If no discounts then maybe look at the Spain Railpass -could be a good deal if not discounts -you still have to pay for the seat reservation but otherwise can take any train anytime -of course reserve seats in advance to guarantee space but if you miss the train or want to change you only lose the seat reservation fee.

flights from Sevilla to Barcelona should be cheaper than the train. You must order your alhambra tickets ASAP at their official website ( careful.. lots of third party websites) as they sell out quickly.. probably grabbed by groups.

Or... you will have to pay for a guided tour to get in.

Do check flights to Barcelona.. usually very inexpensive/ Sevilla-BCN or Granada-BCN.

We did a similar trip in the fall all by train (part by bus to Granada). It was "easy-going" because of my partner's health concerns so it would also be fine for adults with a child!
Madrid- 2 nights (but we had been in Madrid before)
Cordoba - 2 nights (There were many recommendations on Fodor's to stay overnight and we were glad that
we did.)
Granada - 3 nights
Sevilla - 5 nights
Madrid - 1 night before the flight.

Granada isn't really a day trip. If the direct train still isn't up and running, you have to travel part of the way by train and the rest by a bus provided by the train company. The train/bus doesn't stop in the center of the town. You'll have to take a bus/taxi to that part.

By the way, I agree with suec1 about the Alcazar in Seville. It is very impressive and shares many features with the Alhambra. Granada is much more than the Alhambra and IMO, it's quite an effort to go to Granada to only see that. Seville is much better for a family with a small child - lots of parks and places where both adults and a child can enjoy.
I also agree with the posters that suggested flying from Seville to Barcelona. If you go from Madrid to Cordoba and then to Seville, it would probably be easier. I've read that posters have gone from Madrid to Cordoba (short train ride), toured Cordoba and then continued on to Seville. I'm sure that luggage can be left at the train station. That would probably be more doable.
By the way, there are wonderful, easy day trips from Madrid - Toledo, Segovia, El Escorial that could be done instead of Granada. You could consider adding an extra day to Madrid for one of these day trips instead of Granada.
Whatever you do, you'll certainly enjoy yourself. I love Andalusia!

Thank you for your replies.. a lot of useful information.

I feel much better about dropping granada and keeping it for another time I am certain that I would want to spend a few nights and maybe visit Alhambra during the night as well.

Will stick to cordoba and seville and give adequate time to enjoy both cities, taking the train to barcelona because it's easier and less stressful with a child,center to center connection and would take about the same time with the amount of time traveling to and from the airport.

That way we get extra time in Madrid which we will do the day trips you recommend, maybe Toledo.

Toledo is very close to Madrid but posters recommended buying tickets in advance (which I did through Renfre) because it's a commuter train and fills up.

Look at first-class tickets for that long train trip - sometimes not much more than 2nd and a bit roomier -with a young kid may be worth it. (Depends how much extra it will cost however.) Too bad overnight trains have seemingly disappeared from Spain otherwise you could have taken a night train as I did long ago.

You probably have to change in Madrid Atocha -may put an hour or so between trains and let the kid and you walk around -maybe have lunch, etc.

But you're right 5.75 hours city center to city (well Barcelona Sants ain't in the town center but commuter trains will take you there from the main Sants station) and you see the lay of the land as well- kind of boring but still and you speed along at nearly 200mph.

Bring any food or drink aboard. Stuff sold on trains is pricey.

PalenQ >>> unfortunately few days ago the first class ticket was 1€ more than the 2nd class. I missed it.

but am I missing something here? The trip is approx 4:45 hours. The 5:75 is to the center?

Are Spanish trains as punctual as German trains?
We did have a family cart in all our Germany travels which was very convenient, is this also available in Spanish trains?

Spanish trains are punctual , the system is excellent.
You can buy seats for four with a table in the middle.
Barcelona Saints is only several metro stops to the very center of Barcelona,
( depending where you are staying, taxi about 10 -15 euros to most hotels)
From Córdoba you have to go to Madrid 1:40 min, change trains to Barcelona
(2:30 - 3:00 hours depending on the train. ) - probably will not have to wait long in Madrid
You would do well to check Renfe page ( in English) ....


,

Sants...

Here is our 2015 Spain report (some of the cities you are visiting) with photos. Hopefully this link can give you some ideas.

<B>http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/spain-2015/</B>

((H))

Maitaitom. What a lovely comprehensive report with a nice sense of humor, I have not finished reading it yet.but it is so detailed and very helpful. Thank you very much

The trip is approx 4:45 hours.>

Not on schedules I looked at (www.bahn.de/en) -one odd hour early train was 5:10 but others all about 5 3/4 hr all told including layover time in Madrid changing trains. Where di you get 4:45? Oh well just an hour or so longer if bahn.de/en is right as they usually are - German Railways schedule site for all European trains - easiest to use for schedules I've seen but can't book Spanish trains.

I've booked on trainline.eu several trips take longer but this one says 4.45 hours and direct. I hope it is on schedule.

Ah my mistake -I put in Seville rather than Cordoba and that makes sense - about an hour to Cordoba from Seville.

Sorry about mistake.

can I ask how much you paid?

Thanks!

The cost was 90€ pp for promo+

Sounds like a good deal for such a long trip.

Hi newbee86 I'm responding to your comment on my trip report. To answer your question, I'll post my actual itinerary and what I'd change looking back. Hopefully this will help you make your plans.

Basically I'd take time away from Madrid for a day trip to Toledo and briefly shorten my time in Cordoba and Granada. I'd probably add that time to Barcelona, but I could have easily enjoyed extra time in Sevilla as well.

Actual itinerary
Day 1- Arrive in Madrid mid-day
Day 2 - Madrid
Day 3 - Madrid, late afternoon train to Cordoba
Day 4 - Cordoba
Day 5 - Cordoba, evening train to Sevilla
Day 6 - Sevilla
Day 7 - Sevilla
Day 8 - Sevilla, evening bus to Granada
Day 9 - Granada
Day 10 - Granada
Day 11 - Granada, evening flight to Barcelona
Day 12 - Barcelona
Day 13 - Barcelona
Day 14 - Barcelona
Day 15 - Barcelona
Day 16 - Morning flight home

Revised Itinerary
Day 1- Arrive in Madrid mid-day
Day 2 - Madrid, mid-day trip to Toledo
Day 3 - Madrid, mid-day train to Cordoba
Day 4 - Cordoba, late train to Sevilla or...
Day 5 - Morning train to Sevilla
Day 6 - Sevilla
Day 7 - Sevilla
Day 8 - Sevilla, evening bus to Granada
Day 9 - Granada
Day 10 - Granada
Day 11 - Morning flight to Barcelona
Day 12 - Barcelona
Day 13 - Barcelona
Day 14 - Barcelona
Day 15 - Barcelona
Day 16 - Morning flight home

In your comment you said you were concerned about only giving 1.5 days to each city. I'd say you could probably get away with 1.5 days in Cordoba and Granada (you may leave wanting more, but I think you can hit the highlights in that time), but you'll definitely want more time in Sevilla.

Looks great but not much time in Madrid itself -a city many here like as much as Barcelona -or some here like.

Thank you for your reply, I see you have given 4 days to seville. Maybe I should consider a mid day train from seville to cordoba and have 1.5 day in cordoba or less. That will probably fix it

Day 1: madrid arrive around noon.
Day 2: madrid(3rd person joins so want to give him his time in Madrid)
Day 3: madrid with day trip to Toledo
Day 4: madrid
Day 5: seville arrive at noon
Day 6: seville
Day 7: seville
Day 8: seville and midday train to cordoba
Day 9:cordoba
Day 10: train to barcelona
Day 11: barcelona
Day 12: barcelona
Day 13: barcelona
Day 14: fly back home from Barcelona

I would like the extra time in Madrid to see all the landmarks, and art museums. When the city is big I like to take my time to discover it.plus SHOPPING ��

Hi, we took the train to Malaga from Madrid last summer (we did not have reservations but walked to TrioCiclo if you can get a reservation was fun and casual first night in Madrid) and stopped off in Cordoba. We had luggage (there is a SMALL locker in the bus station which is right across the street from the bus station ours did not fit!). We had to scramble but found a hotel ( I BELIEVE It was the Eurostars Conquistadors where we could check our luggage...was very busy they assumed we were checking in later). Had a great tour of the Mosque/Jewish area and lunch at Taverna luque, again no reservation, save yourself time and make a reservation, well worth it, husband and wife and great food! We were able to walk around after and catch a train..I do not believe we pre booked the train from Coroba to Malaga, we did have a (fairly)leisurely day with plenty of time to get to our next destination.