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The short answer: fastest, cheapest, easiest
- From abroad: fly to Seville airport (SVQ), 10 km from the centre. There are direct flights from London and other UK airports (about 2.5 hours from London) and from many European cities.
- From Madrid: the high-speed train to Santa Justa station, about 2.5 hours, many trains a day. It is faster than flying once you count the airports.
- From Málaga, Córdoba or Granada: the train (about 2 hours, 45 minutes and 2.5–3 hours). Buses are cheaper and slower.
- From Portugal (Faro, Lisbon): there is no direct train. Take a bus (about 2.5–3.5 hours from Faro, about 7 hours from Lisbon), fly from Lisbon, or drive.
- Cheapest: usually the bus, or a high-speed train booked weeks ahead.
Comparison table
| From | Best option | Time (approx.) | Alternatives | Full guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK and Europe | Direct flight to SVQ | 2–3 h from most of Western Europe | Fly to Málaga or Madrid, then train | See below |
| Madrid | High-speed train | 2 h 30 | Flight, bus (about 6 h), car (about 5 h 30) | Madrid to Seville |
| Málaga | Direct train | about 2 h | Bus (2 h 30–3 h), car (about 2 h 15) | Málaga to Seville |
| Faro (Portugal) | Bus or car | 2–3 h 30 | Shuttle or private transfer | Faro to Seville |
| Lisbon | Flight | about 1 h in the air | Bus (about 7 h), car (4 h 30–5 h) | Lisbon to Seville |
| Barcelona | Flight | about 1 h 45 in the air | Direct train (5 h 30–6 h), car (about 10 h) | Barcelona to Seville |
Coming from Córdoba or Granada? Our day-trip pages cover the same routes in reverse: Seville to Córdoba and Seville to Granada.
Step by step for each option
Flying to Seville (SVQ)
Seville airport is small and easy, about 10 km north-east of the centre. Low-cost and national airlines fly direct from London and several other UK airports, and from many cities in Europe, especially in spring and autumn. There are fewer routes in winter.
Flying from outside Europe? There are few long-haul flights to Seville. Most travellers change planes in Madrid or another European hub, or fly into Madrid and take the train (about 2.5 hours from Madrid Atocha), which is often as quick and more comfortable.
Other airports to consider:
- Málaga (AGP): far more flights, often cheaper. About 2 hours to Seville by train or car. See Málaga to Seville.
- Faro (FAO), Portugal: good for combining the Algarve and Andalusia. About 2 hours by car. See Faro to Seville.
- Madrid (MAD): the most long-haul flights, and the high-speed train south.
From the airport to your hotel: the EA bus (about 35–40 minutes), a fixed-fare taxi or a transfer. See Seville airport to the city centre.
By train to Santa Justa
All long-distance trains arrive at Sevilla Santa Justa, about 2 km north-east of the cathedral. Three companies run high-speed trains from Madrid: Renfe (AVE), Iryo and Ouigo. Renfe also runs direct trains from Málaga, Córdoba, Granada and Barcelona.
- Book ahead: high-speed fares go up as the train fills. Booking a few weeks ahead is usually much cheaper, especially for weekends, Easter and spring.
- Compare operators: check the operators’ own websites, or compare them on Omio.
- Luggage: allowances differ between operators and fares. The cheapest low-cost fares may only include a small bag, so check before you book.
- Security: bags are scanned before high-speed trains. Arrive 20–30 minutes early.
By bus: Plaza de Armas and Prado de San Sebastián
Seville has two main bus stations, and it matters which one your bus uses.
- Plaza de Armas: by the river at the north-western edge of the centre. Most long-distance and international buses use it, including services from Madrid, Málaga, Granada, Huelva and Portugal. Companies include Alsa, Damas and FlixBus.
- Prado de San Sebastián: south-east of the centre, next to Plaza de España and a short walk from Santa Cruz. Mainly regional buses, for example from the province of Cádiz and the white villages.
Your ticket shows the station. If you are unsure, check the operator’s website the day before. Compare bus times and fares on Omio.
Driving to Seville
Seville is at the centre of the motorway network of western Andalusia, and the main roads are toll-free:
- A-4 from Madrid and Córdoba
- A-92 from Granada and, via the A-45, from Málaga
- A-49 from Huelva and the Portuguese Algarve
- AP-4 from Cádiz and Jerez
Don’t drive into the historic centre. Much of it is closed to non-resident cars, with cameras that issue fines, and parking costs about €20–30 a day. Leave the car at your hotel’s car park or a public car park on the edge of the centre. If you only want a car for part of your trip, pick it up when you leave Seville. See car hire in Seville, our Andalusia car hire guide and the Andalusia road trip.
Arriving at your hotel
Where you arrive decides the easiest way to your door:
| You arrive at | Walk to the cathedral | Best way to your hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Seville airport (SVQ) | Not walkable | EA bus, fixed-fare taxi or transfer |
| Santa Justa train station | 25–30 min | Taxi (about €8–12), or buses C1, C2, 21 and 32 |
| Plaza de Armas bus station | about 15 min | Walk to the Centro and Triana, or a short taxi ride |
| Prado de San Sebastián bus station | about 15 min | Walk to Santa Cruz, or the tram towards Plaza Nueva |
Much of Santa Cruz and the Centro is pedestrian, so taxis stop at the nearest street they can reach. Send your hotel address to the driver on your phone, and ask your hotel where cars can drop you. If you are driving and your hotel is inside the restricted zone, ask the hotel before you arrive whether it can register your number plate.
Still choosing a base? See where to stay in Seville. For buses, trams and taxis once you are there, see getting around Seville, and for everything else, our Seville travel guide.
FAQ
What is the best way to get to Seville?
From the UK and most of Europe, a direct flight to Seville airport. From Madrid, the high-speed train (about 2.5 hours). From Málaga, the direct train (about 2 hours).
Are there direct flights to Seville from the UK?
Yes. Several airlines fly direct from London and other UK airports. The flight takes about 2.5 hours from London. There are more routes from spring to autumn than in winter.
Is it better to fly into Málaga or Seville?
Fly into Seville if there is a good direct flight: it is 10 km from the centre. Málaga has more flights and often cheaper fares, and the direct train to Seville takes about 2 hours.
Which bus station in Seville does my bus arrive at?
Most long-distance and international buses use Plaza de Armas. Many regional buses, for example from the province of Cádiz, use Prado de San Sebastián. Your ticket names the station.
Can I get to Seville by train from Portugal?
No, there is no direct train from Faro or Lisbon to Seville. Take the bus, drive, or fly from Lisbon.