We are going to Spain for 2 wks at the end of August (Madrid 4, Seville 3, TBD 1- 2, Granada 2, Barcelona 5)
Is it best to take the train from
- Madrid to Toledo? Do I book through RENFE 60 days in advance?
- Madrid to Seville? Do I book through RENFE 60 days in advance?
Looks like we will have 1-2 extra nights between Seville and Granada any suggestions for a destination in Spain and recommended transportation?
Is it best to fly from Granada to Barcelona?
All suggestions are appreciated!
Hi annotte,
Yes, definetly take the trains between Madrid & Toledo and Madrid & Seville. The train to Toledo isn't as crucial, as tickets are inexpensive (12.90 euro one way). You would be fine buying these a few days ahead. The train to Sevilla is where you can save some money by booking ahead online through renfe. There are some issues with American credit cards, but you can pay with Paypal. www.capitainetrain.com is another easier, option for buying tickets. Summer schedules are not fully loaded yet past early June, so keep checking back.
I suggest spending your 2 unaccounted nights in the Pueblos Blancos (Arcos and/or Ronda). You can get to both by public transit (Arcos by bus, Ronda by bus & train), but a car would be easier and give you greater freedom. I'd pick up a car when you leave Sevilla and drive there, dropping it once you get to Granada. I would also definetly fly from Granada to Barcelona. Much faster and cheaper if you book tickets ahead. Vueling has several flights daily, see www.skyscanner.com for options.
Yes, yes
Yes, yes
Add Ronda for two nights via bus from seville and to granada
Yes
Now, be sure and prebook your tickets via the web to the sites you desire to see, especially alhambra. Then make sure to learn where the entrances are located which allows you to skip lines as a result of prebooking tickets.
Can I make some suggestions on your itinerary, now that you've been given good answers to the transportation questions?
Stay overnight in Toledo. It's much better before/after the day trippers have gone and there's enough to fill 2 days happily, or just one, depending on what you plan to do in Madrid. I would put my luggage in a locker at the Madrid train station, go to Toledo with an overnight bag, then pick up the luggage and train to Seville.
Spend a day in Cordoba. Do not skip the Mezquita, whether you day-trip from Sevilla, or stop for the day (luggage storage at the bus station across the street from the train station) en route to Sevilla.
If you rent a car, leave Sevilla in the morning, visit Arcos and maybe other pueblos blancos, then stay 2 nights in Ronda for one full day. On leaving you can tootle around more pueblos blancos or stop in Antequera for a few hours or go straight to Granada.
