FEVERail card and the Tarjeta Dorada

[Jeff Crawley]

A friend is intending to walk from Leon to SdC this May and wants me to join her on the return journey to the UK using the FEVE rail route from Ferrol to Bilbao stopping off at various places on the way (it was featured in a UK national newspaper).
I finally found the details for FEVE buried in the RENFE website and see that you can get a FEVERail card for 30 days travel for just €88.90.
Does anybody know if the Tareja Dorada 50% discount can be applied to this fare? If so it makes the FEVERail card an astounding bargain at €44.45! 60 days of travel can be had for €146.40.
Anybody "ridden the rails" lately?

 

[peregrina2000]

A friend is intending to walk from Leon to SdC this May and wants me to join her on the return journey to the UK using the FEVE rail route from Ferrol to Bilbao stopping off at various places on the way (it was featured in a UK national newspaper).
I finally found the details for FEVE buried in the RENFE website and see that you can get a FEVERail card for 30 days travel for just €88.90.
Does anybody know if the Tareja Dorada 50% discount can be applied to this fare? If so it makes the FEVERail card an astounding bargain at €44.45! 60 days of travel can be had for €146.40.
Anybody "ridden the rails" lately?

I don’t know why, but I love questions like this. Maybe I should have been a research librarian. I hunted and hunted and found nothing, though the description of the Tarjeta Dorada’s use on the FEVE says that it is valid on any purchase of “tickets,” which may exclude a purchase of “passes.” But like you, I found nothing explicit. I saw that there is a way to send an email to their customer service department, so I filled out the form, and I will let you know if and when I hear something.

 

[ranthr]

I wonder if the Tarjeta Dorada works on FEVE at all or only on Renfetrains?
When I checked this many years ago, you needed a special doradacard for FEVE, as you do for the local trains in the Alicante area.

 

[Tincatinker]

i once calculated that it was possible, just, to travel from Ferrol to Bilbao on the FEVE in 3 days. Last time I looked, thanks to adjustments (cuts) to services this was no longer possible. 30 days ought to do it, allowing for land-slips, bridge & tunnel collapses and the odd excellent lunch stop.

 

[Kathor1]

It is always best to check directly with the service concerned but doesn't this answer all questions: http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/tarifas/tarjeta_dorada.html or http://www.renfe.com/viajeros/tarifas/tarjeta_dorada.html

• The Tarjeta Dorada discounts apply to the General/Base fare for all classes and seats on AVE, Larga Distancia (Long-Distance), Avant, and Media Distancia Convencional (Conventional Mid-Distance) and Feve services.
• This discount cannot be used in conjunction with others [=other discounts] except for the Spanish Large Family discount and those specifically indicated in the ticket’s terms and conditions.
• The Tarjeta Dorada discount for general/base fare on Feve trains is 50% every day of the week (Mon-Sun).

 

[Deleted member 397]

A friend is intending to walk from Leon to SdC this May and wants me to join her on the return journey to the UK using the FEVE rail route from Ferrol to Bilbao stopping off at various places on the way (it was featured in a UK national newspaper).
I finally found the details for FEVE buried in the RENFE website and see that you can get a FEVERail card for 30 days travel for just €88.90.
Does anybody know if the Tareja Dorada 50% discount can be applied to this fare? If so it makes the FEVERail card an astounding bargain at €44.45! 60 days of travel can be had for €146.40.
Anybody "ridden the rails" lately?

I'm not 100% but my impression of the tarjeta dorada is that the discount varies and depends on route and time of day

 

[OzAnnie]

Question about the actual ‘Tarjeta dorada’ I obtained one a few years ago when buying my ticket in spain. Q. Do you have to be in spain to buy it?
Tks
Annie

 

[ranthr]

Question about the actual ‘Tarjeta dorada’ I obtained one a few years ago when buying my ticket in spain. Q. Do you have to be in spain to buy it?
Tks
Annie

I think so. You can try at terminal 4, Chamartin or Atocha. I have got a new at Chamartin once but usually get a new card when I spend some time in the Alicante / Valencia region during winter. Then I have to go to The Renfe estation in Alicante to get a new one. It does not work on the local,train there, which have a special Tarjeta. You need a passport to get it.

 

[Bernice M]

I took the FEVE from Ferrol to Bilbao in November 2019 after completing the VDLP. You can use your Tarjeta Dorada to buy tickets (usually from machines). It’s not worth buying the pass that you mention, as you can’t use your gold card for that. Anyway, you wouldn’t spend 88 euro on all the fares, eg Ferrol to Oviedo was about 12 euro.

Renfe staff were generally unhelpful, Feve seems like the poor cousin, but from Oviedo on there was a separate ticket place for the Feve.

The journey took me three days - Ferrol, Oviedo, Santander, Bilbao. I could have gone on to Leon, but I preferred to explore Bilbao some more.

I spent an extra day in Ferrol, as I couldn’t go on the Sunday train. There is an excellent naval construction museum there, if you’re into that sort of thing. Fabulous models and a very good breakdown of ship construction. Can’t remember the cost, except it was a pittance. All I had to do was assert that I was 65.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

I wonder if the Tarjeta Dorada works on FEVE at all or only on Renfetrains?
When I checked this many years ago, you needed a special doradacard for FEVE, as you do for the local trains in the Alicante area.

It would appear that they do Tarjeta Dorada

 

[Jeff Crawley]

i once calculated that it was possible, just, to travel from Ferrol to Bilbao on the FEVE in 3 days. Last time I looked, thanks to adjustments (cuts) to services this was no longer possible. 30 days ought to do it, allowing for land-slips, bridge & tunnel collapses and the odd excellent lunch stop.

The intention is to do a slow return - 4 or 5 days - we're both retired now so time rich!

 

[Jeff Crawley]

It is always best to check directly with the service concerned but doesn't this answer all questions: http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/tarifas/tarjeta_dorada.html or http://www.renfe.com/viajeros/tarifas/tarjeta_dorada.html

• The Tarjeta Dorada discounts apply to the General/Base fare for all classes and seats on AVE, Larga Distancia (Long-Distance), Avant, and Media Distancia Convencional (Conventional Mid-Distance) and Feve services.
• This discount cannot be used in conjunction with others [=other discounts] except for the Spanish Large Family discount and those specifically indicated in the ticket’s terms and conditions.
• The Tarjeta Dorada discount for general/base fare on Feve trains is 50% every day of the week (Mon-Sun).

I did find that page in my searching - my query to RENFE's "virtual assistant" took me there - but I'm still not clear.
Thanks for your helpful (as always) input though!

 

[Jeff Crawley]

I'm not 100% but my impression of the tarjeta dorada is that the discount varies and depends on route and time of day

On FEVE trains it's 50% every day of the week.

 

[Tia Valeria]

We have used the old style FEVE card and also the Tarjeta Dorada. Bought in the station at Santander as that was where we landed.
On one occasion they asked for a copy of our passport ID so we now carry a spare photocopy of the relevant page. Never been asked for it again but it is still worth it 'just in case', especially as the space for numbers was one short to fit in a UK passport number..... I think it fitted OK last time.
Great way to travel - Ferrol to Ribadeo; Ribadeo to Oviedo; Oviedo to Llanes and finally (for us) Oviedo to Santander. We like to take it slow and also 3 to 4 hours, rather than 7 hours, on the train was enough when we had time to do it our way.
Buen Camino

 

[Kathor1]

still not clear

The FeveRail card/pass/ticket is obviously not a general fare or base fare but a discounted special fare so this would rule out that it can be used in combination with the Tarjeta Dorada. The wording on the website leaves a glimmer of hope that it states explicitly somewhere on the FeveRail thing or in its general conditions blurb that the Tarjeta Dorada can be applied to it. Although common sense and now @Bernice M’s comment about recent experience seems to rule this out.

What are the chances that @peregrina2000 will receive a reply that brings clarity online? And do we know the price of the trip from Ferrol to Bilbao if only the TD is used? And figure out the virtual cost of the hassle of buying several tickets (I guess) versus one carefree purchase of the FeveRail card?

We may not be clear about the answer but at least we are clear about the question.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

The FeveRail card/pass/ticket is obviously not a general fare or base fare but a discounted special fare so this would rule out that it can be used in combination with the Tarjeta Dorada. The wording on the website leaves a glimmer of hope that it states explicitly somewhere on the FeveRail thing or in its general conditions blurb that the Tarjeta Dorada can be applied to it. Although common sense and now @Bernice M’s comment about recent experience seems to rule this out.

What are the chances that @peregrina2000 will receive a reply that brings clarity online? And do we know the price of the trip from Ferrol to Bilbao if only the TD is used? And figure out the virtual cost of the hassle of buying several tickets (I guess) versus one carefree purchase of the FeveRail card?

We may not be clear about the answer but at least we are clear about the question.

The thing that interests us the most about the FEVERail card is that you can use it to get on and off the train wherever you like without nominating the destination - imagine the train pulling into a station, you think "Oh! this looks nice!", grabbing your bag and spending the night there.
Within reason of course - from Google Earth some of the "stations" appear to be little more than a single building in the middle of nowhere!

 

[Glenshiro]

some of the "stations" appear to be little more than a single building in the middle of nowhere!

This takes me back. In April 2005 I took the Feve from Oviedo to Cudillero, a small fishing village on the Asturian coast. The trip took several hours, including 17 stops, several of which were just bus shelters at the edge of a field. Cudillero station, where we arrived bang on time, was a 2 km walk into the village. The fare was about €4. I've often meant to go back.

 

[man.grangeburn]

A friend is intending to walk from Leon to SdC this May and wants me to join her on the return journey to the UK using the FEVE rail route from Ferrol to Bilbao stopping off at various places on the way (it was featured in a UK national newspaper).
I finally found the details for FEVE buried in the RENFE website and see that you can get a FEVERail card for 30 days travel for just €88.90.
Does anybody know if the Tareja Dorada 50% discount can be applied to this fare? If so it makes the FEVERail card an astounding bargain at €44.45! 60 days of travel can be had for €146.40.
Anybody "ridden the rails" lately?

Hi Jeff

I returned to the Camino Portuguese in late September to complete what I had started earlier in the year but curtailed because of food poisoning.
My intention was to complete the Camino and then spend a night in Ferrol before taking the FEVE across to Oviedo.
My first night was spent in Vigo where I bought my Tarjeta Dorado at the Guixar Station. I presented my passport and paid my 6€ and in a matter of minutes had my card and a RENFE discounted ticket to Arcade for early the next morning - it was a 40% discount, but only a matter of 1,50€ or so.
After completing my Camino and a stay in Ferrol, I bought a FEVE ticket to Oviedo. Again a substantial discount - about 11€ instead of 23€. So by now my Tarjeta was paid for. The only downside was that part of the route was a replacement bus service - for some engineering works (I would guess; I have virtually no Spanish).

I have travelled other sections of the route before. It could be broken up to suit your schedule. It is a scenic and interesting journey.

I do not know if the discount is available for other offers. I would suspect not but the discount for individual turn up and go tickets seems very worth the investment. Added to that is the fact that the Tarjeta Dorado is valid for a year.

Oh, by the way, I turned up at Vigo Guixar late at night and I also was armed with passport photos but these we're not required. The card itself is about Credit Card size.

A friend is intending to walk from Leon to SdC this May and wants me to join her on the return journey to the UK using the FEVE rail route from Ferrol to Bilbao stopping off at various places on the way (it was featured in a UK national newspaper).
I finally found the details for FEVE buried in the RENFE website and see that you can get a FEVERail card for 30 days travel for just €88.90.
Does anybody know if the Tareja Dorada 50% discount can be applied to this fare? If so it makes the FEVERail card an astounding bargain at €44.45! 60 days of travel can be had for €146.40.
Anybody "ridden the rails" lately?

 

[peregrina2000]

What are the chances that @peregrina2000 will receive a reply that brings clarity online?

My hopes soared when I saw that I had an email from RENFE customer service. Here is what it said.


Estimada Sra. REYNOLDS:
Nos ponemos en contacto con usted con referencia a su consulta realizada el día 06/01/2020.
Toda la información que solicita podrá encontrarla y ampliarla en la web de Renfe www.renfe.com (enlace Feve) o bien el telefono de atención al cliente 912.320.320.

Reciba un cordial saludo.


HA HA HA HA HA. That’s what I call great customer service. (For those who don’t read Spanish, the email says “All of the information you are requesting can be found on RENFE’s website.” ). But of course they also sent me cordial greetings.

 

[Pelegrin]

If the question was: Does the discount of Tarjeta Dorada affect to the 88,9 euros FEVErail card?. I called 912320320 and the answer was: No. You must pay 88,90 euros even if you had the Tarjeta Dorada (I have one).

 

[J Willhaus]

Thanks all for the detective work here!

 

[Jeff Crawley]

“All of the information you are requesting can be found on RENFE’s website.”

If only that were true! Sincere thanks for your efforts though,

Best wishes

Jeff C

 

[Jeff Crawley]

If the question was: Does the discount of Tarjeta Dorada affect to the 88,9 euros FEVErail card?. I called 912320320 and the answer was: No. You must pay 88,90 euros even if you had the Tarjeta Dorada (I have one).

That was really kind of you . . . . Caminodesantiago the best place to ask a question!

 

[erith long]

A friend is intending to walk from Leon to SdC this May and wants me to join her on the return journey to the UK using the FEVE rail route from Ferrol to Bilbao stopping off at various places on the way (it was featured in a UK national newspaper).
I finally found the details for FEVE buried in the RENFE website and see that you can get a FEVERail card for 30 days travel for just €88.90.
Does anybody know if the Tareja Dorada 50% discount can be applied to this fare? If so it makes the FEVERail card an astounding bargain at €44.45! 60 days of travel can be had for €146.40.
Anybody "ridden the rails" lately?

You can purchase the FEVERail card at any Feve ticket salespoint, such as ticket office or commercial stations.

You can travel as much as you like for 30 days, hopping on and off trains at any station, for just 88.90 euro. And if you need more time, you can purchase it for 60 days of travel on Renfe Feve for just 146.40 euro.

now the Tarjeta Dorada, for anyone over 60 years of age, can be purchased with and ID (showing your date of birth) at the ticket office of a train Station, it cost 6 euros valid for 1 year, (from date of purchase)
sometimes you can get really good last minute discounts cheaper than the ones with TARJETA dORADA.
however, it might be a lot cheaper than 89 euros, if you buy single ticket with your tarjeta dorada, the Feve fares are not expensive at all. (compared with UK)

Descuentos Día de la semana Servicio L M X J V S D AVE y Larga Distancia 40% 25% Avant 25% 40% Media Distancia Convencional 40% Cercanías 40% Feve 50%

 

[erith long]

Question about the actual ‘Tarjeta dorada’ I obtained one a few years ago when buying my ticket in spain. Q. Do you have to be in spain to buy it?
Tks
Annie

yes
ypu have to show an id with your date of birth

 

[Tia Valeria]

yes
you have to show an id with your date of birth

Yes because you have to be 'jubilado' (ie pension age). Is that still 60 or has it risen at all? The information should - I presume - be on the RENFE/FEVE site.

 

[Texas Walker]

My hopes soared when I saw that I had an email from RENFE customer service. Here is what it said.


la web de Renfe www.renfe.com (enlace Feve)

Reciba un cordial saludo.


HA HA HA HA HA. That’s what I call great customer service. (For those who don’t read Spanish, the email says “All of the information you are requesting can be found on RENFE’s website.” ). But of course they also sent me cordial greetings.

Today I tried to look at Renfe.com and it gave me a 403 error instead of Renfe. Anyone have any observations? Thanks in advance!

 

[Tincatinker]

Today I tried to look at Renfe.com and it gave me a 403 error instead of Renfe. Anyone have any observations? Thanks in advance!

Try https://www.renfe.com/es/en or change your browser

 

[Texas Walker]

Try https://www.renfe.com/es/en or change your browser

That didn't work, and the old bookmark didn't work, but this did:
https://www.trenes.com/tarjeta-dorada/
Edited to add: The first time I put this in it turned into a hyperlink with pretty formatting, but the web address wasn't visible. I added blank spaces before and after so it would be visible.

 

[OTH86]

I'm coming late to this thread -- took me awhile to find my ticket stub - Oct 13, 2017. Using Tarjeta Dorada, Feve got me from Oviedo to Ferrol for Euro 12.25. BUT - it was confusing getting the ticket - and my Spanish isn't very good. I went to the train station in Oviedo the day before, and they told me I had to buy the ticket on the day I travelled - FROM THE FEVE WINDOW, not RENFE. When I got to the train station at about 06.15 the next morning, the ticket window was not open. Had a CCL and sth to eat, and went back upstairs to the FEVE window. My stub says I got the ticket at 06.53, and I believe the train was scheduled to leave at 07.00. Several people guided me to the right platform just as the train was pulling in, and we left very soon after I got on! Two cars, no food or beverage service, BUT there WAS a nice restroom! LOTS of stops, incredible scenery, sorta slow going -- BUT SO WORTH IT!!
...of course this is almost 3 years on, and CV-19 is in our lives - who knows what experiences await those who want to try it! ¡Buen Viaje!

[Edit} Well, @Jeff Crawley, I wonder if you have gotten to take this trip. I would love to hear how it went!