JonW

My wife and I are planning to spend 8 days in Andalucia in early October and cannot decide whether we should travel by public transport (train/bus) or by rental car. Certainly public transport will be cheaper.

Our thoughts, at present, are to drive the coastal route from Malaga up to Granada. Our accommodation is in the Albaycin area and we have been advised by the hotel to leave the car on the outskirts of the city in a parking lot and take a cab as the roads are narrow and the route to the hotel is complicated. Is that really necessary?

I am used to driving in congested cities in India and South East Asia. I enjoy driving and we normally rent a car wherever we go as that gives us a better feel of the country and we are then not limited to the route taken by the bus or train.

After two few days we plan to go from Granada to Cordoba and stay in a Hotel in the Jewish quarter for one night and then go on to Sevilla - where we will stay in an apartment in Santa Cruz for three nights. Finally we will go back to Malaga to catch a flight to the UK.

We have no intention of using the car in any of the cities, but thought we would get a better flavor of Spain by driving between them. Our interests are photography, food and the culture of the places we are visiting.

We need Fodorites help to decide quickly, as if we opt for public transport, the train bookings have to be made in a couple of days. If we opt for public transport we know about train reservations but do we need to make bookings on buses in advance?

CathyM

With only 6 nights I'd just use public transportation. Your time is going to be limited in the cities you are visiting so I'd focus on seeing them.

kimhe

If you havent't planned on driving around in the countryside/the mountains, definitely public transport. You will have no use of the car in the cities. No need to make bus reservations in advance.

Sounds like a great trip, wonderful and quite different cities. Just came back from Córdoba. The "other" Córdoba around Plaza las Tendillas, the Plaza Mayor-like Plaza de la Corredera, the Roman ruins etc can be highly recommended. All very close to the main tourist attractions, but a totally different and more local atmosphere. Bustling outdoor cafés long into the small hours.

I would also recommend you have a first or last night in fabulous Málaga city itself. "Málaga: Authentic charm of an overlooked treasure": http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/ci...-treasure.html

Great tips about tapas bars/restaurants in Sevilla. http://azahar-sevilla.com/sevilletapas/

Be sure to visit places also outside the Santa Cruz area. Some of the best places are in the Arenal and San Lorenzo districts. You should also visit the bustling Triana district on the other side of the river Guadalquivir. A cradle of flamenco culture, and lots of great bars/clubs. For example Casa Anselma in C/Pagés del Corro, 49: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gw1atBQq_u0

josele

You are visiting the main cities, public trasport between them is frequent and easy. Parking is a nightmare even for locals, you'll spend money in parking lots and you wont park near your hotels (unless they have their own parking space, at about 15 eur/night.
You may enjoy driving from Malaga to Granada, and though it must be doable with public transport, you'll need to switch buses somewhere (no railway). Besides, the drive Granada to Cordoba you'll enjoy much, as well, as it passes Alcala la Real, Luque and Baena.
My suggestion is driving to Granada, park following your hotel directions (it is indeed very complicated driving the Albaicín quarters, one-way streets, pedestrian-only, etc), and then drive to Cordoba, leaving the car upon arriving. Cordoba-Seville and Seville-Malaga I rec. public transport.

WomBatt

If it helps -
Malaga to Granada by bus is a one leg journey of not greater than two hours by bus - http://www.alsa.es/portal/site/Alsa. However, Granada bus station to your Albaicin destination is likely two city bus journeys or a taxi ride away of maybe 10 minutes, maybe €8 to €10, (but you were going to take a taxi anyway).

nytraveler

We've don the area twice by car and enjoyed it a lot and hd no problems. Just make sure your hotels have a garage where you can put it. As long as you are used to driving on narrow street (and do tuck in your side mirrors when you park) and are good at parallel parking (on either side) in small places you shuold be fine.


I have no idea where your hotel in Granada is - so can;t comment on the problem. We stayed in the Alhambra Palace and had no trouble driving to it or parking there - then walking to the Alhambra in the morning.
We would never give up the freedom of a car for public transit unless simply going from one large city to another.

Viajero2

The itinerary you are following would be much better logistically if you do NOT have a car. If you want to drive for a daytrip (i.e. from Seville drive the Route of the White Towns as a daytrip) just rent a car for a day....