Hello, my husband and I will be staying in Malaga this coming October. We wanted to visit the Cordaba, Seville, Rhonda and Granada. My understanding is that I can take the AVE train to Cordoba and Seville from Malaga, but not to Ronda and Granada. so, do I take the bus for this two places? Is it worth it if we only want to do day trips for this cities?


Also- does the eurorail pass covers multiple train system? the reason I am asking is that I don't see the AVE train route from Malaga to Barcelona, but I can book it on the eurorail reservation site. I am just wondering what train service I would take for that trip.

thanks so much for any information.
Lenni

Eurail is an agency, and their passes are not the bargains they once were. They cover all railway companies within whatever area you purchase (apart from some privately-run ones, funiculars, steam trains etc). But do check out the point to point total of your intended visits before you buy; most often this will be less than a pass. You do not need to book online beforehand, and only need to purchase tickets in advance for reservation-only trains.

For timetables only, look at

http://www.bahn.de/p/view/international/englisch/international_guests.shtml

http://horarios.renfe.es/hir/ingles.html

is the Spanish railway site in English. It will give you timetables and fares for your proposed journeys (although it seems a bit glitchy at the moment).

You can get a train to Granada and to Ronda, but both take much longer than the bus. Buses go from Malaga to both places:

http://www.estabus.emtsam.es/

will give you details/timetables in English. Granada takes 1.5 - 2 hours, Ronda 1.45 - 2.5.

Make sure you take a look around the Alcazabar in Malaga while you are there - it is pretty much a half-day with quite a few steps and hilly slopes to walk up and down (take water!). I believe it is free entry with a passport although the entrance fee is not very expensive. Best to check first.
We used local buses from Benalmadena and was easily able to travel to Rhonda and back in one day - if you have time try Mijas also.
Sounds a lovely trip!

Shalom, Shalom:
Sorry that I cannot advise on the buses or trains, but only on the places you wish to visit...
We have just returned from a trip to Spain and I would say that Ronda and Granada are two of the "must do's". Ronda is close to Malaga, only about 45 kilometers so should be doable on a single day. Granada is 150 or so kilometers and cannot be done in a single day trip. One day for the Alhambra and another day for the city itself, so consider doing an overnighter there, it will be WELL worth it.
Martin

Hi!
Such atrip have to be longer...Minimum 8 days...