I very much need your advise! I already have my plane ticket to Spain. I will arrive on Sunday, Sept 6th at around 7:30 AM. My decision would be to go directly to Granada and start my trip. I can go by plane or by train.
If by plane there is a flight that leaves at 11 AM and arrives an hr later or I can go by train but don't know the best train schedule and would need to go from the air terminal to the train station. The cost to go by the most convenient air schedule is an additional 200.OO. What is your thought. I want to see the Alhambra and from Granada, to Seville and back to Madrid to spend a little time.
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
I would suggest that, if you want to spend the $200, take the plane. It'll be far less hassle to change terminals (you might have to do that at Madrid) than find the train station, then get a train to Granada....the schedules aren't all that good. The from Granada, take the train or bus to Sevilla (about 3 hours), then take the high-speed AVE train from Sevilla back to Madrid. You can get excellent discounts on the AVE by booking 62 days in advance (actually, after 6 pm ET on day 63) at the Spanish rail site, RENFE. Just click on "Buy Tickets along the top center.
Posted by
Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
324 posts
In the for FWIW department, the Granada airport is so small it makes the one in "Casablanca" look like an international hub (which, I suppose it was). It is also quite far out of town. While I have never actually taken a taxi to or from the airport, I would count on adding ~€25-30 each way. I don't know if that will be a deal breaker for you or not. You might also consider spending time in MAD until you're ready to head south, taking the AVE to Seville, the bus from there to Granada and a plane from Granada to MAD.
Posted by
OP
Portland, Maine, USA
171 posts
Thank you for the replies so far. My reasoning!
I have from Sunday Morning 09/06/09 arrival to the following Saturday afternoon 09/12/09 before a flight out of Madrid to head to Italy. I am trying to cut out travel time and still see the Alhambra. Long way to go to see this (one of 1000 places to see before you die). I can take a train or bus to Seville on Tuedsay and from then on...it is Cordoba and back to Madrid. I know I can see Cordoba in one day's time. I have been hashing this over for so many months now. Had I known the wonderful places to see in Spain...I would have planned more time before my flight to Italy. Does this sound way off tract?
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
It's rushed, but it's not way off base. Just plan to go back! ;) For Granada, the airport IS a ways outside the city. But if you don't want the expense of cabbing it, there's also an airport express, the blue buses run by the Gonzalez company. There's about one/hour, takes abut 45 minutes to get to the center of the city, and costs about 3 Euro. There's a stop on Gran Via near the Cathedral, leaving you a 5 minute walk to Plaza Nueva, the center of the old city. Be forewarned that, on your Sunday arrival, you won't feel like doing much more than checking in, having a snooze, and wandering around the Albaycin that evening. Since Spanish people don't eat dinner until 9 pm or later, you can nap, yet not starve.