I have been accepted to a three-week study program at the Universidad de Malaga this summer and need help with arrival/departure plans from SFO to either Barcelona or Madrid. I have one week outside of study to visit friends in Barcelona with the possiblity of seeing Madrid. I will be able to visit Granada and Seville as part of my study program. Trying to decide on arriving in Barcelona or Madrid and how to travel to Malaga. Then, fly from Malaga, or AVE train back to Madrid for departure? I know after a month, I'll be ready to get home as "swiftly" as possible. Suggestions? BTW--I'm a teacher of "boomer" age so not interested in the "hostel" ideas, but also not necessarily traveling first class.

Would recommend AVE between Madrid and Málaga (2h 30min from central Madrid to central Málaga).

Barcelona-Málaga with Vueling from 25€ (1h 25min).
http://www.vueling.com/booking/booki...ciona-tu-vuelo

"Málaga: Authentic charm of an overlooked treasure":
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/ci...-treasure.html

Train advantages in Malaga is that the Station is very central, and you need to be there 10 mins before departure. And much more comfortable than the plane. Besides, in switching planes is when luggage gets lost. Once in Madrid, it is easy to get from Train Station (Atocha) to Barajas airport via Metro (some posters here may help with that).

About suggestios for Malaga, I have recntly posted some.

Since the airfare is about the same, I'm now thinking fly in/out of Madrid. Take train to Barcelona to visit friends, then take coastal train (no hurry) to Malaga. At end of my course, take AVE train back to Madrid to fly home. Any suggestions if I do decide to overnight in Madrid (after traveling 15+ hours)?

I am not sure there is a coastal train from Bna. to Malaga, better check.

It may not be coastal--but checking the renfe site there is a train from Barcelona to Malaga. I know I could fly, but it might be interesting to enjoy the scenery after visiting friends and before I begin three weeks of study. Opinions on staying over in Madrid?

You mean the ARCO train: you'll spend all day in the train, and it goes to Albacete, then Cordoba. Skips Madrid. Other options are the AVE (Bna, Zaragoza, Madrid, Cordoba, Malaga), and the night train