Simin

I will be traveling from Madrid to Paris and would like to take the hotel train. Is it possible to get tickets from the station just a few days before my proposed date of travel?

Sarah Smith

Hi Simin...I took the hotel train (it's called the Talgo) from Paris to Madrid. I reserved my tickets about 4 days in advance, but it always depends on the time of the year, from what I understand. A reservation made a week in advance would probably be the safest bet.

Kevin Mathews

Be careful when you get your tickets. There are many types of train fares just like there are many types of airline fares. <BR> <BR>For instance, my wife and I booked round trip 2nd class tickets on Thalys (the bullet train) from Brussels to Paris for $86 total (for both of us, RT, including reservations). If we had booked through Rail Europe or a travel agent it would have cost us &gt;$300. <BR> <BR>Going to http://www.sncf.com/ will give you an idea and help you not get ripped off.

elvira

You've got me curious - what is the hotel train?

Tony

Elvira.. <BR> <BR>It's an all sleeper train with Dining Cars. The Hotel Train designation illustrates that it is upmarket, and a little more luxurious than normal overnight trains. The trains from Paris to Madrid and Barcelonam and from Barcelona to Zurich/Milan are operated with special gauge changing Talgo trains (Spanish) which are particularly good.

graziella

I second to check directly with sncf or for that matter for any other trip also check with the direct national railway site. <BR>Buen viaje.

Rex

Since you are originating in Madrid, you might prefer to check with www.renfe.es - - the Spanish national railroad web site.

Simin

Thanks all for your responses. I did go to the sncf site and also the renfe site but both sites will not allow me to purchase tickets from overseas. I will be traveling on Nov. 12th so I'll just have to wait until I first arrive in Spain to purchase.