So I've been thinking, and wondering how bad of an idea this is. I'm open to any and all input (I realize what I'm asking for here!) The situation--I have a flight into Barcelona from Paris after three weeks spent between London and Paris--one and two weeks respectively. I fly in on a Monday and fly out--to London again--the following Monday. I have (cancel-able) hotel reservations in Barcelona for those seven nights. But the more I think about it, the crazier I get, and the idea I now have is to cancel said hotel reservations, get a rail pass, and travel about for that week--I'm looking at Valencia, Granada, and Madrid (in that order or backwards), possibly with only part of a day in Valencia so I can squeeze it all in on a $200 three-day rail pass. Is this a bad idea? Thoughts? Feedback? Anything? I'm thirty years old, married, traveling with a backpack and without my husband (or anyone else, for that matter).
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
Sure....but no reason to head to Valencia...not much there IMHO.
Instead, spend, say 2 days in Barcelona, take an early fast train to Madrid (2:45) for two days, then the train to Granada for two days to see the Alhambra, Albaycin, etc (4:30), then fly back to Barcelona cheaply on Vueling or Spanair. By train, it's either sitting up on the overnight train (or paying a big premium for sleeping accommodations) ro spending all day making your way back via Madrid.
You will need reservations on the trains, so get them as soon as you arrive in Barcelona.
If you're pretty firm on your dates, and you've still got some time before you travel, you'll come out ahead by purchasing tickets at www.renfe.es up to 62 1/2 days in advance. Tickets Barcelona-Madrid can be as low as 46 Euro...Madrid-Granada, 40 Euro. Flying could be about 60 Euro. The RENFE site is in Spanish, but we can help guide you through it.
If you do go to Granada, book your Alhambra tickets as soon as you decide on dates. www.alhambra-tickets.es
Posted by
S.F. Bay Area, CA, United States
1878 posts
IMO that's way too much time in Barcelona. Barcelona is nice enough, but three days is plenty. I don't know if a rail pass makes sense, but you would do fine splitting the time between Barcelona and Madrid. It depends upon what you like, but Madrid is one of the great art cities, also very vibrant, great parks, just an awesome place. Several great day trips out of Madrid, too. I am in the minority but I prefer it to Barcelona, as fond as I am of Barcelona (extended my stay on a business trip just this past January to enjoy Barcelona). I like them both, but Madrid is one of the most underrated cities in Europe. Barcelona is nice, but somewhat overrated.
[If you did not already have the flight, I would advise Madrid-Granada-Seville].
Posted by
OP
Macungie, PA, USA
463 posts
hmm. i just checked, and a flight from madrid to london (which is where i need to be at the end of the spain part of the trip) is 39 euros. so i could just scrap my barcelona ticket (which wasn't much more than that--and it may be possible to change and/or cancel) and fly out of madrid. interesting thought (which i really should have had before, but oh well, what's 39 more euros in the grand scheme of life?) does that make this more do-able? and if so, any good advice on itinerary and/or train ticket purchasing? i can scratch valencia, but i'd really like to go to granada and madrid. ok, to be honest, granada is the reason i'm considering re-working the entire week. thanks for the advice above, and for the advice to come!
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
Basically, the seven days you have will allow you three destinations on a fast circuit....with your desire to visit Granada, that would indicate to me it's either Barcelona-Madrid-Granada, or Madrid-Sevilla-Granada. For me, I'd pick the latter....I'd sacrifice Barcelona to see Sevilla. That triangle is easily do-able by train, or train and bus.
Posted by
OP
Macungie, PA, USA
463 posts
also--i can add an extra day, as i don't need to be in London until Tuesday night.