Córdoba to Granada train with AVE

My Journey from Cordoba to Granada by Train

Introduction

When I was visiting southern Spain, I had to travel from Cordoba to Granada by train a few times. This is an easy, quick journey that’s perfect as a day trip or mini break. I stopped in Cordoba on my way to Seville, as it’s in a prime position between the two cities. Whatever your reason for traveling from Cordoba to Granada by train, here’s how to make the journey!

Route Overview

This route begins at Cordoba Train Station and travels in a southeasterly direction to reach Granada. Cordoba is on the fringes of the Sierra Morena, and Granada is close to the Sierra Nevada, so there are plenty of mountain views along the way. My trip took me just 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Due to its speed and reliability, this is the best way to travel from Cordoba to Granada. Driving would take at least 2 hours and 15 minutes, but Renfe AVE’s high-speed railway substantially reduces that journey time.

Transportation Experience

You can buy your tickets on the Omio app. This is a handy travel app where you can search for your trip, select your preferred journey, and make a secure payment before receiving your tickets. You can access your train tickets both in the app and by email. The tickets contain a QR code, which you can use to get through the gates at both Cordoba and Granada stations. The app is convenient because you can store all your Omio bus and train tickets in one place.

For this journey, I highly recommend taking the train to Granada. The Cordoba to Granada bus takes 2 hours and 30 minutes, but isn’t as comfortable as the train. There are also no Cordoba to Granada flights.

Route Details

Departure and Arrival Stations

Cordoba Station is around 2 kilometers from the Córdoba Mosque (Mezquita), which is in the city center. I walked from my central hotel, which took me about 25 minutes, but taxis are also available. The number 3 bus also connects the station to the city. At Córdoba Station, there’s a café called La Pausa and vending machines, where I purchased a sandwich and some chips for my journey.

Granada Station is within walking distance of the city center. It’s around 12 minutes to the central area, and driving takes about the same amount of time due to one-way streets. There aren’t many buses here, as much of the central area is pedestrianized. Granada Station is quite small, and while there are vending machines and ticket offices, I’d recommend heading into the city center for food or refreshments.

Schedule & Frequency

There are usually around 7 direct trains per day between Cordoba and Granada. Most services are operated by Renfe AVE and Renfe Avant, with journey times of about 1 hour and 30 minutes to 1 hour and 45 minutes. The first train typically departs around 8:31 AM and the last around 9:50 PM. I took the 9:25 AM train, which got me into Granada at 11:06 AM. This timing was ideal for me, as I could enjoy a relaxed morning and still arrive in Granada in time for lunch.

Onboard Experience & Services

This was a high-speed Renfe AVE service that had begun in Madrid and continued to Cordoba and then Granada. I was seated in Standard Class, and the leather reclining seats were comfortable with plenty of legroom. Each seat also had a power outlet and a fold-down table. I chose a window seat so I could see the foothills of the Sierra Morena and Andalucía’s olive groves along the way.

I didn’t visit the restaurant car this time because I had already bought a sandwich at Cordoba Station. There is a café-bar carriage on these AVE trains where you can purchase drinks and simple snacks. Restrooms were available near the carriage doors, and they were kept clean and stocked during the journey.

Renfe allows passengers to bring one large suitcase plus two pieces of hand luggage. For storage, there are overhead shelves and larger luggage racks near the carriage doors. On the train from Cordoba to Granada, you also get access to the PlayRenfe portal with free Wi-Fi. It provides some streaming options, although I didn’t watch any of the shows. I did use the internet briefly to check the live maps, and it seemed to be working well.

Ticketing Advice & Budget Breakdown

Traveling from Cordoba to Granada by train can get a little expensive closer to the travel date. For this reason, I’d recommend purchasing your tickets in advance, especially if you’re traveling at peak times. I booked mine three weeks early.

Budget breakdown:

Top Tips & Personal Recommendations

When taking the train from Cordoba to Granada, consider my top tips for a smoother trip:

• Don’t take a taxi from Granada: Unless you have mobility issues or a lot of baggage, it’s usually easier and quicker to walk.
• Book your tickets in advance: Although it’s a short journey, this train goes all the way from Madrid, which means that they can sometimes sell out or become more expensive.
• Choose a window seat: The views from both the left and right-hand side are impressive!
• Take an early train: Spain tends to wake up later than other countries, so the earlier trains are often quieter.

Conclusion

The Andalucian cities of Cordoba and Granada are both worth a visit, and can easily be combined on the same trip with Renfe AVE trains. The journey is quick and pleasant, with glorious views at nearly every turn. Trains run throughout the day, making it easy to fit the trip into almost any travel itinerary. Compare train schedules and fares on Omio and book your journey from Cordoba to Granada by train today!

About the Author: Claire Martin

• Job Title: Travel Journalist and Content Creator
• Bio: Claire Martin is a full-time travel journalist, blogger, and videomaker who specializes in train and ferry travel around Europe.