We will be traveling this month from Madrid (7 nights) to Toledo (3 nights). We are then heading to Granada for 2 nights. We would appreciate any advise on best way to get to Granada from Toledo. Thanks
Posted by
Midwest
2768 posts
My plan would be to take an early train to Madrid and switch to a train to Granada. To the best of my knowledge, all train transit from Toledo to Granada goes through Madrid. There may be a direct bus Toledo to Granada, on the ALSA bus company, on some days but not every day. If you know your travel day of the week, this might be worth looking into. I'd do the train, though. Trains to Granada currently (I think this hasn't changed) stop along the way and you are switched to a bus to finish the journey. This is because of track work, but it is all one ticket Madrid - Granada.
One could go to the Madrid airport and fly to Granada, but I don't think this would save any time.
Posted by
California 🦋
5294 posts
Barbara,
Mira has given you great advice.
You might consider leaving some of your luggage at the Atocha train station ( in a secure locker for about €3.20/24hours) before heading to Toledo, since this is the same station where you will board the AVE train en route to Granada.
Posted by
California 🦋
5294 posts
Barbara,
I presume you've not purchase you train tickets in advance, so...
Make sure you purchase your train tickets to/from Toledo, as well as the ones needed for your travel to Granada ( in Madrid) all at the same time to expedite your time.
Keep in mind that trains from Toledo traveling to Madrid start early in the morning, except on weekends when the first train departs at 9:25AM.
When traveling to Granada via train, you will board an AVE train at the 'Puerta de Atocha' station, then you'll have to transfer to a bus when you reach Antequera,(due to railroad work) & will travel the rest of the way till you reach Granada.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15784 posts
I looked at Renfe.com - there are 4 trains/day from Madrid to Granada. The only one with promo fares is at 7.35 and you would only be able to get it from Toledo on a week day, taking the 6.25 train. The train is used mainly by commuters to Madrid and day-trippers from Madrid, which is why there are no early morning trains on the weekend. The trains to/from Toledo do sell out, but generally only a few days in advance.
You should consider buying the tickets to Granada soon, since some of the trains sell out. I think you should allow about 1/2 hour to get from train to train in Madrid. Take the time to familiarize yourselves with the station while you are in Madrid before going to Toledo. It's big and the Toledo trains are far from the AVE trains.