We are traveling to spain and want to use their train system to travel with your family within the country.
We are trying to use their website (Renfe)and it is not completely clear. I have also looked on the rail Europe site as well and is easier to understand but seems to be little more expensive.
Any suggestions there?
Is it reasonable to buy when we are there or should we purchase ahead of time?
We will be in Barcelona during their annual festival so not sure it cost will be more or harder to get on a train.
Advise much appreciated!
thanks
breanne773k3
1
richiavo
Rail Europe charge you for the honour of booking with them! Best not to use if possible. I don't have any issues with Renfe, it might help if you mention where you are planning to travel to and from. It is cheaper booking in advance and will save you money but you have no flexibility.
2
gcn2234
I too have no probs using the Renfe/en site but sometimes it is slow to respond - a good alternate site is loco2.com and prices the same. I alwats book in advance as richiavo says its usually cheaper and its less hassle on the day
3
annemariet
There are several guides on RENFE's website and pre-purchase for the large discounts which could be available, with a Google. The most comprehensive is on TripAdvisor.
4
amscams
You don´t really say what exactly is not clear to you when you look at the renfe website? If it´s the prices - yes, it´s cheaper to buy tickets online in advance, especially for long distance trains. I´m not sure what other advice are you seeking? The website is painfully slow, but otherwise it works just as any other site - you choose your destination, date, time and pay, not much more to it.
5
fwoggie
When specifically do you want to travel? It may be that the tickets haven't been released yet.
6
breanne773k3
I don't speak fluent Spanish so trying to navagate the site is challenging at times.
Th different prices is also a little confusing to me when there is no translation to understand what I am purchasing. Sounds like buying ahead is the way to go. It seems to be that if I have a 2 year old I don't need a ticket but I do for the 4 year old.
7
amscams
I thought Renfe have an English version of the site or is it not working well? The prices are different because they depend on what type of train you choose, some of them are fast trains and some are regional that will stop at many places so they are slower and often cheaper, it also depends on the time of the day, for example, catching a train on a Friday evening will definitely be more expensive that taking the same train during the day.. When choosing the date you have to specify how many adults, how many children between 4 and 13 years old and how many children under 4 years will be going and it will take you to the next page with the list of trains, prices and timetables for that specific day
8
fwoggie
on http://www.renfe.com, click on "welcome" in small letters at the top centre just above the purple banner.
9
amscams
ok, I understand your problem now.. I tried the English version out of curiosity and it´s absolutely horrendous, not only many things still appear in Spanish it also sometimes brings you back to the old version of the web, where you have like five prices for each train and none of the tariffs are explained in English, I guess this was the root of your problems? I found this link where the different tariffs are explained in English:
http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/tarifas/billete_promo.html
I hope it helps.. otherwise maybe try using google translate :(
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