Renfe seat reservation question
 

Having recently purchased tickets for Barcelona to Granada -- and realizing too late I'd missed the step in which I picked our seats -- I was determined not to make the same mistake when I purchased our Granada to Algeciras tickets. Well, once again, I was fortunate enough to get the site to work (it did take numerous attempts using 3 different credit cards) and I obtained our tickets. But no where in the process was there any opportunity to select seats. And our printed tickets only show "0" in the Coche and Plaza locations. It's an "R Express" train. I am guessing that perhaps it is not possible to obtain an assigned seat? Will seats be assigned at the station? Or is it simply a case of boarding the train with ticket in hand and finding an empty seat?

Please. Any information will be appreciated.

sounds like a "regional express" where there is no seat selection.

I cannot answer, but try e-mailing Renfe. I did about some problem I am having and got the reply right away.

Hi Marta,

I was in Spain in Sep/Oct 09, bought seats through the Renfe website, (patience and perseverance required)but don't remember having an assigned seat on any of the three trains I used. If I remember correctly, I got a coach number corresponding to the class I chose, but didn't get a final seat assignment until I checked in the day of travel. I know for sure I did not have the option of booking a seat when I booked. Have fun and enjoy your trip.

The Regional Express trains do not have seat assigments. They are more like commuter trains, medium distance, though.

lincasanova answered your question.

<i>I am guessing that perhaps it is not possible to obtain an assigned seat?</i>
Correct.

<i>Will seats be assigned at the station?</i>
No, not for Regional or Regional Express trains.

<i>Or is it simply a case of boarding the train with ticket in hand and finding an empty seat?</i>
Yes, but you are not required to hold your ticket in your hand when you board the train :-)

Thanks to all! Sounds like the train is a bit like the Circumvesuviana in southern Italy.