Trying to understand the trains in Spain
 

Can I travel directly between Cordoba, Sevilla and Granada by train or do we get routed back through Madrid? I thought to go from Toledo to Cordoba but have since found that we would need to travel there by way of Madrid. That doesn't seem "logical" when I want to travel on to Cordoba or Sevilla.

I've used Seat61and DB Bahn in the past, can you recommend a website that is helpful for trains in Spain. I found Renfe to be rather frustrating. Thanks, Deborah

Only Toledo requires you return to Madrid.
Cordoba-Sevilla = train
Not sure about Granada but there is bus when not train (I've taken long distance buses in Spain and they are fine).

between cordoba and sevilla you do not go back to madrid. it is on the same line.

you also do not go back to madrid to go to granada from sevilla.

the toledo train line is not along the same line as the madrid-sevilla line thus one needs to go back to madrid to catch the fast direct sevilla line.

Thank you for the replies, that seems easy enough for those of us not train savvy ;;) Deborah

Yes, there are Seville to Granada trains. www.renfe.com

You have to use RENFE to purchase tickets for Spanish trains. Also Man at seat 61 has got very good info on how to use the website.
An alternative to using RENFE is PETRABAX. There may be some additional cost if you do.

I've used Seat61and DB Bahn in the past, can you recommend a website that is helpful for trains in Spain. I found Renfe to be rather frustrating.>

http://petrabax.com/ - like ribeirasacra explains. And besides www.seat61.com - Man in Seat 61 who posts above his commercial site also check out www.ricksteves.com and http://www.budgeteuropetravel.com/id30.html. also check www.raileurope.com as at times their fares are just $7 above the renfe.com fares that they often use as a base and tack on $7 - believe I read this in a post by Man in Seat 61 but not sure.

If you're booking train tickets well ahead, check the Renfe website a couple of days before departure. We found a little message in the corner, "Oh, by the way, if you're on the overnight train to Paris, it's leaving 2 hours earlier than what's printed on your tickets."

Seville to Granada is better by bus I think - cheaper and quicker as trains, due to tortuous terrain must take a round about route where buses go as the crow flies. Lots of buses. Just buy tickets before the bus.

I found RENFE ok, but even when you pick the English option once in the booking section there are still some Spanish terms used. I had a sort of trial run through the form noting words I wasn't familiar with (eg seat types) then just Googled them - this came up with loads of helpful info.

I found at the major stations the signage for arrivals/departures/platforms etc was very clear and easy to follow.

ttt