train tickets advice

Posted by tim.paul on 07/30/19 02:45 PM

We're traveling from Madrid to Seville on 10/16. I got an alert from Loco2 that tickets are on sale today. The only options I see are two Alvia trains. The afternoon option seems to be direct and takes 2 hours 35 mins. I'm looking for a high-speed train experience. Do the AVE trains not run between Madrid and Seville? I thought they did.

Another question. We'll also be traveling between Seville and Grenada. Is bus the better way to go? I don't mind paying a little more if the experience is better by train.

Posted by abchappell

Washington, DC

07/30/19 03:41 PM

30 posts

By car, you're looking at 5 hours. The results you're getting is the AVE.

Posted by jorts94

07/30/19 03:43 PM

4 posts

Alvia is a high speed train that can also go to non-high speed areas - they use an older trainset, but are just as fast between Madrid-Seville as the AVE is. I'm waiting to book my 9/19 trip until the AVE-proper tickets are released, mostly because Preferente class has a meal on AVEs and I'll be rushing to Atocha straight from the airport.

Posted by Nick

Sevilla

07/30/19 03:50 PM

1308 posts

You are correct, AVE trains run between Madrid and Seville. Presumably, Renfe have posted the Alvia trains for that day on that route, but not yet the AVE ones (that's quite typical of Renfe which uploads different services separately, even if they are going to the same place on the same day). Check in a few days to see if the AVE trains are loaded. Loco2 is an agency so it can't sell you a ticket for a service until Renfe has opened it for booking.

Also, be forewarned - whilst people often refer to AVE as the "fast service", Alvia are also fast on that route. I doubt when the AVE services become available, you'll find them more than a few minutes quicker. Search for, say 3/9 and you'll see the full "offering".

Posted by tim.paul OP

07/30/19 04:08 PM

10 posts

Thanks for the advice. I'll wait for the AVE tickets to come available for my travel date.

Any thoughts on travel between Seville and Grenada? Bus or train?

Posted by Nick

Sevilla

07/30/19 04:23 PM

1308 posts

"Any thoughts on travel between Seville and Grenada? Bus or train?"

It's up to you, but coach might suit better. Alsa (the British coach company) run about a dozen direct coach services which take about 3 hours. Renfe (the Spanish railway company) run fewer rail services one of which is faster (but involves a change), but most are a bit slower. On the other hand if speed isn't vital, trains are more comfortable than coaches.