jg1312

I know the cities I want to visit, and I have time to spend in each city, but I can't figure out the best order in which to see them - and the best way to travel from city to city. Any help is appreciated. We plan to visit, Madrid, Barcelona, San Sebastian, Seville, and Granada. What's the best way to do this without too much back tracking and taking advantage of AVE trains where available? We'll be traveling in late October if that has any impact on your recommendations.

kja

I think we'd need to know where you are flying from / to, since it could affect which airports would be convenient for your arrival and departure.

And BTW, you can check a lot of your options on rome2rio.com. That site isn't perfect, but it can give you some great starting information.

nytraveler

It would also help to know how many weeks you have for the trip.

Also if you are willing to drive if that will be easier.

jg1312

I'll be arriving from chicago and I have 3 weeks in Spain. I'd rather not drive, but could be convinced of its easy, beautiful, etc.
thanks!

cruiseluv

Have you already bought your plane tickets? Iberia flies non stop from Chicago to Madrid, so you can see if on the outbound you could connect to either SS or Granada and start your trip there. To avoid backtracking, also see if you can connect from your last city via Madrid back to Chicago. Or you can start or end your trip in Madrid . All these places are reachable by public transport, you dont need a car if you rather not drive in Spain. I travel frequently to Spain, have gone to many out the way places and managed to do it all via train/ coach buses (very comfortable). As suggested the rome2rio.com website is very helpful to plan such a trip.

cruiseluv

Rereading my post, I just want to point out that on your outbound or return you could probably connect if using Iberia to any of the cities in your list. You need to check the flight schedules to see if they mesh well. Planning the logistics for so many cities might take you a little while but it shouldnt be that difficult.

Bedar

Since you're starting in late Oct. when the weather becomes chilly, I'd begin in the north - Barcelona and SS - and work my way south where it will stay warmer for longer. Be sure to get your train tickets cheaper by buying in advance.

jg1312

thanks very much Bedar and cruiseluv.

Any opinions on traveling between Barcelona and San Sebastian fly vs train?
Or the best way to get between Granada and Seville? bus? and maybe to stop in Coroba?

Pegontheroad

I have Rick Steves travel maps which show trains, Ave Trains, roads, and freeways. I find them very helpful when I'm planning a trip.

jg1312

thanks again everyone. Rio2Rome is amazingly helpful, wow! Iberia's site was also great for booking the stop over style, disconnected flights. I feel it coming together!!

cruiseluv

Glad its coming together for you. Its like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. Regarding going from Barcelona to SS, flying this route tends to be very expensive. My son did the train recently and said that eventhough it was about 5 hrs it went fast, he took an early morning one and was in SS in time for lunch.

Cordoba is not between Sevilla and Granada so I dont think a stopover there would work. However , it is between Sevilla and Madrid, so if you're doing the Ave train on that route you could potentially do a stopover. My first time to Cordoba I did it as a day trip from Sevilla. But earlier this year I stayed there a couple of nights and really enjoyed it, lots to see and its a charming city.