Hello,
I am traveling in Spain in March 2009. Will be going to Valencia for Las Fallas festival! I am having an immense amount of trouble finding a connection from Granada to Valencia...According to Bahn.de, we must take a train up to Madrid, then over to Valencia!
Does anyone know of a better/more practical/alternative route for a better connection?
Thank you for your insight and consideration of my query!
-Amber
Other than bus (about 9 hours, 42 Euro) the only other train option would be the overnight train from Granada to Barcelona, which stops in Valencia. It leaves about 9:45 pm and gets into Valencia around 5 am. You can get advance tickets from about 19 Euro, sitting up....sleeping accommodation will be much higher, about 90 Euro each for a double. You might consider a car rental....some wonderful scenery in a 6 hour trip. The only other option would be to look for cheap air fares Granada-Madrid (Spanair) then Madrid-Valencia (Spanair, Ryanair)
Ach....bummer. I really didn't want to consider adding another flight because I'm already flying Barcelona--Rome. I have no problem taking a train that "stops off" in Valencia...nor do I have a major problem backtracking at least once (perhaps to Seville?) for a direct train trip. A bus for 9 hours just isn't going to cut it. I can rough it...but I believe motion sickness would kick in for me by then.
Perhaps I should re-route my itinerary? As is, I have:
Madrid---Seville (by eurail)
Seville---Granada (by bus)
Granada----Valencia (by eurail)
Valencia---Barcelona (by eurail)
because I thought that was most logical geographically.
perhaps I should try finding timetables for this route:
Madrid---Granada (by eurail)
Granada---Seville (by bus)
Seville---Valencia (by eurail)
Valencia---Barcelona (by eurail)
???
Let me know what you think!
According to the renfe.es website, it looks like if I want to take a train I'll just have to be alert and awake when the train stops in Valencia...this is depressing.
Amber....your altered itinerary is probably the best way to go, assuming you only want to use trains, and that you don't want to take the overnight train Granada-Valencia. The Sevilla-Valencia run is a long one tho...taking up most of a day, leaving at 8:20 and getting in at 5:50 pm. However, since you apparently have a railpass, you might want to call RailEurope to see what the sleeper supplement would be for Granada-Valencia. It would save you the cost of a hotel room that night, and allow you to make the most efficient use of your rail time.
I don't mind taking the "night train." I'm just curious as to when and if I am allowed to stop off in Valencia...
Amber....sorry, I don't understand your reference to "I'm just curious as to when and if I am allowed to stop off in Valencia." I assume you mean that, since the train is bound for Barcelona, can I use it for a trip to Valencia? Yes, of course you can. The train has many stops between Granada and Barcelona, and you can ride it as far as you want. But if you do want sleeping accommodations, book as soon as the reservations window opens, which should be either 90 or 60 days before you plan to travel on that train. I would even recommend that, even if you plan to sit up on that trip, get a reservation for the seat within that window, since it is a very popular train. BEtter to spend a few extra $$$ before you go, than not be able to get aboard when you want to, especially since you only have the one overnight train to choose from.
Yes, that's what I meant Norm. Looking at the schedule, we'll have to be up and about a bit earlier that usual (5:00 something AM) Do you think we could ask the attendants on the train to wake us for the stop?
I apoligize for my stupidity there, Norm. I'm just glad to see that Valencia is on that route (Granada to Barcelona) By the way, I really appreciate the fact that you are the only person who has been corresponding with me on this query. It may have seemed boring and stupid to other long-time posters, but I really needed the reaffirmation that this leg of my trip was going to be "okay" and "do-able." I am no Spain expert.
And honestly, sometimes when I look at the route maps on Bahn.de or raileurope, I think, "It cannot be! There simply MUST be more connections!"
I'm working on a detailed, color-coordinated transporation calendar for our 55 day trip and I update it daily as I check, check and recheck approximate length of travel per each of our travel days. So this really is fantastic, Norm. Thank you.
No problem....don't over-worry about oversleeping....a good portable alarm will get you up OK. As well, the conductors will also likely check, since they have no interest in seeing you travel on past what you've paid for! Just remember to be packed up and ready to go....the halt in Valencia is only 6 minutes long, which is actually pretty good as far as European railways are concerned. And remember that there's no such thing as a stupid question....just stupid answers ;)
Amber, sorry I'm late to this conversation. My wife and I are currently in Spain. We flew to BCN, took the train to Valencia (a wonderful city that is overlooked by too many travelers), and rented a car for the drive to Granada. Unless you're really adverse to driving, I'd suggest you consider renting a car for certain portions of your trip. Their main divided highways are great - safe and well paved. Although many have tolls, most are non-toll. Pick it up and drop it at an airport or train station. It gives you more flexibility to travel on your schedule, see the sites as you travel and may be more cost efficient if you have 2+ passengers. We've had a good experience with Auto Europe.
I am 20 (turning 21 in Europe) and my travel partner will be 24 when we are in Europe. We assumed we could not rent a car because of our age.
Hi Amber, Our daughter was 22 when she drove in France for several days. I tried autoeurope.com and found that there is a charge for a driver under 25 so I think your travel partner would be able to drive; it just might be a bit more expensive.
Kevin (my travel partner) and I are already overwhelmed by the fact that we simply had to fly Barcelona---Rome. I think we are just going to go the Granada---Barcelona route (and get off in Valencia) We have 55 days of travel, and a minimum of 3 nights per country. I personally think that we have a wee bit of time for lazing about on long train rides. We want the whole experience...riding the trains, taking the buses...I'm not sure if we want the responsibility of a car rental when all we have is a backpack on our backs. It's a wonderful idea, but I just don't think this is the trip for that sort of luxury. This is our "we just graduated! let's go to Europe before we have to get real jobs!" trip, you know what I mean?
:) Thanks, everyone. The Traveler's Helpline is always so reassuring...
