Bus vs train from Seville to Granada

I've taken quite a few Spanish buses, including some in southern Spain. The buses are normally very comfortable, and I like being able to roll my too-heavy suitcase over to the side of the bus and lift it about 1 foot off the ground to put it in the hold. That is much easier than wrestling it up the narrow steps onto (most) trains and finding a place to stash it. Those traveling with relatively lightweight carry-on bags would not care about that issue.

I'd choose based on schedule and cost unless traveling with children. The ability to move around more easily on a train would be a plus if traveling with children.

We took bus from Granada to Seville a few years ago, never take train in Spain. Bus station is typical bus station, located in a bit industrial, busy, a bit run down, a bit dirty and busy with locals. Bus was on time but the driver started to chat with one passenger to a point that I worried about the safety of 40+ passengers. I waited and finally complained and they stopped. It was on time and uneventful. I'm used to Megabus and flixbus so I'm okay, my husband not so. He just doesn't like the vibe or experience.

The bus is fine. It was pretty quick and quiet. Just pee before you get on if you think you will need to as there is one toilet on board. I have taken multiple buses on different routes on Spain and never a problem. It is the better value.

In Sep 2023 my wife and I rode trains and buses in that region. For the ride from Granada to Cordoba we chose to ride an ALSA bus rather than the train because the schedule worked better for us. Below is an excerpt from part 7 of our trip report. If you choose to ride the bus, I recommend getting assigned seats on the right side of the bus, as far forward as possible for the best view (first or second row being easily the best if it is anything like the bus we rode). We were in the second row on the right side. The bus ride was quiet despite being almost full, and the driver was very professional; we even thanked him afterwards for the nice ride.

Departed Granada on an ALSA bus at noon; arrived Cordoba at 2:40pm. This bus ride was an unexpected delight. We had planned to travel by train, but (due to rail construction) the bus schedule worked better for us. Seated in the second row on the right side, we were rewarded with good views to the front and the side. It was a blissfully relaxing ride that wound through mildly rugged terrain among rolling hills covered by endless olive groves, with an occasional picturesque village crowned by a church and/or ruined Moorish castle.

Thanks everyone! It is definitely giving me some food for thought.

@Geoff (or anyone) - a follow up question for what side of the bus to sit. You mentioned your trip was Granada to Cordoba. Since my trip is from Seville to Granada, would it still be the right side that is optimal, or maybe the left since it is somewhat in the opposite direction? Thanks!

@Geoff (or anyone) - a follow up question for what side of the bus to sit. You mentioned your trip was Granada to Cordoba. Since my trip is from Seville to Granada, would it still be the right side that is optimal, or maybe the left since it is somewhat in the opposite direction? Thanks!

On the bus we rode from Granada to Cordoba, riding on the right side of bus toward front had best view because the view to the front was unhindered. The view to the front on the left side was partially blocked.

The view of the countryside to the sides out of both the right and left sides was of equally good quality

I think the intercity buses usually have a partition behind the driver. It's not necessarily solid, but it may have signs posted on it.

Thanks so much!

Agree with the previous posts — just take whichever best meets your scheduling needs. Both the bus and the train will give you a good travel experience.