Sorry for all my questions. Our family of 5 will be going from Madrid to Granada for 3 nights in Granada. Then we need to return for a noon flight from Madrid back to NYC. First- should we drive or take the train from Madrid to Granada? Is it a nice/safe drive? My husband was born in Spain so he is familiar with the area. Second question - we need to travel back the day before the flight. Should we stay in Madrid, near the airport or another close town like Toledo? Thank you!
Posted by
Virginia
618 posts
Danielle,
Can't give you advice on driving but the train is very comfortable. Although the train does not go all the way to Granada. It stops at Antequera where you leave the train and board tour buses to Granada. Everything is well coordinated by RENFE and the bus takes you to the train station in Granada.
If you rely on the train to get back to Madrid, be very aware of rail strikes. They are more common in Europe that here.
Put Granada at the beginning of your trip and Madrid at the end that way you will be in Madrid days before your flight.
How early is you flight home?
I stayed close to the airport near a metro station just because my flight was early and I did not want to depend on a taxi to take me. As it turned out there was a bus stop that took me directly to the airport near my hotel.
Have fun
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15768 posts
It would help to know your full itinerary. It may be feasible to go directly from ??? to Granada, then spend your last days in Madrid rather than having that additional hotel change. BTW, tickets are selling out for Granada, so make sure you buy them before finalizing your plans to stay there.
I don't think the drive from Madrid to Granada is particularly interesting. You'll see the same scenery from the bus or train. Either is a pretty good option. The bus station is a little farther from the historic center in Granada but not a big deal, especially if you're taking a taxi to your hotel. Having a car while in Granada is unnecessary, unless you're planning to use it for a day trip outside Granada.
It's easiest to get to the airport from central Madrid. Hotel Europa is in the center, just meters from the metro/cercanias trains to the airport. Going from Toledo is problematic
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7024 posts
Train or car, it’s up to you. The road between the two is all interstate, therefore, an easy drive. If you don’t plan on stopping any place between the two, there’s no advantage to driving. On your last night, just stay in Madrid and take to metro to the airport in the morning. Don’t waste your precious last night out by the airport when you could be enjoying yourself in town.
Posted by
OP
New Rochelle, NY, USA
33 posts
Thank you. We have 10 nights. Four nights in Barcelona then 2 nights Madrid then 3 nights Granada. I was planning on three nights in Madrid before I realized that I need to save the last night to return back for the flight and did not want to travel to Granada for less than three nights. I know- not the best itinerary but can't think of another way since I don't want to take flights in Spain. Thank you all for your advice.