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So, I went to www.renfe.es to buy my train tickets. I am pretty confident I have the correct ticket even though the page translates very poorly to English. I paid through PayPal.
I think I messed up having them send it to my phone as I did not know the dial out for Spain and the "Print Tickets" button does not work on the website. I called their phone number 011 34 902 109 420 and get a friendly message that says line is busy, call later. (5 times over 2 hours)
I found a link at https://venta.renfe.com/vol/formViajes.do but because I entered PayPal and not a credit card it will not pull it up.
I have 90 minutes spent in trying to purchase a simple train ticket.
Do I hope that there is a kiosk you can print them out with using the confirmation code? I did receive an email with a pager number. Everything states, "This page is informative and in no case constitute a transport."
---As I post this message, I found a handy link on this forum for the English version at http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/horarios.html. I'll add it to both laugh at myself and hopefully help someone not go through the frustration I am
Just to let people know that not all experiences with Renfe are difficult. I've booked on-line from the US twice and both worked well. The first time (Spring 2014) I booked the train from Madrid to Pamplona with no problems, then had to cancel, and received the correct cancellation percentage back to my cc account from Renfe. The second was last week with no problems, I paid using PayPal, and immediately received an email confirmation from Renfe as well as a printable ticket in PDF. My Spanish is very basic with (alas) no verb usage ;-( I used Google Translates which worked well. I'm sorry to hear all the problems others are having.
Buen Camino -- even with Renfe!
Terry
Just to let people know that not all experiences with Renfe are difficult. I've booked on-line from the US twice and both worked well. The first time (Spring 2014) I booked the train from Madrid to Pamplona with no problems, then had to cancel, and received the correct cancellation percentage back to my cc account from Renfe. The second was last week with no problems, I paid using PayPal, and immediately received an email confirmation from Renfe as well as a printable ticket in PDF. My Spanish is very basic with (alas) no verb usage ;-( I used Google Translates which worked well. I'm sorry to hear all the problems others are having.
Buen Camino -- even with Renfe!
Terry
That's very true, Emile, but the closer to your travel date you buy your ticket, the more expensive it is - even on Renfe, tho' not on the buses I think. Frequently, there isn't a huge difference, but for many people that is something to consider. I usually stay one night in the city my flight is arriving in, and select a min- to late morning train departure just to give myself a bit of leeway. Nothing is ever certain, but this has always worked for me.My advice is to not buy a train ticket ahead of time, because if you arrive late for any reason, you'll basically lose your ticket. You can usually just buy the ticket at the ticket counter. Very rarely are trains fully booked.
Sorry, Emile, but I will have to disagree. AVE and ALVIA trains frequently fill up more than a week out. I learned this the hard way this summer -- not a special weekend or holiday, just summer traffic. I know there's always a risk of missing the train, but I usually find I can plan it so I won't have that worry. If you are going to travel on regional trains or other "milk runs", I don't think advance purchase is a problem, except around holidays.My advice is to not buy a train ticket ahead of time, because if you arrive late for any reason, you'll basically lose your ticket. You can usually just buy the ticket at the ticket counter. Very rarely are trains fully booked.
I just can't figure out WHY people are buying tickets online when it's much simpler and cheaper to buy your ticket in Spain when you arrive.
Paying a bit more at the ticket counter is better than risk forfeiting the entire ticket in the event you arrive late. A friend of mine bought train tickets in advance through the SNCF's (=French Railways) website , unfortunately his flight to Paris was delayed and he missed his train. He was unable to get his money back and ended up buying other tickets at the counter. Her wrote many letters to the SNCF trying to get a refund, to no avail. The French bureaucracy is impenetrable!That's very true, Emile, but the closer to your travel date you buy your ticket, the more expensive it is - even on Renfe, tho' not on the buses I think. Frequently, there isn't a huge difference, but for many people that is something to consider. I usually stay one night in the city my flight is arriving in, and select a min- to late morning train departure just to give myself a bit of leeway. Nothing is ever certain, but this has always worked for me.
Sorry, Emile, but I will have to disagree. AVE and ALVIA trains frequently fill up more than a week out. I learned this the hard way this summer -- not a special weekend or holiday, just summer traffic. I know there's always a risk of missing the train, but I usually find I can plan it so I won't have that worry. If you are going to travel on regional trains or other "milk runs", I don't think advance purchase is a problem, except around holidays.
Buen camino, Laurie
My advice is to not buy a train ticket ahead of time, because if you arrive late for any reason, you'll basically lose your ticket. You can usually just buy the ticket at the ticket counter. Very rarely are trains fully booked.[/QUOTE
On a slightly divergent theme, I've found that Spanish rail passengers don't always take too much note of where they sit - I have twice had to ask someone to vacate my - booked - seat, in a crowded carriage, otherwise it wouldn't have been an issue.
On ALSA buses, a different system seems to operate. The seats are allocated on booking, but bear no relation to the number of passengers. For example, all the passengers seem often to be allocated seats in the front half, doubled up, with loads of space at the rear, which, for instance, on my trip from Leon to Madrid, was completely unoccupied. Moral of story, on train or bus, sit where you like, regardless of your ticket.....
At the end of the day, if you really want to make that omelette, you'll have to break a few eggsIsn't this forum wonderful -- we can all express our opinions, past adventures, and suggestions, and others can "shop" for what works best for them! Almost as good as having the learning experiences oneself!
Terry
I am QUITE certain experiences will vary given ones background and where they live and if it is their first time or not. I am really looking forward to getting on the path, facing East and letting go.
Technology is tricky! I always have the receipt sent to my email address because of the phone dialing code problem. The bus drivers end up with a roster of reserved passengers, so the absence of a printed ticket is no problem. The train operation is much bigger, so good luck with the results. Buen camino.I'll add it to both laugh at myself and hopefully help someone not go through the frustration I am
Seems I was told last year that those "seat numbers", in fact, were the sequence in which the ticket was sold -- not actual seat numbers. Sorry, I don't remember the exact conversation, so I may have this wrong. But when I checked the next time with the person who sold me the ticket, she verified that that was the case, and I could sit anywhere. Of course, this may change with each bus company - tho' Alsa may do more seat assigning.
Also a couple of years ago, someone told me about a couple of longer distance Alsa bus trips that had become her favorite mode of long-distance travel in Spain -- with bus attendants who served snacks... don't know if that's still happening.
I just can't figure out WHY people are buying tickets online when it's much simpler and cheaper to buy your ticket in Spain when you arrive.
Well it may be simpler but certainly not cheaper to buy Renfe tickets locally, on the day of travel. Promo fares on line are much less than the regular fare.
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