How to use and reserve mass transportation in Spain?
 

This will be our first trip (not only to Europe) but also our first trip in which we do NOT rent a car. My husband is super nervous about that (I think it's a control issue with him ;-)
Anyway, please help me prove to my husband that we can use mass transportation.

Our plan is to do the following:

Travel from Madrid to Toledo (day trip) by bus? What is the cost? Is there a website I can use? Where's the bus station (haven't gotten hotel but want to stay near museums/Retiro)?

Travel from Madrid to Seville by train. What is the cost? I was on the AVE website but it's in Spanish and it looked like I can't see anything this far in advance (we're going in July) so when do we make our train reservations?

Travel from Seville to Granada by bus. Again, cost? Website? Where's the bus station?

Travel from Granada to Marbella by bus. It looks like we'll have to go by bus to the bus station in Malaga and then another bus to Marbella, right? Still don't know how we'd get to the Marbella Marriott (another bus)?

I know I must sound so stupid but this is the first time we're using mass transportation overseas and (husband mostly) we're nervous. Any advice is appreciated!

I don't know the specific answers, but for those kind of logistics issues I always use a Lonely Planet guidebook. You should be able to borrow one from your library, or read one at your local bookstore, if you're not ready to buy one yet.

1- Toledo better by train

2- use the following link
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTop...10-Madrid.html

3-bus or train are ok.
bus with alsa
http://www.alsa.es

4-Granada-Malaga much better by bus with Alsa again.
Malaga-Marbella by bus, there is no train station in MArbella. Ask to your hotel, they should tell you the best option to get there from Malaga.

I never rent a car while in Spain! I prefer the bus because it's cheaper and I like the views.Busses are coaches w//ac and assigned seats.Buying train tickets is tricky to say the least!
When I go to Santiago or Malaga I fly with Vueling or Spanair-ridiculously cheap tickets!Iberia also has good deals within Spain.
When in Madrid I suggest you go to the department store El Corte Ingles -any location and go to the travel agency.You can also get help at the tourist office.
Public transportation is great in Spain and I only miss my car when I have to wait around for my connections.Otherwis it's fun to interact with the Spanish-they are very helpful and friendly!
Lastly invest in a good guide book that lists theinfo about trains and busses-I like DK Eyewitness and Frommers

Thanks everyone! Chapla- what about if you were going to Marbella (Marriott) for 3 days (and you were a family of 5). Would you still rely on the bus or would a car be more convenient?

Are you going to Marbella from Sevilla? Take the bus -easy trip.It's about 279 klms. and the bus takes about 3/hours.It will take you into Marbella.
There are trains from Sevilla to Malaga and then you would have to take a bus to Marbella.