Renfe

The RENFE site is aggravating (for one whose Spanish is almost NIL!). I'm wondering what the luggage rules and restrictions are, how long before the train leaves are you required to get to the station to check in, what is the security like, etc. All of those travel questions that one deals with these days. I can find schedules okay in English, but details like I'm after don't seem to be around in English. Am I missing a little British flag that I have to click? Suggestions?

Your AVE Ticket will have a Carriage # & seat assignment listed.
At Madrid's Puerta de Atocha there was a Security screening on the Platform before boarding, so you should probably plan to be there 15-30 min before departure. Curiously, I don't remember going thru anything of the like at Sevilla Santa Justa station.
Each Carriage has luggage racks near the vestibule at the end of the Carriage. I think you're allowed 2-pieces. Sometimes all available space on the luggage racks is taken up by someone who has a couple of 'footlocker-size' bags; that's the exception. I usually travel with one 'stowable' and a small carry-on. The overhead racks are very small.
Hope this helps ...

You bring up an interesting point Eddie . Yes , your luggage will be security screened in Madrid .. But nothing in Sevilla or Málaga . Doesn´t really make sense . I´ll be interested to see what happens when the new Madrid - Bilbao AVE line opens !! ETA already murdered 1 AVE executive last year and have threatened to bomb the new line .. so I expect huge security !
Steve

Soooo...like a plane, I can have 2 pcs of luggage per person, but it's NOT checked in a luggage car. Correct? But, unlike planes, I only need to be at the train station 1/2 hr. 45 min. before departure? Do I have those 2 right?

There's no strict control over how many bags you can take on the train and no checked bags. Most routes are full trains, so I wouldn't overdo it. Big bags can fit at the end of the cars or overhead (provided you can hoist them up onto the rack). If you are traveling from Madrid or the end of the line, it's worth getting down on the platform at least 20 minutes early--when there is still plenty of room for bags. If you are hopping on a train in the middle of the route, then there could less space for luggage. If you don't have your tickets ahead of time, 1/2 is not enough time... It can sometimes take up to an hour to get your tickets at the big stations. Your best bet is to have your tickets in hand when you get there.

Thanks! We travelled from Germany to Denmark many years ago and we didn't know that we had to put our luggage on the train BEFORE the train we were taking to Denmark. The luggage followed in the train AFTER ours. Luckily, some local friends stopped the train and retrieved our luggage, otherwise we would not have seen it until the following day. *L*

I just want to confirm what everyone else is saying. I traveled on the AVE from Madrid to Sevilla this past July, and there really isn't any strict baggage control. However, my friend and I were very late (as in we almost missed our train!) and once we got to the car, we had to do quite a bit of arranging in order to fit our suitcases at the end of the car. Luckily we only had one large suitcase each.

Security at Atocha didn't take very long, thankfully, as we literally ran through the entire station. I don't know if this is common as it was very early in the morning, so you should make sure you give yourself enough time to go through the baggage screening.

And, as an aside, we did have to go through security in Sevilla at Santa Justa before returning to Madrid. It was very quick, but we did have to put our bags through a machine. We almost thought we didn't have to do so, but there was a small security check on the platform.

Lastly, my friend and I printed our tickets at home in the States from the computer and brought them with us. Again, it was very helpful to have them since we nearly missed the train.

Thanks everyone. I do plan on printing my tickets from home (if I don't encounter any system glitches), however, I could change my mind if I don't want to restrict our itinerary. We will have 2 large cases (the ones we bring from Canada with us) as well as our other carry on paraphernalia.

We are thinking about buying tickets on the Renfe website prior to our trip to Spain in June 2009. We have traveled several times from Gijon on the express in Preferente (First) Class and because the train originates there, always were able to store two large/heavy suitcases on the floor or rack at the front of the car. As the train made several stops in route and there was soon no more space in the designated rack, passengers were allowed to place bulky/heavy bags on the large floor area designated for wheel chairs (no wheelchair passengers were traveling those days).
Since we would now be traveling from Madrid (Chamartin) we have some additional questions concerning Renfe :
1.) Can seats be selected when purchasing via the internet like on airplanes?
2.) What kind of large luggage inspection is done at the Madrid train station?
3.) If the train is coming thru Madrid (not originating there), how is the luggage stored on board if the designated rack is full? Are you likely to get hasseled by the train conductor?
4.) Does the station lounge for Preferente passengers offer any pre-boarding advantage? Is it before or after security?

1) As far as I recall, you cannot select seats on the trains. But if you buy tickets all at the time time for, say, 4 people you're likely to get all 4 together - or at least near each other.

2) They have a X-Ray rolling belt for all luggage.

3) There are large-luggage "racks" and spaces at both ends of any given train car. So if one is full you have to go looking for others on your own. Best advice is to get there early when possible. And you won't see the train conductor until AFTER you're on the move. (sometimes after a long time!)

4) Hmmm.. I've never heard of a/the lounge for Preferente passengers but have only traveled as Preferente once and didn't use the lounge. Anyone else?

Saludos, MadridMan

I am traveling around Spain this April for 3 weeks. We have about 5-6 places that we were thinking of visiting and I was wondering if it would be a better deal to get a rail pass? Or are the buses better? The Renfe site is a bit confusing and I have also checked out the raileurope site as well. Is there a difference between making reservations on the two sites and how do you use the rail pass?
I have never done the rail pass thing so I don't really know how it works but I just need to figure it all out as soon as I can. Thanks for any advice!!

I'll like to see the answer to this too. Very good question, and I'm faced with the same decision re: rail travel vs car. I have more time to plan though. I wonder if Renfe would take our comments and improve their site!

It really depends on where you are going and it what order. Not every town is a train line. Some lines are lightning fast and others really slow.

After trying numerous times to book via renfe.es and getting an error in verifying my credit card, I was able to book via telephone.
The renfe phone representative was unable to send an e-mail confirming the purchase but did say one can go to the renfe website & enter the reservation locator number. Then the ticket can be downloaded.
Does anyone know the exact procedure? Can a reservation be "pulled up" on the website just by entering someplace the locator number like on airline websites?

The credit card problem does not just happen with RENFE . I´m sure I mentioned this somewhere else , but I tried to book tickets for a big pop concert here in Madrid last year , using a reputable bank/ticket agncy ( ServiCaixa ) . I tried my UK credit card ( refused ) , and my UK debit card ( refused ) .. both of which have very good funds . The operator told me I HAD to use a Spanish bank card .. which is what I eventually did .
Steve

Just received the following e-mail reply from renfe:
"Así mismo le informamos que el sistema de compra de billetes por
Internet, no acepta las tarjetas de American Express."

In other words, American Express credit cards cannot be used for internet purchases on renfe.es

Another question (looking for advice). I had my daughter in law (fluent in Spanish) look at the Renfe site for me. She has suggested waiting until I get to Spain to buy my tickets face to face (Seville to Madrid and then while in Madrid, day trips to Toldeo and Sergovia, with a final long trip to Barcelona to finish the trip). Does that make sense to you experts??? To wait until I get to Spain to book any of the trips?

@andy - I use my corpotate American Express card with Renfe all the time. I went to Barcelona 3 weeks ago with ticket I bought with my AMEX.

@Denise - Renfe do last minute tickets with up tp 50% off, might be worth waiting if you are not in a hurry and/or have a timetable to meet. Otherwise I would buy the tickets in advance, the train to BCN often fills up (in my experience) and you might be left with business class tickets only. of course, i have always travelled in rush hour so i can't give a fair opinion of how much the train fills at w/ends or during the day.

I think that's certainly do-able. Now, there are so many trips back-and-forth from Madrid to Seville that finding one train with space on any given day is a logical assumption. Same goes for trips to Toledo and Segovia.

Regarding the Madrid-Seville trip (and Barcelona too), consider going to a travel-agent in the city which sells RENFE tickets (they'll have a sign on their door). I know the El Corte Inglés near SOL has a travel agency which sells the RENFE tickets. There, you'll pay a small commission for their service (4 Euros, maybe) and you won't have to go to Atocha and stand in long lines, feeling rushed by the (likely) impatience of the clerk there.

Regarding the Madrid-Segovia trip, the BUS can be the better way to go there. Get the La Sepulvedana (line) from underground the Príncipe Pío station.

Saludos, MadridMan

Hi everyone - along the same lines, what are the thoughts on a combination Eurorail Pass (3 days rail, 2 car)? It looks simple enough to book and maybe not all that expensive for 2 - $632 CDN.

It's not clear on how you validate it, but the way I read it, the first day you plan on using it, you write in the date in ink, of course it does recommend you make reservations for the train and I'm outside the window at this point.

I'm also considering buying the Madrid and Barcelona Cards (2 days for Barcelona, 1 day Madrid) from the same site. Any thoughts (please MadridMan, feel free to move this part of the question if it's not appropriate here!)

As always, thanks to all in advance!
Does it work? Any and every thought helps!!

MM, why do you feel the Sepulvedana is better than the AVE to Segovia? I was thinking of buying AVE tickets online (although I understand navigating the site is a nightmare), I liked the idea of arriving in 1/2 hr. Is it easy to get from the train station to the town center/aqueducts? How long does the bus take, and do you feel it's more convenient?

I don´t think the AVE goes to Segovia ... just regular trains ( Cercanías ) . Ok last time I went to Segovia I used Sepulvedana from the bus station in Paseo de Florida . I HATE buses , but this was quite comfortable ( and cheap ) .
I understand that the train journey takes something like 30 minutes longer than the bus as it stops at all the stations on the way .
The bus journey is about 1 and a half hours ... The train journey is 2 hours . Segovia is 90km from Madrid .
The bus station is probably only 500 metres or so from the centre ... I would just grab a taxi and ask the driver to take you to the cathedral . It will be pretty cheap and , more importantly , relaxed .

I don't have the details off hand but there is now a high speed train to Segovia, a friend posted about the trip on his blog, but I can't seem to find the link, if I do I post it but I do remember it being about 30 mins to get there.

Rob , I´d really love to know about that . I LOVE Segovia .

There is definitely an AVE train that goes to Segovia & gets there in 30 min. You can see the schedule on the Renfe website. But I don't think it leaves you close to the city center. From what I understand, you can take a bus or taxi into town.

If I take public transport which try to avoid, I preferred a bus; makes feel closely to the places i past by, and its more central, the train does leave you outside town;need a bus to come to city center.

Your right, the train leaves you quite a distance from the old city, if I remember correctly the bus station is much closer.

If you get the Ave to Segovia you will need to get a taxi to the aqueduct.

I wonder...what is the real difference between tourista and preferente? I've also found the web/star (estelle) price site! Lots cheaper.
Also, three stations are listed for Madrid - should I pick the one with the (*) by it??

Preferente is like business class. If it travels during a mealtime they'll give you a meal, the seats are a little larger and a little more comfortable, a little more legroom too. I got preferente once just to try it, got the (included) breakfast and asked myself, "Was this breakfast really worth the extra 40 Euros?" Answer: No.

But the tourist class is perfectly fine for me. There's always enough rump and leg room for my tall body. And even in tourist class they (usually, for longer trips) offer movies on the monitor - in Spanish - and they give you headphones for free.



Well don't keep us in suspense! What's this web/star website address??!!



Yes. But chances are excellent you'll leave out of Atocha - or at least be able to board in Atocha and then, possibly, pass through Chamartin Station depending on your destination.

Saludos, MadridMan

It's at the RENFE.ES site, so maybe I haven't FOUND anything you don't all know about - it's just that they are listing WEB and ESTELLE prices now. The price difference is 81,80 vs 49,10 Euros (star price).

The 4 stations for Madrid are:
Madrid (*)
Madrid-Chamartin
Madrid-Puerta de Atocha
Madrid-Atocha Cercanias

My first trip is from Malaga to Madrid - which station do I pick?

The REAL differences (from your description) between tourist and business seems minimal (but the E difference is 24,40E). I think I'll stick with tourist.

By the way - something has changed on the RENFE site. Or I'm getting smarter! I actually think I can get my ticket on line *L* By myself even!

Another question - once I pay, does it let you print your ticket?
The link to their FAQ page is not working.

Yes it does.

And, if you are coming from Malaga then you will stop at Madrid Atocha. Because you'll have to take the AVE.

And, MM, preferente also means you get a plug socket on your seat - a must if you travel with a laptop and plan to work (or watch a movie), or want to charge your mobile phone.

Not much of an advantage, but vital for business travellers.

Thank you Daniel-Madrid!!

The RENFE ticket site wants an identification document. I'm pretty sure I should pick foreign ID, and use my passport number. What do you guys think?

Help again, please, folks. I got all the way to putting in my credit card number - a VISA Card. However, I got an error message which says: "The process cannot continue right now. We apologise for any inconvenience (G001-ET01"

Does anyone know what the problem is? My credit card? I really DID want to take advantage of the discount WEB/STAR tickets. If I wait until I'm there and find a travel agent, do you think I can get the discounted price?

You know if I need a travel agent, I'll be asking for one in Torremolinas (our first stop). Although we will leave from Malaga.

Advice? Hints? Help???? Please. Thank you.

I doubt it is your card, most likely there is a fault in the website and you'll just need to try later. Alternatively, you could call them and try over the phone, then they will email you the ticket.

You might be able to get the discount in a travel agent, but they would probably have to buy the ticket online themselves.

Also, you'll be best using your passport number for the ID on the website (i assume you don't have a DNI card). but, you'll need to travel with your passport in order to board the train.

Take a look at previous threads about booking RENFE tickets online. Although I've heard conflicting reports, some say you can only use a Spanish credit card. I remember Steve Robinson going through many of these issues a few months ago.

There are also (64-day) limitations to how far in advance one can book tickets.

Saludos, MadridMan

Good day! Thanks, Madrid Man and Daniel-Madrid.
I did read thru the previous threads - most seemed to deal with AMEX cards.
I called my VISA customer service - they were blocking the purchase! Some security breaches and unauthorized billings, they said. As well, the RENFE site was experiencing some difficulties. I ALMOST got a ticket though!
Today, with some patience, I will try again, and let you know.
Only 4.2 weeks until I meet SPAIN!

grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Still won't work. I will try again later.

I LUV credit card companies. This is turning into a SAGA. I'm sure I have you all on the edge of your seats with my trials and tribulations of getting train tickets! UGH!. Last night when I was trying I had my credit card company on the phone. While we were working on authorizing my card, we decided that we would issue me a CHIP card. They neglected to tell me that once requested, my current card automagically was made INACTIVE! (I found this out today when I tried to register for a college course using the card this morning!). Anyway, they are now rushing the CHIP card to my bank branch and will give me free points for my inconvenience AND will give me points for any purchases I would have made, but can't (with proof of purchase). Needless to say, this saga won't complete until I get the NEW card next week. So much for my train tickets and day trip reservations. I'm only hold. GRRRRRR.

...and the saga continues. Called the bank yet again, waiting on my RUSH credit card. Appears they messed up and sent it regular mail - however, they reactivated the old card! HURRAH! (and for my trouble are now sending me free cinema tickets!) I now have in my possession tickets from Madrid to Barcelona (at a great price (87.80E) vs. the Euro rail prices anyway). However, now the site is giving me errors on the Malaga to Madrid leg. Arggghhhh! I shall not give up! I'm persistant if nothing else. *LOL*

HURRAH again! I wrote a letter to Renfe last evening. I tried the site again this morning just now, and low and behold a different time was available for cheaper and I now have two tickets to take me from Malaga to Madrid!! For only 88.30E. *L* The End of the Ticket Saga!

Yippeee!! Well done - at last you got it sorted out I can assure you that it will all be worth it in the end!

Have just ventured onto the RENFE site and have booked Madrid- Valencia for just €18.10 each in tourist class and Valencia- Barcelona for €40.50 each in First (it was the cheapest ticket option) ....considering my Spanish is pretty abysmal I'm feeling rather pleased with myself !!

Anyone know if "Preferente" will include food or drinks? It's the Euromed arriving Barn.Sants 14.09
TIA

Preferente will almost certainly include food and drinks!

Thanks, I hope it does !!!

Having made the train bookings last night, got a phone call today from the credit card company questioning the purchase in Spain, as we'd also used the card yesterday to buy UK theatre tickets.