Unable to get the English website for RENFE. Even I clicked on English at the left bottom, it came up in Spainish. My poor Spainish loose translation didn't help much.

Need to purchase the least expensive train tickets (2) from Madrid to Granada in November. I thought some of them need to be purchased 15 days in advance, some 30 days in advance in order to obtain between 40%-60% discount. Am I correct?

Appreciate your help. Thanks.

You select the language once you have entered the point of origin and destination, number of travelers and dates. You click on Buscar, go to the next pace and then select the language, bottom left of the page.

Maribel's Guides has a tutorial the may help fill in some of the blanks: maribelsguides.com/mg_renfe_tutorial.html

There is also a decent tutorial on TripAdvisor.

I clicked “English” on the very first page, and it was all in Spanish after that. Took your advice after “buscar” and clicked “English” on the second page. Works like a charm. One guide book said you could take train from Madrid to Granada. I didn’t see it from RENFE. Did a search from Madrid to Malaga, the regular price is 81.80€. Web fare and Estrella is 32.70€ and 49.10€ on certain day and time. What a difference. Thanks for the advice.

I understand there is an express bus from Madrid to Granada. Do I have to purchase in advance to obtain any discount if there is one? I will check Maribel’s website later. She is really helpful.

Thanks again. I am sure I will have more questions as my trip planning progresses.

There are two direct trains daily from Madrid to Granada, leaving at 0905 and 1705. The journey time is about 4 hours 40 mins. A standard ticket, bought at the station, costs €64.70 in turista class.

There is a daily 09:05 and 17:05 (5:05 pm) Madrid-Granada train, the Altaria. The trip takes about 4-1/2 hours. The regular tourist class fare is €64.20, one-way.

There are three types of ALSA buses on the Madrid-Granada route on most days, the Normal, Supra and Supra+ (limited), with several trips each day (www.movelia.es/). The bus takes around 5 hours to make the trip.

Another RENFE query for those experts out there ...

I purchased a Turista class ticket and just when the web page got past the confirmation, it crashed. I did, however, recieve an email confirmation of the purchase, which states "Este documento es informativo y en ningún caso constituye su título de transporte".

Is there a way I can take this informational confirmation to the station and exchange it for my actual ticket, or what should I do to get my ticket?

Thanks in advance for your guidance -

Does this email has a locator number on it? It only says that "this is not in any case your TICKET", per se.. you must "get" the ticket at a machine in a renfe station or at a window with the locator number, and be sure to take the same credit card with you in case there is any other glitch.

Do not leave this til too close to traIn departure.. there can be long lines if you cannot get the machine to work. Worst case scenario, I have gone straight to customer service when I had problems with TWO machines and they have been very accomodating.

Yes, it has a locator number on it. So I should just take this confirmation to the ticket window and they will exchange it for a ticket?

Thank you -