Please help, we are two moms visiting our daughters in Madrid and then traveling. We need to get from the very south of Spain to Lisbon. From research I have learned that the best way may be a bus ride from Seville to Lisbon. Anybody done this? Any ideas about bus companies, duration of trip or cost? Any other ideas for means of travel? Please help, we are trying to do this on our own!!! Any suggestions for staying in either place? THank you so much!! Maria Lynn

I took the bus from Sevilla to Lisbon - it was about 12 hours. We left 7am and arrived in Lisbon at about 7pm. The bus stopped on the border for a while, then we had to change buses somewhere after that in the middle of nowhere. We waited for about an hour there too.

Hello, Mary Lynn, <BR>What a lovely trip for you, and how nice for your daughters to be able to see you. <BR>Don't freak out...but, how about renting a car? My husband and I have driven a car through many European countries, and honestly, the drive from Seville to Lisbon was a cakewalk. I think it took us about 6 to 7 hours on the autobahn. There was very little traffic and we sailed along easily. <BR> <BR>We reserve our cars from the States and usually pick them up and drop them off at the airport. It is a pretty easy escape that way. From the Lisbon airport to the city center is 15 to 20 minutes by cab. <BR> <BR>Another thought is to head to the coast and see that wonderful area of Sintra. We stayed at a great hotel on the ocean in a tiny coastal village. Perhaps another idea would be to leave the car in Sintra and take the train in? If you wish to email me directly, you are welcome to do so. <BR>Good Luck! <BR>Gloria

We took a bus from Seville to Faro (right in the middle of the Algarve on Portugal's southern coast). From there were rented a car and drove to Lisbon (via Evora). A direct drive would be 3-4 hours from Faro. The bus from Seville to Faro was about three hours, and crossing the border was no problem (we didn't even stop). <BR> <BR>If you have time, you might spend a night or two in a town in the Algarve, like Albufeira. (Sagres is a bit more charming, but Albufeira is much more lively and touristy, so the kids might like it better). The drive is easy into Lisbon, but there are probably daily buses from the major Algarve towns into Lisbon as well. <BR> <BR>In Lisbon we stayed at the hotel Nacional, which is a modern business hotel with all the amenities (but nothing particularly charming or special). Reasonably well located, and close to a metro station. Sintra is also a good option but it's a bedroom community to Lisbon and the traffic from Sintra into Lisbon in the morning is awful. You don't need a car in Lisbon so it's probably better to stay in a central hotel rather than in Sintra where you would need a car.

Thank you Gloria, Mike and AW, I will weigh all these options and you all give me food for thought. How much will it cost to rent a car to pick up in Seville and drop off in Lisbon. Ballpark figure? THat might be our best option.

Mary Lynn, <BR>We check with Hertx, Budget, Avis, etc. each trip. If you are concerned with cost, and it is just the two of you, consider a compact. That should run you around $200 for a three day rental including taxes, insurances, unlimited mileage, etc. We did have to check around to find a company that allowed us to pick up the car in one country and drop off in another. <BR>I really think a car is the answer to your situation. I saw another posting of yours that you are interested in Fatima. You could go from Seville to Fatima, head to the Atlantic coast, follow that south to Sintra, and drop your car off there or proceed to the Lisbon airport dropoff point, and take a cab or bus into Lisbon to finish your trip. <BR>Email me directly if you like, Mary Lynn! <BR>Good Luck! <BR>Gloria <BR>

Car rentald were surprisingly cheap in Portugal. We rented a car for 11 days and the total cost was around $400, so for three days it should be quite reasonable. <BR> <BR>Pick up / drop off in different countries is tough to arrange, which is why we dropped off our first car in Seville, took the bus across the border to Faro, then rented a car in Faro (which you can drop off anywhere in Portugal).

I can't imagine a bus from Seville to Lisbon taking 12 hours. It is only 250 miles between the two towns. Renting a car in Faro and returning it in Lisbon is the most economical way for a car rental. The drop off charge would be rather high between the Spain and Portugal. There is train service between Faro and Lisbon if you decide to take a bus to Faro. <BR>

Mary Lynn, <BR>I remember Patrick posting on this board before that AutoEurope has helped a number of Fodorites with car rental. <BR>A search here should provide the necessary contact information. <BR> <BR>I disagree with the previous posters that the dropoff charge is too prohibitive. We checked and found at least one company that offered that service to us at no charge. I think it was Hertz, but, I would have to check my information. <BR> <BR>(Are you going crazy yet? ) Good Luck! <BR>Gloria <BR>

I would be going crazy but you all have helped a lot. I need to get the courage to drive in Portugal but that may be my best bet. Any ideas for places to stay in seville, fatima or lisbon? How are directions and the cost of gas? Keep feeding me and tell me what to do. Thanks to all of you I really appreciate your comments.

Isn't it possible to take a train from Seville to Lisbon?

You cannot (easily) get to Seville from Lisbon by train. <BR>I have taken the bus several times back and forth and unfortunately, can't remember all the stats...(I tried to find an earlier post I'd better responded to, but couldn't find it under "Lisbon Seville bus"... If I recall, it takes about eight hours, including a couple 45 minute "breaks" and several stops along the way. It goes thru Badajoz as border town. I am totally guessing but I believe the cost was, maybe, $30.00 USD??? It was in 1998 when I last tried it... (that figure may be totally wrong... certainly not price-prohibitive either way...) <BR>I have also driven this route a couple times, but would not suggest a one way drop on a car rental. <BR> <BR>feel free to email me if I can help further.