After living in Madrid for six months, I’ve purchased train tickets at the stations numerous times. From being completely confused at first to now being quite proficient, I’d like to share my experience with you.
Overview of Madrid’s Main Train Stations
Madrid has two major train stations: Atocha and Chamartín. Atocha primarily serves southern routes, such as trains to Seville and Valencia; Chamartín mainly handles northern routes, with departures to Barcelona and Zaragoza leaving from Madrid’s little train. Both stations have many self-service ticket machines as well as staffed counters, though the latter often have long queues.
Self-Service Ticket Machine Purchase Steps
The self-service machines are actually quite user-friendly, with interfaces available in English or Spanish. I typically operate them as follows: first select the language, then click “Comprar billetes,” enter the departure and destination points, and choose the date and time. The system will display available trains and prices. AVE is the high-speed train—fastest but most expensive—while MD and Avant are relatively cheaper options. After selecting your train, you can choose your seat, with options for window, aisle, etc.
| Ticket Type | Average Price | Refund/Change Policy |
|---|
| Promo | Cheapest | Non-refundable/changeable |
| Promo+ | Medium | One change allowed |
| Flexible | Most expensive | Refund/change anytime |
Payment methods include credit and debit cards—I’ve tried both Visa and Mastercard without issues. Note that machines sometimes retain cards, so I recommend keeping your hand on the card after inserting it and only removing it once the transaction is complete. Keep the printed ticket safe, as you’ll need to scan it at the gate before boarding.
Practical Tips
Advance ticket purchase is truly important. Renfe’s promotional tickets are usually available 2-3 months in advance, with prices up to half off or even more, as mentioned in this guide about [trains from Madrid to France]. Once I bought a last-minute ticket to Barcelona for 90 euros, but my friend who purchased a month ahead paid only 35 euros.
If you encounter issues with the self-service machine, such as payment failure or printing problems when traveling [from Madrid airport by train], never repeat the operation—go directly to the nearby Renfe service desk for assistance. Staff can check your transaction records to avoid duplicate charges. Also, weekends and holidays are particularly crowded, so I recommend arriving at the station at least 30 minutes early.
Renfe now also has a mobile APP where you can buy tickets directly and store electronic tickets on your phone without printing. However, I personally still prefer buying at self-service machines as it feels more reliable. You can choose based on your own preference.
