Is anyone else having troupble purching train tickets online at RENFE.COM
Sep 14th, 2012, 12:20 PM
#21
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I bought lots of tickets on Renfe (Barcelona to madrid to Sevilla to Granada to Cordoba to Madrid) with NO trouble last year. I registered my card with Verified by Visa first (in addition to advising my bank) and that seemed to do the trick. That may be what the webiste was looking for at the "connecting to your bank" stage.
Also, I made one purchase of an inexpensive ticket (Madrid to Toledo) on rumbo.es first, although I don't know if that made any difference. But somewhere on Tripadvisor I read that this initial purchase on rumbo.es helps Renfe "recognize" and accept your credit card, so I tried it before attempting a purchase on Renfe. All I know is that I made multiple purchases on multiple days using two different computers (one Mac and one PC), all with no trouble.
Also, I made one purchase of an inexpensive ticket (Madrid to Toledo) on rumbo.es first, although I don't know if that made any difference. But somewhere on Tripadvisor I read that this initial purchase on rumbo.es helps Renfe "recognize" and accept your credit card, so I tried it before attempting a purchase on Renfe. All I know is that I made multiple purchases on multiple days using two different computers (one Mac and one PC), all with no trouble.
Sep 14th, 2012, 12:52 PM
#22
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don 't expect people at train stations to speak English. Write down the line and time you wish tickets for.
one way or return
Ida y vuelta ....return in Spanish.
Canadians and Europeans seem to have no trouble purchasing tickets on RENFE.
For some reason Americans do.
one way or return
Ida y vuelta ....return in Spanish.
Canadians and Europeans seem to have no trouble purchasing tickets on RENFE.
For some reason Americans do.
Sep 14th, 2012, 02:38 PM
#23
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>>don 't expect people at train stations to speak English<<
We never do. I print out the schedule from a web site, and just hand it to the ticket agent<<
So - based on skatedancer's statement that there were no lines at the Antocha station (less than 20 min walk from our hotel), and Robert's statement that I can purchase a senior discount card at the train station, it seems like my best plan of action is to purchase the discount card & tickets 3 days before our first travel date (5 days before our less-flexible Toledo to Salamanca trip).
Reading my guide book, it seems like I can do all my purchases at the "Advance Sale" ticket office at the AVE side of the Antocha station. Is that true?
I've kinda lost my desire to fiddle with the non-functional RENFE site & print tickets at home. We had planned to visit the Antocha station anyway, to admire architecture & garden.
Stu Dudley
We never do. I print out the schedule from a web site, and just hand it to the ticket agent<<
So - based on skatedancer's statement that there were no lines at the Antocha station (less than 20 min walk from our hotel), and Robert's statement that I can purchase a senior discount card at the train station, it seems like my best plan of action is to purchase the discount card & tickets 3 days before our first travel date (5 days before our less-flexible Toledo to Salamanca trip).
Reading my guide book, it seems like I can do all my purchases at the "Advance Sale" ticket office at the AVE side of the Antocha station. Is that true?
I've kinda lost my desire to fiddle with the non-functional RENFE site & print tickets at home. We had planned to visit the Antocha station anyway, to admire architecture & garden.
Stu Dudley
Sep 14th, 2012, 07:01 PM
#25
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Enzian said : "..I registered my card with Verified by Visa first (in addition to advising my bank) and that seemed to do the trick. That may be what the webiste was looking for at the "connecting to your bank" stage. "
FWIW, I have also heard from 2 travellers experiencing the same cards issues as you while trying to book train tickets through RENFE, that once they registered with 'Verified By Visa' they had no problems booking their tix online. It does seem to cut out the 'checking with your bank' stage.
FWIW, I have also heard from 2 travellers experiencing the same cards issues as you while trying to book train tickets through RENFE, that once they registered with 'Verified By Visa' they had no problems booking their tix online. It does seem to cut out the 'checking with your bank' stage.
Sep 15th, 2012, 02:56 AM
#27
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So sorry that the title made me chuckle in a sad way. I hope you get it figured out, Stu. The only advantage to online purchase is if you can get the webfare, but for short journeys it is not much of a savings compared to the senior card.
You may want to try to do some of the longer traveling with the senior card from Monday-Thursday when the discount is greatest. Always ask, too, if the "estrella fare" is cheaper than the senior fare.. depending on the day, it just may be, but if you don't ask for it, I am not sure they offer the info.
Enjoy your trip.
You can purchase tickets through rumbo.es with no problem and the mark up is minimal. If the webfare is available they will offer it to you. You will receive a locator number and / or print out ticket. Let us know how it goes.
You may want to try to do some of the longer traveling with the senior card from Monday-Thursday when the discount is greatest. Always ask, too, if the "estrella fare" is cheaper than the senior fare.. depending on the day, it just may be, but if you don't ask for it, I am not sure they offer the info.
Enjoy your trip.
You can purchase tickets through rumbo.es with no problem and the mark up is minimal. If the webfare is available they will offer it to you. You will receive a locator number and / or print out ticket. Let us know how it goes.
Sep 16th, 2012, 07:23 AM
#28
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Please note that my hotel told about the card only for online, I decided not to try it.
Yesterday, I went to get my ticket in advance for Barcelona, and we had to take numbers to wait, like at the deli counter. I'd say I had to wait twenty minutes maybe.
Yes, always be sure to check which station your train will leave from.
When I had no line, that was for my ticket that day to Toledo. There was a window specifically for Toledo.
When I went to Segovia, I had. No problems with lines or filled trains, and liked the city so much I skipped my purchased return and took a chance I'd still get on a train later. I did!
For every train, you have to pass yor bags through x ray screening. It goes quickly.
Yesterday, I went to get my ticket in advance for Barcelona, and we had to take numbers to wait, like at the deli counter. I'd say I had to wait twenty minutes maybe.
Yes, always be sure to check which station your train will leave from.
When I had no line, that was for my ticket that day to Toledo. There was a window specifically for Toledo.
When I went to Segovia, I had. No problems with lines or filled trains, and liked the city so much I skipped my purchased return and took a chance I'd still get on a train later. I did!
For every train, you have to pass yor bags through x ray screening. It goes quickly.
Sep 18th, 2012, 12:13 PM
#29
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I purchased all the tickets I needed online using PETRABAX. Easier to navigate than RENFE, fewer "quirks", and it actually works. Cost on PETRABAX was $146.00. Cost using RENFE would have been $125/93.50E.
Thanks everyone
Stu Dudley
Thanks everyone
Stu Dudley
Sep 18th, 2012, 08:35 PM
#33
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It must be some kind of a " glitch" between RENFE and American issued CCs(banks)
I have been buying tickets on RENFE every year for the last five years ... never took more than
minutes.
Too bad RENFE has not addressed the problem.
I have been buying tickets on RENFE every year for the last five years ... never took more than
minutes.
Too bad RENFE has not addressed the problem.
Sep 19th, 2012, 11:03 AM
#35
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I was there last year and I just went up to Atocha, got my seniors card and purchased the ticket in less than 15' total, I asked the attendant why it was so hard to buy a ticket through them online and he said they had it set up in a stupid way, which is that you have to have purchased a ticket before in person with a credit card and after that you have no problems. The best fares are the walk up fares, no matter what anybody tells you. You buy in advance and you are subject to gouging.
Sep 19th, 2012, 10:48 PM
#37
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yes.. what gouging? They will not sell you a fare at the window the day OF any different than what you could have found online the day OF. In fact, you are not allowed to buy the webfare at the window.
The senior card will give you discounts same day at the window on routes certain days even if there is no discount for non-seniors left online. I think this is what you are talking about.
Some routes always have low fares at the window.. ( Toledo, for example outside of rush hour is a fixed low fare).
The senior card will give you discounts same day at the window on routes certain days even if there is no discount for non-seniors left online. I think this is what you are talking about.
Some routes always have low fares at the window.. ( Toledo, for example outside of rush hour is a fixed low fare).
Sep 20th, 2012, 06:43 AM
#39
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