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Is it worth it? How long?
We think Granada is worth it, but it is better as an overnight stop than a day trip. It is about 2 h 45 by train or about 3 hours by bus from Seville each way, and the Alhambra alone takes half a day. If you only have one day, we’d join a tour that includes Alhambra tickets. Otherwise, we’d spend one or two nights in Granada.
Seville to Granada: train, bus or car
| Option | Time | Price (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train (direct, via Antequera) | about 2 h 45 | about €47 | Four Avant trains a day from Santa Justa |
| Bus (Alsa) | about 3 h | from about €12 | Frequent, from Plaza de Armas bus station |
| Car | 2 h 45 | Fuel + parking | A-92 motorway; good on a road trip |
| Day tour from Seville | 12–14 h in total | varies | The only easy way to do it in a day |
Compare trains and buses on Omio. We recommend booking the train early: there are only a few direct services a day. The trip back (Granada to Seville) works the same way: see our full guide to Granada to Seville and Seville to Granada.
Options: tour vs train vs car
- Guided day tour from Seville: transport, a guide and a guaranteed Alhambra ticket. Long day, but no stress. Granada and Alhambra day trip from Seville.
- Train or bus and stay the night: our pick. Visit the Alhambra one morning, and see the Albaicín and the sunset from the Mirador de San Nicolás.
- Car: good if you are on a road trip. We’d park outside the old town. See our Andalusia road trip.
One-day plan (if you must)
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Early train or tour from Seville (leave around 7:00–8:00).
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The Alhambra: the Nasrid Palaces at your booked time, the Alcazaba, the Palace of Charles V and the Generalife gardens. Allow 3–4 hours.
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Lunch in the centre, near the cathedral.
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The Albaicín: walk up to the Mirador de San Nicolás for the famous view of the Alhambra.
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Evening train, bus or tour back to Seville.
Is a day trip by train realistic?
It is possible, but it depends on the timetable. There are only four direct trains a day, the journey takes about 2 h 45 each way, and your entry to the Nasrid Palaces is at a fixed time. Check the first train and the last train back before you book your Alhambra ticket, and leave plenty of time between them. With about 5 hours and 30 minutes on the train, you’ll have time for the Alhambra and little else. By bus, there are around a dozen services a day, and the journey takes about 3 hours.
Getting to the Alhambra in Granada
From Plaza Nueva, you can walk up the Cuesta de Gomérez through the Puerta de las Granadas, or take one of the small red city buses, such as the C30 from Plaza Isabel la Católica. See our guide to the Alhambra.
What each option costs
| Option | Price per person (approx.) | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Bus and official ticket | from about €46 | Bus each way from about €12, plus the Alhambra at about €22 |
| Train and official ticket | about €116 | Train each way at about €47, plus the Alhambra at about €22 |
| Day tour from Seville | varies by operator | Transport, guide and ticket in one booking |
Train and bus prices change with the date and how early you book, so check yours before buying. With a night in Granada, add your hotel and meals. Granada’s bars often serve a free tapa with each drink, so dinner can be good value. See where to eat in Granada.
Tickets for the Alhambra
Alhambra tickets are sold only for a set date and a timed entry to the Nasrid Palaces, and they sell out weeks ahead from spring to autumn. Tickets are personal: bring the ID you used to book.
- Official ticket: about €22 for general admission, on the official Alhambra ticket website
- Sold out? Guided tours and day trips often still have places, because they hold group tickets: Alhambra guided tour
When should I book my Alhambra tickets?
Enter the day you want to visit. You'll get the date to book by, the online deadline and that day's opening hours.
Sold out for your date? See guided tours with tickets →
Official prices
- Alhambra General€22.27
- Gardens, Generalife and Alcazaba€12.73
- Night visit, Nasrid Palaces€12.73
- Night visit, gardens€8.48
Hours, prices and the online deadline: Patronato de la Alhambra, checked September 2026. Booking dates are our advice from past demand. Rules can change: check the official ticket site before you book.
Stay over instead?
We’d say yes. One night lets you see the Alhambra without rushing and enjoy Granada’s free tapas and the Albaicín at sunset. Two nights let you add the Sacromonte caves and a flamenco show. Hotels in Granada.
A plan with one night
- Day 1: take a morning train or bus from Seville and leave your bags at the hotel. In the afternoon, see the cathedral and the centre, then walk up through the Albaicín to the Mirador de San Nicolás for the sunset. Finish with free tapas.
- Day 2: see the Alhambra in the morning, then have lunch and take an afternoon train or bus back, or continue your trip.
For longer plans, see our Granada itineraries, and for an evening treat, a hammam or flamenco in Sacromonte.
Where to stay in Granada
We’d stay around Plaza Nueva or the lower Albaicín, to walk everywhere:
- Budget: Hotel Casa del Capitel Nazarí is a Renaissance house with a patio, steps from Plaza Nueva.
- Mid-range: Hotel Palacio de Santa Inés is a 16th-century house just above the Carrera del Darro.
- Top: Hotel Casa Morisca is a historic Moorish house at the end of the Darro, with Alhambra views.
FAQ
How long is the train from Seville to Granada?
About 2 hours 45 minutes on the four direct trains a day via Antequera.
Is it better to take the train or the bus from Seville to Granada?
The train is faster when there is a direct service at a good time. The bus is cheaper and more frequent, and takes about 3 hours.
Can you do Granada as a day trip from Seville?
Yes, but it is a long day. We think a tour with Alhambra tickets included is the easiest way. Staying one or two nights is, in our view, much better.
How far in advance should I book the Alhambra?
We recommend booking as early as you can: several weeks ahead from March to October, and at least a week ahead in winter.
How far is Granada from Seville?
Roughly 250 km by road. It takes about 2 h 45 by direct train, about 3 hours by direct bus and about 2 h 30 to 2 h 45 by car on the A-92.
How much does it cost to get from Seville to Granada?
The direct bus costs from about €12 and the train about €47 each way. Prices change with the date and how early you book.
What if the Alhambra is sold out?
Guided tours and day trips often still have places, and night visits and the gardens ticket often have space. See Alhambra tours and night visits.