Renfe AVE prices drop to 11% in February, 2013

Renfe has launched an operation to promote and encourage the use of the High-Speed Rail AVE, with discounts of up to 70% in certain routes and days of the week. Additionally, there will be a general reduction of 11% on Tourist Fares and the possibility of purchasing vouchers valid for 10 trips with savings of up to 30%. And for holders of “Carnet Joven” (for those not older than 26), the discounts are even greater.

Renfe also introduced the concept “Promo,” very similar to that used by airlines, which basically offers lower prices on tickets purchased well in advance.

The company announced the news this January. They said they expect these discounts will allow a greater number of people to use the High Speed ​​services. The new rates will be effective beginning February 8, 2013.

The changes, I believe, are just for AVE, not AVANT. But no worries; AVANT trains are way more affordable.

I ♥ it! 🙂 

This is great news for citizens and tourists alike. The tourist fare for a one-way ticket from Madrid to Seville is normally around 84€ (there’s always a 20% discount on the return ticket, and now up to 40%). For frequent travelers with an average income, that’s a crazy price to pay.  Someone said that about 60% of citizens of Spain have never taken the AVE because of their inflated rates. With the economy being a mess in Spain in recent years, they just couldn’t afford the luxury. But hopefully now this will change the game. It’s a win-win situation.

(What Renfe has to do now is introduce a way for international credit cards to work on their website. I have faith they can do it! If anyone has ever tried using a credit or debit card from a non-Spanish bank to purchase tickets online, you know what I mean.)