Pre-booking train travel in Spain
 

We are travelling yo Spain in August. Flying into Madrid then taking a train from Madrid - Valencia then Valencia - Barcelona. I am trying to book train tickets online in advance and I can find a lot of schedules now for the first trip but always comes back with an error message or " no routes available" for the Valencia - Barcelona trip. I assumed there would be trains for this route? Do I need to find another way to travel to Barcelona? Also, any suggestions on which "class" of seats I should reserve? Economy (second class) or Comfort (first class) I am travelling with my husband, two children and mother.

Thanks!

There is a train from Valencia to Barcelona...not posted yet.( too early)

We usually book P+.Turista
The trains are modern and comfortable...

Simply look at an imminent date for the schedules and prices which are extremely unlikely to change.
There is no such thing as Economy or Comfort as a description on Spanish railways - www.renfe.com - so I suspect you are looking at an agency which is going to rip you off if you insist on using them.
There is many a guide on the web, on RENFE and advance purchase of tickets and discounts (the Tripadvisor guide being the most comprehensive).

Comfort (first class) I am travelling with my husband, two children and mother.>

IME of decades of European rail travel tells me to tell you yes for a party like that first class may be much more relaxed - fewer seats in each same-size train carriage = more room to easily stow bagage - often there are quite a few empty seats - just a more relaxed ride and discounted tickets come in first class too.

anyways for a look at first vs 2nd class and lots of goodies on European and Spanish trains in general check: www.seat61.com - great info on discounted tickets; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

P.Q,
When was the last time you took AVE?

http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/tar...ista_plus.html

Renfe explains all options.

I am makaing a general comment that there is ALWAYS a nicer ride in first class on every train I've been on in Europe - always always and for a group like that on the trip of a lifetime don't scimp - I have not taken an AVE for several years but I've taken trains just like them - are you saying there is basically no difference between first and second class on AVEs - if so why are there so so many first class cars on them?

Please explain your comment - do you think there is no difference between classes?

One major difference is that on AVEs and every train in Europe just about in first class only do you have rows with just one seat in them - the ultimate aisle and window seat and these can face each other for couples with a table in between them. To me these are priceless - no bothering other folk to get up and out of your seat, etc.

Seats are significantly bigger and easier to stow luggage - tell me if I am wrong that AVEs do not comport to this also.

There is ALWAYS a significant difference between classes on any train in Europe and AVE is no exception, unlike danon seems to suggest.

https://www.google.com/search?q=AVE+...=1600&bih=1075

Pictures of AVE trains - note the crucial difference to me and others about those rows with just one seat in them - the ultimate aisle and window seat - they do not exist I believe on any train in Europe - I guess they could but I've never seen them. A couple can have ultimate privacy and comfort - some folks insist that there is little difference between first and second class well that is one BIG difference, amongst others - 2nd class is comfy and trains are modern but first class is more comfy and relaxed.

Is it possible you are booking marginally too early? I booked Paris-Barcelona tickets with RENFE a year or so back (different route, I know, but same company) and although I could see the probable timetabling, the option to book only showed up about 9-10 weeks in advance.

renfe.com is in any case for many Fodorites very very hard to actually get to work - upon initial confrontation - scores and scores of posts from flummoxed Fodorites actually getting it to work and accept their credit cards. Good luck!

I think often Renfe (and France to some degree) are late posting summer rail schedules, which start in June. I'd try again after June 1st to see if they are up.


I had trouble last year booking on Renfe with my CC but didn't have any trouble when I agreed to use Paypal. Paypal charges a foreign transaction fee, however, which I didn't like, but it worked. I think it's 2 pct. And no, it was not my credit card, it was them and they admitted it to me when I complained.

How about using loco2, as suggested on seat61:
http://www.seat61.com/Spain-trains.h...kets_for_Spain

Any experiences with that?

I ended up having to use loco2 after trying multiple times on Renfe using multiple browsers and credit cards. The transaction was fast and easy. I might have ended up paying a couple dollars more but for the most part it was around the same price as on Renfe. So glad I was able to save myself the stress! Would highly recommend it!

Thanks everyone so much for the advice! I will wait a couple weeks and try to book again! And if I have trouble with renfe, I will try loco2.
Thanks!

You may even want to check Rail Europe in U.S. as they are starting to tap into RENFE's data base and kind of match some fares - generally more but check it out if all else fails - www.raileurope.com.

If you're an American, another option is Petrabax: www.petrabax.com/renfe/, which is US-based unlike loco2. loco2 quotes the price in GBP, presumedly converted from euros. And then your charge must be converted from GBP to dollars. Surely you lose some money in all that.

Renfe is often late posting its schedules. As well as difficult to buy from. Dealing directly with Renfe, your US credit card should be Verified by Visa or the equivalent for Mastercard. And you should warn the credit card company ahead of time that you will be making a purchase in Spain.

Thanks for the useful information here. We will pre-book our fall rail travel in Spain.

Since we won't pay for (euphemism for "can't afford") first class air travel, then I'll at least check the spread on rail fares, and maybe give that a try.

I used raileurope to book AVE tickets about 2 weeks before our trip last September. The renfe site didn't work with my CC or paypal. I speak fluent Spanish and have intl. CCs, so that wasn't the problem. Prices on raileurope (very user friendly) were about the same as on renfe. First class had slightly more room. Didn't seem worth it unless you want lounge access.

Yes RailEurope as said before on some trains taps into the Spanish Railways network itself and they add I think a small fee on - so yes try www.raileurope.com or its agents if have problems with cooking direct.