I am trying to book ALSA bus to travel from Seville to Faro in May. Obviously, I would like to get an assigned seat. However, the site specifies that the bus is "unnumbered" and does not allow me to see seat map. Does it mean that the boarding in Seville will be "free for all" ? What if the bus originates in some far away city before stopping in Seville? Could I end up all a way at the back of the bus? If I can't get an assigned seat how early should I show up at the bus station to get in line for boarding?
Thanks!
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
The big issue that we have found with most bus travels is the the reserve seat is not honored unless you want to make a big deal of it. People seem to grab any seat. So we just look for two seats and grab it. We have even had that problem on trains.
Posted by
Oak Park, Illinois
4535 posts
Frank is right and frankly, the seats are all the same and all arrive at the same time and place. The buses are pretty comfortable.
Posted by
California 🦋
5294 posts
A+D+P,
We took an ALSA bus from Córdoba to Granada & another one from Granada to Sevilla.
I seem to remember that both buses had assigned seating.
We purchased our tickets in Córdoba a few days before our day of travel.
I'd suggest you get to the bus station at least 30 minutes before the bus' departure time & wait by the bus space number.
Which bus station will you be departing from, Plaza de Armas?
Posted by
OP
West Coast
3 posts
Thanks for the replies. The bus departs Plaza De Armas at 9AM. Since the seats are not assigned is there going to be some sort of a line forming at the curb, prior to boarding the bus? How early should I get to the bus station to line up and to secure a window seat toward the front of the bus? One more note: I'll buy my ticket in advance and will travel with just a hand luggage.
Posted by
California 🦋
5294 posts
A+D+P,
I think you will be safe by arriving 30-40 minutes prior to the departure time.
The Plaza de Armas Bus Station consists of 2 levels:
On the ground level you will find the information & the ticket
offices, a cafeteria & the restrooms.The buses are below the ground level & you can take an elevator,
the escalator or ramp.
Once you arrive at the station, check the arrival/departure monitor to find the platform number for your bus.
People will start lining up at the platform & once the bus arrives (or the driver shows up), he/she will check your ticket & you can place your luggage below (in luggage compartment) or just board the bus (if you don't have any luggage)
Here is the contact information for Plaza de Armas bus station:http://tinyurl.com/Plaza-de-Armas-bus-station
This link will give you more information plus some photos of the station: http://www.autobusesplazadearmas.es
Hope this helps ;-)