We plan to be in south of Spain after several days in Barcelona and Madrid. Would like to avoid renting car, if possible, but don't have a huge problem with it if travel by train just isn't feasible. We intend to stay about 2 nights in Seville, 2 in Granada, and 1 possibly in Malaga (or leave that out for other options?) Can we travel by train easily from city to city or would renting a car be much better? And, if so, is it easy to rent in one city and drop off in another? I know everyone says to avoid having a car in Seville, so I would start or end there. Also, would like to see the coast area around Malaga or Marbella if the drive is not too scary. Does a train travel along the coast area?

I think the reason some people are "anti-car" in Seville is because a lot of them think that staying in the Barrio Santa Cruz is an absolute necessity (which I personally don't completely agree with) where a car is not only unnecessary but a hindrance.

I've stayed more centrally in Seville and never felt the need for a car there, either.

You can travel from Seville to Granada by rail and that takes three hours; bus services may be more frequent and faster. The roads in that part of Spain are quite good IMO and I do not think it would be in any way too frightening. You'd get a <b>lot</b> more flexibility with a car and I'm a person who often avoids them.

Have you had luck with a particular car rental agency, Intrepid1? (we'll be renting a car and doing a loop from Cordoba, Granada, Ronda to Sevilla)
gracias

I shopped around and got a great rate from www.carjet.com for the last week of March/1st week of April, picking up and returning to Malaga airport. I've used them in the past and thought they were fine. I used to use Auto Europe but even though they say they will meet or beat competitors' prices, they couldn't meet the carjet price and didn't return my call. Driving in Spain is a snap, just don't try to drive within the old quarter of the cities.

I looked everywhere and got a great rate from www.hispacar.com (it was recommended on another forum) - it was at &euro;18 PER DAY cheaper for a 5 day rental

Hi, regarding car rentals it is never to late to learn, we
recently rented a medium size diesel, from Autoeurope at 280 dollars per 7 days. is this a bad deal or a good deal, I didn't looked around, one of the reason I went for them is habbit I guess, and another that I thought that using my credit card in the US supresses entra bank charges etc.....also I know them and find them a reliable company.

We rented it in Jael and return it in Sevilla.
By the way this was the first time we mixed renting a car and taking trains from Madrid and found it very pleasant, more money may be but what a relieve not to drive into Madrid.