Malaga to London Jan 23rd 2016

[Requeststop]

I'm being taken to Malaga for a week towards the end of January. Can I ask advice about travelling by train to London. It's not often I'm on mainland Europe in face it's over twenty years since I set foot there.

I'm looking for a one way journey only on 23rd January as we fly to Malaga. Which is the best route. Is it possible to use sleepers or an overnight stay in a hotel somewhere.

Can you recommend a good on-line site for me to book, or would booking when in Malaga better?

 

[burns20]

If you require any help booking this and understanding all the options available please contact me at:

Enquiries@railadventurestravel.org.uk

Regards

Daniel King
Rail Adventures Travel

 

[30907]

Start by reading Seat61's advice.
http://www.seat61.com/Spain.htm#London-to-Malaga-and-Seville.

Bear in mind that the direct Spain to Paris sleepers no longer run, and the French have only couchettes not sleepers on their remaining overnight trains (there's one from Cerbère on the coast and one from Latour de Carol in the Pyrenees; the latter is spectacular, but a lot of it will be after dark). Fine if that's your thing, but an overnight stop in somewhere like Perpignan or Narbonne might get you more sleep.

Then go to www.loco2.com to book the tickets. Looking at their site just now, they can't find a fare, which probably means that one of the Spanish trains isn't open for bookings yet (which is sadly not unusual).

To get the best fares, it's worth booking in advance.

 

[Soyyo]

The fastest way is to catch the AVE from Malaga Maria Zambrano to Barcelona Sants. There are two through services per day.

Change there to the AVE or TGV to Paris. There are now through services available. Finally the Eurostar from Paris to London.

Best to book in advance to get cheaper fares. If you are over 60 invest 6 euro in the Spanish "Tarjeta Dorada" to get 25 per cent off the first leg.

 

[Requeststop]

Thanks for the replies. I'll do my best with the advice.

Soyyo, are you advising that I book in Malaga? Is it possible to get the Tarjeta Dorada on line, bearing in mind that I am resident in Thailand right now? Is there a website you can advise?

 

[Soyyo]

Thanks for the replies. I'll do my best with the advice.

Soyyo, are you advising that I book in Malaga? Is it possible to get the Tarjeta Dorada on line, bearing in mind that I am resident in Thailand right now? Is there a website you can advise?

Sorry, I didn't twig that you are in Thailand.

I don't know for sure, but believe you can only buy the Tarjeta Dorada at a station. You need your passport for proof of age. In any case, I since realised that it only gives 25% off FULL fares, not off promos. And there are promos Malaga to Barcelona on your chosen date.

I would use loco2.com that someone else mentioned, or just buy off renfe web site. There are currently promo fares of 45.50 pounds sterling on either Malaga-Barcelona train on your selected date on loco2 for example. This fare is unlikely to be available nearer the time as the promo fares tend to sell out.

You need to book separately BCN-PARIS or London.

Hope this helps.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Soyyo, are you advising that I book in Malaga? Is it possible to get the Tarjeta Dorada on line, bearing in mind that I am resident in Thailand right now? Is there a website you can advise?

You can get a Tarjeta Dorada by email from Spanish Railways in London (an A4 sheet, just like an e-ticket). http://www.spanish-rail.co.uk/train-promotions-111.html
You will need to call/email them with your passport details, and they will email you a Tarjeta Dorada for €10 on a credit card (ie €6 plus €4 service charge). Valid for 12 months.
With that you can book on-line with Renfe (you need the number on your Tarjeta Dorada to book the discounted fare). http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/index.html
The discount (not on Promo Advance fares) is 40% on standard fares Mon-Thur, or 25% on Fri-Sun.
I had no trouble booking e-tickets this way.
Not necessarily cheaper than Promo Advance fares, but they are changeable.

You may find discounted Senior fares on SNCF but I think they only apply to domestic routes in France.
I usually plan using the French version of the site, as you are then sure of getting the proper fares in euros and not in pounds at some adverse exchange rate. http://www.voyages-sncf.com/