TIP super cheap train fares Madrid to Pamplona for June 16

[Dutchwalk53]

I just booked my Renfe train ride for June 10th 2016 from Madrid to Pamplona. Last year I paid around $70 for this and booked with "goeuro" . I just booked a ticket for $30 through "goeuro" !!!!!!! Cheapest ticket on "raileurope" is $78. To be fair my ticket is "promotional" fare so limited changes. I have 2 hrs to get from the airport to the Atocha station. Last year it took us less then 1 hr . (shuttle to terminal 4 included) so I'll risk it. (ps there were later trains for the same are but I don't want to arrive in Pamplona too late at night)

Not sure if this is for other dates too but worth looking into it

 

[Angie94]

I just booked my Renfe train ride for June 10th 2016 from Madrid to Pamplona. Last year I paid around $70 for this and booked with "goeuro" . I just booked a ticket for $30 through "goeuro" !!!!!!!

Thank you SO much for posting this (and about goeuro) had not heard of them. I just booked my train ticket for May 16th and it was $27.50!! It was very easy to book....
I have 3.5 hours to get to the train station so that will leave me plenty of time (even with any delays unless they are significant delays)
And I will arrive in Pamplona late afternoon!

 

[Dutchwalk53]

Thank you SO much for posting this (and about goeuro) had not heard of them. I just booked my train ticket for May 16th and it was $27.50!! It was very easy to book....
I have 3.5 hours to get to the train station so that will leave me plenty of time (even with any delays unless they are significant delays)
And I will arrive in Pamplona late afternoon!

Great ! I used them last year too and it was easy. 3 to 5 hours is plenty. It's an easy and fairly short commute (30 min or so) from the airport to the train station. Take the bus shuttle to terminal 4 and then look for the metro trains. If I recall you can buy tickets for the metro right there. If you're really early at the station , just walk out the station and there are several sidewalk cafe's to sit nearby. We did that last year. Have a great Camino

 

[Angie94]

sounds great, thanks for the tip!

 

[TD Justus]

Sunday 5/22 is more expensive on goeuro - $63

 

[ELHS220]

I just booked my Renfe train ride for June 10th 2016 from Madrid to Pamplona. Last year I paid around $70 for this and booked with "goeuro" . I just booked a ticket for $30 through "goeuro" !!!!!!! Cheapest ticket on "raileurope" is $78. To be fair my ticket is "promotional" fare so limited changes. I have 2 hrs to get from the airport to the Atocha station. Last year it took us less then 1 hr . (shuttle to terminal 4 included) so I'll risk it. (ps there were later trains for the same are but I don't want to arrive in Pamplona too late at night)

Not sure if this is for other dates too but worth looking into it

Actually, if you go to the Renfe web site itself, you will see that they have very low fares as promotional rates if you book several weeks in advance. I paid €23 last year in mid May, and I see now that there is even a lower fare of €17.65 for some of the runs. These fares are, however, non-refundable.

 

[movinmaggie]

If you are fortunate enough to navigate through Renfe direct, it will likely be the cheapest. They wouldn't accept a Canadian credit card last year (may be okay now), so I booked with Rail Europe and paid 3X the price.

 

[melindafromtexas]

Thank you SO much for posting this (and about goeuro) had not heard of them. I just booked my train ticket for May 16th and it was $27.50!! It was very easy to book....
I have 3.5 hours to get to the train station so that will leave me plenty of time (even with any delays unless they are significant delays)
And I will arrive in Pamplona late afternoon!

I will be a couple of days ahead of you. arriving orison may 16th!

 

[Saint Mike II]

If you are fortunate enough to navigate through Renfe direct, it will likely be the cheapest. They wouldn't accept a Canadian credit card last year (may be okay now), so I booked with Rail Europe and paid 3X the price.

I agree that was my similar experience, although booking as far in advance as the computers allowed did result in a cheaper fare. From memory I thought the max advance purchase was 60 days (but that was through Renfe. Not sure if us outside of Europe can use those other services. But thanks any way. Cheers

 

[Dutchwalk53]

Not sure if us outside of Europe can use those other services. But thanks any way. Cheers

Yes you can book through " GoEuro" outside of Europe. I'm in the USA and have done it twice now.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

If you are fortunate enough to navigate through Renfe direct, it will likely be the cheapest. They wouldn't accept a Canadian credit card last year (may be okay now), so I booked with Rail Europe and paid 3X the price.

When I booked last year (2015) from the U.S. they wouldn't take a credit card either but did accept PayPal.

 

[Yossi Fuchs]

I just booked my Renfe train ride for June 10th 2016 from Madrid to Pamplona. Last year I paid around $70 for this and booked with "goeuro" . I just booked a ticket for $30 through "goeuro" !!!!!!! Cheapest ticket on "raileurope" is $78. To be fair my ticket is "promotional" fare so limited changes. I have 2 hrs to get from the airport to the Atocha station. Last year it took us less then 1 hr . (shuttle to terminal 4 included) so I'll risk it. (ps there were later trains for the same are but I don't want to arrive in Pamplona too late at night)

Not sure if this is for other dates too but worth looking into it

Barcelona to pamplona on april 27, three adults: 96 euro with goeuro, 86 euro on renfe site...

 

[movinmaggie]

Barcelona to pamplona on april 27, three adults: 96 euro with goeuro, 86 euro on renfe site...

I think it depends on when you book and when you travel. I have found Renfe had the cheapest rates overall with Rail Europe being the most expensive because it is an agency (booking for Renfe). Hadn't known about Go Euro, but wonder is the another i.d. for Rail Europe? Could be confusing if it is. Personally I loved that I could work in some train travel for my Camino.

 

[melindafromtexas]

Great ! I used them last year too and it was easy. 3 to 5 hours is plenty. It's an easy and fairly short commute (30 min or so) from the airport to the train station. Take the bus shuttle to terminal 4 and then look for the metro trains. If I recall you can buy tickets for the metro right there. If you're really early at the station , just walk out the station and there are several sidewalk cafe's to sit nearby. We did that last year. Have a great Camino

cafes at the train station at the airport or at atocha station?

 

[Dutchwalk53]

cafes at the train station at the airport or at atocha station?

Near the Atocha station.

 

[Dutchwalk53]

I think it depends on when you book and when you travel. I have found Renfe had the cheapest rates overall with Rail Europe being the most expensive because it is an agency (booking for Renfe). Hadn't known about Go Euro, but wonder is the another i.d. for Rail Europe? Could be confusing if it is. Personally I loved that I could work in some train travel for my Camino.

Goeuro is a different company then Rail Europe. I agree with you Rail Europe seems to be more expensive then others. Reason why I preferred GoEuro over Renfe is that from the USA their booking website seems to work easier. But yes It's all a matter of looking both up and compare prices.

 

[Dutchwalk53]

When I booked last year (2015) from the U.S. they wouldn't take a credit card either but did accept PayPal.

goeuro does accept credit cards when you book from the USA

 

[whariwharangi]

cafes at the train station at the airport or at atocha station?

See the airport and station websites for maps indicating cafe locations. In my experience the Madrid airport food is expensive and not very good. There isn't much available outside of the secure departure area either.

AENA Madrid Airport
http://www.aena.es/csee/Satellite/Aeropuerto-Madrid-Barajas/en/

adif Puera de Atocha
http://www.adif.es/es_ES/infraestructuras/estaciones/60000/informacion_000070.shtml

 

[Kathy B]

I have recently heard there is an express train to Pamplona, anyone know of this?