My wife and I will be traveling by train (or bus) in Spain this April. We fly into and out of Madrid. What is the best site to explore train schedules? Do we need reservations before we arrive in Madrid? We plan to visit Granada, Malaga, Tangier, Sevilla, and Cordoba. Would it make more sense to visit them in this order--or should we stop in Cordoba on route to Granada?
Posted by
Whittington
984 posts
You have not advised how long you have for this, so we are unable to tell whether you are overdoing the pace.
The only site you should be looking at for certainty with train schedules is the national rail company's site www.renfe.com
If you want discounted tickets of (quite possibly) 65% and ticket in hand for peace of mind you book in advance. Read one of the several guides on RENFE available to you with a google like the hugely comprehensive and regularly updated -
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g187514-c80518/Madrid:Spain:Buying.Renfe.Tickets.Online.html
Yes, for most, a long day in Cordoba and onward suits many people. However, I would suggest Madrid via Cordoba to Seville (see the journey times and fewer journeys into Granada), Tangier(if you must), Malaga, Granada and presumably return to Madrid.
Bus(es) and/or combination with train from Seville to whatever port and ferry to Tangier, bus from whatever port to Malaga, bus Malaga to Granada. Your guide book or simply inputting the journeys into google should give the bus company websites..
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15784 posts
Hi there. First off, the biggest festival of the year is Feria in Sevilla. Check the dates (mid-April). There may be other festivals in Andalucia. This is a good site for information. Then decide if you want to be part of it or avoid it. That may drive your itinerary choices.
The train website is renfe.com. Read this article first which explains a lot about the train system and using the website.
How long is your trip?
If you land early in the day, you'll be able to take the train from the airport to Madrid (Atocha stations) and then a train to Cordoba or Sevilla. Then end your visit in Madrid.
Tangier is a pain to get to. You take a ferry from Tarifa, but it's a long bus ride from Sevilla or Malaga to Tarifa. And you'll have all your luggage with you. Most of us have skipped that detour because it uses up so much time. Also consider that Tangier is more of a border town (Tangier is to Morocco as Tijuana is to Mexico).