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Best ways between Madrid, Córdoba, Granada and Seville...bus or train?

Hello all,
Currently in the final stages of planning this upcoming trip, now just less than two weeks away and still a bit unsure of the best, most hassle free option for travel between Córdoba-Granada-Seville.
As far as I'm aware there are no issues between Madrid and Toledo and Madrid and Córdoba but from Córdoba to Granada and from Granada to Seville I'm still unsure of whether it's going to be better to go via trains or busses.
The route for the southern portion of the trip that I'm traveling being as somewhat unorthodox as it may be is Madrid to Toledo, back to Madrid then to Córdoba, Córdoba to Granada and then Granada to Seville before I fly from Seville to Barcelona to continue in the north.
Seems from reading other topics that there may be some issues with the train between Córdoba and Granada which is also why I'm wondering about busses too.
Most of my connections will hopefully take place in the earlier to late morning hours.
As always this forum and the advice from everyone involved has been invaluable so far and I once again thank you all for any and all insight and contributions to helping me throughout the stages of planning this upcoming adventure.

Posted by
23178 posts

We did that route a couple of years ago. We went Madrid, Cordoba, Seville, and Granada via train. Then we took the bus to Malaga for our flight. You are kind of back tracking to go from Granada to Seville. Is there a special reason for your schedule?

Posted by
22 posts

Yeah I realized this was a bit of back tracking but had to go this route with the day's travel was falling on and coordinating my two night and day visits to La Alhambra which is why I had to change the route to go Córdoba-Granada-Seville as opposed to Córdoba-Seville-Granada.
Not the best route per se but it's just the way it was working out and then flying to BCN from Seville.
Which is why I suppose I'm most concerned with my travel between Córdoba-Granada-Seville.
Seems like bussing is possibly going to be smoother if not slightly slower less efficient than trains.
Is there currently an issue with train travel between any of these three places?
Seems there might be train issues between Córdoba and Granada.

Posted by
2767 posts

Madrid to Toledo and back is an easy train, less than an hour.

Madrid to Córdoba is also best by train IMO (the high speed Madrid - Seville stops in Cordoba)

there is some current disruption with the trains to Granada. I'm not clear on what, but it's worth researching. Regardless, Granada is not on a high speed line so the bus should be fine and probably more frequent than train. I have used ALSA bus from Cordoba to Granada with no problems and I'd recommend it. If you want to buy tickets ahead of time online, use PayPal - they don't process US cards, in my experience, but PayPal works fine.

Posted by
16893 posts

DB train schedules show a train connection between Antequera and Granada, but that's the point where you actually change to a bus instead, provided by the railway, even on schedules that appear to be direct trains. Direct (no connection) bus service is available to/from Granada by www.alsa.es.

Posted by
46 posts

Hello- I am going in early May also. I booked and have tickets in hand from on-line purchases:
.AVE train from Madrid to Cordoba
.Renfe bus from Cordoba to Granada
.Renfe bus from Granada to Seville

I used the Renfe website to receive my tickets, seat number included. Depending on your schedule you can choose "Supra" buses which look more comfortable. Good Luck

Posted by
22 posts

Cool yeah thank you for that!
and for all the helpful responses so far.
Been doing the usual research yesterday on all the options and it's exactly as you say.
When do you leave on your trip?
Solo trip?