Seeking Advice for Exploring Andalusia Without a Car

[Martin_Bera]

Hey fellow travelers!

I'm thrilled to share that at the beginning of 2024, I'll be embarking on my very first trip to Spain. My journey will take me to Madrid and the enchanting landscapes of Andalucia. particularly the beautiful region of Andalusia. I'm beyond excited to immerse myself in the rich culture, history, and flavors of this captivating corner of the world.

As I plan my adventure, I find myself pondering the best ways to get around the picturesque cities and charming towns of Andalusia. Unlike some travelers, I won't have my own car, so I'm here to seek your wisdom and experiences on navigating this region efficiently and seamlessly.

I've heard that the train system is quite efficient and well-connected in Spain, but I'd love to hear your thoughts on using trains to travel between cities like Seville, Granada, and Cordoba. Are they comfortable and reliable?

If any of you have ventured through Andalusia without a car, I'd love to hear about your experiences, recommendations, and any challenges you might have encountered. I'm all ears!

Thank you in advance! Can't wait to hear from you, and I'm counting down the days to my Spanish adventure!

Happy travels,

 

[Susan McCarthy]

Absolutely! Andalucia holds a special place in my heart in Spain. Traveling by train is a breeze between key cities like Seville, Cordoba, and Malaga thanks to the high-speed rail. However, reaching Granada or Cadiz by train is a bit trickier. No worries, though - buses are a viable option. It might take longer, but the road journey is a scenic delight

 

[devarae]

In 2019 we took the train from Cordoba to Sevilla, then the bus from Sevilla to Granada, and had no trouble! We also used the trams inside Sevilla and Granada to get around. We also took a local bus from Sevilla to Carmona for a daytrip and that worked well also. I have some more details about what we did in my trip report for that trip, if you are curious!

We did use taxis to get from our apartment to the train/bus stations though, to make luggage handling easier! (Except in Granada when we left for the airport as there was a convenient shuttle right in town)

 

[vagabondini]

I lived in a village outside Seville for the past year and travelled only by train and bus around Andalucia. Renfe is the Spanish train operator. Trains are good quality, but should be booked at least a few days in advance during high travel periods like weekends, holy week, or August holidays. Read Seat 61 for great how to train in Spain info. https://www.seat61.com/train-travel-in-spain.htm

 

[Martin_Bera]

My sincere gratitude to each and every one of you for your valuable contributions and thoughtful responses. You all are GREAT!!

A quick update on my travel plans. I'm excited to say that I've successfully secured tickets and guided tours for the Alhambra in Granada. However, I must admit that I'm encountering a bit of a challenge when it comes to the Mezquita in Cordoba.

While the Alhambra process was smooth, finding suitable tickets and tours for the Mezquita seems to be a bit more complex. I was wondering if any of you could kindly recommend a specific website or platform where I might be able to efficiently book tickets and tours for the Mezquita of Cordoba.

Thank you in advance for your help!!!

 

[vagabondini]

My sincere gratitude to each and every one of you for your valuable contributions and thoughtful responses. You all are GREAT!!

A quick update on my travel plans. I'm excited to say that I've successfully secured tickets and guided tours for the Alhambra in Granada. However, I must admit that I'm encountering a bit of a challenge when it comes to the Mezquita in Cordoba.

While the Alhambra process was smooth, finding suitable tickets and tours for the Mezquita seems to be a bit more complex. I was wondering if any of you could kindly recommend a specific website or platform where I might be able to efficiently book tickets and tours for the Mezquita of Cordoba.

Thank you in advance for your help!!!

I believe you can enter the Cordoba mezquita for free between 830 and 930 am Monday to Saturday. It's very nice to go before the crowds fill the place up.

 

[Susan McCarthy]

Hello Martin!!

In my experience, I highly recommend using the official website of each monument whenever possible (Mezquita of Cordoba official website) While there are other platforms available, these official websites often offer tickets at their original price without any additional commission fees. This can make a noticeable difference, especially if you're planning to visit multiple monuments.

However, if you're looking for a guided tour, I recommend you this website (Mezquita of Cordoba ticket + guided tour). It has a variety of choices available, and the booking process is quite user-friendly.

I hope it helps and happy exploring!