Spain travel reservations

Yes. I highly receommend you go onto the web site called "The Man in Seat 61" and look up the beginner's guide to traveling by train in Spain. We did a trip last year very similar to the description above (without Malaga) and did almost all of it on trains. They were comfortable, dependable and easy. We bought all tickets in advance from the Renfe sight and it worked out great. The only time we didn't train it was a one-day car rental trip from Seville to Arcos de la Frontera. In hindsight, we would have been better off with the extra day in Seville, which is an awesome city.

Train travel into and out of Granda is suspended for 6 months. You may have to take a bus to another city and then catch the train from there.

Depends on the purpose of your advance reservations? To guarantee a seat? Not necessary. Trains rarely sell out unless a special weekend or something similar. It is necessary to make advance reservations IF you want to take advantage of any discounts that might be available. But discounted tickets come with restrictions on changing, cancelling, etc. We use the senior discount card available in Spain and buy walk up tickets as needed. The senior discount is a little less than very early advance purchase but the convenience and flexible to go any time is worth it for the very small difference in cost.

It has been reported here that the train service between Sevilla and Granada has been suspended this year. Doesn't make a lot of travel sense to go Granada to Madrid back to Granada and then Malaga. Granada to Malaga will be via bus and not train.

If your schedule is locked in and unlikely to change then definitely book ahead.
You will save substantially as fares offered only increase as you get closer to the day.
In 2009 I wanted to get to Toledo from Madrid but the ticket office at Atocha advised no seats remained available for that day.
Are you returning to Granada from Madrid, and then on to Malaga ?

Don't be afraid of taking buses in Spain; it's not like Greyhound in the US. You get an assigned seat and the service is frequent between major cities. I took buses into and out of Granada in 2006, when there was no problem with trains (Cordoba to Granada and Granada to Malaga), but the trains required changes and took longer, while the buses were direct and so were faster.

Bus service is great, dependable, clean, comfortable and relatively inexpensive.

Why the above itinerary? It makes more sense to go in one direction instead of backtracking. Go Madrid - Toledo. Stay overnight in Toledo. Then go to Seville. Do Seville to Jerez for a day trip if you want. Then go Seville to Malaga, and from Malaga go to Granada, then go Granada back to Malaga.

I would wait until you are closer to your trip and definitely know what day you are going. Booking a few days in advance is fine.

Now I understand! Sounds good. I have also discovered that the train from Toledo to say Córdoba only runs once a day at 6 something in the morning. Better to go back to Madrid and on from there. I would say yes, buy tickets in advance as long as you don't think you will change them., ESPECIALLY for travel in June. If you are over 65 when you arrive in Madrid you can buy a tarjeta dorado at the airport Renfe office, then you can buy discount tickets. Only problem is I think you have to be in Spain to buy it, as they check your passport., you need that number when you buy tickets online or you don't get discount.
Ticket to Toledo from isn't expensive. If you are going there the day you arrive, go ahead and buy ticket now, the rest you can buy when you get here with your tarjeta dorado. If you aren't eligible, then it doesn't matter, the sooner you buy tickets the better the price as the have promotional fares.

Some other options are to use blablacar.com a shared ride website. Check it out! I have used it quite successfully.

My husband and I just recently visited most of these places and we used the train whenever possible. I highly advise purchasing tickets ahead because it keeps you on schedule and saves you so much time because American credit cards do not always work in ticket machines at train stations and the lines to use "real people" can be long.

I liked the website Petrabax, as recommended by Rick Steves. Very competitive rates (much better than Rail Europe) and they are available to answer any questions if you call or e-mail.)

They will then send you an e-ticket that doesn't have to be validated. Present at the station before boarding. Also, you then have a reserved seat at no additional charge.