Hi,
There are 4 of us (Australians) flying into Madrid in September, and we are spending a month travelling along the southern coast, then up the coast of Portugal and then back to Madrid when we will do a couple of day trips to see the lovely towns close to Madrid (eg Toledo)

We stay a couple of nights in Madrid when we first arrive, then we are travelling down to Granada where we stay for two nights before heading off to Ronda (where we have hired a fabulous looking house for a week and timed it for the Ronda festival). What I would really like to know is whether the trip from Madrid to Granada would justify us hiring a car in Madrid and driving down to see the scenery or whether you think we should buy tickets for a short flight to Granada?

This is my first Fodor post, but I have loved reading this forum for such a long time. I used it last year for a trip to France, and got some GREAT tips. Thank you to everyone who contributes!

Cheers
Pam

Oops - typo on first post - should be Granada! Not a good start
Pam

I'm getting this on various hits.

Madrid - Granada
•By Bus: 5h30 (15€ with Continental Auto)
•By Train: 6h (35€) Book this ticket (book direct)

It seems to me that you might be better off with four of you to rent an appropriate car in Madrid and keep it.

You can rent at the main train station in Madrid. I've dropped cars off there in the past.

Make sure you find a car that will fit your luggage. Also, enforce discipline on what can be taken, as I've had troubles with traveling mates in the past (too much luggage).

Here's a link for petrol prices for various countries. http://www.aaireland.ie/aa/motoring-...ol-prices.aspx

Rent a diesel vehicle if you can.

I would like the flexibility of a car, plus, this would allow you to stop along the way at smaller villages. I would have rather had a car for the entire trip ( or for the days in between large cities) for the same reason. But the train or bus would also be fine.

Madrid _Granad train is
4 hours and 25 min, twice a day,
NOT 6 HOURS
look up RENFE.

Even with the price of fuel (diesel) running at €1.39+/liter, plus tolls, I'd drive rather than fly or take the train to Granada with 4 people sharing the cost. If you want to take a bus (ALSA), it's running at 1/2 to 1/3 the cost of the train or taking a flight (+ taxi).

I took the train last year...very pleasant ride and, as noted above by Danon, not even close to 6 hours. But scenery is not fabulous, except for the last bit nearing Granada. I remember getting a reasonably priced discount train ticket.

Buses in Sapin are very acceptable and in many cases down right luxurious.

"down right luxurious".... for a bus!

Thanks all for your comments...
No one thinks we should do a short flight?
Our current plan is to hire the car after we finish seeing Granada and keep it to travel from Granada and around the rest of the trip and back to Madrid.
I just wasn't sure what the scenery between Madrid and Granada is like; whether it was a lovely drive or not. Given that we are driving the rest of the time, I was considering a flight to maximise our time in Granada..
The cost of the travel isn't really my main priority.
Thanks again!!

we flew Granada to Madrid several years ago...the airport in Granada is rather a long way from the city..
it is an option
check Vueling.

Thank you, Danon..if the airport is a long way out, then the suggestions re train and car become more appealing.

If you do drive, take advantage and do a photo op at Consuegra.

Otherwise, the train over bus.. mainly for the location of Madrid's train station.