Train from SdC to Madrid

[Jan Jones]

Just a heads up that Renfe have released tickets for June for the fast trains from SdC to Madrid today.

 

[walkingman06]

Thanks for the heads up! Ticket bought.

 

[Kathy F.]

I'll need it for June. Do I get it now? Do I have to join a Renfe club or something?

 

[Jan Jones]

I'll need it for June. Do I get it now? Do I have to join a Renfe club or something?

in an earlier thread ‘High Speed train Santiago to Madrid’. there was discussion about the faster trains being booked out ahead in the busy times . Generally the earlier you book the cheaper the journey but I’m not sure about this route in June.
You can go to the RENFE website, they do have an app in English but if you read the earlier thread it seems a little difficult to use unless you have PayPal. You can book with booking sites such as Europe Rail for a small fee, apparently their site is easier to use. Have a look at the discussion on that thread .

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I always use Trainline to book my tickets; very simple website to use in English and using a credit card is no problem. I don't mind paying a few dollars more because it is a real convenience and worth it to me.

 

[Sheesh]

I'll need it for June. Do I get it now? Do I have to join a Renfe club or something?

As others have mentioned, it is always cheaper if the ticket is purchased further in advance. I've found PayPal works great on the Renfe site. N American credit cards not so much.

You can also download the Renfe app. Some classes of tickets can be cancelled (thru the app) up to 5 minutes before the train departs. There is a small penalty incurred if you cancel, but I have no direct experience with the process - I've never had to utilize it. I don't know if the third party websites have the same proviso for cancellation. Anyone know?

 

[GraemeHall]

I don't have PayPal any longer, but I have never had any problem using credit cards on the Renfe app.

 

[crhutch]

in an earlier thread ‘High Speed train Santiago to Madrid’. there was discussion about the faster trains being booked out ahead in the busy times . Generally the earlier you book the cheaper the journey but I’m not sure about this route in June.
You can go to the RENFE website, they do have an app in English but if you read the earlier thread it seems a little difficult to use unless you have PayPal. You can book with booking sites such as Europe Rail for a small fee, apparently their site is easier to use. Have a look at the discussion on that thread .

You can also use Trainline. No issue’s with USA credit cards.

 

[J Willhaus]

We use trainline as well. The June tickets are plentiful for now. We're waiting for the July release though.

 

[Jan Jones]

We use trainline as well. The June tickets are plentiful for now. We're waiting for the July release though.

I was checking daily- June only released yesterday. The alert from Rail Europe came through just after I booked on Renfe so it is probably worth settling up .

 

[J Willhaus]

I was checking daily- June only released yesterday. The alert from Rail Europe came through just after I booked on Renfe so it is probably worth settling up .

Yes. I am also checking daily. I could see the routes and times for several days before they were available for purchase though.

 

[J Willhaus]

As others have mentioned, it is always cheaper if the ticket is purchased further in advance. I've found PayPal works great on the Renfe site. N American credit cards not so much.

You can also download the Renfe app. Some classes of tickets can be cancelled (thru the app) up to 5 minutes before the train departs. There is a small penalty incurred if you cancel, but I have no direct experience with the process - I've never had to utilize it. I don't know if the third party websites have the same proviso for cancellation. Anyone know?

At least the trainline app has the cancellation option depending on which ticket you purchase. Don't know about the other services.

 

[Jan Jones]

Yes. I am also checking daily. I could see the routes and times for several days before they were available for purchase though.

Yes , initially it says no trains available, then trains full, then “bingo” up they pop. It’s torture for control freaks like me.

 

[Jan Jones]

At least the trainline app has the cancellation option depending on which ticket you purchase. Don't know about the other services.

Yes the Renfe site has the cancellation and change option .

 

[J Willhaus]

Yes , initially it says no trains available, then trains full, then “bingo” up they pop. It’s torture for control freaks like me.

I've done this enough now not to worry too much, but our very first train trip in 2019 in Spain we tried to buy tickets upon arrival in Madrid at the Renfe ticket counter at T4 and found seats to Santiago almost booked up. We had to wait until late that day and then sit in 2 different cars.. Another time in 2018 we couldn't get tickets at all over a holiday and had to rent a car for our Hospitalero time in Zamora in order to make it to our return flight. It depends on when you are traveling and how much flexibility you have in your schedule.

 

[DwainS]

I always use Trainline to book my tickets; very simple website to use in English and using a credit card is no problem. I don't mind paying a few dollars more because it is a real convenience and worth it to me.

I used Trainline to buy train ticket Madrid to Pamplona a couple weeks ago for May 16. Super easy and quick and has a phone app to keep track of ticket. Going to purchase Santiago to Madrid in the couple of days.

 

[henrythedog]

Trainline; as well as having the same cancellation options as RENFE-direct also now passes through your email to RENFE such that you get notification of delays and cancellations.

I’ve used the cancellation option through Trainline (and ALSA - which has a very straightforward app) and had a refund within minutes.

 

[Janetlawson]

Just a heads up that Renfe have released tickets for June for the fast trains from SdC to Madrid today.

Do you know how long the trip takes and cost? Thanks

 

[J Willhaus]

On Trainline and Renfe apps, it will tell you the "details" such as time, stops, and transfers you need to make.

 

[J Willhaus]

Different times have different costs due popularity and time of day. Mine shows my discount for my "old person" discount card, too.

 

[J Willhaus]

3 hours 20 minutes on the fast train. Cost varies. Cheapest for me is about 15 euros up to 40 euros or more depending on day, time, seat class.

 

[henrythedog]

"old person"

I’m sure you’ll find that you’re actually ‘golden’; as we all think you are.

 

[Jan Jones]

Do you know how long the trip takes and cost? Thanks

SdC to Madrid early June is costing me €68 and takes 3 hours 22.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

SdC to Madrid early June is costing me €68 and takes 3 hours 22.

I paid $56 for the high speed train from Santiago to Madrid in late May booked ten weeks in advance.

 

[Jan Jones]

I paid $56 for the high speed train from Santiago to Madrid in late May booked ten weeks in advance.

The fares differ vastly depending on when you are travelling and how long before the dates they open the bookings. June bookings only opened last Saturday. I have been checking the site daily since early March and had the RailEurope alert set ( it came through). The fares are set by RENFE . $56 is very cheap . Well done.

 

[J Willhaus]

Yes, I checked for mid month and could take a late train for about 15 euros, but trains in morning ormid-day were much more. I have a Dorada card for sr citizens so get a significant discount off the regular price.

 

[goldie from aus]

I paid $56 for the high speed train from Santiago to Madrid in late May booked ten weeks in advance.

CC can I asked where you purchased the ticket. Searching from Aus shows very high pricing.

 

[Jan Jones]

Yes, I checked for mid month and could take a late train for about 15 euros, but trains in morning ormid-day were much more. I have a Dorada card for sr citizens so get a significant discount off the regular price.

I had researched getting a Dorada card but it seemed that they can only be applied for iinitally in person in Spain. Renewals can be done online so I will definitely get one once I arrive. Is this right J Wihaus?

 

[J Willhaus]

You have to buy it in person at a Renfe station. It lasts a year and I think you have to renew in person. I will report back if you can somehow renew online. We will renew ours this summer while we are there. I bought my first one in late June last year.

 

[Jan Jones]

You have to buy it in person at a Renfe station. It lasts a year and I think you have to renew in person. I will report back if you can somehow renew online. We will renew ours this summer while we are there. I bought my first one in late June last year.

This indicates that you can renew online.

Over-60s

www.renfe.com

 

[Camino Chrissy]

CC can I asked where you purchased the ticket. Searching from Aus shows very high pricing.

I purchased the ticket from Trainline on March 12th, 2023 for a May 23rd departure from Santiago at 10:20am, arrival in Madrid at 13:42pm.
I'm sure there are many variables depending on how early or late you make your booking, the time of year and also the time of day you choose.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

CC can I asked where you purchased the ticket. Searching from Aus shows very high pricing.

Ooops, sorry. My departure is for May 23rd (not March).

 

[goldie from aus]

Ooops, sorry. My departure is for May 23rd (not March).

Thankyou, my Camino start beginning of Oct in SJPP so looking to book to train Madrid to fly home eary Nov.

 

[J Willhaus]

This indicates that you can renew online.

Over-60s

www.renfe.com

Thanks for this. I will try it, but I have never had much luck with Renfe or the App as it has never accepted my US credit card number. I will report back if it works. Otherwise I will renew when we are in Spain this summer. By the way, my Dorata is a little slip of paper and not the sleek credit card shown in the photo.

 

[henrythedog]

Thanks for this. I will try it, but I have never had much luck with Renfe or the App as it has never accepted my US credit card number. I will report back if it works. Otherwise I will renew when we are in Spain this summer. By the way, my Dorata is a little slip of paper and not the sleek credit card shown in the photo.

Try PayPal for the RENFE site.

 

[C clearly]

Searching from Aus shows very high pricing.

Some routes may vary more than others, but I have been watching the route from Madrid to Valencia, over weeks now. The basic price (with Tarjeta Dorada discount) for the specific train I want, have fluctuated from €10 to €75 without any obvious pattern. If you have time, you can look through different days for the range of prices, watch the one you want, and then pounce when the price is good. I bought it at €10 . If the next train goes down to that price, I might buy a ticket for it as well, in case I miss the first one.

 

[Jan Jones]

Some routes may vary more than others, but I have been watching the route from Madrid to Valencia, over weeks now. The basic price (with Tarjeta Dorada discount) for the specific train I want, have fluctuated from €10 to €75 without any obvious pattern. If you have time, you can look through different days for the range of prices, watch the one you want, and then pounce when the price is good. I bought it at €10 . If the next train goes down to that price, I might buy a ticket for it as well, in case I miss the first one.

That’s interesting- I had assumed that prices didn’t go down once the tickets were released - only up, worth knowing .

 

[MARSKA]

How do you sign up for alerts? I'm traveling in Sept and want to purchase tickets as soon as they become available.

 

[J Willhaus]

How do you sign up for alerts? I'm traveling in Sept and want to purchase tickets as soon as they become available.

There may be a way, but I just keep checking back every few days. I use Trainline mainly because it is in English, but there may be a way to set alerts.

 

[Jan Jones]

Rail Europe - if you do a search for a route by date it will offer you the option for alerts.