Train travel
Sep 27th, 2003 | 03:57 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Aug 2003
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Train travel
Please help a new traveler to Spain. In early November, we are planning to travel from Madrid to Seville on the AVE train and, then, after spending 12 days or so in Andalucia, returning to Madrid from Malaga on the Talgo 200. On the Rail Europe web site, you can book trains on first or tourist class. I seem to remember reading somewhere (although I couldn't figure out where) that traveling tourist class is perfectly OK, but wanted to check if you thought there was an appreciable difference between first and tourist class? Also, how far in advance do you need to book the tickets on the interent, and where does one pick them up in Spain? Thanks in advance.
Margret
Margret
Sep 27th, 2003 | 04:51 PM
#2
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,662
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justretired,
Train travel in tourist class on the AVE and Talgo 200 is perfectly fine; no need to book first class. You can book these tickets in advance on the www.renfe.es "Tiknet" page. However, since you're a first time user, you'll need to book the Madrid-Seville AVE and your husband will need to book the Málaga-Madrid Talgo 200. First time users of "Tiknet" can only book ONE itinerary per person before showing their c.c. to pick up these tickets once in Spain to establish a "user identity" or profile. See the fine print on the "Tiknet" site. After you both establish your user identity in Spain, picking up your tickets with the c.c you used to purchase them on Tiknet, you can purchse as many subsequent itineraries on Tiknet as you wish using your i.d. number.
You can pick up your train tickets upon arrival in Madrid at the RENFE counter at Barajas airport (it opens at 8 a.m.) in the international Terminal 1, just to the right of exit door 1, next to the Replay newsstand. But to receive your tickets you MUST provide them with your locator number and the SAME c.c. that you used to purchase them on "Tiknet".
If you forget to pick the train tickets up at Barajas, airport, you can pick them up at any RENFE train station ticket counter in Spain, again, showing your locator # and your c.c.
If you plan to make a stopover in Córdoba on the Madrid-Sevilla trip, you'll need to purchase separate tickets, Madrid-Córdoba, then Córdoba-Sevilla. In that case, you can purchase the Madrid-Córdoba tickets with your c.c, and your husband can purchase the Córdoba-Sevilla with his, then you can wait until arriving at Barajas to purchase the Málaga-Madrid tickets. A couple of days in advance should be fine for early Nov.
Hope this helps.
Train travel in tourist class on the AVE and Talgo 200 is perfectly fine; no need to book first class. You can book these tickets in advance on the www.renfe.es "Tiknet" page. However, since you're a first time user, you'll need to book the Madrid-Seville AVE and your husband will need to book the Málaga-Madrid Talgo 200. First time users of "Tiknet" can only book ONE itinerary per person before showing their c.c. to pick up these tickets once in Spain to establish a "user identity" or profile. See the fine print on the "Tiknet" site. After you both establish your user identity in Spain, picking up your tickets with the c.c you used to purchase them on Tiknet, you can purchse as many subsequent itineraries on Tiknet as you wish using your i.d. number.
You can pick up your train tickets upon arrival in Madrid at the RENFE counter at Barajas airport (it opens at 8 a.m.) in the international Terminal 1, just to the right of exit door 1, next to the Replay newsstand. But to receive your tickets you MUST provide them with your locator number and the SAME c.c. that you used to purchase them on "Tiknet".
If you forget to pick the train tickets up at Barajas, airport, you can pick them up at any RENFE train station ticket counter in Spain, again, showing your locator # and your c.c.
If you plan to make a stopover in Córdoba on the Madrid-Sevilla trip, you'll need to purchase separate tickets, Madrid-Córdoba, then Córdoba-Sevilla. In that case, you can purchase the Madrid-Córdoba tickets with your c.c, and your husband can purchase the Córdoba-Sevilla with his, then you can wait until arriving at Barajas to purchase the Málaga-Madrid tickets. A couple of days in advance should be fine for early Nov.
Hope this helps.
Sep 27th, 2003 | 05:48 PM
#3
Original Poster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,410
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Maribel,
Thanks again for your timely answer. So, if I understand you correctly, I need to book both of our tickets under one of our names for the Madrid/Sevilla train and in the other spouse's name for the Malaga/Madrid train. Correct? Can we use the same credit card?
I have been trying to figure out why you are always so friendly and accessible to all of us so eager for information ( not that it's bad, mind you). You have helped me enormously, and that's a month before even leaving the US. I have decided that either you are a forum coordinator, a person who loves Spain, or a travel agent. Better yet, maybe you are our fairy godmother. Thanks!
Margret
Thanks again for your timely answer. So, if I understand you correctly, I need to book both of our tickets under one of our names for the Madrid/Sevilla train and in the other spouse's name for the Malaga/Madrid train. Correct? Can we use the same credit card?
I have been trying to figure out why you are always so friendly and accessible to all of us so eager for information ( not that it's bad, mind you). You have helped me enormously, and that's a month before even leaving the US. I have decided that either you are a forum coordinator, a person who loves Spain, or a travel agent. Better yet, maybe you are our fairy godmother. Thanks!
Margret
Sep 28th, 2003 | 12:18 AM
#4
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 637
Likes: 0
justretired
Tourist class both in Talgo and AVE are perfectly OK but price difference in trains between Tourist and first is not too much, nothing compare with same change in a plane ticket.
When you travel AVE or Talgo to Malaga if you get first class tickets, you have free parking for two days ,if you hold a return ticket, and a free meal, plus more comfortable seats.
By the way In the AVE the classes are tourist, Preferente (Stands for first)and Club.
Do not take the Club class that one is not really worth the money.
Booking for early Nov should not be a problem except for the first weekend , allsaints day. Which might be busy.
Tourist class both in Talgo and AVE are perfectly OK but price difference in trains between Tourist and first is not too much, nothing compare with same change in a plane ticket.
When you travel AVE or Talgo to Malaga if you get first class tickets, you have free parking for two days ,if you hold a return ticket, and a free meal, plus more comfortable seats.
By the way In the AVE the classes are tourist, Preferente (Stands for first)and Club.
Do not take the Club class that one is not really worth the money.
Booking for early Nov should not be a problem except for the first weekend , allsaints day. Which might be busy.
Sep 28th, 2003 | 02:07 AM
#5
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,635
Likes: 0
car writes: "Do not take the Club class that one is not really worth the money."
At times, especially during 'off season' Renfe offers something called "Club Duo" on AVE between Madrid & Sevilla: a 2-person compartment that includes meals and drinks for about the same price as Preferente. Sometimes it's listed as an OFERTA on Renfe's web site, sometimes it's not. The last time I asked at Sevilla's Santa Justa Renfe station (July) the Oferta was not available.
At times, especially during 'off season' Renfe offers something called "Club Duo" on AVE between Madrid & Sevilla: a 2-person compartment that includes meals and drinks for about the same price as Preferente. Sometimes it's listed as an OFERTA on Renfe's web site, sometimes it's not. The last time I asked at Sevilla's Santa Justa Renfe station (July) the Oferta was not available.
Sep 28th, 2003 | 07:24 AM
#6
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,662
Likes: 0
justretired,
To add to what car has told you, if you travel "preferente" (first) class, besides the 2 days of free parking (which you may not need or can use), you get access to the first class lounge at the stations.
We did purchase expensive "preferente" AVE tickets for Easter Monday from Seville to Córdoba, then Córdoba-Madrid. This is because we knew all trains leaving that day would be jam packed, one of the busiest days of the yr. for Seville train traffic, and we wanted a quieter ride. Plus, we had far too much luggage and thought that the "preferente" cars would have more luggage space; but not that we noticed, since all cars were filled to capacity. Plus, I wanted to try it so as to report back here accurately about the difference.
In "preferente" there are only 3 seats across, fewer passengers, and it is somewhat more restful during peak season.
But the free meal during this 1 hr. 40 min. ride was completely lost on us. We had just enjoyed a wonderful lunch with wine at El Caballo Rojo in Córdoba and had no room for the dessert or sandwich tray (your choice) they offered us on the late afternoon run, plus unlimited drinks. On your 4 1/2 hr. Málaga to Madrid ride you might enjoy the extra space and the meal, but you'll be paying
26 euros p.p. for it. On your AVE trip, it would be an additional 31 euros p.p. For me, on a normal run, it just isn't worth that money, since I've traveled in both classes now.
I've never been able to take advantage of the Oferta that NED speaks of, but it's worth a look.
Movies are shown in all cars, all passengers get a copy of the Paisajes magazine, and there is a bar car where you can purchase sandwiches and drinks.
About your other questions:
You need to use a c.c. in your name for your booking, and your husband needs to use his c.c. in his name for the other first booking. Then you must present those very same c.c.s to pick up your tickets. This is very important. Then once you pick up your tickets in Spain establishing your user identities, you can buy as many subsequent tickets through Tiknet as you want.
And about the other question,
I'm not a forum coordinator, although I do love this forum, have learned so much from it! I'm just a Spain lover with a large Spanish family spread out all over the country who provides me with info and great inspiration. In the summer I do work in Spain in the travel industry, and a bit now as well, in my spare time.
To add to what car has told you, if you travel "preferente" (first) class, besides the 2 days of free parking (which you may not need or can use), you get access to the first class lounge at the stations.
We did purchase expensive "preferente" AVE tickets for Easter Monday from Seville to Córdoba, then Córdoba-Madrid. This is because we knew all trains leaving that day would be jam packed, one of the busiest days of the yr. for Seville train traffic, and we wanted a quieter ride. Plus, we had far too much luggage and thought that the "preferente" cars would have more luggage space; but not that we noticed, since all cars were filled to capacity. Plus, I wanted to try it so as to report back here accurately about the difference.
In "preferente" there are only 3 seats across, fewer passengers, and it is somewhat more restful during peak season.
But the free meal during this 1 hr. 40 min. ride was completely lost on us. We had just enjoyed a wonderful lunch with wine at El Caballo Rojo in Córdoba and had no room for the dessert or sandwich tray (your choice) they offered us on the late afternoon run, plus unlimited drinks. On your 4 1/2 hr. Málaga to Madrid ride you might enjoy the extra space and the meal, but you'll be paying
26 euros p.p. for it. On your AVE trip, it would be an additional 31 euros p.p. For me, on a normal run, it just isn't worth that money, since I've traveled in both classes now.
I've never been able to take advantage of the Oferta that NED speaks of, but it's worth a look.
Movies are shown in all cars, all passengers get a copy of the Paisajes magazine, and there is a bar car where you can purchase sandwiches and drinks.
About your other questions:
You need to use a c.c. in your name for your booking, and your husband needs to use his c.c. in his name for the other first booking. Then you must present those very same c.c.s to pick up your tickets. This is very important. Then once you pick up your tickets in Spain establishing your user identities, you can buy as many subsequent tickets through Tiknet as you want.
And about the other question,
I'm not a forum coordinator, although I do love this forum, have learned so much from it! I'm just a Spain lover with a large Spanish family spread out all over the country who provides me with info and great inspiration. In the summer I do work in Spain in the travel industry, and a bit now as well, in my spare time.
