Seville-Santa Justa to Granada station train with Renfe Avant

From Seville Santa Justa to Granada by Train with Renfe AVE

Introduction

I’d been spending a week in Seville, soaking in the tapas, flamenco nights, and orange-lined streets, and decided to make a quick day trip to Granada. The city is famous for the Alhambra Palace, Moorish architecture, and mountain views, and I’d heard so many good things that I didn’t want to miss it. To make the most of the stay, I booked an early departure on Renfe’s AVE train, which gave me plenty of time to explore once I arrived. If you’re planning a journey from Seville Santa Justa to Granada by train, here’s what to expect, plus a few insider travel tips from my trip.

Route Overview

The Seville to Granada train route connects two of Andalusia’s most beautiful cities, covering roughly 250 km in about 2 hours and 35 minutes. My train was a direct service with Renfe AVE, which isn’t always the case. Since most routes include a change in Antequera, it felt like a lucky find. Compared with driving or taking a bus to Granada, which can take nearly 4 hours, the high-speed train is faster and smoother. It also drops you right in the city center, which was perfect for my onward travel. That’s why I believe the train is the best way to travel from Seville to Granada.

Transportation Experience

From my recent trip between Seville Santa Justa and Granada, I booked my train ticket on Omio. After selecting Renfe’s AVE service, I could easily compare early departures. Since this was a day trip, the 7:42 AM direct train was perfect. The fare was €56, which felt fair for a comfortable seat and smooth journey. I prefer traveling by train because it’s a calm way to see Andalusia at my own pace. There are also frequent buses from Seville to Granada. Some take about 3 hours, while others take up to 6 and often require a change.

Route Details

Departure & Arrival Stations

Before my trip to Granada, I was staying at a hotel near Seville’s city center, so I took an Uber to Seville Santa Justa for about €8. I arrived roughly 45 minutes early, which meant I had time to grab a quick breakfast before boarding. There’s a McDonald’s just inside the station, where I ordered a coffee and muffin for around €5. Santa Justa is large but very well-organized, with coffee shops, ATMs, restrooms, and digital boards showing departure gates. Security and ID checks are quick, but it’s worth keeping your passport handy before entering the boarding area.

Renfe AVE trains from Seville Santa Justa arrive at Granada Station. It’s small, easy to navigate, and less busy than Alicante Terminal. When you exit, taxis and local buses wait right outside. The historic center is about 10 minutes by taxi, or you can walk 25–30 minutes if you want to stretch your legs. The station has a small café and ticket office if you’re returning the same day. There are also luggage lockers available, which are handy if you’re spending the afternoon sightseeing.

Schedule & Frequency

Renfe runs several Seville–Granada trains each day, though many include one transfer. The first train departs around 6:00 AM, and the last one leaves at 8:16 PM. Direct trains usually run early in the morning or late in the afternoon. The early departures are ideal for day-trippers, as they arrive in just a few hours and give you nearly a full day to explore the city before returning. My train with Renfe AVE left at 7:42 AM and arrived in Granada at 10:17 AM, right on schedule. ### Onboard Experience & Services There’s something special about early morning train rides. It’s the kind where the world still feels quiet and the light slowly shifts outside your window. My journey from Seville Santa Justa to Granada had that same calm energy. On board Renfe’s AVE train, I settled into my Turista class (Estándar) seat, which was spacious and soft enough to get comfortable with my coffee and watch the olive groves roll by.

I had a window seat on the right-hand side, a fold-down table, and a power socket for charging my devices. Restrooms were available at the ends of the car, and there was ample storage for luggage. I stashed my small daypack in the overhead rack and kept my smaller bag with my passport beside me on the seat.

On Renfe AVE trains from Seville Santa Justa to Granada, you get access to the PlayRenfe entertainment portal. It includes fast, stable internet along with movies, TV shows, and digital newspapers. The Wi-Fi worked well enough for uploading a few videos from my trip. After that, I decided to unplug and enjoy the view.

The carriage stayed peaceful the whole way, with a few locals reading and others dozing off, which made the hours pass easily. There’s a cafetería cart on board if you need a snack, but I’d already had breakfast and picked up a pastry at the station. I just listened to music and watched the Andalusian countryside glow in the morning sun.

The highlight of the ride was catching the Sierra Nevada mountains as the train approached Granada, their peaks visible in the distance beneath the blue sky. It was one of those simple, grounding travel moments that make train travel in Spain so memorable.

Ticketing Advice & Budget Breakdown

I booked my Santa Justa–Granada ticket a few days in advance to lock in the best schedule and seat. For direct trains, it’s worth booking early because seats go fast. On Renfe AVE services, your ticket includes up to three pieces of luggage (total weight 25 kg), which makes the fare even more worthwhile. Here’s what I spent on this trip:

Budget breakdown:

Top Tips & Personal Recommendations

Here are some of my best tips to make your journey from Seville Santa Justa to Granada by train a smooth trip:

• Filter for “direct” trains: They’re limited but worth it for a faster, no-transfer ride. Connecting routes can add an hour or more, so book early if you spot one.
• Arrive 40–45 minutes early: Security is fast, but cafés get busy in the morning. McDonald’s near the entrance is a good place to relax with coffee before boarding.
• Sit by the window: Southern Spain’s sunrise views are golden. If you’re picking a seat, choose one on the right-hand side for the best countryside and mountain views.
• Download the Omio app: It gives you quick access to your digital ticket when boarding. You’ll need to scan the QR code at Renfe’s gates, so having it ready in the app (or as a screenshot) saves time.

Conclusion

Taking the train from Seville to Granada was the perfect way to turn a week in Seville into a relaxed day trip. What made it even better was Renfe's AVE train service. The ride was quick, direct, and comfortable, and arriving early meant I had the whole day ahead. Ready to plan your own journey? Check Omio’s journey planner to compare routes and book your ticket online. ### About the Author: Nancy Sevilla

• Job Title: Travel & Lifestyle Creator
• Bio: Nancy is a travel content creator who shares honest guides, helpful tips, and personal experiences from her global adventures. Based between Spain and the U.S., she specializes in creating visually compelling content for her blog and social platforms.