Granada station to Seville-Santa Justa train with Renfe Avant

My Journey From Granada to Sevilla Santa Justa by Train with Renfe AVE

Introduction

Traveling by train from Granada to Sevilla Santa Justa is a real pleasure. It’s not only the fastest way to get between these two beautiful cities in Spain’s Andalusia region, but also one of the most comfortable. With reasonable fares and frequent departures throughout the day, there’s always a train in Spain to suit your schedule. In this guide, I’ll share my experience on board the Granada–Seville train and offer a few tips to help you book a great fare and prepare for your next Spanish rail journey.

Route Overview

If you plan to travel from Granada to Sevilla Santa Justa by train, you can choose between direct services and those requiring a change in Córdoba. The only direct trains between Granada and Sevilla are operated by Spain’s national railway company, Renfe. These modern high-speed services stop at stations such as Antequera, Puente Genil–Herrera, and Córdoba before continuing to the final stop at Sevilla Santa Justa.

One-stop options involve taking a train from Granada to Córdoba, then connecting to a train bound for Sevilla Santa Justa. Choosing the one-stop route may include travel on Renfe’s AVE high-speed trains or the slower Media Distancia services, which take roughly twice as long. Some itineraries are also partially operated by private high-speed operator Iryo.

The total rail distance from Granada to Sevilla Santa Justa is about 352 km. The fastest direct train takes around 2 hours and 43 minutes, while the quickest one-stop itinerary via Córdoba usually takes about 4 hours.

Transportation Experience

Booking your train ticket on Omio is simple and intuitive. It's easy to compare schedules and fares across all operators, so you don’t need to visit multiple sites. I booked a Second Class ticket about two months in advance for €40, which I thought was great value for the comfort and speed. Personally, I prefer traveling by train, but the bus from Granada to Seville can also be a practical choice. It often costs less, and travel times are similar. For this journey, I booked a one-stop connection in Córdoba. The first leg from Granada to Córdoba was on a Renfe AVE high-speed train, followed by a Renfe Avant service to Seville.

Route Details

Departure & Arrival Stations

Trains to Sevilla Santa Justa depart from Granada railway station, located about a 20-minute walk or a short bus ride from the city center. The station is fairly small and easy to navigate, with a couple of cafés and eateries, including Enrique Tomás Coffee, known for its tasty breakfasts like ham croissants and pastries. I recommend arriving early and having a quick bite. In the surrounding area, there are also a few grocery shops where you can stock up for the ride.

Trains from Granada arrive at Sevilla Santa Justa, the main railway station in Seville. This is a large, modern station with plenty of facilities and food options, including a McDonald’s. There are also a few coffee shops serving sandwiches and other light meals. Sevilla Santa Justa is about a 30-minute walk or a short bus ride from the city center and is close to popular sights such as the Royal Alcázar.

Schedule & Frequency

On a typical day, there are around 4 direct trains from Granada to Sevilla Santa Justa. If you include one-stop itineraries with a transfer in Córdoba, there are around 10 to 11 daily trains total, typically operated by Renfe and Iryo. The first train departs at around 6:25 AM, and the last one leaves at about 8:30 PM. My Renfe AVE train departed at 7:30 AM and arrived in Sevilla Santa Justa right on time at about 10:14 AM.

Onboard Experience & Services

My train journey from Granada to Sevilla Santa Justa began with the early morning Renfe AVE high-speed service to Córdoba. There is free Wi-Fi and a café-bar, where you can buy drinks and snacks. I stopped by and ordered a coffee, which was just what I needed at that early hour.

In Second Class on Renfe AVE trains, seats are arranged in a 2+2 configuration, while First Class offers a more spacious 2+1 layout. Your ticket will automatically include a seat reservation. I found my Second Class seat with a power socket and fold-down table perfectly comfortable and even managed to doze off for a bit. The stretch between Granada and Córdoba is quite scenic, offering views of hills and mountains on both sides.

If you are traveling on a one-stop itinerary from Granada to Seville, you need to change trains at Córdoba. Even if you are on a direct service, your train will still pass through here. The station is easy to navigate, and connections of 30 to 40 minutes are easy to make. If you have a longer connection, it's a great excuse to explore the beautiful city of Córdoba for a couple of hours.

At Córdoba, I boarded a connecting Renfe Avant train for the final leg to Sevilla Santa Justa. These are also high-speed trains, though noticeably less modern than Renfe's premium AVE services. Seating is Second Class only, and with no Wi-Fi, but it was still comfortable enough. As the train approaches Seville, the terrain gradually flattens, but there are still pleasant views of whitewashed towns, olive groves, and the Guadalquivir River. I eventually arrived on time in Seville after a relaxing, stress-free train journey.

In case you're wondering about luggage, you can bring up to 3 pieces, weighing a max of 25kg. You can store your bag in luggage racks typically found at each end of a train carriage, or just put it in the overhead rack above your seat. Bathrooms are usually available at the ends of the carriage, and with Renfe, they are usually quite clean.

Ticketing Advice & Budget Breakdown

Booking your Granada–Sevilla train ticket early ensures you secure a seat. Direct trains can sometimes be fully booked, leaving only more expensive or less convenient one-stop connections. Renfe’s Avant trains have fixed fares, while AVE high-speed trains use flexible pricing. Fares vary according to demand, just like those of flights. Below I list my costs for this train trip with Renfe.

Budget breakdown

Top Tips & Personal Recommendations

Check out these tips to make your journey by train from Granada to Sevilla Santa Justa even better:

• Arrive about 20 minutes before departure: Unlike other large Spanish stations, passing through security and reaching your platform at Granada takes only a few minutes.
• Have breakfast at Enrique Tomás Coffee: The ham croissants and pastries are especially popular and highly recommended before your trip.
• Make a stopover in Córdoba: It's one of Spain’s most beautiful and fascinating cities, so you could book two separate tickets for a short stay: one from Granada to Córdoba and another from Córdoba to Seville.
• Carry your ID or passport: Although ticket checks are usually sufficient, it’s still a good idea to have identification with you when traveling by train in Spain.

Conclusion

Spanish trains are comfortable, fast, and punctual, making them the ideal way to travel around the country. If you need to travel from Granada to Seville, the train is the best choice, with Renfe's high-speed AVE or Avant services delivering both comfort and speed. My trip by train from Granada to Sevilla Santa Justa was extremely smooth, and I enjoyed the comfortable seating and pleasant views along the route. Book your train ticket from Granada to Sevilla Santa Justa now on Omio!

About the Author: Koen Berghuis

• Job Title: Travel Creator and Rail Writer
• Bio: Koen Berghuis is a rail expert and passionate train traveler who logs about 20,000 kilometers by train each year, exploring routes across Europe and beyond. Koen writes about his travels on his website, Paliparan, where you find dozens of train reviews and trip reports.