Best way to travel from Toledo to Cordoba?

You can try a local driver:

https://mydaytrip.com/landing/toledo-to-cordoba?ad_adgroup_id=58245579588&ad_campaign_id=1011942933&ad_creative_id=237823094121&ad_device=c&ad_match_type=p&ad_network=g&ad_position=1t1&ad_source=google&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqqe6w86l4AIVQV8NCh2gvAsREAAYASAAEgKT9fD_BwE&imageId=1&utm_content=B&variant=B

or you can take the bus from Madrid:

By Bus: Takes between four and five hours and costs between $23 to $33.. Buses in Madrid depart from Mendez Alvaro bus station, and the most popular company with service between these destinations is Movelia.

EDITED FOR TYPO--Going back to Madrid to go to CORDOBA seems crazy, but it is not as bad as it sounds. The train would take about 2.5 to 3 hours with the switch in Madrid.

Chris,

The train from Toledo to Madrid (or vice versa), is a short 30 minute journey.
You'll arrive at Puerta de Atocha train station (Madrid) where you'll connect with the AVE or ALVIA train heading to Córdoba.

If money is not an issue, I suppose you can ask your hotel to arrange a private transfer, but I presume this will be costly.

If you're interested in saving money, you can book discounted ("Promo") train tickets (Madrid to Córdoba) in advance.

Have a wonderful trip!

Yes, you have to return to Madrid to catch the train to Cordoba. That is because the rail to Toledo is a spur line. However, it was very easy to do. I believe the whole trip was about 2.5 hours. The train from Toledo to Madrid's Atocha station is only a 30-minute ride. We had about a half hour when we arrived at Atocha before our train to Cordoba left. This gave us plenty of time to make the transfer. It's really very simple. Don't fret about it.

When you book the tickets to Cordoba, allow about 30 minutes to get from the Toledo train to the Cordoba train. The station is big and it can be a long walk, also some people have said they found it confusing. Also there can be a line to go through security in Madrid. Be sure to buy your tickets from Toledo to Madrid a couple of days in advance. Trains often sell out.

Thanks, everyone, for your comments and advice.

Dennis

According to Rome2Rio.com, it takes considerably longer to drive than does the train, even with a connection in a Madrid. A bus would take over twice as long. Of course, a car would offer more flexibility of schedule, although susceptible to delay for traffic, road work or mechanical issues.

AVE trains leave Atocha from two different levels. Each level has its own security check and departure lounge.

If your train arriving from Toledo and your train departing to Cordoba are on the same level, just stay in the departure lounge until your Cordoba train departure is posted.

If they are on different levels, there is an elevator that connects the upper and lower lounges directly, without having to go through security (to say nothing of not getting lost in the massive and confusing Atocha station!). The elevator is outside the lounge, in the track area, near the high number tracks. If you have difficulty it, ask for it.

A half hour is fine to make this "connection" through Atocha, particularly since you will have both tickets in hand. If you had to change from an AVE to a non-AVE train, or had to buy tickets, you'd need much more time.

It's always worth checking buses. You can get a bus direct from Toledo, no need to go back to Madrid. I don't think it's faster than the fast train but it will be significantly cheaper and you can buy last minute (good for someone like me who likes to stay flexible).