Seville to a La Manga Resort by Train ?

Posted by j-and-g on 10/18/14 10:34 PM

First time to Europe. Son finishing a semester, and we are having a tennis vacation then doing a Eurail tour of a few countries. Can someone suggest a train route from Seville to this location: La Manga Club, Ctra. Atamaria s/n30389 - Cartagena Murcia (Spain). Travelling on a Sunday in December.

I keep trying to look and get concerned I will book it wrong, and it has said no online booking available for Cartagena from Seville (raileurope.com). I've tried surrounding small towns with no luck. Hopefully a train goes by there.

Any advice greatly appreciated!

Posted by Rich

Rick Steves Europe

10/18/14 10:59 PM

355 posts

Hi j-and-g,

You can use either the Spanish RENFE site (www.renfe.com) or the German rail website (http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en) to look at train schedules and routes.
The trip takes 8-9 hours and involves a train change in Madrid. Here is a sample schedule for a Sunday in early December:

Train # AVE 2081 departs Sevilla Santa Justa station at 08:45, arrives Madrid Atocha station at 11:15
Train # ATR 228 departs Madrid Atocha Cercanias station at 12:51, arrives Cartagena at 17:58

If you are booking reservations for a railpass, this can be done within 60 days of travel through www.raileurope.com or at any train station or travel agency a few days ahead once you are in Spain.

Posted by j-and-g OP

10/19/14 03:51 PM

3 posts

Appreciate that Rich - Renfe was a good tip

Posted by Steven

FL USA

10/20/14 12:59 AM

1560 posts

Love tennis so am curious if you would describe the tennis vacation you will be taking? We are always looking for, and finding, ways to incorporate our love for tennis while in Europe.
Thanks

Posted by j-and-g OP

10/20/14 01:54 AM

3 posts

Marbleskies - La Manga Club near Murcia is where we planned to go. Also considered one of many Jonathan Markson locales - check out his "tennis holidays" -- tennis in Venice looked good, as it has indoor court(s)
Good Luck!