We need advice on whether we should book our bus/train tickets in advance or not, for the following legs:
1. Toledo to Madrid by AVE : We shall be making a day trip from Madrid to Toledo on a Saturday. Will leave early morning by bus (as it appears the trains don't run before 9:15 am). Would like to return by AVE, but would like to keep the return timing flexible if possible. Is there a very long line at Toledo station to buy a ticket for Madrid ?
2. Madrid to Granada by bus: We plan on departing Madrid around 8am for Granada on a Monday. Any advance booking required for the bus ?
3. Seville to Lisbon by bus: We plan on leaving Seville on a Tuesday morning for Lisbon. Should we book the bus ticket in advance ? How should we go about doing the booking ? What are the options available with regards to timing ?
Would really appreciate getting specific replies to the above. Thanx.
Hi Vagabond:
You can purchase your Granada tickets in advance through Continental Auto, though it's probably not necessary if you're not travelling over the weekend or during holidays.
I'm not sure about Toledo-Madrid and Seville-Lisbon, but gut instinct tells me that the same applies: if you're travelling midweek, you shouldn't have any problems getting on board. However, most of the bus companies use the Movelia online purchasing system that you see on the Contiental site.
Sunday is the big day for visitors to Toledo, so getting back on a Saturday is not that big a deal. If you're not sure, you can buy your tickets back to Madrid when you arrive in Toledo; you've got to go by the train station when you get into the bus station.
Best,
Dawn
SPANISH CYCLEPATHS
If you want to play safe on the Seville - Lisbon leg, try booking online with Alsa, the company that operates that route. However, I'm with Dawn on this one: I reckon you'll be ok unless you're travelling at the weekend or a public holiday.
If buying online doesn't work out, you can pop down to the Plaza de Armas bus station in Seville a day or two in advance and buy your tickets then. It's close to the river, just out of the city centre past the bullring.
There are two bus stations in Seville. Basically, Plaza de Armas serves destinations to the north and west of Seville. The other, Prado de San Sebastian, is close to the Barrio Santa Cruz and serves destinations to the east and south of Seville.
Nice website link, Dawn.
As far as I know, the AVE doesn't go to Toledo. First stop on some trains is Ciudad Real. See the RENFE website.
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