My family of four (2 adults, 2 teens) will be taking a one-day Madrid to Seville trip in June (on a Tuesday.) We would like to stop in Toledo and Cordoba for 2-3 hours each and Consuegra for a bit, if time allows. My husband prefers driving and is a native Spanish speaker who has lots of international driving experience. At first I argued that train travel would be better, but with a family of four, getting a one-day, one-way rental car looks to be a lot cheaper than buying three train tickets times four people, and it gives us flexibility to follow our own schedule. Has anyone else made this trip by car? Do you have any recommendations regarding which drop off and pick up locations to use, which rental car company is best and/or any tips regarding the trip? So far, I have just been using google maps to plan the route. We will have four carry-on size suitcases, four “personal items”, and likely a bag of groceries. Thank you.

We have done that trip and I think your route is ambitious for one day. If I put in the stops you list that is 358 miles and 6 hours with no stops (starting from Madrid airport). The roads are good in general and driving is easy although going into the towns con be very slow going-Cordoba especially was really slow to get into the core historical area.

We had a leased car from France, so I don't have anything to help you in terms of where to rent etc.

In general we have loved our Spain driving trips but if you can possible stretch it I think you will enjoy it a lot more.

Have a look at AutoEurope for your rental. Yes, a car rental is cheaper than the train, esp for four people. Have made this trip many times, and there are no problems. Just make sure a
​​​​​​​l your luggage will fit in the model of the car you get.

Just make sure all your luggage will fit in the trunk of the car you get. You don't want anything showing within the car.

Thanks for the reply. I know it’s going to take longer by car than by train, which is the biggest downside to this plan. We will pick up the car first thing in the morning in Madrid, likely at the train station, and use our limited time in Toledo and Cordoba to break up what will be a long day of driving. Consuegra is likely to be just a quick pit stop to get out and take photos, and will probably get cut if it means going too far out of our way.




Considering we are locked in to one day of travel, would you recommend we cut out Toledo and Consuegra, travel by train instead or some other option? We are only in Seville 3 nights, so once we arrive I don’t want to take any side trips, therefore Cordoba is on the way or not at all.

I am pretty sure that many people here have gone to Toledo as a day trip from Madrid-so maybe that would be an option for the Madrid portion of your trip? Since I haven't been to Toledo I can't really give you an opinion there, but if you could do that then it would make the driving day you have a bit shorter.

That would be my call, but YMMV. Cordoba's Mezquita is, IMO, among the world's most stunning buildings, so making time for it -- and maybe a bit more of charming Cordoba -- would be worth considering.

If you are asking us to compare train versus car, then absolutely 100% I recommend the train, even if more expensive. You save time, it is comfortable.

I would not skip Córdoba. It was my favorite town. Train Madrid to Córdoba... leave bags at station... tour... go back and train to Seville?

Thank you! This sounds a lot less stressful. Hoping I can convince my hubby to try the train.

And thanks to everyone for sharing your advice!