Rails and bus trips in Southern Spain

Hi Donna,

The price of bus and train tickets in Spain is low enough that a Flexipass doesn't usually pay for itself. If you are traveling with at least one person, I might suggest renting a car for at least part of the journey....a few years ago we did Madrid->Barcelona->Granada->Sevilla by train, then rented a car for several days to see the Pueblos Blancos [small whitewashed villages in Andalucia]. There were no train routes and very minimal bus routes through those areas, so the car really came in handy.

We travelled in Spain for 7 weeks in 2005 and went in southern Spain without trouble, utilizing bus and trains. We bought our tix there and there should be no big $$ tix unless u are forced to get 1st class on Sevilla-Granada train bcuz 2d is sold out.
Buying tix in the US is almost always a huge waste of $$$$ and rail passes are often much more expensive than point-to-point bought in Spain.
The big Spanish bus line, ALSA, is very good. Spanish trains are good and the 1st class service is excellent.

Thank you, that was very informative. I'm traveling alone and don't mind going 1st class or using the bus. Should I lock my luggage near me? Or will it be safe? Will I be safe?

Donna, in response to your questions: Should you lock your luggage, will you be safe? I would say this: Carry your most valuable stuff on your person. If your bags are stored out of your control, lock them. If you have just one carry-on, then bring it with you in your compartment or next to you on the bus.

As to whether you will be safe? Do what you do in any strange city in the U.S. Keep an eye on folks around you. Stay with other women. Observe how "local" ladies comport themselves. We in the U.S. tend to smile and talk too much to strangers. Stay focused on where you are and what you are doing.

In short, be vigilant, and even suspicious of folks who want to "help" you out. Be polite but firm. Ask for help from police or other authority figures.

Now, after all these warnings, keep in mind that you will have a 99% of having a great time with no problems. As your trip lengthens, you will feel much more confident.

How was your trip? We leave for Spain next week and plan to take all public transportation...buses and trains. Did it work out well for you?