StantonHyde

I am trying to look up bus/train times so I can get an idea of travel time etc for a November trip to Spain. This process is very humbling--I am now questioning my ability to navigate my way to work tomorrow! I have some questions:

1. The EurRail site looks very good for planning the AVE from Madrid to Seville to arrive and then we will depart from Cordoba to Madrid. My question is: We will be coming into the International Terminal in Madrid and then need to get to the train station. Our plan lands at 9:30 am on a Saturday. Should we taxi to the train station in Madrid? Which train station do we need to go to (I am assuming there is more than one).

2. Which train station do we leave from in Cordoba to Madrid--when I go the site it seems that I am supposed to pick one. I thought there was only one station in Cordoba.

3. Which bus company runs from Sevilla to Ronda? From Ronda to Granada? From Granada to Cordoba? I am trying the alsa site and feel like an idiot because I can't find Ronda--is it La Rondilla? (and I used to speak fairly decent Spanish in grad school!!)

4. Which bus station in Sevilla? Are there 2 bus stations in Cordoba--which is closest to the train station?

Any suggestions of specific bus companies or whatever the public transport options are would be much appreciated. After a couple hours of frustration, I am seeking professional help!!! (I have planned trips to Italy and France--but we only took trains there) Yes, feel free to comment on my lack of mental capacity ;-) (and no wine to blame it on!)

kja

My information is old, so do check it carefully! I remember how frustrating it was to track down the bus companies.

1. My recollection is that there is an easy metro from the airport to Atocha, the train station for high speed trains. But it's been a while since I was there, so I hope others chime in!

3. For Sevilla to Ronda, try Los Amarillos. From Granada to Cordoba, try Continental Auto. I took a train from Granada to Ronda.

4. The bus I took from Ronda to Sevilla took me to Estacion Prado de San Sebastian. I don't remember if that's the only bus station possible for that particular bus or if it was a choice I made based on the location of my hotel.

Hope that helps!

hkto

1. Which train station do we need to go to (I am assuming there is more than one).

Atocha. Take the bus to Atoca http://www.emtmadrid.es/lineaAeropuerto/index.html

2. Which train station do we leave from in Cordoba to Madrid--when I go the site it seems that I am supposed to pick one. I thought there was only one station in Cordoba.

CORDOBA CENTRAL

3. Which bus company runs from Sevilla to Ronda? From Ronda to Granada? From Granada to Cordoba? I am trying the alsa site and feel like an idiot because I can't find Ronda--is it La Rondilla? (and I used to speak fairly decent Spanish in grad school!!)

Los Amarillos http://www.ronda.ws/info/horario/aut...illa_ronda.htm

4. Which bus station in Sevilla? Are there 2 bus stations in Cordoba--which is closest to the train station?

SEVILLE (Plaza de Armas)

http://www.alsa.es for Sevilla/Cordoba

CathyM

I am having trouble following the order of your itinerary. Can you spell out the cities in order of how they will be visited?

WomBatt

StantonHyde,

1. (I am not sure why you are favouring the EurRail site when the national carrier is RENFE - http://www.renfe.com/)

I note where you are from (and I presume long flight), so suggest taxi to Atocha RENFE, if 'we' are more than two and/or carrying luggage. The metro journey requires a change and takes more than an hour, taxi 30 minutes, hopefully. Metro if you want - http://www.metromadrid.es/en/index.html

2. There is only one train station in Cordoba. I must presume you are looking at something odd on the EurRail site.

3. Seville to Ronda as advised by kja - http://www.losamarillos.es/venta/busqueda.jsp
Ronda to Granada the same company - but would you not like the train ride at an hour and a half less, a little more comfort, better scenery?
Granada to Cordoba - Alsa bus which you have.
4. Bus station in Seville for Ronda is El Prado de San Sebastián.

I think that covers it - but I will give for trains and usage of the RENFE site and possible discounting this - http://tiny.cc/xgsxn

Come back, if you need more, help is at hand.

Best wishes.

WomBatt

I missed - the bus station and train station in Cordoba are opposite each other.

NanBug

Granada is a simple, cheap train ride from Ronda. Took about 2.5 hours.

StantonHyde

ok, sorry to confuse everyone with the itinerary. But it seems like you rose to the challenge and gave me the info I needed to find trains and buses--thank you!!

The itinerary is:
Saturday, land in Madrid at 9:30 am, AVE train to Seville
Sunday and Monday-tour Seville
Tuesday--day trip from Sevilla to Cordoba and back to Sevilla
Weds--bus from Sevilla to Ronda, see Ronda, stay night
Thurs--travel to Granada from Ronda (bus or train--whichever is faster)
Friday--leave Granada in the afternoon and bus or train to Cordoba (whichever is faster). Switch to AVE train (or from bus to train). AVE train to Madrid.
Sat--leave Madrid via plane

StantonHyde

Great--I checked renfe--so much easier to use!! Looks like I can take the 8:27 train from Ronda and be in Granada by 11 am. The AVEs to/from Madrid--lots of times, easy.

The bus leaves from Sevilla to Ronda at 7 am. What time would we get to Ronda--around 10 am?

I am excited to see that I can bus from Granada to Cordoba 15:00-17:42 and then walk across the street in Cordoba and get on the AVE for an 18:02 and get into Madrid at 19:45. Or is that connection in Cordoba cutting it too close. Do buses run on time in that area?

I will make reservations for the trains and for the Alsa ride from Granada to Cordoba. Is it necessary to make reservations on Los Amarillos or can we just get a ticket when we are in Sevilla?

NanBug

I wasn't able to make a reservation for Los Amarillos online last year, although that may have changed. I would definitely buy your ticket at least a day before -- that route is popular and the buses are full. Our bus took 2 hours to get to Ronda, others take 2.5, depending on stops. There were several faster buses per day.

josele

Here's the link to all buses to/from Ronda: http://www.turismoderonda.es/informa...oautobuses.pdf

WomBatt

StantonHyde,

I think the only query unanswered is about your Granada to Madrid journey. Twenty minutes between disembarking bus station and embarking train station in Cordoba is a little tight for me. The bus might not be on time (who can tell with traffic), the train will be.
Do you not want to train all the way Granada to Madrid - two journeys a day?

Best wishes.

StantonHyde

WomBatt:

I know, it is a trade off. I decided to do the big train journey vs. going to Cordoba and staying the night there. I would rather do Cordoba as a day trip from Sevilla and not do as much hotel hopping.

WomBatt

Good luck. If you need anything more, ask. My weakest knowledge on your trip is Seville, only having been twice for a few days and Ronda once.

Piccolina

Bookmarking

Margo20

StantonHyde -

How did this trip work out for you? I also have a similar itinerary for trip in 3 weeks. I have the same concern of Granada-Madrid with stopover in Cordoba. Would you suggest taking a train (which may have a more reliable schedule) or bus from Granada to Cordoba? Any other suggestions for Sevilla, Ronda, or even Madrid would be appreciated.

Thanks!

PalenQ

marking for later comment - I have taken trains between all those cities and service is excellent - I also took the bus from Seville to Ronda, passing thru the iconic White Villages - cannot remember which of several bus companies but left from bus station near the main S Justa train station.

For lots of great info on Spanish trains check out these IMO fab sites - www.seat61.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com. There is a Spanish railpass that may be cost effective if you want to decide which train to take once there and not do the discounted advance online bookings that I believe are train-specific and non-changeable nor refundable. IME you will never have a problem getting on any train as you go along.

CathyM

Margo20- I'd probably take the bus between Granada and Cordoba for 2 reasons: 1) there are many more buses than train each day and they take the same amount of travel time as train 2) the bus is significantly less expensive. I don't know your specific itinerary but you may consider doing a daytrip to Cordoba between a Granada and Madrid. There are luggage lockers in the bus station.

Margo20

Thanks PalenQ and CathyM. Right now our itinerary is as follows:

-Train Madrid - Sevilla, 3 nights in Sevilla
-Bus Sevilla - Ronda, 1 night in Ronda
-Train Ronda - Granada, 2 nights in Granada
-Bus Granada - Cordoba, 1/2 day sightsee in Cordoba then Train Cordoba - Madrid, then Train Madrid - Toledo, 1 night in Toledo
-Train Toledo - Madrid, 1 night in Madrid

I'm hoping to hit all the major highlights of Andalusia but hopefully not exhaust myself traveling. Aside from the Granada-Toledo day I think it should be feasible unless anyone suggests otherwise.

Thanks!

kja

Margo20 -

Do you think you might ever return to Madrid and surrounds? The reason I ask is that if you think you might, then it might make sense to add a day to Cordoba and skip Toledo this time around. I found plenty to see in Cordoba to keep me busy for 2 full days. I'm not saying it "beats" Toledo, which I also loved. I'm just thinking that if you want to "cover" Andalusia on this trip, then it might make most sense to cover your bases there.