Train travel in Spain
 

Thanks to the help I received through this forum our itinerary for Spain traveling from Sept 13 returning Oct 17 is complete. The advice while creating the itinerary along with trip reports and responses to inquiries from other travelers have provided valuable information.

I am having some trouble deciding how to approach train tickets for portions of our trip and was hoping someone will give me some advice. I have already purchased the long distance tickets, Sevilla to Madrid and Madrid to Barcelona. My dilemma is the purchase of train tickets for the shorter train rides. My husband and I are both over 60, so as I understand we would qualify for the Tarjeta Dorada card which can be purchased only in Spain. Most of our shorter trips if I am correct, do not qualify for the discounts available buying in advance. The majority of our shorter trips will be done Monday-Thursday which I believe would give us the 40% discount. The train travel I am speaking, all of which are round trip are:

Sevilla to Cordoba
Madrid to Toledo
Madrid to Segovia
Barcelona to Montserrat
Barcelona to Figueres

Not only am I thinking of the savings, but also the commitment to a stringent time table should I purchase too far in advance. Do you see any problems with waiting until we get to Spain to purchase the shorter train tickets? Perhaps the more popular routes a few days in advance? Is there something I may not be considering?

Thank you.

We are making our first trip to Spain in October, so can't speak from experience as others here will.

But, note that Monday, October 12, is a national holiday. We are traveling Toledo-Cordoba that day and when I booked our tickets about two weeks ago Renfe was already showing about 30% of the seats sold.

So if you are traveling on or near that weekend you may want to book those tickets in advance.

Understand the commitment to a stringent timetable is not necessarily the best, but we decided to go with it. Good luck!

You can purchase the Tarjeta Dorada cards at any train station. The discounts are up to 49%, depending on the train and day of the week.

All of the trains listed can be purchased the day of travel or a couple of days ahead of time (Toledo & Segovia).

Check www.seat61.com for lots of info on Spanish trains and discounts - for general info check also www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

Robert ? How many trains can you get the discount on - many or a few and what does the card cost - just asking for my own info and others may benefit as well. If you wait until the day of the train you will always be able to get on a train you want?

Thanks in advance.

I've done Madrid to Toledo and Madrid to Segovia and just bought tickets at the station before the train like Robert, a Spanish expert, says.

Thank you everyone.

Nelson-We will be in Barcelona on Oct 12, and are not planning any train trips that day. Thanks though for looking out for us.

Robert-I hoped you would chime in. It will save us around $75 and we may as well take advantage of senior discounts.

PalenQ- Thank you. I read your trip report, great advice and tips. I believe TD cards are 6 Euro and are good for a year. Not aware of any limit to the trains you can discount.

Since this would be my first time using it and first time in Spain, perhaps Robert or someone else could correct my assumptions.

The senior discount was set up for older, mostly retired Spaniards making shorter trips on the local trains at the last moment. You should always buy your Madrid-Toledo round-trip tickets in advance. There is usually no discount on this run beyond the round-trip discount. The same goes for any of the typical tourist destinations like Segovia.

The cost of the Tarjeta Dorada is currently 6€ for one year.

Discounts using the Tarjeta Dorada card on the AVE Long Distance and Medium Distance Trains; Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday benefits from a 40% discount. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, the discount will be 25%.

On the Avant trains there should be the 40% discount on all trains on all days.

The senior disconts on the Cercanías trains are 25% from Monday to Friday, and 40% on Saturdays and Sundays.

Thank you very much Robert. You have answered my last questions. We may add some train trips along the way, having the breakdown on the discounts will be very helpful.

Thanks too Robert for taking time to answer my queries and help me get a better understanding of Spanish train fares.

All discounts and conditions are on RENFE webpage( in English)


http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/index.html