Granada to Portugal-what's the best option?
 

I'm a solo traveler and will be going from Granada to Portugal. I'm trying to figure out the best way to travel. I will have 6 days in Portugal and want to spend a few days in Lisbon/Sintra and a few days in Porto and the rest traveling to areas of Evora, Obidas/Nazare.

From Granada I can:
-- take a bus to Sevilla and then on to Faro and pick up a car there and stay in the Algarve for night. I realize that it will be a long trip.

--fly from Granada to Lisbon for $99 (3 hour flight). Pick up a car at the airport. I down side is will miss the drive up from the Algarve.

--rent a car in Granada and drive the entire way.

Have never been to Portugal so I'm looking for some help from other who have a good perspective of the trip.

Thank you in advance.

Down side? A three-hour flight vs a long day traveling by bus and an overnight in Faro? Fly and enjoy Lisbon and Porto. You'll have enough thrills driving to Evora and up to Porto.

No need for a car if you just want to bop between Lisbon and Evora and Lisbon and Portugal - trains serve both as do buses - save a ton over a car - since you are there such a short time you will be likely spending most of your time in those lovely lovely cities anyway where cars are useless. For more on train travel in Portugal - check www.seat61.com and for general info on European trains - www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com. A semi-high-speed line with modern rolling stock operates smoothly between Lisbon and Porto - other services are generally slow - buses may provide quicker links at times - like to Evora perhaps, not sure.

No need to buy tickets in advance though you may save a bit perhaps - not sure about Portugal but in general online advance purchases on European trains means discounted tickets but they aree typically train-specific, non-changeable and non-refundable.

http://translate.google.com/translat...t/&prev=search

http://www.transportespublicos.pt/gl...e-portugal-cp/

If you can get to Faro, why not just hop on the train there? The bus station is maybe 200m from the station.

skip the Algarve IMO on such a short trip where you wish to do Lisbon and Porto in six days - the Algarve is a bland string of high-rise hotels in many places - not worth the time or themoney of a car rental.

Thanks so much for all of your help. Much appreciated!! PalenQ always appreciate your advice :)