RAIL tickets on Spain's high-speed network costing just €7 and €19 one way are up for grabs from now until Monday (March 8) to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the transport system.
The National Network of Spanish Railways (Red Nacional de Ferrocarriles Españoles), or RENFE, launched in 1941, two years after the end of the Civil War, although its express service is rather more recent.
With the AVE (Spanish High-Speed) network, passengers can reach their destination in as little as a quarter of the time it would take to drive – but this is one of the more expensive services.
For those who want to get from A to B as quickly and cheaply as they can and are not bothered about creature comforts, RENFE has recently launched its no-frills version, the AVLO – although at present, as it is still in its infancy, the only available connection is between Madrid and Barcelona, in either direction.
Starting today (Wednesday) until the beginning of next week, AVLO tickets are on sale from €7 and AVE tickets from €19, for travel at any time between May 10 and December 11.
Prices may vary according to peak and off-peak times, and by destination.
AVLO tickets are €15 for journeys planned for between June 23 and August 31, and €7 for those from September 1 to December 11.
The AVE deal also covers the Alvia, Euromed and Intercity fast-track long-distance services.
Not as generous as the late-January offer – from €5 on the AVLO and €15 on the AVE, during a two-week promotional scheme – the March discounts represent a considerable saving, but would-be travellers will need to act quickly.
During the fortnight-long deal at the end of January, RENFE shifted nearly 525,000 tickets and saw its sales rocket by 600%.
A new 'flash' offer called Mujeres Viajeras ('Travelling Women', or 'Women Travellers') is running parallel with the present discount scheme and gives groups of between four and nine people – of either sex – up to 50% off tickets to any national destination served by the network, for journeys taken in August and September, provided purchases are made before International Women's Day on March 8.
All ticket offers are available through the usual channels – travel agencies, the post office, station box offices, by telephone, or on the websites Renfe.com and Avlorenfe.com.
