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Madrid - Barcelona Train Trip

Madrid - Barcelona Train Trip

Old Apr 2nd 2003, 8:28 am
  #1  
Soulsurvivor
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Default Madrid - Barcelona Train Trip

Hi,

A group of us, 5 people, plan to take a trip to Barcelona from Madrid
via train in June.
Been doing a bit of research on www.renfe.es . Found night trains
which leave Madrid (Costa Brava, Tren Hotel). Also got the cost of
the trip etc (about 58 Euros first class).

What isnt clear are the sleeping arrangements? Can i book a
compartment for 6 people and how comfortable are they? Also there are
bunk beds, are they individual or in compartments as well. How much
are they?

Also, what is the journey like for scenery etc. Probably wont see
much until about 4.30am when the sun rises!

Any other websites i can get info from?

Thanks for your help and opinions.

Mark
 
Old Apr 2nd 2003, 9:52 am
  #2  
José M. Malo
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Default Re: Madrid - Barcelona Train Trip

"SoulSurvivor" escribió en el mensaje
news:[email protected]...
    > What isnt clear are the sleeping arrangements? Can i book a
    > compartment for 6 people and how comfortable are they? Also there are
    > bunk beds, are they individual or in compartments as well. How much
    > are they?

Explanation on RENFE night trains sleeping arrangements (using RENFE Website
terminology):

- Literas/Bunk Beds: Compartment of six. Can be bought individually and the
travellers will be located according to their gender. Neither washbasin, nor
toilet ensuite. No showers available. People don't use to undress to sleep
there.
- Cama Turista/Tourist Bed: Compartment of four. Can be bought individually
and the travellers will be located according to their gender. Washbasin but
no toilet ensuite. No showers available. Individual courtesy bag with toilet
items (comb, small towel, toothpaste,...). Use of pijamas and other night
suits are common.
- Cama Preferente/First: Compartment of one (Individual/Single) or two
(Doble/Double). The compartment must be booked in full. Washbasin and toilet
ensuite. No showers available. Individual courtesy bag with toilet items
(comb, small towel, toothpaste,...).
- Cama Gran Clase/DeLuxe: Compartment of one (Individual/Single) or two
(Doble/Double). The compartment must be booked in full. Washbasin, toilet
and shower ensuite. Individual courtesy bag with toilet items (comb, small
towel, toothpaste,...).

Not all kinds are available in all trains. Usually, Literas and Cama Turista
are mutually exclusive (the trains carry one or the other, but not both).
All of them meet the comfort standards one can expect in a First World train
company. Said that, comfort is something so subjective that I only can say
that *to me* Cama Turista is the best choice in price/quality, but if it
were not available in the actual train I take, I would choose Literas.

    > Also, what is the journey like for scenery etc. Probably wont see
    > much until about 4.30am when the sun rises!

Sun rises in Spain much later than in other European countries. Remember
that, despite of being in the most-western end of continental Europe, we
have the same official time zone than Germany, for instance. It means that,
when in Berlin it's 4:30am amd sun is rising, there are 80 to 120 minutes
left or so to happen the same in Spain and the official time is 4:30am too.
So, forget about the landscape, you won't reach to see any until you are too
close to Madrid (plants, buildings, roads, etc.). Anyway, you are not losing
huge, because IMHO, the landscape between Barcelona and Madrid is not
particularly scenic.
 
Old Apr 2nd 2003, 10:06 am
  #3  
Phil Richards
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Default Re: Madrid - Barcelona Train Trip

On 2 Apr 2003 01:28:36 -0800 SoulSurvivor said...

    > What isnt clear are the sleeping arrangements? Can i book a
    > compartment for 6 people and how comfortable are they? Also there are
    > bunk beds, are they individual or in compartments as well. How much
    > are they?

The Tren Hotel will have sleepers - in T4 (4 per compartment), double and
single format. I guess that won't be suitable in your case unless you
don't mind splitting up.

The other train "Costa Brava" has 6 berth couchettes, not as comfortable
as sleepers but adequate. If you want all six berths to yourselves (i.e.
no stranger in with you) you'll have to pay for 6 tickets or take a
chance. The same train will have T3 (3 per compartment) and again double
& single sleepers.

    > Also, what is the journey like for scenery etc. Probably wont see
    > much until about 4.30am when the sun rises!

Quite rugged scenery, Spain offers some interesting rides by rain. I've
always enjoyed travelling long distance by train in Spain during the day
for that reason and personally if you have the time (it takes 7 hours by
day) I'd go for that option.

--
Phil Richards
London, N4
 

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