Hi, I know this original post is old but the subject is timely for me. Planning a trip in March/April which will have us flying into Madrid then a week later meeting folks in Barcelona to board a cruise ship. We generally like staying outside the big cities with access to go in as we like....is that doable in Madrid, or should we just stay in the city? I'm thinking about renting an apartment for 2 or 3 days before we head somewhere else (Valencia? Seville?).
Thanks for any suggestions/advice, what a great forum.

Stay in Madrid. There is really no reason not to.

You can fly or take the train to Barcelona it is 4 1/2 hours.

Stay in Madrid and make a day trip to Toledo or Segovia then head to Barcelona.

I presented my international license to Hertz at the Sevilla Train station, and was told that's only for the police if they stop you. They still wanted to see my USA state licence.

I do not think that 8 to 10 days are sufficient for what you plan to do. I would skip Barcelona this time around.

We (2 of us) will rent a car when we leave Malaga this coming June ($304 USD for 8 days through Europcar, economy/manual), and visit Ronda, Arcos, Cadiz, El Peurto and Seville (drop off car). After 3 days in Seville, we need to get to Madrid for a morning flight, so we are looking at the fast AVE train ($215 tourist, $324 1st class or $392 Club, seems pricey) or a bus $$48 (good price, but it takes 6 hours!)

Looks like the AVE tourist option (Maribel says 'tourist class is fine.') is best. Let me know if I'm missing something!

I still owe swashbuckler an answer re. rental car companies:
When in Spain or Portugal, I usually rent via www.cardelmar.com or www.cars4holidays.com

Both operate as resellers like autoeurope.com

An eco/manual car (Ford Fiesta) for 8 days in June 2008 ex Malaga will cost 115E with carsforholidays.com, which should be in the vicinity of $ 170 (incl. unlimited insurance & 2nd driver).

BUT: If you get better quotes from other companies like the one I mentioned, please make sure that also their insurance coverage terms or other fees or conditions are comparable to what you find elsewhere.

Thanks, Cowboy1968 for the car rental suggestions. I saved over $50 on my 8 day rental this coming June with cars4holidays, and they drop the car off at my hotel in Malaga!

Mike

When you check car rentals, be sure and include hispacar. We used them in Southern Spain and found their rates to be the best.