I'm seeking to book train reservations for our trip to Spain in April. I know what I want and I want to book ahead (we'll be there during part of Holy Week, etc.). I'm having problems figuring out Renfe's booking system. First off, though, am I too early to book for mid-April? So I'm on RENFE's site(https://w1.renfe.es/vbi/indexu.html) and cannot get what the difference is between their links to the left--"Ticket Sales," "Ticket Booking," and "Booking Sales." What is the difference among these three? Also as a first-time RENFE customer ("New Client&quot I need to fill out the registration form to gain access. There are spaces on the form I don't know how to fill. The name section has spaces for 3 names--name, first name, and last name. I assume that they just want first and last name in those spaces, but what about the "name" space? What do I put in the "ID card" space? If I could figure this New Client registration form out I think I might be in business! Also can I book the AVE with a stopover in Cordoba without having to book two separate tickets? As new client I read that I can only make one online booking, and so I'm hoping I can book the Madrid to Seville route with a Cordoba stopover all in one ticket. Then can I sign my husband up with his own registration with a different credit card number (even though addresses, etc. will match) so that we can make another booking? Or is there a better train reservation booking site altogether that will enable me to book all our trains now from the US without all these RENFE restrictions? That would be nice. I'd be willing to pay a little more for that convenience. Thanks for helping me with all of this!

Many people on this board will tell you that Rail Europe adds on fees, but if you want an easy to read website and phone help in english at your service, take a look. Also - i dont believe for spain you can book more than 30 days out.

You can usually only book <b>60</b>days out. You have already partially figured out the TikNet site about having to pick up the first ticket in person before being allowed to book others, etc. I agree it can be confusing.

You can check prices though and then compare what it would cost to book it through an agency OR you could CALL Renfe and ask for an agent who speaks English.

Okay I guess I'm too early, though not clear on how far in advance I can book. Can anyone answer any of the specific questions I posted? Many thanks!

you can book 60 days before the trip.

Thanks for the clarification on the timing!

Can anyone out there help me with this RENFE website questions? I'd be so grateful!

Just what are you looking for? I thought lincasanova answered your questions. Renfe has a 61 day advance booking requirement to book on-line. Granted, it's a little difficult to get through, but you have to live with the restrictions. They where enacted because of the number of people (tourist) who book on-line. The system used to reserve the seats and if you never showed up, the seats went unsold. Thus the requrements that are now in place.

lincasanova was certainly helpful in clearing up how far in advance I can reserve trains, true. I appreciate the clarification there. But I asked several other questions that, so far, no one has been able to answer, so I'm just hoping someone with RENFE website booking experience can help me. I asked about seven questions in my post, and so far I've gotten help on a couple of them. So I'm still feeling a bit stuck, not knowing exactly how to proceed once I am in that 60-day advance window.

in names: put first name in NAME. if you have middle name or initial in next slot, and then your last name in last of three.
spaniards have two last names. just fill in the blanks.

i.d. number.: put in your passport or drivers license.

not at all sure about booking stopovers.

i need to call them for myself today for reservations. i will ask and get back to you!

might be worth a phone call to english speaking agent and not take the time to re-register in husband's name??

see you later!

lincasanova , thanks so much. This really helps! I really appreciate it!

renfe number is (34)902240202. they will pass to to english speaking agent if you need it.

i just made our reservations first class from barcelona to valencia. why first class? Included are all alcholoic beverages,( i don't drink, but the rest of the group does!) meals, really nice set-up for four with table to play cards.. vip lounge ahead of time at sants station.

lots of fun for trip with my brother and his wife.( i am in a spending mood at this moment, and for the additional 22 euros/person.. thought it would be fun!)

now.. to answer your question:
when you have a stopover you need to book each leg separately, but he said he was surprised you couldn't book more than one later under same name.

so.. do whatever you feel you need to. those will be very busy dates if it is feria in sevilla or jerez. so get onto it immediately 60 days before the date.

good luck!

lincasanova you are a dear! Thanks for your great help. Yes, I know we will be traveling at a most busy time of year in Spain, which is why I am trying to figure all this out now. I'm definitely going to book no later than 60 days out! The booking limitation (i.e. only one booking per new client) is a restriction placed by RENFE on its website. You may book one reservation, then you must present ID along with the credit card used in booking in-person at the station. Once you have done this you are allowed unlimited online reseravations. Problem is that by this point, we will be there, it will be a busy traveling time in mid-late April in Spain and trains we were not able to book ahead might be full. Anyway, I'm going to try and register my husband as well, so that we can attempt to at least get two legs of our trip booked in advance. I'll also try calling to see what they can offer me over the phone. Thanks again for all of your wonderful help!

i agree this is a difficult website . i am already fed up with playing with it.

i am going to call back because.. i want to make sure the tickets needn't be COLLECTED within a certain time frame, even when you pay with credit card.

Ticket sales.. reserve and buy at same time.
&quot;booking&quot; would mean just reserving, but not BUYING. There would be a time frame to go get them in person.

&quot;booking sales&quot; i think would be to proceed to buy a reservation you made earlier, but did not pay for. a way of saving the seats until you are sure.(limited time frame i am sure to hold seats).

will get back to you if there is any time frame to pick up pre-paid tickets.

Sam, I've booked on Renfe from the US with no problems and filled out the client registration. I've used the SPanish section and part of the problem is the translation between the Spanish and English. The name order is as usual and as lincasanova told you (in SPanish this is really more like first name, first last name, second last name). I just put my middle name in the &quot;first last name&quot; section, also.

But, one tip I have is that in the ID number section, Spanish national IDs have fewer digits than your passport or driver's license will have, probably. I put in my passport number, and just put in the digits up to where I couldn't any more, so it left the last couple off. I figured if I were asked for ID and showed them my passport, it would match as far as it could, and they would understand that. I don't think they even asked for my ID when I picked up my tickets, just my credit card, but if they did, that was fine.

Christina, thanks for your tips--duely noted.

lincasanova, so if I want to reserve AND pay for a ticket (with the only thing left to do is pick them up) I use Ticket Sales, right? Gees, why do they make this so difficult. You're right something must be lost in translation here.

Whoops! &quot;Duly&quot;