How to get around Andalusia by bus and train august 22, 2024 – Posted in: Spain, Travel – Tags: Andalusia, Busses, Holiday, Public Transport, Round Trip, Spain, Trains, Transport, Transportation, Vacation

Getting Around Andalusia by Bus and Train

Exploring Andalusia by public transport is a fantastic way to experience the beautiful Spanish region – without having to worry about who will drive and who can enjoy an extra glass of their delightful wine!

Just as we have previously traveled around Sicily by bus and train, we have also done the same in Andalusia for many years now – and it turned out to be an easy and pleasant way to get around. Although Spain is a large country with long distances, the modern and comfortable buses and trains make it easy to travel from one city to another.

Before we start telling you about the train and bus connections we know, we would like to share some useful tips for those of you considering exploring Andalusia by public transport.

Use Omio and Rome2Rio!

We are still getting to know Andalusia, so the list of public transport in Andalusia is continuously updated. Every time we visit a new place, the route is added to the list here. Most of the routes we find on Omio and Rome2Rio. If there is a bus route you can’t find, the overview on andalucia.com might also be helpful.

On both Omio and Rome2Rio, you can search for bus and train connections throughout Europe. Omio is best for train connections, while Rome2Rio has the most bus connections, so feel free to use both.

On both sites, you can also often purchase your ticket right away, so you don’t have to run around confused looking for the ticket office.

Buying Tickets – A Simple Rule of Thumb

If you can’t buy a ticket on Omio or Rome2Rio, there is a simple rule of thumb for ticket purchases. If there is a ticket office at the station, you buy your ticket there. If there is no ticket office, you can usually buy the ticket directly on the bus. Always remember to carry cash, as you can rarely pay by card on the bus. On the other hand, we have yet to encounter a ticket office where you can’t pay by card.

Always remember to buy your ticket in advance, especially during peak season. In Spain, passengers are not allowed to stand in buses or trains, so only the number of seats available are sold. We once ended up stranded in Seville for 6 hours – but that way, we got to see the city by taking a harbor cruise. So it wasn’t all bad. But go ahead and buy your return ticket at the same time.

How much does it cost to travel by bus and train?

Tickets for public transport in Andalusia are incredibly cheap, considering what you get. For example, a bus ride from Seville to Huelva costs around 12 €, depending on the time and season. Train prices are about the same.

Is it safe to travel by public transport?

Traveling by bus and train in Andalusia is both safe and comfortable. Buses and trains are generally new and well-maintained, and it’s a great way to get close to the local population. Andalusians are friendly and helpful, even if English isn’t always their strongest suit. We had an incident where one of our fellow passengers became unwell on the bus, and even though he only spoke French, everyone went out of their way to help him get to the hospital.

We always keep our valuables with us in a small backpack on the bus, while suitcases and hiking backpacks are safely stored in the bus’s luggage compartment. When we first started traveling, we would often sit with our large backpack on our lap for four straight hours, but after realizing that absolutely no one had any interest in stealing it, we let it go into the luggage hold.

Are you allowed to eat and drink on Spanish buses and trains?

We’ve never seen a sign explicitly forbidding it – but it is VERY frowned upon. As complete newcomers to Andalusia, we brought a sandwich each for the train ride, and we got a lot of disapproving looks. Part of the Spanish culture is to have your meals in a restaurant with a knife and fork – not on the go. If you observe the locals, you’ll see that, yes, they might take a sip of water and discreetly eat a salted almond, but the big McDonald’s meals should be consumed at the train station.

Well, that was a bit of practical information. Now let’s get going!

Travel Around Andalusia by Train and Bus

Getting Around Andalusia by Train

Let’s start with the train system in Andalusia because it’s the easiest to explain. There is only one platform where you can search for departures and purchase tickets. Renfe covers all types of trains in Andalusia, including AVE (high-speed trains), Media Distancia (regional trains), and Cercanías (local trains).

Be aware that you need to have your passport or other identification ready when purchasing a ticket. This applies both when you book a ticket on Renfe’s website and if you buy a ticket at a ticket office. All passengers are registered with name and ID, which sometimes also needs to be shown on the train.

There is generally high security when traveling by train, and during our train journey in 2021 from Malaga to Cordoba and finally Seville, our luggage was scanned at all train stations before we were allowed to board the train.

In 2022, we traveled again in Andalusia, this time by train from Seville to Cadiz and Jerez. Cadiz is a lovely seaside town, only an hour’s train ride from Seville. Again, you can purchase tickets from Renfe. If you want an alternative to the train, the bus company COMES also has many daily departures.

Getting Around Andalusia by Bus

Unlike the train system, the bus system in Andalusia can be a bit tricky to navigate. There isn’t just one bus company, but rather a different one for each route, so it takes some time to find the right one. When you read our travel articles about Andalusia, we have therefore created a detailed guide on how to get to the different cities and attractions by public transport. Below, you’ll find a practical overview of the companies that operate the various routes we are familiar with.

Note: If you press (CTRL) + (F) on your computer, you can search for the city you want to visit.

Bus Tour: Seville, Carmona, Ronda, Malaga, Granada, and Nerja

In 2023, we took a 3-week-long bus tour through Andalusia. We landed in Seville and then traveled to Ronda and Granada before ending with a lovely beach holiday in Nerja and flying home from Malaga. You can read more about the cities in this overview article: Must-Visit Cities on Your Round Trip in Andalusia The information about the various bus routes in central Andalusia comes from this trip.

Bus from Seville to Carmona

We started our tour with a day trip to the beautiful old town of Carmona. Carmona has a rich history influenced by both Romans and Moors and is definitely worth a visit. From Seville, the bus to Carmona runs approximately once an hour, and the route is called M-124. You can catch it at the San Bernardo bus station (Estación Cercanías).

Bus from Seville to Ronda

From there, we continued by bus from Seville to Ronda, known for its stunning bridge, Puento Nuevo. The route is operated by DAMAS, with many daily departures.

Bus from Ronda to Malaga

If you’re traveling from Ronda to Malaga, the bus company DAMAS also operates most buses on this route. As you can see on Omio, there are also a few smaller operators on the route, but DAMAS has the most daily departures.

Bus from Malaga to Granada

Malaga is an excellent hub for traveling further into Andalusia. From the large bus station in Malaga, there is also a bus to Granada. The route is operated by Andalusia’s largest bus company, ALSA.

Bus from Ronda to Granada

If you want to travel from the beautiful Puente Nuevo bridge in Ronda to the wonder of Alhambra in Granada, you’ll have to go via Malaga. DAMAS operates the first part of the route from Ronda to Malaga, and from there, ALSA takes over and runs the route from Malaga to Granada.

Bus from Granada to Nerja

From Granada, our tour continued down to the Costa del Sol. ALSA has a direct route that takes you down to Motril and then stops in all the larger towns along the way to Nerja.

Bus from Nerja to Frigiliana

Most visitors to Nerja come to see the famous caves and one of the most renowned white villages, Frigiliana. The route is operated by the bus company Grupo Fajardo. You can see a schedule here: Bus from Nerja to Frigiliana. The bus departs from Nerja’s bus station on Avenida de Pescia, close to Plaza Cantarero.

Bus from Nerja to Malaga

From Nerja, we took one of the many buses that shuttle along the entire Costa del Sol, including Nerja. There are many daily departures, making it easy to enjoy a beach holiday on the coast while quickly getting to Malaga for shopping and more great restaurants. This route is operated by companies such as ALSA.

From Malaga Eastward to Nerja, Torrox, and Almuñécar

If you land at Malaga airport and need to head east to the Costa del Sol, it’s pretty straightforward! The bus goes directly from Malaga airport to destinations like Torrox, Nerja, and Maro. If you search on ALSA’s website, you’ll see that there are several daily routes from Malaga to Nerja.

Bus Tour: Seville, Huelva, Ayamonte, and Portugal

In the spring of 2024, we went on a long-term holiday in the small town of Ayamonte, which is located in the southwestern part of Spain. Neither of us likes driving, so once again, we got around by bus. It’s both easy and inexpensive, with buses reaching even the smallest towns.

Many tourists will find Ayamonte attractive because the town is also the gateway to Portugal. When you arrive by bus in Ayamonte, it’s only a short walk down to the ferry, which will take you over to Portugal in about fifteen minutes. We’ve written all about it here: A Day Trip to Portugal.

We also traveled around the area and into the cities of Huelva and Seville. Again, different bus operators run the routes, and there’s only a train between Huelva and Seville. Here is the information we’ve gathered!

Bus from Seville to Huelva

Huelva is known as the city from which Columbus set sail when he discovered America. Besides that, the city is an old mining town, as evidenced by the large railway bridge that stretches far out into the water. The route is operated by DAMAS, and there are many daily departures.

Bus from Seville to Ayamonte

If you want to go directly from Seville to Ayamonte, there are about five daily departures. We heard rumors about an express bus, but we never managed to find it. Again, the route is operated by DAMAS.

Bus from Huelva to Ayamonte

If you need to travel between Huelva and Ayamonte, it’s the same route with DAMAS that you can take. There are several daily departures, and make sure to have cash for the bus if you board in Ayamonte, as there’s no ticket office there.

Bus from Ayamonte to Isla Cristina, Isla Canela, Punta del Moral, and Islantilla

From Ayamonte, it’s also easy to reach the fantastic beach towns out by the Atlantic Ocean. Two different bus routes serve the towns from Ayamonte. While bus number M-312 first goes to Isla Canela and then out to Punta del Moral, it’s the Huelva bus that takes a detour past Isla Cristina and Islantilla. Check the bus schedules for the bus to Ayamonte and out to the three towns by clicking on the two links.

Ferry from Ayamonte, Spain to Portugal

Ayamonte is the last town on Costa Luz before the border with Portugal. The beautiful little town is worth a visit on its own, if only for the unique marshlands where you can see flamingos and storks in the winter and spring.

There is neither a bus nor a train connection between Spain and Portugal on this part of the coast. However, several times a day, a small boat sails over to Portugal, and it takes about 15 minutes. From the port town of Vila Real de Santo Antonio, it’s easy to continue along the Algarve coast to, for example, Faro. You can read about it here.

We are continuously updating this page!

Andalusia covers an area of 87,597 km². It goes without saying that there are many places we have yet to visit. As of this writing, we are planning our next long-term holiday, which will either take us to northern or eastern Andalusia. We just need to find the perfect spot. 🙂

As we explore more – by bus and train – this page will also be continuously updated. So be sure to bookmark it so you can stay tuned. Buen viaje!

Find a Great Hotel in Andalusia

In all our travel articles about Andalusia, you can also read our recommendations for lovely hotels where we have stayed. In Andalusia, price and quality go hand in hand, but you often get a little more for your money here. But see for yourself! You can quickly search for good hotels in the different cities in Andalusia right here. Type the name of the city you want to visit!

Booking.com