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I need to buy a train ticket from Terminal4 of Madrid-Barajas to Avila for June 15, as in 12 days from now. I know such ticket exists for 7-10 days in the future, but for the date I want it won't come up on RENFE as a possibility. I'm very confused and concerned...will it only let me purchase a given number of days in advance? One option I thought of was getting a ticket from Chamartin to Avila since I would need to change trains there anyway. Then I'd just need to get from the airport to Chamartin which I'm not exactly sure how to do. Sorry for seeming freaked out, but its been 10 years since I've been to Spain and I find the whole public transportation/train system rather daunting with all its options and different lines. Anyone have any advice about RENFE?
Thank you so much everyone for your responses! I'm glad to know its easy to get a ticket upon arrival in Madrid. I'm fighting my overplanning urges as it is with the camino and am hoping to have one in hand before leaving as I'm concerned about being tired after jetlag, but may just go and figure it out when I get there.@Irisvold as the proud holder of a ticket from Chamartin to Avila you would be entitled to a free ticket on the Cercanias from T4 to Chamartin. Obtainable from the Renfe Ticket booth. Otherwise fritter €1.40 on a Cercanias ticket from the Ticket Machines and buy your Avila ticket at Chamartin. It is unlikely that you actually need to purchase a ticket in advance and bear in mind that flight delays and airport events might impact on your plans. There are frequent trains on your proposed date of travel with tickets available at €12.25. There seems little point in adding Agent and Credit Card charges to your costs.
Buen Camino
Hi, Irisvold,
If you do a search on this thread or on any travel thread, you'll find lots of posts with lots of frustrated people trying to buy RENFE tickets from the US. I remember that a few years ago they supposedly changed their computer system and things got easier. But in many years of caminos, I was only able to complete a transaction once online from the US. If you want the peace of mind of having the ticket, I'd suggest biting the bullet and paying the booking fees that petrabax.com or raileurope.com charge (the former may be cheaper, not sure).
If you're not traveling at a peak time, I'd go ahead and buy the ticket at the airport like tinca suggests. There is a RENFE office right at T4 at the entrance to the Cercanias trains. Those are the commuter trains that include stops at a lot of central in-town sites, like Chamartin, Puerta del Sol and Atocha. The ride from the airport to Chamartin is about 12 minutes, and trains leave at 28 and 58 after every hour. The advantage of buying the ticket at the airport is that you will miss the long lines at Chamartin, though there is a special line at the station for buying tickets that leave in less than a half hour.
Make sure you know which terminal you're arriving in at Barajas. T4 is the new fancy terminal, where the train station is. It's used by Iberia and its partners (American/US, British, etc.). All other US airlines fly into T1, 2, or 3 and you'll need to get a bus over to T4, which adds a layer of complication and more time.
Buen camino, Laurie
Laurie,Hi, Irisvold,
If you do a search on this thread or on any travel thread, you'll find lots of posts with lots of frustrated people trying to buy RENFE tickets from the US. I remember that a few years ago they supposedly changed their computer system and things got easier. But in many years of caminos, I was only able to complete a transaction once online from the US. If you want the peace of mind of having the ticket, I'd suggest biting the bullet and paying the booking fees that petrabax.com or raileurope.com charge (the former may be cheaper, not sure).
If you're not traveling at a peak time, I'd go ahead and buy the ticket at the airport like tinca suggests. There is a RENFE office right at T4 at the entrance to the Cercanias trains. Those are the commuter trains that include stops at a lot of central in-town sites, like Chamartin, Puerta del Sol and Atocha. The ride from the airport to Chamartin is about 12 minutes, and trains leave at 28 and 58 after every hour. The advantage of buying the ticket at the airport is that you will miss the long lines at Chamartin, though there is a special line at the station for buying tickets that leave in less than a half hour.
Make sure you know which terminal you're arriving in at Barajas. T4 is the new fancy terminal, where the train station is. It's used by Iberia and its partners (American/US, British, etc.). All other US airlines fly into T1, 2, or 3 and you'll need to get a bus over to T4, which adds a layer of complication and more time.
Buen camino, Laurie
Renfe does not "code share" the Cercanias segment from the airport. As pointed out above, you can buy both tickets at the airport. If you need security, buy the Madrid to Avila ticket, which then gets you a ride on the Cercanias when you get to the airport.I need to buy a train ticket from Terminal4 of Madrid-Barajas to Avila for June 15
Since I see there are trains leaving Chamartin for Avila every hour or so, I'll just wait till I get there and get a ticket at the airport. Thanks again for all your help.I don't think there'll be any problem. My Barajas tip-- take the elevator where possible, because there are some LONG escalator rides.
as the proud holder of a ticket from Chamartin to Avila you would be entitled to a free ticket on the Cercanias from T4 to Chamartin.
buy the Madrid to Avila ticket, which then gets you a ride on the Cercanias when you get to the airport.
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