Does anyone have any advice regarding booking the AVE train from Madrid to Sevilla? Should I do this on the Renfe website before our arrival in Spain or is it better to buy the tickets at the train station a few days in advance?

1. Not necessary!
2. If you have a pretty good idea of your itinerary, you could buy your AVE Tix at one of the Renfe Offices inside Madrid's Aeropuerto de Barajas. I have bought Renfe tix at a Renfe Office near rhe International Arrivals Terminal #1 and I am told that there is another in new Terminal #4.

Thankyou for that information-doing it at the airport will be perfect. The renfe website was confusing. Thanks so much!

Purchasing your AVE ticket in advance (on-line) depends a great deal on your travel dates versus your arrival date, as well as your destination. Normally booking a seat a few days in advance will do for most destinations, but if you are planning on traveling during a busy holiday period, say Holy Week, and you wait until you arrive at the airport, then you may find that there are no seats available when you want to travel.

If you do book on-line, then you will have to register on the Renfe Tiknet site. You’ll need to choose the English language page and enter your passport number, minus the last digit, in the box asking for a form of identification.

We will be in Madrid the week of March 23rd through April 1. Think we will be safe to book when we arrive?

Do you know if the airport in Barcelona would also have a Renfe ticket counter where you could purchase tickets in advance??