Spain Eurail Pass - Rail Plus Australia

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1. "lovely comfortable trains"

Carmen
(Zillmere, QLD)

Recommend:
Overall rating:

Value for money: 4/5
Ease of use: 5/5
Suitability: 5/5

The only downside was that we had to physcially go to the main rail station where the train departs from in each city - not always easy. The trains were great, quiet and extremely comfortable. Time went by very quickly, would recommend learning Spanish because movies on train are all in Spanish

2. "Seemed easy to use and quicker than buses"

Scott
(Redland Bay, QLD)

Recommend:
Overall rating:

Value for money: 4/5
Ease of use: 5/5
Suitability: 5/5

Not sure how much save as not clear

3. "good"

Han-Seung
(Dunedin)

Recommend:
Overall rating:

Value for money: 5/5
Ease of use: 5/5
Suitability: 5/5

4. "I have used it many times before, and will use it again. It is good!"

Renate
(Levin)

Recommend:
Overall rating:

Value for money: 4/5
Ease of use: 5/5
Suitability: 5/5

One thing that I would like to recommend to any railpass users, BOOK your seat in specific trains as early as possible (at least several days or a week before). This is crucial for the less frequent and longer distance trains. In the past we had no problems, but in Spain (Atocha) we had to queue two unnerving HOURS without even knowing if we would be served before the train's departure. Luckily we got in seconds before it left. Missing it would have have turned our tightly scheduled holiday upside down. The problem is not the train itself, there were plenty of places available, but one was not allowed to board without a seat reservation (and in Spain they can be expensive for first class). When travelling, web access might be limited and in Spain the queueing/booking system at railway stations is awkward to say the least.

Moderator: "Rail Plus can book Spanish trains 60 days prior to their departure"

5. "Great way to travel"

Anne
(Brunswick East, VIC)

Recommend:
Overall rating:

Value for money: 4/5
Ease of use: 5/5
Suitability: 5/5

6. "Very good."

Jaime
(Macquarie Park, NSW)

Recommend:
Overall rating:

Value for money: 5/5
Ease of use: 5/5
Suitability: 5/5

7. "Mixed feelings"

Jo
(Warringah Mall, NSW)

Recommend:
Overall rating:

Value for money: 3/5
Ease of use: 4/5
Suitability: 3/5

Exploring Spanish cities by train seemed a good idea during the planning stages, but the on the "track" experiences lead me to consider a rental car next time - although, for solo travellers the train may still be the cheaper option... One of the annoying issues is the fact that one needs additional (and costly) reservations for most trains and the information available online (at least in English) about this is basically non-existant and info supplied by Railplus has been incorrect (I needed to buy additional supplements in-country) or disadvantaging (e.g. I was sold a seat reservation on a fast train for 23.50 Euros for the 43 minute train ride between Cadiz and Jerez, when there was a local train option without any extra cost whatsoever and only 7 minutes slower). Another issue is the lack of luggage lockers at train stations (e.g. Jerez, Salamanca, Valladolid, Burgos, ...) - this makes it impossible to break one's train ride for a few hours to explore a city and then move on the same day. Again this info is not available when planning the trip and one gets stuck en route and has to reshuffle one's itinerary. Given the first issue with the reservations this is not always easy and definitely very costly, as one does not get any refund for unused reservations. Thirdly, one reason for train travel is the city-centre to city-centre transport - well, not in Spain! In some places the station is out in the woods and if one is not keen on a power march with all the gear then up to 10 Euros are due for a taxi ride. Lastly, tall people (I'm 6'6") really need the first class carriages, as "turista" is obviously built for tiny Spaniards. Despite all this, I still enjoyed Spain and the flexibility of using selective dates within a 2 months period for the train rides is better than paying rental and parking fees for a small car each day while exploring castles and cathedrals, esp. for places like Barcelona, Madrid, Cordoba, Granada, Sevilla and Cadiz.

8. "Local Rail Network - Point to Point Ticket"

Rebecca
(heidelberg, VIC)

Recommend: Dont recommend
Overall rating:

Value for money: 1/5
Ease of use: 3/5
Suitability: 5/5

While doing Busabout around Europe a friend and I decided to try out the local rail network. We caught the overnight train to save time, this was the most horrific experience in my life. We caught cattle class with the locals on there way to Pamplona, our 2nd class cabin was packed to the rafters with smoke so thick you couldn't see 2 inches in front of you. I sat bolt upright for the entire journey, I never closed my eyes, but somehow seemed to loose my friend. I found her just as we were pulling into Barcelona, she had become train sick half way through the night and slept the rest of the trip sleeping on the bathroom floor. Next time I caught the train I went first class sleeper cabin...

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