I have some transportation related questions for Spain; which I hope someone can help me with .
1- Barcelona to Madrid,(fast train AVG) should I buy the tickets now on the net or over there? (Price-availability) same question for Madrid to Seville train tickets
2- Which car rental companies would you recommend for Seville?
3- Granada to Barcelona By air, which airline would you recommend?
Any comments would be greatly appreciated
Thank you in advance
LT
Hi LT,
There was a thread earlier today I responded to that might help with questions 2 and 3. It can be found HERE
As for question 1, the rail experts here should be able to help shortly. We purchased all our rail once we got there in March (to maintain some flexibility with our itinerary), but I understand the RENFE website offers advance purchase specials and you can book the tickets up to 62 days prior to your travel day.
By the way, when are you traveling?
thank you Angela, you've been very helpful. We are planning to go in September and be there for about 18 days. As for your suggestion about car rental pick up locations How far are the airports from the towns in Seville and Granada? Are the train station pick up locations that confusing in those cities?
thanks again for your help
LT
In Granada the airport is about 30 minutes into town via bus (to Gran Via de Colon). The bus service cost around €3 each and was pretty much timed to accomodate the flights into/out of Granada every day, and I recall it also made an intermediary stop at the train and/or bus station.
In Seville we dropped the car off at the GoldCar Rental, which was at a Shell station near the airport. The agency then took us via shuttle to the airport where we hopped the bus into town. For the life of me I can't remember how much the bus was or how long the ride took (to Avenue del Cid), but it wasn't long at all. It was then about a 10-15 minute walk to our hotel in the Santa Cruz neighborhood (hotel was 3 minute walk to cathedral).
Given we didn't drive into either town, I can't say how the experience would be. I do recall thinking how I would never want to drive IN Granada, as the streets seemed to be a bit chaotic and I believe they have restricted zones prohibiting unauthorized drivers. The bus/train stations seem to be enough on the edge of town to be ok if you are just driving right out of (or just into) town.
The same thing with Seville - the train station appeared to be ok for picking up/dropping off purposes.
But these are assumptions based on watching traffic from the safety of a sidewalk. Hopefully someone else can relate their personal experience with it!
LT....
Point 1) If you're going next month, purchase your tickets over the web ASAP...you can save up to 60% if you get a "Web" fare. Their "Estrella" fare discounts are about 35%. Click here to get to the RENFE train site, then click on "Buy Tickets" at the top center of the screen. A new window will open up where you can enter your travel details, then choose and pay for your train. You will be able to print your tickets out at home.
Point 2) I've had good success in Spain and elsehwere with carjet.co.uk, a broker.
Point 3) Vueling is the best discount airline bet for Granada-Barcelona. Ryanair also makes that run for a few Euro cheaper, but it'll be eaten up in the bus cost to get from their Barcelona "Girona" airport into Barcelona itself. Again, book ASAP, because discount prices go fast. And be careful of their luggage policies and limits, and check-in times.
I've driven in both cities, and if you're staying in the tourist center, you'll encounter difficulties with narrow and/or inaccessible streets. In both cities, the railway stations are excellent locations for car pickups, as are the airports....neither of which is very far from the center of town.
Thanks Norm. Do you have any recommendations about how to get to Madrid from Granada? Planes, trains, Auto?
Lt...what route are you planning to follow? I notice you've mentioned Barcelona-Madrid-Seville...then Granada-Barcelona. Are you making that loop? If so, then no need to do Granada-Madrid. If you are still putting things together, then bus is probably the best way to go....inexpensive and taking about 5:15 with one stop. Train connections aren't all that great...the best leaves at 9:45 and takes about 4:45...and is a lot more expensive. A car journey would be about 4.5 hours.
Norm are plan is Barcelona-->Madrid-->Sevilla-->Some other small towns which I have forgotten but my wife hasnt-->Granada---> Madrid--->Good old Canada. I think I've made a mistake before we start from barcelona but leave from Madrid.
Interestingly enough, Ryanair is now flying Granada-Madrid for about 27 Euro per person, plus luggage fees...apparently launched about a month ago. They're using the main airports here, so you're not going out of your way. Just watch their luggage restrictions and check-in rules. Otherwise, I'd take the bus...about 16 Euro, with a bus virtually every hour. They do have some "Supra" runs that take only 4:30 to make the journey, but they're also double the price.
Thank you Angela and Norm you both were very helpful
