Seville and Granada
Sep 23rd, 2004, 09:47 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Seville and Granada
I am sorry if this has already been answered but I can't find any posts about it! I am trying to figure out the best way between Seville and Granada without a car, is it bus or train? And, if bus, do you know any website for booking bus tickets? Thanks everyone!
Also, just FYI my only reluctance about renting a car is that a) we will be there in winter and b) we can't drive manual cars. Thanks!
Also, just FYI my only reluctance about renting a car is that a) we will be there in winter and b) we can't drive manual cars. Thanks!
Sep 23rd, 2004, 10:05 AM
#2
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,862
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I asked about this, but I got no responses. I did a search on this forum and here're some old threads:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...le+granada+bus
http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...le+granada+bus
My impression is that the bus is better as the train can break down (I can't remember which thread I read that in). It's about 3 hours.
Check bus schedules here:
http://www.continental-auto.es/continental/ventbi.php
(Click Andalucia.)
I don't know if you can buy tickets ahead of time though.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...le+granada+bus
http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...le+granada+bus
My impression is that the bus is better as the train can break down (I can't remember which thread I read that in). It's about 3 hours.
Check bus schedules here:
http://www.continental-auto.es/continental/ventbi.php
(Click Andalucia.)
I don't know if you can buy tickets ahead of time though.
Sep 23rd, 2004, 10:28 AM
#3
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Most definately take the bus. You can get tickets there and any hotel in either city will have a bus schedule and will book tickets for you over the telephone while you wait. You just go to the station half an hour before departure time, collect your ticket at the ticket window (the hotel will get a reservation number for you) and away you go. I have fond memories of taking the bus from Seville to Granada and sharing a 2 pound bag of jelly beans with a New Zealand couple.
Sep 23rd, 2004, 12:17 PM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hello Ivy:The buses are very comfortable.Some will have toilets but not all.Also there is always a stop at some rest area to have a bite to eat and a drink.
The view is excellent as you are seated quite high.Have a wonderful time .I'm sure that you will enjoy the trip.
Gail
The view is excellent as you are seated quite high.Have a wonderful time .I'm sure that you will enjoy the trip.
Gail
Sep 24th, 2004, 04:48 AM
#8
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hello Ivy: Sorry it took a while. Just returned to this post.
Yes, we did rent a car from CarJet in Almunecar. Unfortunetely, I took ill and we had to cancel. It was an automatic. I thought we would run into some problems with the cancellation but the agent (Elena) was great. Our money was credited to our account the same day. No questions asked.
You can check their site. If I remember well it is Carjet.com. It will give you an idea of their prices.
The main roads in Andalucia are excellent.
I am returning on my own in Feb. DH has decided not to take a trip this year.I will travel by bus.
Have a great holiday.
Gail
Yes, we did rent a car from CarJet in Almunecar. Unfortunetely, I took ill and we had to cancel. It was an automatic. I thought we would run into some problems with the cancellation but the agent (Elena) was great. Our money was credited to our account the same day. No questions asked.
You can check their site. If I remember well it is Carjet.com. It will give you an idea of their prices.
The main roads in Andalucia are excellent.
I am returning on my own in Feb. DH has decided not to take a trip this year.I will travel by bus.
Have a great holiday.
Gail
Sep 24th, 2004, 09:54 AM
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the info! Since I won't be travelling alone I would really rather have the car because it gives more flexibility for excursionns, but I am worried about ice or snow near the mountains so I am a little reticent. Maybe I am being foolish though? Does that area get any winter weather driving issues?
Sep 24th, 2004, 12:13 PM
#10
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Ivy:Here is a site on all kinds of info. www.altur.com
Click on the english flag on the right.On top of the page where it says search - type in -weather in Andalucia.This might put your mind at ease regarding snow.
We have never encountered snow during the 4 winters we were there.
Hope this helps.
P.S. what month are you going?
Click on the english flag on the right.On top of the page where it says search - type in -weather in Andalucia.This might put your mind at ease regarding snow.
We have never encountered snow during the 4 winters we were there.
Hope this helps.
P.S. what month are you going?
Sep 29th, 2004, 06:33 AM
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
THANKS Moonchild. We'll be going in either January or February (depending on work schedules). since you've been there before at that time, what are your general impressions of that time? Weather, crowds, closings, scenery etc . . .? thanks so much for the input!
Sep 30th, 2004, 08:42 PM
#12
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Ivy:I really do enjoy that time of the year. I guess this is the reason why we have been there for the last 4 y
ears between Jan. and Feb.Weather in the 60's to 70's
Orange and lemon trees are blossoming and the bougainvillaea is everywhwere.
Crowds are small. You don't have to wait in line too long on tours ect.
We just like to do our own thing. Since I will be on my own on this trip I plan do take the local bus and travel to different towns. I have been to Ronda and will be going back for a two day stay.Never have enough of Granada, so I guess that I will be returning. Also , Sevilla is on the list. Never been to Mijas, so this is also a "must see".
My friend was to come with me but changed her mind. So, since DH has no intentions of traveling this year, I will be on my own.I am in my mid 60's so I will keep on "truckin..."
By the way, you don't have to book bus tickets. Just get to the terminal and purchase your ticket as needed.
Regards, Gail
ears between Jan. and Feb.Weather in the 60's to 70's
Orange and lemon trees are blossoming and the bougainvillaea is everywhwere.
Crowds are small. You don't have to wait in line too long on tours ect.
We just like to do our own thing. Since I will be on my own on this trip I plan do take the local bus and travel to different towns. I have been to Ronda and will be going back for a two day stay.Never have enough of Granada, so I guess that I will be returning. Also , Sevilla is on the list. Never been to Mijas, so this is also a "must see".
My friend was to come with me but changed her mind. So, since DH has no intentions of traveling this year, I will be on my own.I am in my mid 60's so I will keep on "truckin..."
By the way, you don't have to book bus tickets. Just get to the terminal and purchase your ticket as needed.
Regards, Gail
Oct 4th, 2004, 01:31 PM
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Gail: Thanks so much for all this info! I was so depressed when I found out we couldn't go to Spain until January or February (was originally planning October) but now I feel much better about going that time of year! I hate heat too so temps in the 50's and 60's is great for me!
Oct 4th, 2004, 03:09 PM
#14
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
you can also take the train to Granada from Seville. I prefer the train over the bus and even though it was a local train so a little slower, it was a very enjoyable ride. 3.5 hours and you don't need to book ahead of time. 15 euro a couple of years ago.
Oct 8th, 2004, 05:40 AM
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
dw: thanks, but is it a non-stop train from seville to granada? As far as I can tell it takes at least one change right? did you buy your tix when you got there or ahead of time? thanks.
Oct 8th, 2004, 02:32 PM
#16
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
hi ivy,
i just took the seville-granada train two weeks ago (how is it possible that my vacation is OVER and i'm home already?!?). the train is the T.R.D. you do not have to change trains but it is not non-stop. it makes 7(!) stops before getting to granada, but the stops are all very brief. i don't know if they are all small trains but the one i was on had only 2 cars i think. my train was on time and there were no problems.
i bought our tickets in advance online through the renfe.es site because i wanted to be sure to get the departure time that worked best for me. for the T.R.D. the farthest in advance you can reserve online is 15 days. you can select a smoking or non-smoking car and are given seat assignments (the site has a link which shows a diagram of the car and where your seats are).
if it is your first online purchase with renfe, you have to go to a renfe office/train station to pick up the actual tickets. i had hoped to be able to get mine at the el corte ingles travel desk but the store said tickets reserved online could only be picked up at a renfe office or the train station so i just got to the station a bit early and picked the tickets up before getting on the train.
the tickets are 17.65 euro; the entire train is 2nd class so there are no seat/price options. the amount is charged to your credit card when you make the reservation.
it's fairly comfortable -- certainly more spacious than economy (i.e., steerage) seats on the airplane -- and you can walk around and stretch your legs when you want to. and you get to see some picturesque villages once you get past the seville suburbs. i wish i had known, though, that there is no club car on the T.R.D. 3 1/2 hours is a long time without anything to drink (or eat). many of the locals in our car brought drinks & food with them.
if i can answer any other questions, i'd be happy to.
i just took the seville-granada train two weeks ago (how is it possible that my vacation is OVER and i'm home already?!?). the train is the T.R.D. you do not have to change trains but it is not non-stop. it makes 7(!) stops before getting to granada, but the stops are all very brief. i don't know if they are all small trains but the one i was on had only 2 cars i think. my train was on time and there were no problems.
i bought our tickets in advance online through the renfe.es site because i wanted to be sure to get the departure time that worked best for me. for the T.R.D. the farthest in advance you can reserve online is 15 days. you can select a smoking or non-smoking car and are given seat assignments (the site has a link which shows a diagram of the car and where your seats are).
if it is your first online purchase with renfe, you have to go to a renfe office/train station to pick up the actual tickets. i had hoped to be able to get mine at the el corte ingles travel desk but the store said tickets reserved online could only be picked up at a renfe office or the train station so i just got to the station a bit early and picked the tickets up before getting on the train.
the tickets are 17.65 euro; the entire train is 2nd class so there are no seat/price options. the amount is charged to your credit card when you make the reservation.
it's fairly comfortable -- certainly more spacious than economy (i.e., steerage) seats on the airplane -- and you can walk around and stretch your legs when you want to. and you get to see some picturesque villages once you get past the seville suburbs. i wish i had known, though, that there is no club car on the T.R.D. 3 1/2 hours is a long time without anything to drink (or eat). many of the locals in our car brought drinks & food with them.
if i can answer any other questions, i'd be happy to.
Oct 12th, 2004, 04:05 AM
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
thanks dede! I really can't decide which is the better way to go - car or train - I like the freedom of having the car but I also like the relaxation of letting someone else do the driving! So I am not sure which I will choose. your info is very helpful, thanks!
Oct 12th, 2004, 05:18 AM
#18
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,785
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Ivy,
I'll throw in my 2 cents. I'd rent a car for Andalucia. There won't be any snow, the roads are fine, and it's an easy drive from Sevilla to Granada.
I did this in February this year, and I was traveling by myself. I had no problems and loved the freedom of having a car.
I got a great deal on the car at www.kasbah.com, which ended up giving me an AutoEurope car - no troubles. I picked the car up in Sevilla and dropped it off at the Granada airport (I toured around the pueblos blancos in between the two cities).
Have a great trip!
Karen
I'll throw in my 2 cents. I'd rent a car for Andalucia. There won't be any snow, the roads are fine, and it's an easy drive from Sevilla to Granada.
I did this in February this year, and I was traveling by myself. I had no problems and loved the freedom of having a car.
I got a great deal on the car at www.kasbah.com, which ended up giving me an AutoEurope car - no troubles. I picked the car up in Sevilla and dropped it off at the Granada airport (I toured around the pueblos blancos in between the two cities).
Have a great trip!
Karen
Oct 12th, 2004, 06:46 AM
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks Kaudrey! Did you rent an automatic or a manual? I have another thread about this, I cannot drive a manual. Do you think I will be OK getting an automatic in Spain? I loved your trip report and refer to it often in planning this trip, thanks!
