Alicante to Madrid using FIP help please

[goatie]

hi folks
FIP = railway staff free/priv travel
Mrs wants to go to spain to see a friend from years ago
we live in Donny so easy to fly to Alicante for a break, and have a quick trip to Madrid or maybe couple days in Madrid
just applied for my FIP card, (not had one since mid 70's)
thinking about going in april/may
can anyone give me idea of what I need to do, I'm hopeing to go on free tickets if possible,
looking to go on early train, either 7.40 or 8.40 ish, and if coming back same day around 1930 leaving Madrid
I'm getting on so be easy with me, thanks

 

[mac]

What is FIP card?

There is a bus that takes you from the airport to railway station and city. I did same trip last year booking threw Loco2 can't remember price but very cheap 1st cheaper than 2nd class.

 

[Alfie1014]

FIP coupons aren't much use on Long distance services in Spain as they are sort of globally priced, pretty easy to book FIP at ticket offices though or book advance public fares which are excellent value.

 

[goatie]

can you book at station ticket office the day before using FIP,
sory if these are easy questions,
But as I say I only used FIP once in low counties in mid 70's, when me & mates went on 2day tour (was meant to be a week but it was so cold that November)

 

[Blinder]

can you book at station ticket office the day before using FIP,
sory if these are easy questions,
But as I say I only used FIP once in low counties in mid 70's, when me & mates went on 2day tour (was meant to be a week but it was so cold that November)

FIP fares should be booked in advance and are usually around £10 each way

 

[reb0118]

Whenever I've pre booked for the Spanish high speed network I've been charged 10€ per journey.

e.g. Zaragoza to Barcelona or similar.

That said I had to book at short notice (15 mins.) for Irun to Zaragoza and got that for 6.75€.

If you're flexible then just pop into the booking office at Alicant and ask there.

Top tip. A word of warning. Benidorm is very near Alicant - best stay clear.

Sent from my SM-N910F using Tapatalk

 

[Mag_seven]

What is FIP card?

Its a card that gives (some) railway staff discounted tickets (mostly 50%) on most European railways.

 

[Sir Felix Pole]

A FIP ticket + reservation can be booked at the ticket office up to 5 minutes before departure for all long-distance services, providing seats are available. Seat reservations are compulsory, and strictly enforced, for all RENFE trains apart from local and commuter services. A flat global fare is charged irrespective of distance travelled and depends on the type of train - so faster AVE services are about 10 euros and Alvia are about 6.85 euros in Turista (Standard Class) . This applies even if you have a 'coupon' ticket - this is only of use for non-reservable trains. I would recommend that you pop down to Alicante station the day before to check availability - services are very popular, especially at weekends - and then book a return to Madrid. This will restrict you to a specific service out and back but avoids you having to buy a ticket at Madrid Atocha for the return journey. The queues at the ticket office there are often horrendous and very tiresome - I have missed trains on several occasions after leaving it too late!

 

[theageofthetra]

A FIP ticket + reservation can be booked at the ticket office up to 5 minutes before departure for all long-distance services, providing seats are available. Seat reservations are compulsory, and strictly enforced, for all RENFE trains apart from local and commuter services. A flat global fare is charged irrespective of distance travelled and depends on the type of train - so faster AVE services are about 10 euros and Alvia are about 6.85 euros in Turista (Standard Class) . This applies even if you have a 'coupon' ticket - this is only of use for non-reservable trains. I would recommend that you pop down to Alicante station the day before to check availability - services are very popular, especially at weekends - and then book a return to Madrid. This will restrict you to a specific service out and back but avoids you having to buy a ticket at Madrid Atocha for the return journey. The queues at the ticket office there are often horrendous and very tiresome - I have missed trains on several occasions after leaving it too late!

I agree re Atocha. Hopeless queues get your return elsewhere

 

[goatie]

Thanks for the comments,
its either Alicante or Malaga they are the flights from Doncaster, want to be at the seaside for part of the time we are there
we are only looking at short break 4 or 5 days,