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Trains in Spain/ Spain Pass or Tarjeta Dorada
We’ll be in Southern and Central Spain in January and February, taking many days trips from central locations, and a few longer distance trips.
Looking at two options to consider the Spain Pass or the Tarjteta Dorada I think the Tarjeta Dorada will be better for us, as we would qualify for Senior discounts on off hours. Does anyone have experience in this and opinions as to whether I’m on the right path or with suggestions? Many thanks, Philip |
Without knowing exactly what trains you will be taking it is hard to judge efficacy of pass but you say doing day trips and few long-distance trains hard to see how a pass would be best deal - and buses make more sense on some trips - say Seville-Granada and are dirt cheap and need no advance reservations. Renfe as you know will give fares - I guess beauty of a pass is you can just chose which trains to take once there with no off-peak stuff, etc. www.seat61.com has the best advice on booking your own trains at discounts and the senior card - general info trains also www.ricksteves.com and BETS-European Rail Experts.
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Train travel
As already noted, it will depend on which trains you are planning on taking. The Spain Pass works on most trains, but if you take any that require reservations (long and medium distance trains), you'll have to make your reservations ahead of time and pay a fee. The Tarjteta Dorada works, but is restricted to certain trains and days of the week. If you want one, you have to purchase it at one of the rail stations and show your ID.
If you have access to a computer while traveling, or download the Renfe app to your smart phone, you can purchase tickets ahead of when you want to travel and save with the discounted fares. Renfe apps to download: Renfe.mobi, RenfeTicket and RenfeHorarios. There is also a Cercanias app which you might find useful. If you are planning on traveling in Catalunya, then you'll need to check Rodalies de Catalunya and FGC (https://www.fgc.cat/en). FGC also has an app you can download. It's listed as FGC iBoo Mobile. |
The Tarjteta Dorada works, but is restricted to certain trains and days of the week>
How much does it cost for the card? Can you live with restrictions? You may be better off booking discounted tickets as robert -Spanish expert IMO - notes or for local trains just buying at station and again buses can be very cheap without advance purchase - the pass would yes require you to make mandatory reservations on long-distance trains and pay 10 euros or so extra for each train - which pass you talking about - one marketed to Americans as the Spain Eurailpass or the one on Renfe - compare prices for both - same benefits but could be cheaper here or there - never know. Sources I list above give Spain Eurailpass prices - for 8 days unlimited train travel each day in a one-month period - need not be consecutive - it's about 30 euros a day for a Saver Pass - two people traveling together but then if trains required reservations about another $10 a train. do you have an idea of which trains you will be taking? A couple of very long ones could make the pass a better deal but as now with info above hard to think so. |
Every rail pass seems to share one characteristic: the more you use it the more economical it gets. How important is being restricted to certain hours of the day and how important is your time?
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On Renfe , type in your destinations and date using TD option , you will see the exact cost..ie saving
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pass about 40 euros a day - and can just show up at station and make reservation when you reach a city - no need to lock self into discounted train-specific trains weeks early.
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I did 2 weeks in Switzerland using an unlimited travel pass in 2016 and loved it, but a Spanish rail pass would not be nearly as attractive. It still might be a good plan for the OP, but I think it would be a pretty rare traveler to Spain who would find it the way to go.
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