How Long Is the Train Ride From Madrid to Grenada?

By Robert Palmer

Are you planning a trip from Madrid to Granada and wondering about the train ride duration? Well, the answer is not straightforward as it depends on the type of train you choose to travel on and the route you take. Let’s dive deeper into this topic.

Types of Trains

There are two types of trains that operate between Madrid and Granada – high-speed trains (AVE) and regular trains (Media Distancia). The AVE is faster than Media Distancia, but the latter is cheaper.

Routes

There are two routes that connect Madrid and Granada. The first route is via Antequera-Santa Ana, while the second one goes via Cordoba. The train ride duration differs for each of these routes.

Madrid to Granada via Antequera-Santa Ana

This route is serviced by high-speed AVE trains only. The train ride duration from Madrid to Antequera-Santa Ana station is around 2 hours and 30 minutes.

From there, you need to take another train to reach Granada, which takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. Therefore, in total, the journey takes around 3 hours and 50 minutes.

Madrid to Granada via Cordoba

This route is serviced by both high-speed AVE trains and regular Media Distancia trains. If you choose to travel on an AVE train from Madrid to Cordoba, it will take around 1 hour and 40 minutes.

From Cordoba station, you need to switch to another train that takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach Granada. Therefore, in total, the journey takes around 3 hours and 10 minutes.

If you decide to travel on a Media Distancia train from Madrid to Cordoba instead of an AVE train, it will take around 4 hours and 30 minutes to reach Cordoba. From there, you need to switch to another train that takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach Granada. Therefore, in total, the journey takes around 6 hours.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the train ride duration from Madrid to Granada depends on the type of train you choose to travel on and the route you take. If you are in a hurry and don’t mind paying a premium fare, then choose the AVE train via Antequera-Santa Ana. If you want a more economical option and don’t mind spending a few extra hours on the train, then choose a Media Distancia train via Cordoba.

Whichever option you choose, make sure to book your tickets well in advance as they tend to sell out quickly during peak travel seasons.

  • Tips:
  • If you are traveling with a Eurail pass, note that it is not valid on AVE trains.
  • The prices of tickets vary depending on the class and type of seat (economy or business).

Happy travels!