RENFE tickets

[Nandy61]

Will be arriving at T4 in Madrid Barajas on Saturday 16 September at 7:40am. Assuming the flight is on time, any thoughts on making the 8:57am Cercanias train to Chamartin, so as to catch the 9:30am train to Leon? (No checked luggage) More importantly, if we miss that connection is it easy to exchange the tix for the 11:48 am train? My options are to by the "Turista" Promo+ fare for €35 or the Preferente Promo+ fare (which doesn't any different from the Turista!) for €39. Any advice welcomed!

 

[notion900]

Miles easier to get the bus at T4 to León. Probably faster too. You can buy tickets online or at the desk in the terminal.

 

[peregrina2000]

There's an 11:15 bus from T4 to Leon, arriving at 3:45 pm. I prefer the train over the bus any day, but in this case, the bus might be easier.

You could leave the decision till you arrive (unless this weekend is some special holiday I don't know about). With a 7:40 arrival, if it's on time, you will have to first go through immigration (usually no line at that time in the morning) take the 4 minute train to T4 (international flights arriving at T4 arrive at T4-S (for satellite) and make your way to Cercanias. It is all well marked, look up the logo for Cercanias (kind of a backwards white C on a red background). You should even make the 8:30 Cercanias, especially if you are not checking luggage, getting to Chamartin in plenty of time. RENFE also has a ticket office at T4, right at the entrance to the Cercanias, so you could buy your ticket to Leon right there and avoid the lines at Chamartin.

Barajas tip -- it's almost always quicker to take the elevator, because the escalator is frequently two flights or more.

 

[FLEUR]

If you are over 60 a Spanish senior rail card gives great discounts. It costs only a few euros and is available at stations, you need to show your passport.

 

[TMcA]

I believe the discount card Fleur just mentioned is called a "Tarjeta Dorada". Mine cost 6 euros last June and it is valid for a year.

Buen camino!

Tom

 

[FLEUR]

@ Tom , that is correct. Mon - Thu travel offers a big discount (40% ) Fri - Sunday smaller discount (25%)

 

[Deleted member 43780]

If you are over 60 a Spanish senior rail card gives great discounts. It costs only a few euros and is available at stations, you need to show your passport.

Buy the Gold Card ("Tarjeta Dorada") before you buy your ticket(s).

Gold Card can not be used for AVE tickets. But, saves lots on all other trains.

If someone is riding the narrow-gauge FEVE railway in Northern Spain, you trade in your Gold Card for a FEVE card. Cost adjusted.

After the Ingles rode the FEVE railway. Once in a life time ride. Beautiful! Wonderful towns along the way.

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/...spain-feve-railway-santander-asturias-galicia

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/14/travel/14explorer.html


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/d...y-train-riding-the-narrow-gauge-FEVE-railway/

 

[Camino Chrissy]

There's an 11:15 bus from T4 to Leon, arriving at 3:45 pm. I prefer the train over the bus any day, but in this case, the bus might be easier.

You could leave the decision till you arrive (unless this weekend is some special holiday I don't know about). With a 7:40 arrival, if it's on time, you will have to first go through immigration (usually no line at that time in the morning) take the 4 minute train to T4 (international flights arriving at T4 arrive at T4-S (for satellite) and make your way to Cercanias. It is all well marked, look up the logo for Cercanias (kind of a backwards white C on a red background). You should even make the 8:30 Cercanias, especially if you are not checking luggage, getting to Chamartin in plenty of time. RENFE also has a ticket office at T4, right at the entrance to the Cercanias, so you could buy your ticket to Leon right there and avoid the lines at Chamartin.

Barajas tip -- it's almost always quicker to take the elevator, because the escalator is frequently two flights or more.

As always, you give such detailed great advice, Laurie. If I'd had this much information on navigating the Barajas airport before my first Camino, I probably wouldn't have my "nightmare memory" of trying to get to the train to Pamplona. I'm sure my lack of speaking Spanish had something to do with all my issues!

 

[Juspassinthru]

If you check your pack, forget that tight connection. My experience at MAD is that international bag claim is very slow. I agree that the bus is probably a very good choice. Good luck and Buen Camino!

 

[trecile]

I think that the "promo" fares are nonrefundable.