ALSA Economy v Supra Economy from Granada to Sevilla and Seats

It's been many years since I took buses in Spain, but I was always happy with the standard bus experience. Therefore, it would not really occur to me to pay extra for the luxury version that's now available. These are both going to be comfortable buses - probably exactly the same model of bus with the same WC and AC, but with seats installed on a different spacing. Having traveled in a lot of tour buses with Rick Steves groups, I also know that three hours is not a comfort issue for me.

My family just took the 'Normal' bus from Granada to Seville. It was totally fine. No problems and the three hours was over in a jiffy. I sat in row one right behind the driver with my daughter. My other kids and husband sat a row or two back. No complaints.

You can put any luggage under the bus. They will start boarding about 30 minutes before the departure time.

We also took a city/local bus from the stop right by the Cathedral (on Gran Via) to the bus station. It was very easy and something like 1.50 Euro.

I travelled this route on the Supra economy last year in part because it was at the best time for me but also because I was on my own and therefore could book on the single seat side. In the end it was not very crowded anyway but checking out of interest I saw the next regular service was almost sold out and selling by then at nearly the same price. Never used the toilet.

NP - when did you travel on the bus? And how was the air conditioning. We'll be going at the hottest time of day at the end of July, so am concerned whether it will be comfortable.

Thanks

I think I took this Bus last year (same route) towards the end of September. It was me and my parents and I enjoyed have the single seat all to myself. I think they even provided water and a sandwich. Comfort and AC were fine and it was warm but I'm sure not as warm as it would be during your travel period. But really, what other choice would you have anyway? There were also individual TVs at the seat and I think there was wifi but I can't remember if it was working. As another person said, you may be on a crowded bus (more body heat) if you choose the basic fare.

We rode on it June 9th. It was hot that day (90+), but it will be much hotter when you go. However, I doubt the AC would be any better or cooler on the more expensive bus, so if it were me I'd opt for the 'Normal' option and save the money for an extra Tinto de Verano or two.

The buses are like nice Greyhound buses with comfy seats. Not like a city bus with hard seats and people dying of heatstroke trying to get air from an open window or something, :)

The fact is that on any given day, there can be a problem with the air conditioning on one specific bus. I spent 89 days in Spain last summer (though much of it in the temperate north) and don't remember any problems with temperature control on buses there. I may have taken one of the ALSA fancy buses, but all the other major trips were on ordinary buses like ALSA uses. The buses were very comfortable, though if you are exceptionally tall, I guess the leg-room might have been a bit tight.

The previous year I had a miserable 7-hour ride on an Italian bus with broken a/c. In Sicily and Puglia. In July. That sort of thing is totally unpredictable, but also very unlikely.

My mom (age 88 at the time) and I took a "Normal" ALSA bus from Córdoba to Granada; and then a "Supra Economy" ALSA bus from Granada to Sevilla.
We paid €29,38 per person for the Supra Economy tickets back in October 2015, so the prices have remained the same.

• Both buses had comfortable seats, A/C, and WC.

• The "Supra Economy" had a 2 +1 seat configuration vs. the 2+2 seat
  configuration on the "Normal" bus.

• We sat toward the front of the bus on both of these routes. We had assigned seats.

• We didn't use the WC so can't comment on that.

• All passengers received a paper sack containing a bottle water, an
  apple and a small sealed cake upon boarding the "Supra Economy" bus.

• We enjoyed the relaxing ride and the scenery on both buses. ;-)

Have a wonderful trip!

Edited to add...
We actually took the 12:00 bus from Granada too!
We took a taxi to/from the bus station and paid €8- €10.

Hi - I just wanted to thank the community for your help. I booked the Supra Economy as I just thought, its the first and only bus journey we are going to have, so why not have a little bit of luxury. Plus less people on a bus is usually a good thing...

Thanks again!

• Just make sure you get to the bus station at least 30 minutes prior to departure.

• Check the electronic board to locate the correct platform to your bus.

• You'll see other passengers starting to line up at the respective bus
  platform.

• Once the bus arrives, or the driver, if the bus is already there, you
  will have to place your luggage in the hold below the bus prior to
  boarding.

• You can take a small backpack or personal item in the bus with you &
  place it on the overhead shelf.

Enjoy!

Sometimes the driver wants the luggage segregated by destination. If your bus just goes from Granada to Seville, that obviously will not apply. But if the driver or another ALSA employee waves you toward the other side of the bus, that's what it's about. They may want all the Seville luggage in the hold on the other side of the bus.