Reserving Seats on Trains at RENFE

Do you know how long in advance I need to reserve train tickets? I planned out our train schedule at www.renfe.es and I know I need to book the tickets to ensure we get seats. We will be in Madrid for 6 days before starting on our travels around Spain. Do you think I can wait until we get to Madrid before booking the tickets, or should we reserve the tickets in the USA before we set off on our holidays?
Thanks to anyone who has any advice.

If you know exactly when you want to travel I'd say just go ahead and book them from the US over the internt. If not then just wait and buy them when you're in Madrid. I bought my AVE ticket for Sevilla about 2 days ahead of time in Madrid and had no problems. I bought another ticket the day before from Granada to Cordoba with no problems. If money is an issue the bus lines are a cheap alternative and depending on where you're going they can be just as fast if not faster. Good luck!

If you arrive at Madrid's aeropuerto de Barajas and your itinerary is pretty well set, you can buy your Renfe tickets and/or reservations at the Renfe Office near the International arrivals hall. Six days is plenty, even if you are trying to buy the lowest (valle) fare on the AVE to Sevilla. The last time I traveled on AVE, the Turista / Valle train for Monday morning was sold out when I tried the day before. So we just took the next AVE (Turista / llano).

I'm wondering now, what's the difference between the valle and llano fare, comfort-wise?

Thanks,
SusiLaGallega

Thanks for the help! I think we'll take Eddie's advice and wait until we get there and buy the tickets at the airport.

The time spent on the train - valle vs. llano- is, to my knowledge, the only difference. The cheaper the ticket = the more stops made. Believe it is 2 stops between Madrid and Sevilla - i.e., about 30-45 minutes longer. Both valle and llano have smoking and non-smoking cars and a restaurant car where you can get cafe con leche, beer, wine and sandwiches.

Susi and Puna,

The question about valle and llano trains were answered before.... by me!!. Please, do a search before asking, please do a...

To know the difference, click here

And go and stand in the corner too!

Oops! I guess I got caught up with the thread and didn't do a search before asking my little question!

Can I take off the dunce cap now?

SusiLaGallega

[ 06-12-2001: Message edited by: SusiLaGallega ]

Suzi,

You may pass the dunce cap back to me. It fits my pointy little head perfectly, and I am getting kind of accustomed to having it on my head

In fact, I had my hair cut to match it's shape...

Wolf (who knows great hair styles when he sees 'em.)