About going from Madrid to Granada and Seville- which first?
 

We're flying into Madrid and staying about 5 nights. Then want to visit Granada for 2 nights, and Seville for 3 nights, before flying to Barcelona for 4 nights, and that's where we fly home from.

The question is- looks like it might be better to fly to Barcelona from Seville than Granada, as far as more options for flying, so was thinking we should go to Granada first from Madrid, then to Seville, then out.

Is there any difference between which order we go to Seville and Granada from Madrid, and then on to Barcelona? The train looks like it's much longer to Granada than Seville for some reason, although on the map they look like a similar distance.

Appreciate any comments!

nvl,

frankly I don't think it makes any difference which order you visit them in.

the important thing is what is easiest/most convenient.

The train from Madrid to Granada is 4 and 1/2hours, to Seville 2 and a half. The bus between takes about 3 hours. Vueling has cheap flights from either place to Barcelona.
More flights from Seville.
On the other hand, more trains a day from Madrid to Seville.
(Only 2 to Granada)


http://www.vueling.com

The frequency of flights in itself does not help you if the schedule does not integrate well into the whole picture.

Rather than looking at each component separately and make decisions, find the real schedule and fares and compare actual itineraries: Madrid-Granada-Sevilla-Barcelona vs. Madrid--Sevilla-Granada-Barcelona, and ask yourself, what can you actually do if you go to Granada first vs. if you go to Sevilla first.

The high speed AVE train runs between Barcelona - Madrid and Madrid - Sevilla (and several other cities). From city center to city center in no time. Granada is not connected to this network yet.

If you go to Granada before Sevilla, the best option would be to take the AVE train from Madrid to Málaga (same distance as from Madrid to Sevilla, some 2h 30 mins). Málaga is much closer to Granada, 90 mins by bus. The bus station is next to the brand new Estación María Zambrano where the train arrives.

Granada to Sevilla will be 3 hours by bus, and then you can fly up to Barcelona on the last leg.