Qs10dayadventures

I'm planning a trip to Spain and Portugal but I'm having trouble finding the most efficient flight itinerary from Los Angeles to Granada Spain.
Since there are no direct flights so far these are the options I came up with:
1. Fly from Los Angeles to Lisbon then take a one-way flight to Seville and another one way flight to Granada. Returning by taking a one-way flight from Seville to Lisbon and returning to Los Angeles from there.
2. Fly from Los Angeles to Madrid and take a connecting flight to Granada and return the same way as #1. This will be a very long trip involving 4 stops.
3. Fly from Los Angeles to Madrid either spend the night or take a midnight or later train to Granada.
4. Fly from Los Angeles to Malaga . This flight will stop either in Seville or Madrid ( so will follow the same path as #2 and #3). Then take a bus to Granada.

All these options are so overwhelming. Does anyone know of a better route or has had the same experience?

I will be visiting southern Spain and I wish to start in Granada then Cordova then to Malaga then to Seville before heading to Lisbon. This seem to be the most logical route to see Andalucia.

Any suggestions? Looking for a route as close to a direct flight via Lisbon. I prefer not to go through the northern part of Europe.

Thank you in advance.

Bedar

We have this problem every summer. From Reno we do American flights to DFW, then to Madrid, and then to Almeria (you to Granada). It's a very long trip, but we just grit our teeth and bear it.

rialtogrl

I'm confused by #2 - what do you mean by 4 stops?

Iberia has a nonstop Los Angeles - Madrid (which I am sure you know about) and puddle jumpers to Granada and to Lisbon from there. I don't think the nonstop flies daily. If you are not seeing the LAX to Madrid nonstop, tweak your dates if you can.

greg

I am also puzzled about #2. What is "very long trip involving 4 stops"? Long-short is a relative term. But with respect to what? To domestic flights? Transatlantic flights from LAX requires many hours.

You have to decide relevant metrics. You are relying on a rule in isolation like "I prefer not to go through the northern part of Europe." But why? If you look at LIS-LAX for example, the fastest flight duration looks like via AMS, then CDG. IF you insist on "not to go through the northern part of Europe", then going through EWR, PHL, IAD, takes longer.

Flight duration is just one factor. Super early departure complicates logistics. Super short layover adds risk. Do any of these considerations matter? I don't know when you are traveling, but the time of the year also influences the desirability of various layover airports.

Also depending on the definition of "best", the seat choice might matter. Would you automatically take a direct flight over one with a layover? Would you still take a direct flight if a seat available to you is the last non-reclining seat next to a rest room and two seats away from the aisle, if another one with layover lets you sit on an aisle away from the lavatories?

Qs10dayadventures

Thanks Bedar, you're right no matter what, it will be a long trip. I guess I just need to set my mind to it.

Sorry about the confusion on #2. The 4 stops was referring to #1. The Seville-Granada leg will always stop in Madrid.

Thanks Rialtogrl and Greg. You're right I might just be putting too many constraints on my itinerary that's why I am not able to find more decent flight routes in terms of duration and number of stops.
I just heard that CDG and AMS are very busy airports and a little bit complicated to get from one gate to the other. You're right Greg, this is where longer layovers will be key, making the transfers less stressful.

I will try to limit my filters. Thanks for stating the obvious.

quiltingmamma

I am flying Canada to Madrid with an extension to Granada on the same ticket. Madrid layover is 3 hours. If you look at which airlines flies with Iberia, then you can realistically add the Granada portion to the ticket....that way, you don't have to deal with either getting to the train to train somewhere after your long flight; nor do you have to worry about booking a separate airline same day.
I always book open tickets (as in flying into one airport and out another). I think US flights may have better sales on return flights, but you do need to do some comparisons as it may be false economy for dollars or time if you have to spend a lot of both to get yourself back to the original city.
I will admit, from LA it is a long flight. I don't find CDG or AMS difficult airports compared to Chicago and I expect, LA. So, if you want to be kind to yourself, book an overnight to one of those cities, stay overnight or a few days, then take an Easy Jet or Vueling flight to Granada or 'wherever'.

rialtogrl

Try to get the nonstop LAX - Madrid on Iberia, but if possible book it through American Airlines (or British Airways if you have a credit card that does not charge transaction fees.)

That way if something happens, like cancellation of a flight, you deal with AA or BA and they will reroute you.

Dukey1

BA will charge your credit card IN DOLLARS

rialtogrl

Good to know Dukey.

Qs10dayadventures

Thanks everyone for all the great tips.

Quiltingmamma, I did follow your advice. I booked a flight to Barcelona via AMS, connecting to Granada. The only drawback is a long layover in Barcelona and a late arrival to Granada, but I'll just suck it up cause it'll be dinner time when we get to Granada and my bedroom has a full view of the very well illuminated Alhambra Palace. Exciting! Thank you.

greg

>>> it'll be dinner time when we get to Granada.

You know that the dinner time in Spain is around 10:00pm?

Qs10dayadventures

Greg, yes that's what I said, dinner time when we get there. Thanks for noting.