RENFE tickets online

[Monkey Magic]

Quick question. I need to go from Barcelona to Girona in a few days time. I have the option of buying the tickets online. My question is - are the tickets similar to advanced tickets in the UK where you have to get a specific train.

The train trip is the same day as we fly in so I don't want to get tickets, get delayed on the flight, miss the train and have to buy a new set of tickets.

 

[30907]

As usual, detailed info on Spain is here.
http://www.seat61.com/Spain-trains.htm#Spain_by_train,_in_a_nutshell

Most trains require a reservation, except the Cercanias regional trains (which would be tedious for the whole journey IMO, but cheapest).

A quick look at www.renfe.com for Barcelona to Girona in a week's time suggests that on the Avant services there is only one fare level, so theres no advantage in prebooking.

Others on here are more experienced - I've not travelled from the airport myself.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Quick question. I need to go from Barcelona to Girona in a few days time. I have the option of buying the tickets online. My question is - are the tickets similar to advanced tickets in the UK where you have to get a specific train.
The train trip is the same day as we fly in so I don't want to get tickets, get delayed on the flight, miss the train and have to buy a new set of tickets.

You have to specify a train (there are several types on this route at different fares), and this is indicated on the e-ticket.
However the flexible tickets are changeable, unlike the Promo fares which aren't, much like GB Advances.
The fares I can see are €16.20 for an Avant service, €31 for AVE, and €8.40 on a local, all flexible.
Not many Promo/Advances.

 

[Monkey Magic]

Thanks. I'm assuming that once we get to Sants that we can buy a ticket for a train (even if it is more expensive).

Although we are only travelling with hand luggage, I've no idea how long it'll take to clear customs or to get the train from the airport to Sants. I don't want to book a train and find we have a 2 hour wait, or alternative find we've missed it by 45 mins.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Thanks. I'm assuming that once we get to Sants that we can buy a ticket for a train (even if it is more expensive).

If it isn't full, yes. If you're willing to pay the flexible fare, you might do well to book a later one and attempt to change to earlier on arrival?

 

[Monkey Magic]

Thanks. I'll look into that.

 

[30907]

Or just use the Rodalies R2 and R11 (Catalan for Cercanias, my mistake earlier) for €9.85 from the airport, changing at Sants. But it does take 2 hours.

 

[Monkey Magic]

They've just let us know that there is a huge strike planned for the 11th. Which will make getting back from Girona interesting.

And apparently half of Girona is off limits as they are film game of thrones there...

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

They've just let us know that there is a huge strike planned for the 11th. Which will make getting back from Girona interesting.

Is this all of Spain or just in Catalunya?
I will be trying to get from Salamanca to Madrid (for a flight home) on that day!
I can't see anything on the RENFE site.

 

[Monkey Magic]

This is the info they gave us:

(September 11th) is a public holiday in Catalonia (Diada Nacional de Catalunya). Everything will be closed, except restaurants and bars. There will be a big demonstration in Barcelona that could make it difficult to travel there, especially in the afternoon. In addition to this, a rail strike has been announced, so public transport to Barcelona would be a bit limited.

So it may just be Catalonia.

Apparently Girona is also a nightmare because half the city is closed as they are filming Game of Thrones there.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Thanks. Hoping for the best...