Help. We need to get from Madrid to Granada on Ap 28, 2017 1:00pm latest. We have reservations for Alhambra tour in afternoon, but they have not confirmed our start time.. Only date we could get was that Friday. Looking into train and buses but have encountered the same problems others have mentioned. Routing through Cordoba, Antequera, or Malaga and then taking bus. Only route available seems to be bus (ALSA) . Any other suggestions. Don’t want to drive, want shortest time without hassle of flying. We are seniors with luggage so want to minimize the number of transfers and anxiety of making connections if possible. Heard rumors of future trains direct from Madrid to Granada in 2017, but haven't heard that it has actually materialized. Thanks!

Leave early.

Granada is in the mountains, away from major train lines, there's nothing you can do about that.

But you're in luck: If you can take the 07:20 train from Atocha station, you get into Granada at 11:15.

See www.renfe.es

Try arriving the day before. The only train between Madrid and Granada continues to be the train-bus combination. The new line is not open.

Robert, You are right. The 7:20 train from Madrid arrives in Antequerra at 9:37. The train from Antequera for Granada leaves at 8:56 am arriving at 10:55am. Obviously they do not connect. The next train is at 11:35 arriving 1:52pm which is too late.

We flew Madrid to Granada and it was cheap and easy .

justme888, it's not a train from Antequerra but a bus (until rail construction ends). I gave you the Renfe URl, look it up, I just did again and here's the result:

IDA
MADRID-PUERTA DE ATOCHA a GRANADA
28/04/2017
Salida: 07.20 - Llegada: 11.15
AVE-BUS 99930 - Turista con enlace

AVE is the train, Bus is bus.

Michel gave you the best option...the bus service takes over where the train stops.

I suggest that you go to Granada the day before so that you are rested when you arrive at the Alhambra for your 1 pm afternoon visit. It is a unique place, a magnificent and intense experience. Don't arrive exhausted and stressed from having arisen early Friday morning, facing the train trip plus the Antequera transfer to the bus. Also, if you were to do that, once you arrive at the Granada bus station with your luggage, you are facing the taxi trip to your hotel, hotel check-in, then trip (by taxi, I am guessing) to the entrance gate of the Alhambra. (Be certain you know which gate; probably the main one at the eastern end?) It's not worth the hassle.

It's been posted previously, but know that the train from Madrid to Granada (though the last segment is by bus) is run by Renfe, so the get you there in one reservation. You don't need to buy train and then buy separate bus. Though I haven't don it, people say the bus runs well and the process is fine. Seems the bus takes a bit longer than the train on that last section, but not by a lot. The time schedule is met as published.

You also need a few minutes (or more) to get into the Alhambra. Last time I was there (two years ago I think) I had to produce the exact same credit card that I had used to make the online booking.

A bit past the actual entrance is a low building with machines that look like ATMs, but they are not ATMs - that's where you insert the credit card to retrieve your ticket. So first walk past the entrance, go do that, and then you should be able to get in.

As it happened, our CC was subject to fraud and had to be replaced between the time we booked and the time we arrived, so the number didn't match and we had no end of trouble getting a supervisor to assist us. Finally got in.

So the advice about getting to Granada the night before, even if late, is good. As you know, you can get dinner until way late, since they don't start serving until about 10PM.

No need to worry about producing the cc you used to purchase the ticket. There will be people there to direct you to the bus. It's easy!

Thank you ALL for your helpful information. I will double check w/ Renfe again. Am still considering the ALSA bus. Will book in the few days. Question: Do the ALSA buses have bathrooms? My husband is very worried about 5 hours w/one stop or 4 1/2 hrs direct, no stop. The websites do not indicate toilets on any of the buses on this route.
Good news. I contacted my hotel in Granada and told them of my dilemma. They were able to contact the tour company direct and intercede in my behalf. We were able to reschedule for Saturday (even though it was sold out at the time of my original booking) so we will be able to travel on Friday to Granada, as originally planned, and tour the Alhambra the next day. What a relief! Just need to book transport to Granada

When you run a search on Alsa's site for travel between Madrid and Granada, you'll see that some of the buses are designated as Premium. These should have toilets on board.

Take the AVE train from Madrid to Málaga in 2h 30 mins. Then take the 90 min Alsa bus to Granada. The Málaga bus station is next to the Málaga train station and the buses to Granada leave all the time.

If you take the 10am bus from Málaga, you are in Granada at 11:30, and both the 10:45 and 11:15 buses from Málaga arrive in Granada at 1:00pm. https://www.alsa.es/en/bus-schedules

Just one transfer, and the transfer in Málaga is to the next door building. Total travel time some 4 hours + transfer and a short bus ride.

Dear Kimhe, I had looked into that possibility (Madrid to Malaga AVE)already but hesitated since I had no idea where the bus terminal was in relation to the train station in Malaga. Thank you for reassuring me that they are located across from each other. Should I book the bus in advance or wait to be sure the train is on time and purchase once I have arrived? This seems a reasonable alternative to train to Antequera and then bus to Granada, and I am sure the train to Malaga will be nicer than the one to Antequera. You've made my day!

We flew.

The AVE train is almost always on schedule to the minute, but it would also normally be no problem to buy the bus tickets when you arrive at the Málaga bus station. Three buses to choose from after 10am if you are going to be in Granada before 1pm.

The AVE train to Málaga is the same as the one to Antequera, just one more stop down the line. Very comfortable, a great train ride, and the last part of the trip, down towards Málaga, is quite picturesque.

And then you only have a 90 mins bus ride to Granada. If you have time, I recommend a sit down in one of the two no fuss tapas bars/cafeterias in the Málaga bus station, they always put me in a good mood. As Málaga as it gets, great tapas, excellent coffee, freshly pressed orange juice, hectic and good-humoured.
http://www.malagaweb.com/transport/m...us-station.php