Is it advisable to make train reservations before we leave on our trip? I've been told not necessary.

I don't think it's necessary. I bought a ticket the same day. The trains go every hour and there were plenty of empty seats.

Anya--<BR><BR>Was this on the AVE? We're going in a couple of weeks and I've been wondering the same thing.

In Spain the buses are often a better choice. Spanish trains run notoriously late and off schedule. The buses are typically cheaper and more reliable. They're modern coaches so no real sacrifice in comfort. We took buses instead of trains between Madrid-Cordoba, and Cordoba-Granada in 2000, and had no problems. I've heard many stories about schedule problems with trains, though I didn't take trains in Spain so those are second-hand stories.

I have actually found the Spanish trains to be more on time than in many other countries. As far as whether to make reservations or not, that would depend on when you are going. If it's any time between Easter and the Feria de Abril, you probably will need reservations because everybody goes down there then. Otherwise, they are probably not necessary.<BR><BR>While it is true that busses are often cheaper than trains, I wouldn't recommend it for a Madrid-Sevilla trip. The AVE only takes a little over three hours and the bus would take at least twice that. <BR><BR>Anne

Ignore any suggestion that you should take a bus instead of the AVE. The trains are not only very much faster, but RENFE promise that if the train arrives more than five minutes late, fares are refunded if it's their fault. I should think buses take at least twice as long to get from Madrid to Sevilla.

The AVE actually takes two and a half hours to Sevilla. They compete with the airlines not buses.

this was the AVE train. Only 2.5 hours, very comfortable in 2nd class

betty,<BR>This is to reiterate what Geoff has told you-that the AVE is extremely punctual, and they do refund your money if the train arrives more than 5 min. late (which has happened quite rarely since '92). It's far faster, more comfortable than going by bus, and it's not necessary to purchase the more expensive &quot;preferente&quot; seats, as &quot;turista&quot; class is fine.<BR><BR>Whether to reserve prior to your trip really depends on when you're traveling to Seville.<BR>We'll purchase our tickets thru Tiknet on www.renfe.es in a few days because we're traveling Seville-Madrid the Mon. after Easter, when trains will be absolutely jammed. Upon arriving at the Madrid airport, we'll just pick the tickets up with our locator # on the print out at the RENFE counter to the right of door 1 of the international terminal. We like to avoid the often long lines at Atocha station. <BR><BR>I wouldn't think of not reserving ahead for travel to/from Seville during Holy Week or for the late April fair, which starts April 29 (28?) and runs 1 week (and trains will be packed from 4/28-5/4). <BR>During other times in high season, we purchase tickets a few days in advance. While tickets may still be available on the day of departure (hourly departures from 7-11), in high season you might find that the only seats left are in &quot;preferente&quot; class or in the smoking cars or on a later train than you'd like, especially if you're on a tight schedule.<BR><BR>In the off season you should be ok waiting. Tickets can also be purchased in advance once in Spain at any travel agency, including those of the El Corte Ingl&eacute;s department stores where the agents usually speak some English.<BR><BR><BR><BR>