Travel within Spain - Fly or Train?
 

We will be flying to Madrid from US, arriving about ll:30 a.m. From Madrid, we'll go straight to Seville. What will be the best way to do it, fly to Seville or train. As one never knows how on time flights are nowadays, which will be a better choice? What happens when you miss your flight connection or your AVE train (Madrid-Seville)? We will be coming to Madrid from Nerja and from what I researched, I have to either fly or train from Malaga as Nerja is a very small town. We already have a reservation at Hotel Mora (everybody's favorite here in Madrid) which I think is near the Atocha (sp) train station. In this case, I guess it's better to train (4 hrs./15 mins.). Does anyone know of a better alternative to travel to Madrid from Nerja? Thanks.

Dahlia, <BR>If your U.S. flight arrives on time to Barajas, you should be able to catch Spanair's 1:20 flight to Seville. (Expedia says Iberia currently has one at 12:20, then not another non-stop until 4:10). Or you could grab a taxi to Puerta de Atocha station (about 1/2 hr ride) to catch one of the Ave's that leave on the hr., which would give you more flexibility. If you wait until you arrive at the station to buy your ticket, you'll probably be o.k. That way, if you miss the 1 p.m. train, you can just hop on the one at 2 (or 3 or 4...) If you miss your connecting flight at Barajas, you'll be put on the next one but make sure if it's Iberia, that it's a non-stop (some go thru Barcelona, Valencia..) <BR>I think I might be tempted to fly back to Madrid from Malaga rather than take that long, fairly dull Talgo 200 train ride. The flight only takes an hr-it would give you more time to enjoy your final day(s) in Madrid. Can you make it to Malaga from Nerja for a 9 a.m. or 11:30 departure? Spanair is usually cheaper (and almost always better) than Iberia. <BR>

Take a look at my recent post Fly or AVE Madrid to Seville. I leave for Madrid in 3 days. We have decided on the train for flexibility.

Dahlia, <BR>Me again-I *believe* Air Europa also has a nine-ish flight(but may not be daily?) Malaga-Madrid, another lower cost option.

I don't know what air carrier you're using to travel from the U.S. to Madrid, but I remember reading that if you purchase a roundtrip transatlantic flight on Iberia they'll give you a free roundtrip ticket for use within Spain. I'm not sure if this promotion is ongoing or was only a one-time event.

Dahlia, <BR>If your schedule alllows it,I am all for flying from Madrid to Seville. It's faster, cheaper than the AVE, and when I flew, was absolutely no hassle, on-time flight and arrival. It's more of a commuter hop, so my guess is that problems are rare.

We will be flying from Malaga to Madrid (decided against the train). Will it be cheaper to buy the ticket in Spain or buy the ticket in US before we leave? Needs your expertise please.