Any suggestions for getting around by train, plane or bus in Spain - Cordoba, Jaen, Granada, Ronda, Madrid, Sevilla, Segovia, Toledo.
I'm leaving in 2 days and the travel consultants were all booked when I tried to get an appointment earleir this week.
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12313 posts
Trains are limited in Spain but buses are plentiful. Cordoba, Granada, Madrid, Sevilla and Toledo are all easily reached by train. I'm not sure about Jaen or Ronda (we visited both but by car). If you need to take a bus, you can visit the bus station. Every station I went into in Spain had an English speaking information booth. They can help you sort through the options. I think a local travel agent can also book your bus for you. I didn't try a TA in Spain but it was a convenient option when I traveled Mexico (which has a similar system).
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17427 posts
The main AVE (fast train) line connects Madrid with Cordoba and Sevilla. There is a spur track from Madrid to Toledo but you raturn to Madrid to go to the other cities. Granada is connected to Madrid, Cordoba, Sevilla, and Ronda by slower trains. Most of these trips are 2 1/2 to 3 hours; Madrid is longer. There are 3 or more trains a day on each of these runs. You can reach jaen by train from Cordoba; there are 4 a day and it take 1 1/2 hours.
Since you are past the time for getting discounts on th etickets, I suggest you just buy them there. Assuming you are flying into Madrid, you could visit the travel agent at El Corte Ingles for help with route, schedules, and ticket purchase. From what I have read on Tripadvisor, they are more helpful than the ticket agents at Atocha station when you need a consultation. Your credit card will be accepted at the travel agent and at the station with no problems. It is only when buying online that Renfe gets cranky with American credit cards. ro that, you do need to be registered with Verified by Visa, at least for most credit cards.
Posted by
Boscombe, Dorset, UK
964 posts
www.andalucia.com This is the website I use, it covers all the travel resources. If you're on an intercity bus, you'll find a seat number on your ticket, and it's customary to use the seat assigned to you. The Spanish train website is Renfe.es Hope you have a great time, it's beautiful there.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15784 posts
you should register your credit card - see the tripadvisor.com spain forum. on the top questions, there's a whole chapter on buying train tickets, but that's the most important. Then you can buy tickets online while you are in Spain - just use your hotel's computer and printer.