Answer

Bilbao-Madrid 7am train - can't book on Eurail, RailEurope or Renfe websites with Eurail pass

Forum|Forum|5 months ago
July 4, 2025
4 replies
58 views

T

travelsseat
Right on track

Hi,

I have a Eurail mobile pass and I’m trying to book train ALV 4186 (Bilbao-Abando to Madrid-Chamartín, 7:00 AM).

However, it’s not available to book at all on the Eurail, RailEurope or Renfe websites:

Eurail - ‘no price results were found...’

RailEurope - the 7am service doesn’t appear at all

Renfe website - error message saying in Spanish, ‘THIS TRAIN IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THIS TIME. WE APOLOGIZE FOR THE INCONVENIENCE.’

I only want this 7am direct train as the other trains are inconvenient with changes, or arrive too late in the evening (10pm!)

Thanks!

Best answer by ralderton

Renfe is a bit of a law unto itself in terms of putting trains on sale.

The same message appears for that train for much of August, but it’s currently on sale up to the 6th.

I would keep checking with Renfe to see if they put it back on sale (start by checking for the second week in August), but also come up with a Plan B just in case they don’t.

You could also look at getting a bus to Valladolid or Miranda de Ebro (at your own cost) then picking up a train from there. Bus timetables at alsa.com

+8

ralderton
Railmaster
Answer
Forum|Forum|5 months ago
July 4, 2025

Renfe is a bit of a law unto itself in terms of putting trains on sale.

The same message appears for that train for much of August, but it’s currently on sale up to the 6th.

I would keep checking with Renfe to see if they put it back on sale (start by checking for the second week in August), but also come up with a Plan B just in case they don’t.

You could also look at getting a bus to Valladolid or Miranda de Ebro (at your own cost) then picking up a train from there. Bus timetables at alsa.com

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T

travelsseat
Author
Right on track
Forum|Forum|5 months ago
July 4, 2025

thanks ralderton!

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R

+10

rvdborgt
Railmaster
Forum|Forum|5 months ago
July 4, 2025

Renfe have published a timetable to the European Timetable Centre and that's what DB, Eurail and others use. If reservations then can't be booked, Eurail will show the standard message you see.

However, as long as the train can't be booked, Renfe themselves either don't show it at all, or with a notice you've seen, that it's currently not open for reservations. Rail Europe doesn't show such trains at all.

Please ask questions in the community and not via a private message. That's the quickest way to get a response. I don't work for Eurail/Interrail.

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