6 weeks from today - 42 days) yet it is my understanding that train tickets should be available for purchase 60 days in advance.

Am I doing something wrong? Is it possible ALL trains after 10th December are fully booked (seems unlikely)? Is the website wrong and tickets are only available 6 weeks in advance?

If anyone can shed any light on this I would be most appreciative. Thanks.

PRLCH

Problem solved - thanks. The RENFE "virtual assistant" tells me that 11th December the train schedule moves to the "winter schedule" and is not yet available. I will keep trying.

lincasanova

In the past they have posted the high occupancy holiday dates later than usual. Good luck. Remember, the bus is also quite good.

Demon22

Is it easier to get the bus than the train and cheaper?

PRLCH

Demon22,

It seems the train is 24.80 Euro and the bus ranges from 20 - 25 Euro depending o the time of the day (one way Granada to Seville). Sorry I cannot help with which is the most convenient - from research I have done it seems they take about the same amount of time and seem to be equally convenient ..... but I hasten to add I have not yet done the trip. I am still hopefully waiting for RENFE to release their tickets on 23rd December.

mollymia

I was having the same confusing time trying to book tickets from San Sebastian to Paris for 28 December and I was told on this forum that, based on previous years experience, the winter timetables are available on the second Sunday of November. I'm hoping this is the case as I want to get my train trips sorted!

Alec

There isn't much to choose between train and bus in terms of cost and travel times. There are more bus departures, and it's a modern, comfortable, air-conditioned fleet. Buses are operated by Alsina Graells Sur, bookable through alsa.es site.

WomBatt

For those interested, I repeat and qualify what I said.

Based on previous years performances, the winter train schedules for all European countries were complete and published by the second Sunday in November. Some train companies are quicker in publication than others (but not RENFE unlikely).

Thomas Cook believe they will make available the winter edition of 'The Thomas Cook European Rail Timetable' on 25th November, ergo, the schedules will be complete and published before this date.

PRLCH

Thanks for the info. WomBatt. Unfortunately RENFE have not yet come to the party - no trains between Granada and Seville after 10th December. I will give it another week or so and then I am going to get bus tickets. When we travelled in Italy just before Christmas 2 yeasr ago the trains were crazy busy, and we need to get from Granada to Seville on 23rd. I had thought of hiring a car for the trip, but then there is the hassle of driving in Seville at the end of the trip to get rid of the car.

WomBatt

PRCLH - I have spent a little time on this and -

All my sampling for winter schedules elsewhere in the country show they can be viewed.

No media or regional train are shown scheduled, as you know, after the 10th on the line Almeria - Granada - Antequera - Seville. Or out of Malaga. Media and regional are running elsewhere in the country, as far as I sampled.

I can find nothing on RENFE or web wise on the subject.

Conclusions thus far.
1. SNAFU with RENFE administration.
or
2. There are upgrading works on these lines and some trains cannot run them. i.e. and e.g. an Altaria train Granada to Antequera is shown.

A dozen journeys with ALSA bus company per day and hope you have no problems. If you need more, ask. Very best wishes.

WomBatt

Further to my above - http://www.renfe.com/viajeros/index.html - this appears to be the answer.

lincasanova

not sure if this idea was approached. but why not take the bus?

PRLCH

Thanks everyone. Finally the schedule has appeared and the tickets have been bought! Happy now that the one final transport issue is resolved. Leaving in 9 days for 7 weeks through France, Spain, Jordan and Egypt (and short stays in Istanbul and Singapore). Can't wait!