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Spain Travel on Christmas Day

Hi all,

Still working on some logistics for our trip to Granada-Seville-Madrid but I could use some help on the itinerary order and transportation issues. My husband and I are staying in Seville for two weeks, Granada for two nights and Madrid for one week in December.

The only thing set in stone is that our adult kids and significant others arrive in Madrid from the U.S. on the morning of 12/26/23 and we all depart on 1/1/24. We have an apartment reserved in the Las Letras neighborhood

What do you think about taking the train from Andalusia to Madrid on the afternoon of Christmas Day? My thought is that we don't have anything to do on Christmas Day and mostly everything is closed. So, I thought it might be a good travel day. I could make a reservation for Christmas dinner at a Madrid hotel restaurant. Thoughts?

My second question is about the order of our itinerary and train availability. I would like to go from Seville to Granada to Madrid, which means taking the train from Granada on Christmas Day. The Renfe schedule is not up yet so I am not positive we can get from Granada to Madrid on Christmas Day.

Do I just need to wait until Renfe posts December trains from Granada so I am guaranteed transportation to Madrid on Christmas Day? At that point, I can finalize other trains and accommodations? Or can I assume that there will be train service to Madrid on Christmas Day?

There are several trains listed from Seville to Madrid on Christmas Day, although they are filling up. I could switch the order of our itinerary if you think necessary and:
Land in Madrid, immediately train to Granada
Bus or Train to Seville
Train to Madrid (Christmas Day)
Fly to LA (New Year's Day)

I'd like to get this trip locked down this week. Thanks all!

Posted by
166 posts

We were in Madrid for Christmas but did not take a train. The metros worked just fine, there were fewer people on board, for sure. Regarding restaurants, we found that they opened later in the day so we didn't have much trouble finding one. Regarding the trains, the Man in Seat 61 may have some info on this, as he is all about train travel.
https://www.seat61.com/train-travel-in-spain.htm#Spanish_train_classes

You might try this resource as well:
https://www.spain-traveller.com/en/category/transport/

Looks like you've been on the Renfe site so I would say that you'd want to get info from them on holiday train travel. Maybe a quick email?

My guess would be that there would be trains running, but perhaps on a less frequent schedule, but I am just guessing.

Posted by
972 posts

Thank you Phannah. Unfortunately, there is nothing on the Seat61 website about trains on Christmas Day.