I guess your are correct. I don't see how to book a return journey on the RENFE site. Unless there is a way to do that, then you would have to do two journeys.

Then again, I was hoping someone had direct experience with the Spain pass so I don't have to guess...

Bill_Rolfes, did your register first on the renfe website? I remember while I was booking my tickets (all one-way though) that I did have an option to select round trip.

I have not registered on RENFE yet, and have only looked at the timetables, with no bookings yet. I just now checked here again before buying our Spain Passes. We're doing 2 one ways, but also day trips from Madrid to Barcelona (round trip) and Madrid to Sevilla (round trip). The question was whether to get 4 or 6 journeys. I'm going with 6.

Have not check Spanish Railpass - well I am fairly sure you have but the notion of two long normally expensive round trip tickets in the same day - the Span Eurailpass or whatever they call it - would provide unlimited travel on a calendar day - of course you have to pay the seat rupplement of about $15 per ride so that could be a factor too.

But on the overnight train the Eurailpass does have the 7pm rule - board the overnight train after 7pm and you put the next day's date on as your unlimited travel day - so once you arrive in say Barcelona your pass is valid the whole next day in case you want to day trip to say Sitges, Figueras for the Dali Museum, etc.

Meant to add that to check current pricing on that pass - I'll have to myself examine the pass pricing - and Renfe's - have not compared.

Spain Eurail info - www.ricksteves.com and http://www.budgeteuropetravel.com/id30.html.

I have a similar dilemma. Heading to Spain for 12 days in mid October. We land in Madrid and planning to head out the same day and visit Granada, Malaga, Seville and Cordoba (order subject to change) and determining whether to train or rent a car. Flexibility is a plus, window time a minus, cost is less as we could cash in miles for the vehicle, time a minus. Open to thoughts and opinions. Thanks.

SuperJ-it would be a no brainer for me, rent the car!What freedom to be able to pull over, visit places along the way! As an American,I find train travel very restricting, really too much of a hassle for me.The stations are rarely in central locations and the price of tickets so confusing.I decided to give the train a chance last year from Madrid to San Sebastian.While comfortable, very boring and never again!If I do need to travel in Spain I prefer the bus or flying!

SuperJ, I don't think the renfe Spain pass is valid on most routes you mention. I took the train on Seville-Cordoba, Seville-Granada route this week and these are classified as regional / commuter trains. The pass, I believe, is valid on long distance / AVE routes. Check out the applicability in each case.

Tickets on the routes I mention were easily available a day before the journey. Book in advance for "estrella" 40% discount on renfe website.

Chapla, I found the train stations to be located well within reach in Madrid, Seville, Cordoba. Granada was a but far (15-20 mins to my hotel). I am blessed to find the ticket booking on renfe website and ticket types easy to comprehend. But I agree with you, nothing like driving. Flexibility, fun and lot more access to stop at local villages on the way. We did a road trip from Madrid to Seville in Audi 6 and enjoyed it thoroughly.

Sorry I said road trip from Madrid to Seville. I meant Madrid to Segovia.

Appreciate the feedback. We drove from Bilbao to Barcelona last year and it was great. Wife was questioning the benefits so I put the question for Fodorites to comments.

Thank you.

ttt

SuperJ, I don't think the renfe Spain pass is valid on most routes you mention. I took the train on Seville-Cordoba, Seville-Granada route this week and these are classified as regional / commuter trains. The pass, I believe, is valid on long distance / AVE routes. Check out the applicability in each case.>

Well I am trying to learn about this new Renfe Spain Pass and this is very surprising - not contradicting the post - just surprising - it is really a pass that only gives X number of rides on high-speed lines? Makes a radical difference with the Spain Eurail Pass Renfe markets abroad.