Do I need to book train in advance? (Santiago to Madrid)

Joanne P · May 22, 2018

Hi Everyone

We will be flying home from Madrid on the 19th of July.
I'm wondering how far in advance we would need to book train tickets to get us from Santiago to Madrid, or will we be okay just buying a ticket on the day?

If we do need to book in advance, what is the best booking site to use please?

Also, do people book the bus in advance, for getting from Finistere to Santiago?

Thank you.

norelle · May 22, 2018

Hi Joanne

Trains do get full closer to the date, especially if there is a special event or a weekend. Also, the cheaper seats fill up first and, if you wait, you may end up paying more than need be.

If you have a definite departure from Madrid, I would book your train ASAP.

Whenever I've returned from Fisterre, people have purchased tickets from the bus driver.

Buen Camino

Isca-camigo · May 22, 2018

Hi Joanne, it's not just that tickets may be more expensive, some trains could be full. Have a look at plane flights, sometimes they are cheaper than the train.

Colette Z · May 22, 2018

I’ve traveled 2 years in a row from santiago to the Madrid airport by train (slept the night before at the Albergue La Estación 10 min easy walk max to train station). I booked both times online the fastvtrain and it was great.

Dillwyn · May 22, 2018

I purchase my train tickets through “Loco2.” There are other online booking services, but Loco2 is consistently easy to find the fastest and cheapest trains (prices vary a LOT), it offers English, and it always accepts my credit card. I find internal flights to be a hastle. By the time you arrive early to the airport, and deal with delayed flights, it can be draining. Trains are my preference!

MikeC · May 22, 2018

Hi Joanne,
I have used Renfe English site to book in advance.
It auto assigned seats for the promotional fares, no choices.
Works fine but I paid via PayPal
Cost in July is 28 Euro, cost for this coming Sunday is 39 Euro and some trains are already full.

Colette Z · May 22, 2018

I also booked online with Loco2.

tomnorth · May 22, 2018

Joanne P said:
Hi Everyone

We will be flying home from Madrid on the 19th of July.
I'm wondering how far in advance we would need to book train tickets to get us from Santiago to Madrid, or will we be okay just buying a ticket on the day?

If we do need to book in advance, what is the best booking site to use please?

Also, do people book the bus in advance, for getting from Finistere to Santiago?

Thank you.

I waited until I got into Santiago to book my train to Madrid at the Renfe office. I did not have any issue getting a seat in first class. The upcharge for first class on the trains in Europe is minimal, and the increased overhead storage and comfort is well worth it to me. One reason I’m glad I booked in person is that they were able to explain to me how the free transfer to the airport worked. If I had booked online I’m not sure I would have understand that my ticket came with a free transfer to the airport.

Joanne P · May 23, 2018

norelle said:
Hi Joanne

Trains do get full closer to the date, especially if there is a special event or a weekend. Also, the cheaper seats fill up first and, if you wait, you may end up paying more than need be.

If you have a definite departure from Madrid, I would book your train ASAP.

Whenever I've returned from Fisterre, people have purchased tickets from the bus driver.

Buen Camino

Thank you.

Joanne P · May 23, 2018

Isca-camigo said:
Hi Joanne, it's not just that tickets may be more expensive, some trains could be full. Have a look at plane flights, sometimes they are cheaper than the train.

Thanks, I hadn't considered flying. I will check that out too.

Joanne P · May 23, 2018

Colette Zaharie said:
I’ve traveled 2 years in a row from santiago to the Madrid airport by train (slept the night before at the Albergue La Estación 10 min easy walk max to train station). I booked both times online the fastvtrain and it was great.

Thank you. I appreciate the accommodation suggestion as well

Joanne P · May 23, 2018

Dillwyn said:
I purchase my train tickets through “Loco2.” There are other online booking services, but Loco2 is consistently easy to find the fastest and cheapest trains (prices vary a LOT), it offers English, and it always accepts my credit card. I find internal flights to be a hastle. By the time you arrive early to the airport, and deal with delayed flights, it can be draining. Trains are my preference!

Thanks for the booking site recommendation.

Joanne P · May 23, 2018

MikeC said:
Hi Joanne,
I have used Renfe English site to book in advance.
It auto assigned seats for the promotional fares, no choices.
Works fine but I paid via PayPal
Cost in July is 28 Euro, cost for this coming Sunday is 39 Euro and some trains are already full.

Thanks MikeC. Much appreciated.

Joanne P · May 23, 2018

tomnorth said:
I waited until I got into Santiago to book my train to Madrid at the Renfe office. I did not have any issue getting a seat in first class. The upcharge for first class on the trains in Europe is minimal, and the increased overhead storage and comfort is well worth it to me. One reason I’m glad I booked in person is that they were able to explain to me how the free transfer to the airport worked. If I had booked online I’m not sure I would have understand that my ticket came with a free transfer to the airport.

Thank you! Definitely good to know about the free transfer

trecile · May 23, 2018

If I knew for sure the date that I needed to travel I would definitely book ahead. You will get a better price, and not be caught out with all trains fully booked. That's what happened to me last August. I knew that I would have quite a bit of time after my Camino. I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted to do, so decided to play it by ear, and didn't book anything ahead, only to find all trains to Madrid, or any other destination that I wanted to go to, like Porto, were full. Lots of buses were also full, and flights were a lot more expensive than if I had booked ahead.
And I've gotten some great deals on first class tickets by booking ahead. I use the Renfe app, and pay with PayPal.

Saint Mike II · May 23, 2018

Joanne P said:
Hi Everyone

We will be flying home from Madrid on the 19th of July.
I'm wondering how far in advance we would need to book train tickets to get us from Santiago to Madrid, or will we be okay just buying a ticket on the day? If we do need to book in advance, what is the best booking site to use please?
Thank you.

Hola Joanne - it really depends upon what train you are hoping to travel on. If you are considering the overnight one and want a sleeper then yes book in advance. From what I remember when I travelled last June I ran into the issue of timetable changes (winter to summer) but that was in mid-June. Again, from memory, the very high speed AVE trains do not operate on the SDC-Madrid service so your options are the Media Distance one which has both first & second class seating. The first class often fills up well in advance, so if you wish travel here then yes book in advance. If you can negotiate the RENFE website you can book on line otherwise any major RENFE train station (eg Leon) or as you are walking to Finnistere then you could book in Santiago. Good luck!

trecile · May 23, 2018

Saint Mike II said:
If you can negotiate the RENFE website you can book on line

That's why I use the Renfe app. I find it much easier to use than the website.

tomnorth · May 24, 2018

trecile said:
That's why I use the Renfe app. I find it much easier to use than the website.

I installed both the Spanish RENFE app and the French SNCF app. I plan to use both next year when I walk. That way I’ve got my tickets with me on my phone.

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Do I need to book train in advance? (Santiago to Madrid)

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