Transport from Toledo to Sevilla

I do not understand what you mean by a “slow train option”. The best connections take 4 hours 7 minutes from Toledo to Sevilla Santa Justa, using the 30-minute train ride from Toledo to Madrid Puerta de Atocha, and then the fast AVE train to Sevilla, which takes 2.5 hours. The trains do not line up very well, so most connections have you spending an hour at the Madrid station. The morning departure departure from Toledo takes even longer, since there is a nearly 2-hour wait at Puerta de Atocha for the Sevilla AVE.

Toledo is a dead-end line, really only goes to Madrid, so you are backtracking North on a commuter train to Madrid, then waiting for a train South to Seville, that accounts for half the time roughly.

I don't believe there's a faster option. I know it seems sort of frustrating to have to start by traveling north, and then have a wait at Atocha, but the trains themselves are very fast. Via Michelin estimates the fastest driving route between Toledo and Seville at 5 hours, and that doesn't include any stops, traffic delays, etc. The distance is close to 300 miles.

Since they’ve answered your question, I’ll add that Toledo is a nice place to get over jet lag. We landed in Madrid (we were flying from Seattle) and took the train directly to Toledo. After two nights, we took the short train ride back & stayed in Madrid for three nights before heading to Cordoba, Sevilla, etc. on the fast trains.

Atocha station is large and some find it confusing. Allow at least 30 minutes between trains. Don't wait to get to Atocha to buy train tickets - the lines are usually ugly.

Thanks all for the affirmation and clarification of the options. I'm satisfied I am doing what needs to be done. Thanks!