catherine_teh

Hi all
Does anyone know whether I have to book the train tickets in advance if I am going to granda from madrid? I will be travelling in late November.

Another question : Is the Alhambra very far away from the Granada city centre? Assuming if I am going to spend 4 days in Granada, do you think I should stay over somewhere near the Alhambra for at least one night?

Thanks in advance

isabel

The Alhambra is right in Granada - it's up a hill and there are little minibuses that go up and down for 1€ from Plaza Neuva. We stayed right on Plaza Neuva but some people like a more quiet location. But there's no reason to stay at one of the two hotels on the Alhambra grounds. In fact I think it's a bad idea if you will be there four days, as you will want to see the rest of Granada.

I don't know if you need train reservations in November. I was there in March and did make reservations for the train to Seville ahead of time from home and it did end up saving some time at the station. Where you go to pick up your prepaid ticket is different from the line you stand in to buy tickets, and that line was quite long.

catherine_teh

Thanks Isabel
I would like to also know the difference between the turista and preferente class on the train.In your opinion, do you think it is worth paying 30Euro more for the preferente class?

danon

agree with PP regarding location.
Four days may be a bit too long in Granada.
We stayed 3 and it was more than enough.

Maribel

catherine,
In late Nov. I don't know that it's absolutely necessary to book those Altaria train tickets from Madrid to Granada in advance, but since they are bookable on www.renfe.es and you can then print out your ticket, it's a time saver at the station. And I would certainly book ahead, since there are only two Altarias per day to Granada. If seats are sold out on the 7:40 am Altaria, you'll have to wait until 5:05 pm. I always book online when I can just to save time and to avoid the Atocha station lines.

If you book the Altaria on line now, there are Estrella and Web fares available, discounts of 40 and 60 per cent. The Web fare can only be booked for tourist class while the Estrella can be booked for both turista and preferente (like business class).

The differences between the 2 classes:

"preferente" coaches have a 2-1 seat configuration, so fewer seats per car, quieter ride.


"preferente" seats are slightly wider (50 rather than 46 cm) while the seat pitch is the same.

With a "preferente" ticket come some extras:

access to the Sala Club AVE (VIP lounge) in Atocha station, open 6 am to 22:30 pm. The lounge offers free drinks and packaged snacks and a computer for checking email.

a meal served at your seat- breakfast, snack, lunch or dinner, depending on the hour. Welcome drink and wine served with lunch/dinner, along with after meal cordial.

Complimentary newspapers and the Paisajes magazine

For trips of more than 3 hours, I've purchased "preferente" tickets (especially when the trip has been 4-5 hrs. long), but given the dismal exchange rate, I've decided to forgo that little luxury on an upcoming Altaria trip next month. I'll put those 30 euros to good use elsewhere (and my train to Pamplona only takes 3 hrs. now).

ekscrunchy

Here is more Granada information:


http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35092028

catherine_teh

Hi Maribel
Thank you for the information.You have indeed helped to clear my doubts. BTW, do you think it is worth the time to spend some time in Sevilla before I head off to Granada?

Maribel

Hi catherine,
If you can fit a few days for Sevilla into your itinerary, yes, it's most definitely worth doing, and you won't regret it. It's one of my favorite Spanish cities (which all begin with S-Sevilla, Santiago, Salamanca, Santander, San Sebastián).

I take the AVE high speed train from Madrid to Sevilla, and if not driving, I take the bus from Sevilla to Granada rather than train because there are more frequent daily departures-9 or so daily buses but only 4 trains. I prefer a 9 am bus departure rather than a 7 am or 11:50 am train. Both bus and train take around 3 hours.

The bus company covering the Sevilla-Granada route is Alsina Graells Sur.
Tickets can be purchased online at
www.movelia.es

I have travel files on both cities that you're welcome to download in pdf from my travel page.
www.maribelsguides.com

thursdaysd

I really enjoyed staying up at the Alhambra, but I was only there for one night, so it would depend on how you feel about changing hotels. I stayed at the Hotel America, and had a cute, comfortable single over the front door with a distant view of the mountains. I ate a wonderful meal at the parador, and then spent the rest of the evening doing the night tour of the Alhambra, which I can't recommend highly enough. Very quiet, very few people, and extremely atmospheric as the sky darkened and the lights came on across the valley.

gayle01

BOOKING MADRID GRANADA renfe ROUNDTRIP FOR MAY 7 AND MAY 9

I am taking my grandchildren next week ages 13, 12 and do not know what "carnet joven" and "nino" means on the website ...

does anyone know? I should book this as soon as possible to get the better fares at the times I need! Thanks!

lincasanova

carnet jove is a card one gets here for discounts. your kids are not eligible.

niño means CHILD. not sure what their age limit is. it should say so somewhere.