November in Southern Spain
 

I am traveling to southern Spain in November and would appreciate help with my tentative itinerary--

Flying into Madrid and taking a train to Toledo-- Any hotel suggestions for Toledo would be appreciated. Also, what is the best way to get to the train station from the airport?

Staying in Toledo for 2 nights (recently visited Madrid, but have never visited Toledo)

Traveling from Toledo to Granada-- Is there a bus/train between these two cities? I would welcome hotel suggestions for Granada.

Has anyone hired a private guide for Alhambra?

Taking the train from Granada to Seville-- for a conference

Flying back to Madrid

Thanks!

We stayed at the Hostal Del Cardenal in Toledo. The hotel has the prettiest grounds and landscaping of anywhere we have ever stayed. The room was beautiful and there is the El Botin restaurant on the premises. The only down side is you could really smell cigarette smoke in the hallways all the time. The hotel is set in the old city walls and is right next to the escalator that takes you up to the historic town. I heard the AVE (fast) train now has a stop in Toledo and if thats true, that is what you should take from Madrid to Toledo and on to Seville. It will only take you 2 and a half hours. That train doesn't go to Granada, so if you have to get there 1st, from Madrid I'm sure there are trains, just not the fast one. We took an organized tour of the Alhambra. I'm going back in September and have decided to rent an audioguide. Not because I learned so much the 1st time with a guide, only because one isn't necessary,unless you really need to know lots about the history of the place. Just seeing it was pretty amazing. We took a taxi from the airport to the area near the train station and a shuttle service back to the airport and it costs between 20 to 30 dollars. I don't know what the less expensive options are. Whatever you do, enjoy. Its a great trip!

I can recommend a lovely small hotel called hostal in Toledo, the location is excellent next to Santo Tome, itis called Hostal Santo Tome. Rooms are ample, bathrooms have marbled floors, cable tv, air cond., etc very nice and extremely clean and prices are much less than the Cardenal , in fact I think it is better located than the Cardenal.Also they are very friendly.

Upon arriving in Barajas you can buy in a RENFE station right there your train tickets, then I would take a taxi to Atocha Station, be sure to ask when you buy the tickets the name of the area of the station where your train will be leaving.

Is a private guide even available for the Alhambra? They do have audioguides available for 3 Euros a piece, I believe. I think this would be sufficient.

We visited last year and didn't get the audioguide and we really enjoyed it. The architecture is just beautiful and really reveals the history of the place. There might be guides for groups available. You'd best check the Alhambra website.

When you get to Madrid airport, there is a subway station in the airport....kind of a long walk from the Int'l terminals.

The subway can get you to Atocha (if that's where you take the train).

Don't know how to go from Toledo to Granada directly. But Sevilla/Granada by train is 3 hrs.

I agree about not needing a guide for the Alhambra. WE used to audio guide, but really a good guide book would have been as good if not better. WE spent our two night there at the hotel guadelope which is dead opposite the alhambra. If you are arriving by train, you may prefer to stay in the town and use the buses from the central square to get up to the alhambra. they run every 5-10 minutes til midnight.
Whatever you do, make sure that you book your time slot for the royal palace in advance. Even in November last year, they had sold out by late morning. Once you have bought/ collected your tickets from the ticket office at the entrance, you can enter the site at any time, but you must arrive at the entrance to the royal palace within your 30 minute time slot.
And do try to go at night as well- it is a completely different and very beautiful place at night.

Thanks to all who responded. I appreciate all of you help!