lolvan

Sorry, hope I am in the correct forum now. Planning 3 days in Madrid (from LAX in late Feb. 2012) then a week in Estepona and the following week in Mallorca. Questions: What is difference between the AVE and Renfe? Do both names refer to the same high speed rail between Madrid and Malaga? Does it go to Estepona or do we transfer to another train? Or should we rent a car in Malaga for the week in Estepona plus a day trip to Morocco? What means of transportation is recommended between Estepona to our resort on Mallorca? Air or ferry? Then we plan to rent a car on Mallorca for a week before returning to Madrid and flight back to LAX. Is a rental car good for touring Mallorca? What suggestions for getting from Mallorca back to Madrid? rental car, air, train? We aren't in a hurry so could drive but husband might be in a hurry to get home after 2.5 weeks. Open to suggestions from travel experts. Thank you.

kimhe

The AVE train (Alta Velocidad Española (Spanish high speed), AVE also meaning 'bird') is the high speed service of the Spanish rail company RENFE between several major Spanish cities. Just fabulous. You could save more than 50% if you book ahead at renfe.com instead of buying tickets at the station.

The AVE train takes some 2h 30 mins between Madrid and Málaga, city center to city center (335 miles). You'll have to shift to a local bus to go to Estepona. Leaves all the time, some twenty departures every day (Portillo bus company: http://portillo.avanzabus.com/web/default.aspx?lang=en). The bus station is next door to where the AVE lands, in the new and excellent train station in Málaga.

Great public transportation in the area, but if you plan on going into the mountains (Serranía de Ronda etc) a car could be a good plan. And I really recommend to visit wonderful Málaga city itself during your stay down here. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/ci...-treasure.html

From Estepona to Mallorca (Palma de Mallorca airport), I would fly from the very busy Málaga airport. Affordable and lots of departures. A car would be great for touring Mallorca, and I would have taken a flight back to Madrid. Check flights and prices on momondo.com, spanair, iberia, vueling, air europe, ryanair.

lolvan

I must say "thank you" to momondo's good advice to fly (not ferry) to Mallorca and to purchase train tickets in advance (we had planned to buy at the station in Madrid). Any comments on the Catalonia Gran Via? Found it on the internet and it received good reviews. Also, 1. Best way to get from MAD airport to the hotel? 2. Do we carry our own luggage on the train or can we check it (my husband is disabled so transporting bags is up to me).

lolvan

Oh dear, in my comments, thank you instead to kimhe (I think I thanked an airline). Am new to this.

kimhe

From Madrid airport to the hotel I recommend a taxi, some 20 minutes and 25-30€ to the city center.