A little over a month ago, I had an appointment at the Hungarian Embassy in Madrid to do some paperwork. Everything went well, and by now they already sent me the documents by mail. But let me tell you, I wanted to go and pick them up in person because the high-speed train journey to Madrid is always a pleasant experience, but the embassy said that it wasn't necessary and that it would be easier for them to send the documents to me. Well, that is true but they don't know how much I love the rails and flying trains. 😁
It would take me almost five hours by car to get there, and by high-speed train, you can get there in two and a half hours! Of course, if I go alone, this is a much better option, there's no doubt about that. From an economic point of view too. Admittedly, last year when I went, I paid quite a lot, but I was paid by the organizer of the concert I went to. Also, at that time I didn't even know that it would be possible to find such a cheap option for the same (or almost the same) service. Instead of 160€ for a return ticket if I had travelled with the most famous Spanish carrier Renfe, this time my ticket cost 34€ (also a return ticket) with another company. Today we will find out what this cheaper option is and what the differences are compared to the expensive ride.
To travel from Alicante to Madrid, you can choose from a few high-speed trains. The companies that offer their services are Renfe, AVLO, and OUIGO. The most striking difference is the price. You can catch almost every hour a Renfe train to Madrid; fewer times OUIGO, but luckily, I needed exactly the time that this company offered. I think that is what made me spot this option and in the end, choose it.
It was still so dark when I passed the control and arrived at the platform. My train was scheduled for 07:53, with the arrival time at 10:23 at the Chamartín train station in Madrid. Just perfect, as I could walk to the Hungarian Embassy without any rush.
Left or right? Which one to choose? Of course, the one I have the ticket for! :D
Let's go, the motto of OUIGO, so indeed, let's go, let's enter this coach.
My ticket. You can see that it was coach number 7, the number of my seat was 6E and that I was on Tierra (land). That is one of the biggest differences between Renfe and UOIGO that the wagons of the latter have two floors. When I was coming back in the afternoon, I had my seat in the "sky" part.
Because of this feature, having two floors and also a somewhat smaller space when it comes to seats, these trains can have approximately 590 seats per train, and from here comes the difference in price. They can carry more passengers and therefore be more competitive in price compared to other companies.
Another difference is that the train I travelled with last year (Renfe) had catering and bar service on board. It was super easy and comfortable to buy my coffee without moving from my seat. This time, if I wanted a cup of coffee or some snack, I would have to go to a different wagon, to the cafeteria car.
Some small differences that can be noticed, but for that difference in price, would you opt for the more expensive company or the cheaper one? The time you need to get to Madrid is the same!
Speaking about speed, all of them can "fly" at a similar speed, around 300km per hour.
When I finished the work I had in Madrid and made a little stroll, it was time to go to the Chamartín train station and catch my train back to Alicante. This station has already been under maintenance work for some years... it is still a mess, so many passengers are waiting in the same hall but let's hope they will finish it one day.
While waiting for my train, I could charge my phone as did so many other passengers. Taking care of which one is my cable and phone. 😂
Some 10 minutes before the train was scheduled, the board showed the number of the gate and the platform. There was my flying train waiting for its passengers.
I noticed the differences in comfort and cosiness, but all in all, it was not a thing that would make me choose differently the next time I have to travel to Madrid. And when it will be...? I just need to find an excuse and that's it. 😁
I definitely choose the cheapest tariff!!!! I have no problem with it being less comfort and stuff... fast and cheap, yes! I loved the way you explained it, it might come in handy in the future... you never know!😃
These are high-speed trains from your city to Madrid, would be great to travel one day on train to the capital in flying speed, right? But I am checking now, those are the more expensive tickets, para mañana encontré a las 7:33, a Madrid llegas a las 10:35, cuesta ciento veinte euros solo ida jajajaja, bueno, los hay de cincuenta, sesenta, setenta euros también, pero parece que sería mejor salir desde Alicante entonces :)
Wooow I find it a mess because I'm not used to it, ... let's make it the cheapest one hahaha
I loved traveling by train in Spain. There are some cool trains with a lot of comfort. Even the cheaper ones are fine.
We did Madrid embassy also by train from Malaga a few years ago… to think about it, wow… is it already that long ago. Hahaha time flies.
!PIZZA
Yes, time flies quickly, like these trains haha. I remember when you went to Madrid by AVE, also for some paperwork 😉
It does hahaha especially for those trains.
Yep… also paperwork. It seems to never stop. I should stop moving 🤣🤣 !LOL
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That's great cheaper price traveling means double travel jjjjaj I would loved try this train 🥺🤣
Gracias por enseñarnos señorita mi piano de los trenes jjjajaj
Señorita de los trenes jaja, ojalá tenga un tren directo desde la ciudad donde vivo ahora hasta el municipio donde todavía trabajo... es mucho conducir y en tren sería descansar o estar más tiempo en Hive 😂
No tienes metro ?
No, es que me mudé señor Puma sin caimanes. Ahora voy casi 100 km a dar las clases, y luego lo mismo a volver a casa por la noche. Es un periodo de transición y bajar poco a poco los días que voy hasta que encuentren otra teacher y yo empiezo a tener alumnos en nuevo lugar.
Ah bueno, menos mal que es temporal esos viajes largos son muy tediosos
Puma sin caimanes - jajajajajajajajajaja!!!!
I love railways. I have done ever since I was a little boy but these days, I find the whole experience a little soulless. The architecture, the experience, the trains themselves. It's still a wonderful way to travel though. You can enjoy the ride, get some work done or use it as leisure time.
The pricing is also a nonsense too. I cant understand why anyone wouldnt simply pick the cheapest option. You'll still get there in roughly the same time and still get a coffee on the way. Dynamic pricing is everywhere, the cost all depends on timing!
Hope youre having a great week and best wishes :-)
When I was studying, we used to travel by train and back in time the trains were a different matter hahaha. Well, truth be said, in the country where I lived they used to break a lot, many times they were delayed or cancelled, you had no comfort and smoking was allowed in the cars. Despite all of that, it is still in my memory as adventure :)
Yes, the week is going pretty well, thank you ;) and I also wish you the same and a splendid upcoming weekend! 🌞
It was not only a cheaper option but equally fun and exciting. I've traveled by rail only once, not a flying train though, and it wasn't a pleasant experience. I hope the next time I do, will be much better.
Oh, I hope you can have a better experience next time and a pleasant ride. Travelling by train can be a real fun! ;)
I hope so too. I was actually expecting it to be fun but
I'll choose the cheapest one, what I really need is, it can bring me to the place I have to go to, so I'll definitely go with the cheapest. But its cool that you have choices in there. And the word "flying" made me want to go there just to experience them. Lolol
Yes, that is the purpose - to arrive at a place on time. Hahah, flying, I used the word as here in Spain, they say AVE (Alta Velocidad Española - Spanish High Speed), and the same word ave means bird. So, that is why I call it flying, like with a bird ;)
No me importa ir a comprar café en otro vagón, puedo mandar a mi marido mientras yo me quedó con Olivia esperando jajaja. Definitivamente elijo la tarifa barata jaja
Jajaja, buen plan :D
A Olivia también le gustará ir en tren 😇
I wish we had trains that could fly like these in America. Its sounds like a lot of fun flying on the rails.I would defintely take the lighter bill and get a little less luxury. One can pack snacks and bring a coffee mug, right?
Of course, I had my sandwich and water with me in my backpack haha, you are allowed to have your own food. What you can't carry are items like knives or scissors, there is a luggage control like in airports. So, don't try to bring food you need to cut with a knife haha
I can totally relate to your love for trains—there's something magical about the journey itself, especially when it's as smooth and fast as a high-speed ride! 😊 It's great to hear you found a more affordable option this time, but it's funny how those little differences—like the café or the two floors—make each experience unique. I think I'd also prefer the faster, more budget-friendly option for the same speed and comfort.
It is quick and comfy to travel by trains, you don't really feel the distance that you would have to make with a car, so it is a cool option indeed. :)
The only time I have taken a cheap high-speed train was an Avlo and the experience was very good. I only noticed the difference because the seats were a little narrower. I don't remember if they had a cafeteria waggon or self-service machines because I didn't need them, hehe. You got very good price for your tickets.
Yeah, it is basically the same, but more affordable 😉 and we can survive without a cup of coffee or tea served to us. Well, speaking about coffee, I will go and search for some now 😂
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I havent seen or entered a flying train like this the one I've entered is the normal. This one looks like plane and I bet it will be very fast too
Yes, it is fast, 300 km/hour
Wow. I can see that
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