wren

I know that Renfe is really the way to go. But I cannot for the life of me, figure out how to buy tickets on their website. I tried off and on all weekend, and my husband and I just were perplexed. So today, I called Raileurope, and yes, they are more expensive. But it IS doable! I need to get from Barcelona to Perpignan, and I have heard that the trains get full, and reservations are mandatory. Can someone advise???

Aleta

Don't know of your hotel plans, but maybe the hotel staff can get tickets for you or recommend a travel agency that can do it.
This is how we handled tickets from Prague to Vienna and Vienna to Budapest. The agency was very reliable and the tickets were at the hotel when we arrived.

Christina

Hard to say, without knowing the price difference. I think convenience and ease (and having tickets in hand) is worth something. But only you can compare the price difference and decide if it's worth it. I've bought a ticket on RENFE (first time) a couple months ago and had no problems at all. It was a hassle and took quite a bit of time to actually pick them up at the train station in Seville, however, so I would have bought from Raileurope if the difference were only $10-$20 (on a 100 euro ticket). I wasted a lot of time getting them due to lines and having to get to the station which wasn't around where I was planning to be.

Can you figure out the price difference to decide? It sounds like you know the prices.

artlover

Have you checked out railsaver.com yet? I haven't used them, but other Fodorites have recommended them and they had the best rates I've seen yet.

TopMan

Wren:
when you said that the Raileurope prices were "more expensive" did you mean for the basic price of the ticket or that they are more expensive because of the added shipping and processing fees?
I don't know of ANY agency that is selling tickets for prices LESS than the base agency (in this case Renfe) charges..that is, for the ticket itself. If there is such an agency that is "discounting" rail tickets I'd sure like to know which one it is.

wren

Topman, I think the price of the tickets was the same, but they add a $15.00 shipping and handling charge in, as well as another $7.00 for first time booking. I will pay that if necessary, but I would rather use it on a meal or something I can enjoy! But then again, like Christina says, having those tickets in your hand, and not having to think about it is certainly worth a lot as well! I'll look into artlover's suggestion, and let everyone know the results. Aleta, I was going to email my hotel, but I noticed they only having a booking site. That was a good idea too...I guess I could call them.

RebeccaM

Wren, I also found the mailing charges and premier train fee expensive, but on the other hand now I'm relieved that I have a reservation. I went with RailEurope too. But I'm waiting until we get there to get reservations later in the trip. I'll make my lunch for the next two weeks to make up the difference!