AVE service

The Renfe site has all the trains schedules.
Search the date and time when you want to travel and it will show you all service options:
http://www.renfe.com/

Service from Madrid to Granada is by AVE to Antequera-Santa Ana, then a coordinating bus the rest of the way.

Service between Seville and Granada is by Media Distancia train (much slower). There is AVE service between Cordoba and Antequera, again connecting to a bus if you were traveling from Cordoba to Granada.

In the recent past ( last few years ) the trips you refer to , have required a change at Antequera - Santa Ana between Madrid or Sevilla and Granada . If you are coming from Madrid or Sevilla en route to Granada , there is a bus substitution at Antequera Santa Ana to Granada due to major construction on the AVE route between Granada and Antequera Santa Ana . ( coming from Granada it is the same in reverse . Renfe is still showing this arrangement . It is likely that the major work is still incomplete . Do not worry . I took this route in Autumn 2016 and it is simple - coming from Granada , you will board a bus ( nice coach ) in front of Granada station , and leave the bus at Santa Ana Antquera , at which time , you will be directed to the appropriate train to continue your journey to either Madrid or Sevilla ,

Sorry , acraven and I were posting simultaneously .

The work was supposed to take several months. It's now several years . . . don't expect it to be completed in the near future.

The bus service is seamless - since it is a Renfe service coordinated with the train schedule - so there is ample but not excessive time between bus and train coming and going. Also the bus starts/ends in Granada at the train station, not the bus station. The train station is walking distance to the center - the bus station is not.

Has anyone been recently and seen any indications of when this work will be completed?

As it stands now, it looks like it's just as fast to get a bus from Madrid to Granada as it is to do Train->Bus combo.

I have to make this trip (Madrid --> Granada) this winter (December 23rd, with the holiday throngs I'm sure) and I'm wondering which is better train or bus.

Any recommendations?

We have just taken the AVE service from Granada to Madrid today. Your tickets will have two times on it, the first time is the time the bus leaves the Granada train station ( which is still under going construction) and the second time is for the train. The bus arrives at Antequerra Santa Ana about 20 minutes before the train arrives. Everything went very smoothly. Along the way you will see some very spectacular viaducts that will be in use once the section from Granada to Antequerra is finished.

"Has anyone been recently and seen any indications of when this work will be completed?"

Well early 2018 was the latest promise of when it would happen. But that's been and gone. I suspect not this year, perhaps some time in 2019. But perhaps not. I was near Antequera last week and the work definitely exists, you can see the new permanent way and overhead lines. But when it all opens is anyone's guess.

Any advice on bus vs. train from Madrid? I'm staying in the old city Granada, so leaning train but figured i'd ask. Thanks!

As it stands now, it looks like it's just as fast to get a bus from
Madrid to Granada as it is to do Train->Bus combo.

I find that hard to believe. It's a pretty long drive from Madrid to Granada. Only part of the train ride, which is otherwise high-speed, is by bus. And the train will allow you more leg room and the ability to get up and walk around. Unless you have more time than money, take the train.

Thanks Douglas! Train it is.

I appreciate your advice regarding space to get up and move around (at least the first leg to Antequera)