| Remove ads on the forum by becoming a donating member. More here. |
|---|
Thanks for your input! Building confidence into our plan
It depends on the type of ticket you purchase. The cheapest tickets will be non-refundable and non-changeable.
I have taken the train and have flown. On the train most of the seats face each other and being 6'2'" (1.89) I found the train uncomfortable. I have found the prices of my flights from Santiago to Madrid to be about the same as the train. In once it was far cheaper to fly. If you are leaving the same day from Madrid you are already at the airport and have no need to worry. You get the added treat of walking from a domestic flight to an international flight (If you are flying internationally that is). That walk is a camino in itself!
Faye and others, we are planning to take the train from Santiago to Madrid on April 5 to catch a flight on April 6. Do you know if it is important to reserve tickets in advance and if so, how far in advance? Thanks!
I don't know for sure.
Not sure if youre keen on flying but I managed to book a flight from Santiago to Madrid with Ryanair which ended up cheaper than the train. Good luck!
Specifically, No… You can’t use your ticket for other departures! If you have a ticket that can be exchanged or refunded some have time limits ( perhaps 24hr prior to departure) on refunds…so see specifics regarding your ticket.
Are you sure about that? My memory is that each car only had two sets of those “facing each other” seats, with a small table in the middle. The rest were rows of two all facing in the same direction. At least that’s my memory, based on two rides within the past year. But I can’t vouch for my memory these days!
I agree, only the ones with the table face each other. I think it's one table row per train. Renfe also has an option to pre-select your seat.
What you both say may possibly be true. But the first time I took the train I reserved my seat when they still had a travel agent in the Pilgrim office. She bought my ticket and she said she did not have the ability to pick a seat for me. I believe that was in 2015. In 2017 I bought my ticket at the station and didn't even think about asking (dumb me) about seating. But both times only a few seats in the car I was in did not face the other passengers. Either way I would still much rather fly.
Que? You are making a train connection in the same railway station. If you are concerned as to a change of platform at Ourense 12 minutes is plenty of time. My recollection is that both trains are served by the same platform but you will have to sprint if you want a coffee 'cos the buffet is on the opposite side.
Thanks for your reply! I am not a fast walker, and even trains in the same station can be challenging for me. This was so confusing to me, but it seems it will work out in the end. I sent an email to the Tourism Office in Ourense, and they said, "Yes, do not worry, the train station is small, and 10 minutes is enough to change the train, even if there is at the furthest platform. I am afraid we don't have a map of the train station. But, do not worry, you will not have to hurry to change the train. Bytheway, sometimes it is the same train."
