Train to Granada

ALSA runs buses from Antequera to Granada. That would be my back-up plan. But for now I'd keep checking the Renfe website and loco2.com every morning and evening for the trains to show up. It's hard to imagine there won't be trains, and if you can't buy tickets, neither can be anyone else.

A bus from Madrid is possible. ALSA runs them from Estacion Sur. Scheduled running time is usually 4-1/2 to 5 hours, which is actually quite fast for the distance covered, but I don't know how reliable that is; buses are potentially subject to traffic delays.

The regular buses are comparatively comfortable and a lot less expensive than the train. I ended up on a premium bus once, and there wasn't a huge difference. I believe we got a little snack box and a cold drink, and there may have been video screens. Perhaps the Wi-Fi was more reliable. Many (I think most) of the ALSA buses have Wi-Fi, but it tends to be a bit in-and-out as you roll through the countryside.

I would just continue to check everyday.

I too have been watching for a 22 October trip. If it doesn't post in a couple of weeks I will get a bus through LOCO2.

Thanks everyone. I will do the same as suggested by you all. Thanks

When we made the trip 18 months ago they were installing high-speed rails. You needed to take the train part of the way and then transfer to a bus. We decided to just take the bus and it was a great trip. It was like flying first class - we're were surprised at the level of service and comfort.

@jjnoonan: the rail line is now open all the way to Granada... But it seems that Spanish railways have trouble completing the scheduling in advance, hence the impossibility to book some trains in merely a month.

Can anyone help with the Granada Ronda Route for 19 Oct 19 please. Thanks.

It looks like the service pattern in the region is changing mid-October, hence the lack of available tickets.
When tickets are available, you are likely to see that direct trains between Granada and Ronda have disappeared - a change in Antequera will be required.

So, I would wait for another two weeks. And if tickets to Ronda still aren't available then, I would try to go by bus, via Málaga (Granada to Malaga on ALSA, Malaga to Ronda on Damas bus). Not ideal, but reasonably quick (~4 hrs).

Thanks a lot

Dear Friends
The ticket for 17 Oct from Madrid to Granada is now open and costs 36,95
I tried in Loco 2 and they are also selling it but they are now adding 5,60 euros as some fee.
I got it after six try at Renfe
bon voyage to all

I thought loco2 wasn't going to introduce fees until November. I'm pretty sure I read that on the Seat61 website. I guess something changed along the way.

Loco2 is transitioning to Rail Europe in November 6

Loco2 is transitioning to Raileurope but they have started levying the fees. However, if you book two sectors like I did, they still levy the same fee of Euro 5,60. So it's better to book more sectors in one go with them.

After checking daily for a long time, I was able to get direct tickets on the Renfe site from Barcelona to Granada on Nov 4 today. I first saw them on LoCo2 but decided to look on Renfe to see whether they listed a later train than the one leaving at 6:50 (which they did) but when I returned to the LoCo2 site, the price had gone up quite a bit so I bought them for a significantly lower price on Renfe. I was ready for the glitches I'd read about when I entered a US credit card but the transaction went right through. The information with the tickets did print out in Spanish but I'm lucky to have a son who speaks Spanish fluently so he told me about the luggage allowances, etc.
Good luck getting the tickets you need. I plan to wait and buy the rest of ours after we arrive so that we can get the Dorada card and get the over 65 discount on the fares.

Lines at Atocha's staffed ticket counters for express trains are grotesque. Do not put yourself in the position of having to buy your tickets there. You'll probably be able to use the vending machines, but if you have an opportunity to do so, buy the tickets at the same time you buy the Tarjeta Dorada (assuming that's not at Atocha).