December in Spain
 

Will be traveling for this New Years to Spain.
The first 4 days will go South, to Seville & Granada & then on the 30th. will come back to Madrid to expend the New Year's until Jan.4. Being to Spain many, many times with husband but this time are going with our 2 grown up boys.They want to rent a car for our whole stay & this is where I need some feedback. Will pick the car at Madrid's airport. Which route will be most appropiate, from the airport to Granada ? or from the airport to Seville?. Are the roads safe & well signed? Is it really neccesary to have a car in Madrid? I have never driven in Europe, so it creates a bit of anxiety. Thanks for your input.
P.S. Any recommendation on where to expend the New Years Eve, something nice...

I would fly Madrid-Malaga or Mad-Seville and pick car at the South destination. If flying into Seville, I would pick the car on the way out of Seville (suggest Estacion Santa Justa). Another alternative is to train to the south. You must have guess by now that, if you are heading south, I don't see the point of driving there upon arrival to Madrid, but rather use public transport (fly/train/bus).

The route south is well signed, good roads, safe, boring. I strongly suggest to fly. If staying in Madrid, Seville, a car is a liability.

The boys want you to rent a car..is that what you are saying???

I would take the Ave from Madrid to Seville and rent the car there for the trip down to Granada and then fly back from Granada to Madrid.

IMO you do not need a car and the parking headaches in Madrid which has an excellent transportation system and you certainly don't need one in Seville to see the major sites which mainly consist of the cathedral, the Alcazar, and the general architecture surrounding those two. Trying to take a car into the Barrio Santa Cruz is foolhardy.

About the itin, it is the same road to Cordoba, where you choose either Granada or Seville (all highway). These cities are well connected by highway A-92.
In Madrid a car is a problem as parking is almost impossible. In Granada or Seville is the same. Taxis are easy to find, and will admit the four of you. There is a fast train (AVE) from Madrid to Seville (see www.renfe.es for timetables and prices, you can even book), and regional trains Sevilla to Granada.
As the taxi trip Madrid Airport to Madrid Atocha RRWW station is about 30.-€, perhaps you'll find better flying into Seville or Granada. In any case, book well in advance, as well as the Alhambra tickets.

totally agree with those above. a car is unnecessay in madrid, and not really needed in granada. if you really had to get one for a day trip just rent for that day, but there are plenty of buses, trains. and taxis-. also, granada is easy enought to walk around. and madrid is well connected with the underground and the trains "cercanias"

As stated before, car is just as much hassle in Sevilla as in Madrid. Last time we were in Sevilla, we visited friends after having driven up from Costa del Sol. They insisted we park our car in their underground parking because the rental car had plates that would tell others is was rental/non-local, etc. ripe for car theft. Do you want this worry?

Driving on the major highways in Europe is fine, but driving/parking in the cities can be a nightmare. Don't even think about trying to drive around those cities. I think it makes a lot more sense to use the train for this trip.

Thanks greatly to all that reinforced my thoughts in renting a car for my Dec. trip to Spain. I'm 99% sure of not doing it.

Hi Doris,

I think you are very smart not renting a car to drive South. As you're already at the airport, I would just connect with an Iberia flight and fly from Barajas to Sevilla or Granada. Maybe you can then take the AVE back to Madrid.

Just to cement your decision not to drive...are you aware that most rental cars in Europe don't have automatic transmissions?

No Madrid AVE link with Granada. Only with Seville.

Trains are more expensive than flying in Spain.

"Trains are more expensive than flying in Spain."

Not always ! It depends on the routes and also , on the season. Train prices are held the same during all the season, while flying changes with the demand. So , if you book very early the above statement can be true ..if you cannot book early..train probably will be cheaper.