Bus info and help- Andalusia

Bumping my post

Can anyone answer my questions?

I took the Seville-Ronda bus back in 2019. Unfortunately, there have been many, many buses and trains since then, so I have no memory of the scenery.

I find the seating on Spanish buses very comfortable. Sometimes there's Wi-Fi, but it can come and go, so if there's something you need to do via Wi-Fi during the trip, I'd recommend starting on that right away. It's not likely to be very stable.

A lot of my Spanish buses didn't seem to have toilets. Some of the existing toilets were kept locked. I would absolutely not count on having access to a toilet on any given bus ride. On longer rides there's supposed to be a comfort stop every 2 hours or so. I'd guess that would apply to the Marbella-Granada trip. However, my long-distance bus from Granada to Valencia was quite late out of Granada, and the driver apparently decided to try to make up time by skipping all the comfort stops except the first one. There were just very brief stops to discharge and pick up passengers, so I ended up running from the bus to the public toilet. I know that was an anomaly, but honesty forces me to admit that it could theoretically happen again.

Seville has two bus stations; be sure you show up at the right one! The Damas website isn't cooperating for me right now, so I don't know which station you need.

Hi Christine,
I don’t have experience on the bus routes you plan to take, although I’ve traveled by bus ( ALSA) while in Andalucía.

Anyway, after researching the bus websites, I decided to send an email to both bus companies and asked your questions.

Avanza bus staff replied but didn’t quite answer the question about when bus schedules would become available for your dates, they simply wrote that you can book tickets one week in advance.

I was also informed that Avanza buses are not equipped with a WC, but you can use the bathrooms available in each of the bus stations
(Ronda, Marbella, Málaga, and Granada)

In terms of WiFi availability, Avanza didn’t answer that question, but the website indicates that only the “Plus” or “Exprés” buses are equipped with WiFi.

DAMAS bus company has not replied yet.

When checking Avanza Bus timetables, it looks like only 3 buses (8:35, 12:45, & 14:45) from Marbella to Málaga continue onto Granada.
I think there may be time to use the WC at the Málaga train station (but probably not on the 8:35 direct route), but I sent an email this morning asking that specific question.

I’ll let you know when they reply.

Hope this helps!

P.S. Another option would be to book Avanza bus tickets from Marbella to Málaga, then ALSA bus tickets (or train) from Málaga to Granada.

Christine,
I forgot to mention that the Granada bus station is located on the outskirts of the city, so you’ll need to take a city bus or a taxi to the city center.
My mom and I took a taxi (inexpensive back in 2015) which delivered us to our hotel near Plaza Nueva.

In Spain the bus service is great and comfortable often adding to creating enjoyable travel experiences.
Most tickets and schedules are released 90 days in advance.
We strive to figure out the route and select seats on the side predominantly NOT being in sunlight.
Don't rely of bus restroom access, but the Granada route usually has one stop.
WIFI does work, but not at fast speeds.
The Ronda to Marbella route will be curvy, interesting and downhill. Depending on time of day and weather you should be able to view Gibraltar from the right side of the bus. This is a two lane road influenced by the amount of local traffic and time of day. A scenic route.
Marbella to Granada will predominantly be on a four lane highway with great views of the Med on the rightsize of the bus. Turning away from the Med the countryside becomes hilly offering a range of vistas. Keep in mind the time of day for your journey and the impact of sunset on visibility. Typically we max our daylight hours and travel in the evenings to our next destination.
Taxis are available from bus depots and often a pleasant experience. Most have meters and tipping is not required. Strongly recommend your use of google maps to identify where you are staying in Granada. Not all places of lodging are accessible in Granada by car. Highly recommend contacting the hotel should you have any questions regarding this issue. Also check on your Ronda hotel location, although access is less an issue.
BTW: highly recommend minimizing your luggage to ease using the buses. Porters can be available, but you are still going to have get your bags from point to point. If your Granada hotel is NOT cab accessible then ask how many steps you may need to climb with your luggage.

I find it a lot easier to deal with luggage on buses as opposed to trains. Your suitcases can go in the hold below the bus; you don't have to drag them up a couple of steps (usually) onto a train and perhaps lift them onto a high shelf. However, it is true that--especially in Granada--your hotel might be a bit of a walk from the nearest taxi drop-off point.

Hi Christine, We took a Damas bus from Seville to Ronda and then from Ronda to Malaga last October. I was impressed with how clean and new the buses were. We had another fun surprise not long after leaving Seville, I looked out the window and saw a huge flock of flamingos! We zoomed by and it happened for an instant, but really neat to see. I can't tell you where along the route, though, even though I've googled it. Maybe you or some else can find out! I'm pretty sure we were on the right side of the bus.
We also went past some white hill towns, I think Zaharra for sure. You could see it from the bus. We had a stop in one and turned around. Of course they're prettier from a distance.

The trip from Ronda to Malaga wasn't as interesting as I remember. Except for rows and rows of olive trees in all stages of growth! I understand you're going on to Marbella but it looks like it may be a similar route.

Oh last tip, the Ronda station is tiny and you have to pay to use the toilet. The women's had a long line because a tour bus had just arrived in front of us. I decided to hold it until the hotel!

Whoa- thank you all so much!

acraven- thank you for your always precise advice. We’ll be ok on the 1 hour bus rides as far as WC. Wifi not all that important- was just curious. Damas bus from Seville is from Plaza de Armas. I am looking forward to stashing our bags under the bus.

Priscilla- oh my goodness! So generous and helpful. Thank you.
And thank you for the reminder to recheck options. I was stuck on that direct bus from Marbella to Granada.
It will actually be much easier to take Avanza to Malaga then Alsa to Granada. Schedules are better as well.
Our hotel is near Plaza Nueva, we’ll take a cab.

Steven- Great tips. We’ll be traveling in late morning- that works for us. I know we are going to enjoy the scenery. Our hotels in both Ronda and Granada are accessible by cab.

AmandaR- Love your description of the ride- just what I was looking for.

OK- right side of the bus it is.
Look for flamingos and Gibraltar.

Sevilla to Ronda- DAMAS
Leave 10 am- Arrive 12:15

Ronda to Marbella-DAMAS
Leave 12:15- Arrive 1:25

Marbella to Malaga AVANZA
Leave 9:30- Arrive 10:30

Malaga to Granada-ALSA
Leave 11:15- Arrive 1

Now I can go back to stressing about whether or not we have enough time in Seville. lol

Muchas Gracias

Hi Christine,
It’s good to know that my reply was helpful to you.

DAMAS finally replied to my email and they said that their buses do not have bathrooms.
They did not address the WiFi question.

I’ve not visited Marbella and I’m curious to find out why you decided to go there.
Do you have family there? Just wondering since you had “(family)” on you post.

Wishing you a wonderful trip!

Priscilla-
One of my sisters works in Malaga for about 4 months every year. She has been trying to get me and my other 3 sisters to come visit while she is there for years and she is retiring later this year so it's now or never.
Her company has a huge apartment in Marbella that we will be using.
So far 3 of us are committed, still working on the other 2.
They are all in Calif and TBH I am sick of flying out there - been doing that for over 45 years. Seeing my sisters in Spain will be a lot more fun! (I'll still have to go to Calif to see my mom and 4 brothers- we'll actually be there in a few weeks so that covers them this year)

Christine,
I hope your sisters commit and you all have a wonderful time!

Thanks
I think some of us will be glad if one doesn’t show up lol

Family is not a word, it’s a sentence.