Options at a glance
| Option | Time | Price seen (one way) | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train (AVE, Alvia) | 3 h 15 to 3 h 40 | about 35 to 90 EUR, Alvia around 40 EUR | arrives at Granada station, 15 min by bus from the centre |
| Bus (Alsa) | 4 h 30 to 5 h | about 20 to 50 EUR | at least 18 departures a day, cheapest option |
| Car | about 4 h via the A-4 and A-44 | fuel and tolls; Granada parking extra | handy for the Sierra Nevada and the white villages |
| Flight | none practical | not worth it | use the train |
The bus is often the better choice for a budget trip because the train is not much faster once you add the transfer in Granada. Compare both for your date.
The Alhambra before anything else
Check availability for the Alhambra on its official ticket site before booking transport: slots for the Nasrid Palaces are timed and often sell out weeks ahead in spring and autumn. If you cannot get a ticket, guided options exist on GetYourGuide. Build your transport around the entry time rather than the other way round.
Practical tips
Trains leave from Madrid Puerta de Atocha; buses from the Estación Sur (Méndez Álvaro). See our Madrid train stations guide, and for pick-up near Atocha, renting a car at Madrid's train stations. A day trip is possible but tiring: stay one night.
Where to sleep in Granada
The Albaicín and the streets under the Alhambra are the most atmospheric, but streets are steep. Search hotels in Granada on Booking.com and check access by taxi if you have luggage.
More trips from the capital: excursions from Madrid.
Times and fares: Trainline, Omio and Rome2Rio, read on 30 October 2026. La rédaction Madrid Authority.
