Madrid atocha train station.

[angie]

Well, I'm here in Pamplona but I thought I share something I never new. Sorry if it's been posted before.
At Atocha train station they have a ticket queuing system which I didn't realise. My train to Pamplona wasn't till 3-05 and I'd arrived at the station just after 12 and was going to have a mooch around but thought I'd buy my ticket first, and I'm so glad I did. I waited nearly 2 hrs in the queue......... so, just warning others that even if you have time to kill, buy your ticket and then mooch around or you could miss your train. It was a Saturday so I don't know if that's why it was so busy but don't get caught out.

Cheers.

 

[whariwharangi]

Well, I'm here in Pamplona but I thought I share something I never new. Sorry if it's been posted before.
At Atocha train station they have a ticket queuing system which I didn't realise. My train to Pamplona wasn't till 3-05 and I'd arrived at the station just after 12 and was going to have a mooch around but thought I'd buy my ticket first, and I'm so glad I did. I waited nearly 2 hrs in the queue......... so, just warning others that even if you have time to kill, buy your ticket and then mooch around or you could miss your train. It was a Saturday so I don't know if that's why it was so busy but don't get caught out.

Cheers.

My understanding is there are automated ticket machines.

Renfe Maquinas Autoventa
http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/info/maquinas_autocheckin.html

 

[angie]

I thought they were if u pre booked. Maybe not, I didn't really check. But, I did see a lot of people in the queue with tickets already in their hands so I don't know the ifs and why's. I just wanted to warn people that was all, if I hadn't of had a few hrs to spare I'd never have caught that train and would have had to of waited till after 7pm for the next one.

 

[whariwharangi]

I thought they were if u pre booked. Maybe not, I didn't really check. But, I did see a lot of people in the queue with tickets already in their hands so I don't know the ifs and why's. I just wanted to warn people that was all, if I hadn't of had a few hrs to spare I'd never have caught that train and would have had to of waited till after 7pm for the next one.

Its good information.

 

[ranthr]

Yesterday I waited 45 minutes for my turn at the Renfe station in Alicante. There were ticketmachines that only a few people used. I was queuing for a tarjeta dorada, that gives me cheaper tickets so I could not use the machine. Thought then that if I needed a ticket, I would buy it on internet. Before I left one of the employees started helping people using the maquinas. Perhaps people do not know how to use them. It is the same at many bus stations. Always a long queue at the ticket office.

 

[jpflavin1]

You can buy your ticket and Tarjeta Dorada at the airport RENFE station

 

[angie]

I took your advice jp and caught the bus instead of the metro as it was easier rather than pack on pack off to change trains. Thanks for th info. Appreciated very much.

 

[Anniesantiago]

You can buy train tickets and tarjeta dorada from the airport Renfe office but if there is a line it can take hours. Best net is just get your ticket to atocha from the Circanius machine and get your tarjeta and major ticket at atocha.

If you are taking a bus, just pay the driver - much easier and cheaper.

Or walk from Madrid ! It's a beautiful walk and you miss the race for a bed!

 

[Felipe]

It is good to know this problem. It is a new situation, I never experienced anything like that.
I used to buy my renfe tickets at the very known "El corte inglés" http://www.viajeselcorteingles.es/trenes/ , at calle Preciados, near the popular Puerta del Sol square.
Apparently almost every travel agency in Spain can sell you train tickets http://www.renfe.com/viajeros/info/puntos_venta_nacional.html
Obviously, it I were in Madrid only (unfortunately) for a few hours, I' d try to buy my ticket right away, but this other option may be useful if you are in this lovely city for more time.

 

[CaminoKris2013]

Hmmm...I had already paid for my ticket via RailEurope and have a confirmation...would that be sufficient or do I need to check in anywhere?


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