My wife, daughter and I are arriving in Madrid on the morning of May 5th. We have a hotel booked that evening in Cordoba. I would like advice on getting to the correct train station for a train to Cordoba. Which train we should take, and advice on buying train tickets. Also, for train travel within Spain during our trip (we are continuing on to Seville, Grenada and back to Madrid) should we make reservations or just buy tickets when we get to the station. We have hotel reservations in all the cities we are staying in.
Posted by
Chicago
8166 posts
From the airport catch a taxi to Madrid Atocha Train Station. This costs 35 euros more or less.
Or if you are trying to conserve money you can take a train at the airport to Madrid Atocha. Tickets are 3.40€ and the journey is approximately 33 minutes
At Madrid Atocha train station you can buy a ticket direct to Cordoba. For your other train travel Seville, Grenada and back to Madrid if you want to stick to a set schedule and not have to worry about buying those tickets you can buy them in advance today on whichever of the following websites
Posted by
Midwest
2768 posts
For Madrid to Cordoba you want the AVE train from Madrid - Atocha station. Another way to this station is by the airport express bus. I find it easier than the subway with luggage, and cheaper than a taxi. it leaves from right outside the terminal, costs 5euros, and goes directly to the train station (there may be 1 intermediate stop).
If you are taking the fast train, the AVE, you will get better rates by booking ahead. Day-of tickets can be more expensive, so if you know your times and are confident that you won't need changes then buy ahead. Now is fine. But they are unlikely to sell out so if you are still deciding you can wait.
You can buy tickets on the official Renfe (Spanish Train System) website, but it can be buggy and weird with American credit cards. There are other ways to buy if it is difficult, but I'll let someone else answer that, I've usually gotten it to work or bought on sight in Spain.
Posted by
California 🦋
5294 posts
Jrt703,
Another option (this is what we did) is to take the C1 Cercanías (commuter train) directly from the airport (Terminal 4) to Puerta de Atocha train station where you’ll transfer to the AVE (high speed train to Córdoba.
You can buy your AVE train tickets to Córdoba at the Renfe office at the airport (T4). The Renfe agent will provide you with the, “Combinado Cercanías” tickets, which are free when you buy an AVE ticket.
If you want to save money, you can buy your other train tickets (Córdoba to Sevilla, and Granada to Madrid) in advance on Renfe.com and pay with PayPal. Renfe does not like foreign credit cards (when buying online) for some reason.
BTW, I hope you’ve already booked your Alhambra tickets!
Enjoy your trip!
Edited to add...
How are you traveling from Sevilla to Granada?
Consider taking the ALSA Bus as it offers more time selections than the train.
Our itinerary was a bit different than yours and we traveled by bus from Córdoba to Granada, then from Granada to Sevilla.
We then took the AVE from Sevilla to Madrid as I wanted to avoid the long trek from Granada to Madrid.
Posted by
54 posts
If you buy any train tickets in advance, I suggest using the loco2 or petrabax sites. Easy peasy!
Posted by
Victoria, BC
10 posts
Another vote for http://www.trainline.eu for advance train ticket purchases. It's way easier than the Renfe site. No extra fees either - you pay the same as through Renfe.