All trains are full on Renfe (around May 3-7, 2024)

jennysa · May 3, 2024

I am trying to book a train from Santiago to Madrid on 7 May and find that all trains are full and also for about the preceding 3 or 4 days. If I go directly to the train station when I arrive in Santiago on the 5th, is there any chance that I could get a ticket? Last year I booked at the last minute and had no problems.

henrythedog · May 3, 2024

jennysa said:
I am trying to book a train from Santiago to Madrid on 7 May and find that all trains are full and also for about the preceding 3 or 4 days. If I go directly to the train station when I arrive in Santiago on the 5th, is there any chance that I could get a ticket? Last year I booked at the last minute and had no problems.

I believe all seats are bookable on RENFE - but you may get a cancellation.

If I were you I’d download the ALSA bus app and book a refundable ticket whilst you’re thinking about it.

J Willhaus · May 3, 2024

jennysa said:
I am trying to book a train from Santiago to Madrid on 7 May and find that all trains are full and also for about the preceding 3 or 4 days. If I go directly to the train station when I arrive in Santiago on the 5th, is there any chance that I could get a ticket? Last year I booked at the last minute and had no problems.

Look into booking a flight, too. Sometimes that is less expensive than train or bus depending on when you fly.

LTfit · May 3, 2024

jennysa said:
I am trying to book a train from Santiago to Madrid on 7 May and find that all trains are full and also for about the preceding 3 or 4 days. If I go directly to the train station when I arrive in Santiago on the 5th, is there any chance that I could get a ticket? Last year I booked at the last minute and had no problems.

I had the same problem one year, neither from the airports in Santiago or Vigo could I get a flight. Since I had to get back to Madrid Airport by a certain time I used BlaBla car for the first time. I first had to catch a train to the Vigo train station where I was picked up. I was dropped off near Chamartín where I got on the metro to Barajas. Cost €30.

Good luck!

yinzercamino · May 3, 2024

Someone I walked with a few days had the same problem. (Because of his experience I booked my train a week ago for the 7th) He ended up finding a relatively cheap flight from A Courna to Madrid.

A Crackpot Abroad · May 3, 2024

I see direct flights back to Madrid from SdC for 67 British pounds. It is a late flight.

Try this link to google flights:

Google Travel

www.google.com

Ianinam · May 3, 2024

I see 3 Alsa buses that day, check www.alsa.com

deedee99 · May 3, 2024

jennysa said:
I am trying to book a train from Santiago to Madrid on 7 May and find that all trains are full and also for about the preceding 3 or 4 days. If I go directly to the train station when I arrive in Santiago on the 5th, is there any chance that I could get a ticket? Last year I booked at the last minute and had no problems.

I had the same issue, and was able to change flights to depart direct from Santiago on Monday May 6th. Flights were re booked 2 days ago. It ended up not just being doable, but less expensive. And a few blessed extra rainy Santiago days!

jennysa · May 4, 2024

J Willhaus said:
Look into booking a flight, too. Sometimes that is less expensive than train or bus depending on when you fly.

All were full or too late etc. and massively expensive. Managed to get a bus to Madrid leaving at 5.45 am.

JamesX · May 4, 2024

I had the same issue last year in October, I tried BlaBlaCar app to share a car trip to Madrid with a young couple, cost €45

Vacajoe · May 4, 2024

It’s the end of the May 1st holiday week for Spain but a bank holiday weekend for UK, so lots of tourist traveling.

walkingagain · May 4, 2024

jennysa said:
I am trying to book a train from Santiago to Madrid on 7 May and find that all trains are full and also for about the preceding 3 or 4 days. If I go directly to the train station when I arrive in Santiago on the 5th, is there any chance that I could get a ticket? Last year I booked at the last minute and had no problems.

We had the same issue 2 1/2 weeks ago so the we rented a car from the Santiago airport and drove there. The drive was gorgeous! We were happy we didn’t take the train.

howardd5 · May 6, 2024

jennysa said:
I am trying to book a train from Santiago to Madrid on 7 May and find that all trains are full and also for about the preceding 3 or 4 days. If I go directly to the train station when I arrive in Santiago on the 5th, is there any chance that I could get a ticket? Last year I booked at the last minute and had no problems.

Fly is a good option

CWBuff · May 6, 2024

LTfit said:
I had the same problem one year, neither from the airports in Santiago or Vigo could I get a flight. Since I had to get back to Madrid Airport by a certain time I used BlaBla car for the first time. I first had to catch a train to the Vigo train station where I was picked up. I was dropped off near Chamartín where I got on the metro to Barajas. Cost €30.

Good luck!

Lee. sorry but I'm confused.
you used a BlaBla car - as a 'bus' not a private transportation, correct?
tooka train to Vigo then jumped on the BlahBlah bus and went to Chamartin where finally got onto the Metro to MAD
all for €30 - is that all correct?

Thanks

LTfit · May 7, 2024

CWBuff said:
Lee. sorry but I'm confused.
you used a BlaBla car - as a 'bus' not a private transportation, correct?
tooka train to Vigo then jumped on the BlahBlah bus and went to Chamartin where finally got onto the Metro to MAD
all for €30 - is that all correct?

Thanks

Sorry if I was not clear. I meant that via Blabla car a private person picked me up at the train station in Vigo as I was coming in by train. I had exhausted all other possibilities (airport from Santiago, A Coruña and Vigo and all bus routes from anywhere in the vicinity of Santiago) before searching options with BlaBla car. It remains the first and only time I've used it but it sure saved me on that day!

The €30 was for the trip with BlaBla car, the metro from Chamartín to Barajas was extra.

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All trains are full on Renfe (around May 3-7, 2024)

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