So, I think (!) I've booked a train ticket with RENFE. I used tripadvisors step by step guide which was helpful in navagating that site!

So, I got my confirmation in email (entirely in Spanish) and printed out a pdf document after I completed the transaction. Does any one know - which, of these two documents, if any, is my ticket?! If neither of these is my ticket - what do I do with these documents? (do I attend the train station for my actual ticket?)

I dont understand either because they're entirely in spanish. I've tried to use babelfish to translate the various statements but it still doesn't entirely make sense to me.

Normally the actual tiket is the document you print yourself after the transaction is completed. The top half of the page likely consists of a rectangle with the details (date, seat, from, to, etc...). If you printed in color (not required), you will see a purple renfe logo. That is your ticket - do note that the entire page must be intact for this ticket to be valid. DO NOT cut or trim this page or your boarding may be denied.

kanadajin

The whole intact pdf document is your ticket without anything further required.

You're lucky you got to book your ticket! I've been trying for the past hour or so, without success. I even called my bank, in case that was the problem. It wasn't, they didn't even see an attempt to charge my card...they have now also put a note on my account that there should be no blocks in case I manage to get actually get through and buy the tickets.

It makes you wonder why they don't do something with their site to make it more user friendly. I've bought rail tickets from other sites and never such a problem.

lyb,

Did you manage to register, as I advised?

Wombats,
Yes I registered & everything looked like it was going ok, especially after i talked to my bank but their site gets an 'error' after they go to my bank. I tried a different & still no success. So I'm thinking of skipping renfe & buying through rail Europe, prices are not that different & then it will be done. I might try one more time

Try using a VISA instead of MasterCard. MC has been having problems on Renfe. You can also purchase your tickets by balling Renfe. Much less expensive than going through Rail Europe and they accept Amex when calling.

I tried again using a Visa and still same problem, it just doesn't like me Anyway, I give up and bought it on Rail Europe, the price wasn't much more given the Euro vs the US Dollar. I'm all set and I don't have to keep fighting with the Renfe website, instead I can enjoy reading travel books about Spain

Thanks for your help

Thank you for the help! I do have the printout that you've described! Yay!! I must say, I've been pretty lucky that I haven't encountered any issues with RENFE (except with my limited spanish)