The Renfe Gold Card: Saving on Train Travel in Spain for Seniors and More
The Renfe Gold Card (Tarjeta Dorada in Spanish) is a discount card offered by Renfe, the national railway company of Spain. It provides significant savings on train travel throughout the country for people who meet the eligibility criteria. Here’s a breakdown of the key information about the Renfe Gold Card:
Eligibility:
- Age: The primary way to qualify for the Renfe Gold Card is to be over 60 years old, so probably retired too.
- Disabilities: People with a permanent disability of 33% or greater can also obtain the card. Additionally, if your disability is 65% or more, you can travel with a companion who receives the same discounts.
- Pensions: Those receiving a Spanish pension, regardless of age, are eligible for the Renfe Gold Card.
Benefits:
- Discounts: The card offers discounts on various Renfe train services, including:
- AVE (High-Speed): 25% discount on any available fare.
- Avant (Mid-Distance High-Speed):
- Monday to Friday: 25% discount.
- Weekends and public holidays: 40% discount.
- Media Distancia (Mid-Distance): 40% discount.
- Cercanías (Commuter): 40% discount.
- Feve (Narrow Gauge): 50% discount.
- Ticket Changes and Cancellations: Tickets purchased with the Renfe Gold Card typically allow changes and cancellations with certain fees depending on the fare type.
Costs and Validity:
- Price: The Renfe Gold Card has a validity period and a corresponding purchase cost:
- 1 Year: €6
- 2 Years: €12
- 3 Years: €15
- Renewal: The card can be renewed online or at ticket offices before its expiry date.
How to Get the Renfe Gold Card:
- Purchase: The Renfe Gold Card can be obtained at any Renfe ticket office or travel agency in Spain. You will need to provide identification and proof of eligibility (e.g., passport, pension documentation, disability certificate).
- Online Renewal: If you already have a Renfe Gold Card, you can renew it online using a credit or debit card ( such as the Wise card )through the Renfe website (available in Spanish).
Renewal Advantages
- You can renew your card: for 1 year (€6), for 2 years (€12) or for 3 years (€15, you save 16% on the original price)
- view / reprint-download PDF / forward passbook
- cancel the card (within 15 days of the renewal date, only for online renewals).
Any Tarjeta Dorada, with the exception of those issued by banks, can be renewed from 90 days before their expiry date. You will be asked to provide your national identity document number and card number and, later, the email address and mobile phone number associated with your card for security reasons.
You can renew the card online using a credit or debit card and Bizum. Once the process is complete, you will receive the Tarjeta Dorada, so you can download it in PDF or Passbook format, as well as confirmation of its renewal by email.
Easier and more convenient, with no need to visit a ticket office or wait in a queue. All at a single click. It’s that simple!
Additional Tips:
- While the Renfe website is primarily in Spanish, some key information might be available in English. You can also try using a translation tool to navigate the Spanish website.
- If you’re planning a train trip in Spain and meet the eligibility criteria, the Renfe Gold Card can be a great way to save money on your journey.
Remember: Fares and discounts might be subject to change, so it’s always a good idea to check the latest information on the Renfe website before your trip: https://www.renfe.com/es/en (Spanish, with some information in English).
Is It For Me?
I’ve heard people ask this question, is it for me or would I ever use it? For the price of a couple of pints out here, it’s a card you can use to get great discounts if you ever fancy going by train somewhere. Compare the rail prices here to the UK prices and notice the differences.
