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- Camino Francés (2014)
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Hello all:
It hasn't been picked up by the spanish media yet, but I have seen on Twitter an announcement according to which there might be a RENFE (spanish train network) strike on september, on the 4th, 11th, 14th and 15th.
The news came from the personal Twitter of a spanish train driver, and I personally think it's reliable, but as I said, I haven't seen it in any spanish mainstream media sites yet. I'll keep you posted.
Thank you!Hello all:
It hasn't been picked up by the spanish media yet, but I have seen on Twitter an announcement according to which there might be a RENFE (spanish train network) strike on september, on the 4th, 11th, 14th and 15th.
The news came from the personal Twitter of a spanish train driver, and I personally think it's reliable, but as I said, I haven't seen it in any spanish mainstream media sites yet. I'll keep you posted.
Thanks for the update. Looking forward to my Camino September 1, 2015.Hello all:
It hasn't been picked up by the spanish media yet, but I have seen on Twitter an announcement according to which there might be a RENFE (spanish train network) strike on september, on the 4th, 11th, 14th and 15th.
The news came from the personal Twitter of a spanish train driver, and I personally think it's reliable, but as I said, I haven't seen it in any spanish mainstream media sites yet. I'll keep you posted.
Thanks for the heads up. I travel by train from Madrid to Pamplona on Sept 24. I'll keep checking. I know this might be a lame question, but are the railways run by one company? I had to book through Rail Europe because the credit card system at Renfe wasn't in sync with my banks security system. But I am also looking forward to a train journey…..love them!Hello all:
It hasn't been picked up by the spanish media yet, but I have seen on Twitter an announcement according to which there might be a RENFE (spanish train network) strike on september, on the 4th, 11th, 14th and 15th.
The news came from the personal Twitter of a spanish train driver, and I personally think it's reliable, but as I said, I haven't seen it in any spanish mainstream media sites yet. I'll keep you posted.
Thanks for the heads up. I travel by train from Madrid to Pamplona on Sept 24. I'll keep checking. I know this might be a lame question, but are the railways run by one company? I had to book through Rail Europe because the credit card system at Renfe wasn't in sync with my banks security system. But I am also looking forward to a train journey…..love them!
Hi, maggie, all trains in Spain are now RENFE trains, administered by Adif, I believe, but the system is RENFE. This now includes the FEVE narrow gauge line across the northern coast. It also includes all commuter trains in the major cities. Buying tickets online with RENFE is one of life's more frustrating experiences. I've failed at it often. Buen camino, Laurie
p.s. were you able to get your 40% discount for being in the "golden years" if you book through RailEurope?
OMG 40%? No, I didn't even think to ask. At almost 80, I'm thinking 'platinum'. I'll see if I can do some followup. And thanks for info on the train ownership.Hi, maggie, all trains in Spain are now RENFE trains, administered by Adif, I believe, but the system is RENFE. This now includes the FEVE narrow gauge line across the northern coast. It also includes all commuter trains in the major cities. Buying tickets online with RENFE is one of life's more frustrating experiences. I've failed at it often. Buen camino, Laurie
p.s. were you able to get your 40% discount for being in the "golden years" if you book through RailEurope?
I know this might be a lame question, but are the railways run by one company?
Hi, maggie, all trains in Spain are now RENFE trains, administered by Adif, I believe, but the system is RENFE.
The disruption is minor for pilgrims; at least one run each day will serve each route if tradition holds.
Hi, maggie, all trains in Spain are now RENFE trains, administered by Adif, I believe, but the system is RENFE. This now includes the FEVE narrow gauge line across the northern coast. It also includes all commuter trains in the major cities. Buying tickets online with RENFE is one of life's more frustrating experiences. I've failed at it often. Buen camino, Laurie
p.s. were you able to get your 40% discount for being in the "golden years" if you book through RailEurope?
I did get through to Rail Europe (after a 22min hold on line). First she couldn't find the booking (seems my name was misspelled) and said without it, she could do nothing. I pressed on gently; she found it. We straightened out the details, then when I could 'hear' her smiling, I inquired about the 40% senior discount. None, nope, nyet, nada, zero. No discounts for oldies, soldiers, government, old pilgrims, and so on. It makes no difference to me. At least the corrections got made….MMHi, maggie, all trains in Spain are now RENFE trains, administered by Adif, I believe, but the system is RENFE. This now includes the FEVE narrow gauge line across the northern coast. It also includes all commuter trains in the major cities. Buying tickets online with RENFE is one of life's more frustrating experiences. I've failed at it often. Buen camino, Laurie
p.s. were you able to get your 40% discount for being in the "golden years" if you book through RailEurope?
Thanks for the heads up. I travel by train from Madrid to Pamplona on Sept 24. I'll keep checking. I know this might be a lame question, but are the railways run by one company? I had to book through Rail Europe because the credit card system at Renfe wasn't in sync with my banks security system. But I am also looking forward to a train journey…..love them!
I took the train from Canfranc Estacion to Zaragoza. There was one to three passengers and two crewmen until we reached Lleida. The fare was under 30E. Renfe cannot afford to operate such routes!It's not so much a matter of tradition but of the minimum services decreted by the Government of Spain.
Ah, a pity I will miss you. I expect to be in SDC on the 7th to 9th of September.Walking the CF from Logroño Al. An unexpected trip.
I did get through to Rail Europe (after a 22min hold on line). First she couldn't find the booking (seems my name was misspelled) and said without it, she could do nothing. I pressed on gently; she found it. We straightened out the details, then when I could 'hear' her smiling, I inquired about the 40% senior discount. None, nope, nyet, nada, zero. No discounts for oldies, soldiers, government, old pilgrims, and so on. It makes no difference to me. At least the corrections got made….MM
Euskotren operates a commuter line from Bilbao to Hendaye.
FEVE operates narrow gauge lines from Bilbao to Ferrol including a connection to Leon.
Catalunya operates its Rodalies system of mainly commuter line trains. Some of this is co-operated with Renfe as Cercanias lines.
There is a commuter line from Alicante that goes as far as Valencia.
There may be other short lines.
My ticket is already purchased; not sure what I can do about that. It has already been charged to my Canadian credit card. I would hate to think of going through what I went through with Renfe. Thanks for the info on petrabax. MMInstead of using the expensive Rail Europe to buy direct tickets consider using Petrabax http://petrabax.com
Rail Europe restricts the range of tickets available while Petrabax offers generally anything you can buy on the RENFE site itself without the credit card hassles
I used them successfully to book my tickets from Madrid to Seville and saved nearly 60% off the standard price
And I ain't even a senior
Hi jirit, I did check out Petrabax on line, but five different agencies came up under their official website.. Which one did you book with?Instead of using the expensive Rail Europe to buy direct tickets consider using Petrabax http://petrabax.com
Rail Europe restricts the range of tickets available while Petrabax offers generally anything you can buy on the RENFE site itself without the credit card hassles
I used them successfully to book my tickets from Madrid to Seville and saved nearly 60% off the standard price
And I ain't even a senior
Hi jirit, I did check out Petrabax on line, but five different agencies came up under their official website.. Which one did you book with?
My total Madrid to Pamplona including taxes (Cdn) was 102.95
Yes whariwharangi I know, but I could not book with Renfe. Believe me, I tried for a loooong time. It's the credit card issue. Their security process is not in sync with my bank's security process. I felt I had no choice but to book Rail Europe. I am totally fine with it all. At least it is off my 'to do' list, but thanks for the info….That's 70 euro.
The Renfe site varies 23 euro to 76 euro depending on the class and cancellation options of the ticket.
They didn't offer PayPal peregrina, which definitely would have been my first choice, but I've put it all to bed. All I am thinking about now is my departure on Sept 21st from Canada and taking my first step in St. Jean on Sept 25. That's all that matters right now. Thanks for your notes.For future attempts -- others have said they use paypal and it works fine. I've never tried it, but that's how I donate to the forum, so I guess I could use it to buy a train ticket.
jirit I do so appreciate that you are taking the time on my behalf, but my ticket has been purchased now. Not sure I want to start over. But I've noted all this info to pass on to several folks I know who at some point will be planning their own Camino….MI know this topic has been raised before - that Renfe basically traps non- European credit cards ( it had nothing to do with your bank ). France kind of does this too and Italy also does this this but offers another site for non italian credit card holders
This is why Petrabax exists - it acts as the North American agent for Renfe ( Spain ) and SNCF ( France ), though if you follow the instructions provided at this site, you can buy SNCF tickets directly using a North American credit card.
EDIT: you can find links under Camino Resources on buying tickets for both Renfe and SNCF
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/resources/train-tickets.304/
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/resources/spanish-rail-tickets-via-petrabax.159/
Hello Jill - Jenny and I will be in Madrid on 1 & 2 Sept and then on the train to Pamplona on 3 (yes have reservations). We are then spending two nights in Pamplona before I start cycling on 5th. I will PM my Spanish mobile number (when I update/renew it in Madrid). CheersWalking the CF from Logroño Al. An unexpected trip.
Hola Jirit - does this system work for an Aussie with a MC and AMEX card?? Not that I need it this time but it might be useful for further travel in Spain and France. CheersI know this topic has been raised before - that Renfe basically traps non- European credit cards ( it had nothing to do with your bank ). France kind of does this too and Italy also does this this but offers another site for non italian credit card holders
This is why Petrabax exists - it acts as the North American agent for Renfe ( Spain ) and SNCF ( France ), though if you follow the instructions provided at this site, you can buy SNCF tickets directly using a North American credit card.
EDIT: you can find links under Camino Resources on buying tickets for both Renfe and SNCF
Great link KangaFor those who have yet to buy tickets, this is is a very helpful explanation of how to negotiate the mysteries of Renfe. It will also save you a heap of money.
http://www.seat61.com/Spain-trains.htm#How_to_use_www.renfe.com
Hi Saint MikeHola Jirit - does this system work for an Aussie with a MC and AMEX card?? Not that I need it this time but it might be useful for further travel in Spain and France. Cheers
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