Most inexpensive way to buy train tickets in Spain?

[Anonymous]

For 2 adults and 2 kids traveling internally in the country

[Anonymous]

Spain is developing a great train system operationally, but their booking systems aren't as good as the French and Italians yet. Good descriptions of your options here. Personally I'd start with Renfe, the national train company first, but if you run into the issues described here, I'd go with thetrainline.com, have used them in the past with no issues, and just a minor markup.

https://www.seat61.com/train-travel-in-spain.htm#How_to_buy_train_tickets_for_Spain

[Anonymous]

OP, are you looking for something like a 7 day pass, just to get from point A to point B once or metro within a city like Barcelona and Madrid? What ages are the kids? In general, European train systems are pretty easy to navigate but it seems intimidating I know!

[Anonymous]

Thanks PP! I am trying thetrainline.com but my tickets don't seem to be going through; any trick to this website? Or did you book through the app?

[Anonymous]

I would book directly through the company running the trains, e.g. if you are taking Ave from Madrid to Seville, buy directly on Renfe's website: https://www.renfe.com/es/en

Renfe's website sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. If it doesn't work, keep trying. Also kids go half fare on Renfe until the age of 12 (I think) so definitely indicate it's a kid's fare for the discount

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would book directly through the company running the trains, e.g. if you are taking Ave from Madrid to Seville, buy directly on Renfe's website: https://www.renfe.com/es/en

Renfe's website sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. If it doesn't work, keep trying. Also kids go half fare on Renfe until the age of 12 (I think) so definitely indicate it's a kid's fare for the discount

I was wrong, it's a 40% discount for child fares (under 14) https://www.renfe.com/es/en/suburban/suburban-madrid/fares/discounts/children-and-young-people

Also, Renfe has started charging for you to pick your seat assignment (UGH) but I never pay and have always been seated with all parties on my booking (although if you really want to sit in the direction of travel for motion sickness, maybe it's worth paying to select that option)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks PP! I am trying thetrainline.com but my tickets don't seem to be going through; any trick to this website? Or did you book through the app?

Used the website, but that was a few years ago, had no issues. What is the route you are booking? Is it for the summer? The full schedule may not be available yet- often the European train companies don't publish schedules or allow actual bookings more than 90 or 120 days out.

[Anonymous]

We booked through renfe as well. It was easy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We booked through renfe as well. It was easy.

+1. Booked directly through Renfe and found some good family deals. Train tickets were cheap compared to US.

[Anonymous]

We booked with Oui Go and no issues and very affordable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks PP! I am trying thetrainline.com but my tickets don't seem to be going through; any trick to this website? Or did you book through the app?

Is your credit card company blocking your purchase? Sometimes we have problems buying train tickets for France from abroad?