Granada is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, in southern Spain. The city is known for the Alhambra, a palatial complex listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and for its historic neighborhoods of Albaicín and Sacromonte. It is accessible from several airports, by train, or by car from major cities in Andalucia.
Here, we present all the practical options for getting to Granada, depending on your departure point and preferences.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.
Summary: How to Get to Granada
Here’s a quick summary:
- By plane: Federico García Lorca Airport in Granada (GRX) for domestic flights, or Málaga Airport (AGP) for European flights — Compare available flights
- By train: from Madrid (~3h30), Sevilla (~2h30), Málaga (~1h15) — Search for and book your train tickets
- By car: from Madrid (~4h30), Sevilla (~2h45), Málaga (~1h30), Córdoba (~2h) — Rent a car here
- Day trips from Sevilla, Málaga, Córdoba, or the Costa del Sol
WHERE TO STAY IN Granada
Our favorites: hotels and neighborhoods
Downtown
Hotel Luna Granada Centro – See prices, photos and availability
Hotel Corrala del Realejo – See prices, photos and availability
At the Alhambra
Alhambra Palace – See prices, photos and availability
See our complete selection of the best hotels in Granada
Where is Granada? Map
Granada is a city in Andalucia, located in southern Spain, at an elevation of 700 meters at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains. It is about a 2-hour-and-45-minute drive west of Sevilla, 1 hour and 30 minutes south of Málaga, and 2 hours northwest of Córdoba. Its high elevation gives it a climate that differs from that of other major cities in Andalucia: winters are colder there, and the Sierra Nevada remains snow-covered for much of the year.
Here are the travel times from the major cities:
- From Madrid: about 4½ hours by car, 3½ hours by train
- From Sevilla: about 2 hours and 45 minutes by car, 2 hours and 30 minutes by train
- From Málaga: about 1 hour and 30 minutes by car, 1 hour and 15 minutes by train
- From Córdoba: about a 2-hour drive, 1 hour and 45 minutes by train
RENT A CAR IN Andalucia
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a compact car, as some villages have very narrow streets!
- Think ofcomprehensive insurance for the same reason
- Book early for choice.
By plane
Granada has its own airport, but direct flights from Europe are rare. Depending on your departure city, it may be more convenient to fly through Málaga or Sevilla, whose airports are much better connected.
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Federico García Lorca Granada Airport (GRX)
The Granada Airport is named after the Andalusian poet and playwright Federico García Lorca, who was born in the region. It is located 17 km from downtown, which is about a 20-minute drive. Its routes mainly serve domestic destinations (Madrid, Barcelona) and a few very limited seasonal European flights. We recommend that you check availability directly based on your travel dates, as availability varies significantly from season to season. Compare available flights.
From the terminal, there are several options for getting to downtown Granada: rental car, taxi, or private transfer. View available transfers from Granada Airport
Via Malaga Airport (AGP)
Malaga Airport is by far the best-connected option from Europe. It is about a 1.5-hour drive from Granada via the A-92. From the terminal, a rental car is the most direct way to get to Granada: international rental agencies have counters in the arrivals area, and the drive on the highway is straightforward. We recommend this option to travelers who want to combine a visit to Granada with other destinations in Andalucia during a road trip.
Via Sevilla Airport (SVQ)
If your best available flight is to Sevilla, it’s entirely possible to get to Granada from there: allow about 2 hours and 45 minutes by car on the A-92. This option is a good choice if you plan to visit Sevilla first and then continue on to Granada by rental car.
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By train
The train is a comfortable way to travel to Granada from major Spanish cities. The Granada train station is about a 15-minute walk from the historic center. We appreciate this route from Málaga, which is fast and avoids the hassle of parking in the city center.
Main rail links:
- From Madrid: about 3 hours and 30 minutes; several departures daily
- From Sevilla: about 2 hours and 30 minutes, with a transfer in Antequera
- From Málaga: about 1 hour and 15 minutes, regular service
- From Córdoba: about 1 hour and 45 minutes, with a transfer
- From Barcelona: about 6 hours and 30 minutes
We recommend that you book your tickets in advance on the Renfe website, the Spanish rail operator. Fares rise rapidly as the departure date approaches, especially on flights from Madrid. Find and book your train tickets.
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By car
A car offers great freedom to combine a visit to Granada with other destinations in Andalucia. The roads leading there are in good condition and well-marked. We especially enjoy the drive from Málaga, which winds through rolling hills and olive groves along the A-92. However, we recommend that you choose accommodations in a neighborhood with parking or opt for paid underground parking garages. The historic district is largely pedestrian-only, and parking there is difficult. Compare car rental offers. Estimated travel times:
- From Madrid: about 4 hours and 30 minutes via the A-44
- From Sevilla: about 2 hours and 45 minutes via the A-92
- From Málaga: about 1 hour and 30 minutes via the A-92
- From Córdoba: about 2 hours and 30 minutes via the A-45
- From Cádiz: about 3 hours and 30 minutes via the A-92
By bus
The Alsa intercity bus network serves Granada from most major cities in Andalucia and from Madrid. Departures are from the Granada bus station. We consider this an attractive option for those on a budget, although journeys are generally longer than by train.
Main bus links:
- From Málaga: about 1 hour and 45 minutes
- From Sevilla: about 3 hours
- From Córdoba: about 3 hours
- From Cádiz: about 3 hours and 30 minutes
- From Madrid: about 5 hours
We recommend that you check the schedules on the Alsa website before you leave. During peak season, buses may be full on weekends.
DISCOVER Granada
Day trips from other Andalucian cities
You can visit Granada in a day from Sevilla, Málaga, or Córdoba, as long as you plan your time carefully. We still recommend staying at least one night to enjoy the Alhambra at a leisurely pace and explore the historic neighborhoods in the evening.
From Sevilla
To get to Granada from Sevilla, it takes 2 hours and 30 minutes by train and 2 hours and 45 minutes by car. It’s worth the trip: Granada has a very different atmosphere from Sevilla, largely because of its elevation and the Sierra Nevada in the background. Guided day trips are available if you’d rather not arrange your own transportation.
- Day Trip to the Alhambra from Sevilla: Discover the Alhambra and its palaces, the historic Albaicín district, and the Generalife — see itinerary and availability.
- Private tour of Granada from Sevilla: the same tour as a private group, so you can visit the Alhambra and the Albaicín exclusively with your loved ones — see itinerary and availability.
From Málaga and the Costa del Sol
Málaga and the towns along the Costa del Sol, such as Marbella, Fuengirola, and Torremolinos, are about a 1.5-hour drive from Granada. It’s entirely possible to do this as a day trip from these cities if you leave early in the morning. We believe this option is particularly well-suited for travelers staying on the coast who want to explore the inland areas for a day. Most organized tours include a guided tour of the Alhambra and a walk through the historic center.
- Day Trip from Málaga: Guided Tour of the Alhambra and Granada’s Historic Center — see itinerary and availability.
- Day trip from the Costa del Sol: the same tour departing from Fuengirola, Marbella, Torremolinos, and other coastal resorts —see itinerary and availability.
From Córdoba
Córdoba is about a 2-hour drive from Granada. This is a doable day trip, but we recommend leaving early in the morning to fully enjoy the Alhambra. Private day trips are available if you’d rather let someone else handle the planning. For example, we recommend this private full-day tour of Granada and the Alhambra from Córdoba —check prices, availability, and book.
And once in Granada…
Granada is home to an exceptional cultural heritage. To get around the city, we recommend the tourist train-bus, which stops at all the major attractions in the city—which is partly hilly! Consider purchasing a multi-day ticket if you plan to get on and off at different stops, and be prepared for possible lines in the afternoon. We recommend starting with the Alhambra in the morning and booking your tickets several weeks in advance, as it is the most visited attraction in Spain. In the afternoon, the Albaicín neighborhood and the San Nicolás viewpoint offer a beautiful view of the palace complex. In the evening, Sacromonte and its narrow streets are well worth a stroll. Check out our complete guide to the best attractions in Granada and our article on where to stay in Granada: best neighborhoods and hotels.
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