Travel options from Alicante to Granada?

Hi!
We're going to be in Alicante in October, and then travelling on to Granada. Originally we were going to go by train, but it seems that there is no direct service between the two cities, and with changing trains it's a pretty long trip (especially with a 3-year-old). So we'll likely take the bus, or rent a car. Does anyone have any experience with either of these? Any suggestions for car rental companies that would allow a return in a different city, and any recommendations for a driving route?

Thanks!
Scott

welcome to the forum scottya

never done the trip myself, but take time to explore Alicante a very underated place in my opinon
quote
Bus service in Spain is generally good, buses use to be modern and confortable. There are many different bus companies in spain, but normally just one per route. Alsa is currently the main bus company in Spain and owns the route Granada-

Alicante there are five buses daily and cost from 27,77euros
GRANADA ALICANTE 02:30 07:50
GRANADA ALICANTE 10:21 16:20
GRANADA ALICANTE 15:45 22:05
GRANADA ALICANTE 16:15 21:10
GRANADA ALICANTE 23:30 04:30

http://www.discover-alicante.com/bus/alicante-granada-bus.html
this 1s from 2009 and prices will be out of date

hope it helps a little bit

Hi Scottya,

As Billy suggested, do spend some time in Alicante.

Buses in Spain are great - clean, fast and cheap. Your three year old will be doted on and spoiled by everyone so have no concerns on that aspect.

I took the bus on two of my trips to Spain. It was easy and inexpensive. It was also a very enjoyable way to travel. You can buy bus tickets the day of or in advance.

Have a wonderful trip!

well to see all best the car is king, great areas to drive, if cant afford it then the bus is ok.
my son just came back from near there n Calpe great weather and fun times
the bus times , Spain has a central place that is building up at www.movelia.es

Thanks for the helpful feedback so far. The bus seems pretty manageable. Is anyone familiar with the drive between Alicante and Granada? Is it particularly scenic, and are there places to stop that would make a car worth the extra expense?

Thanks again!

Scottya,

Driving is the best way as you can wander and stop when you feel like it. However, driving in the cities can be a mini-nightmare asmany of the streets are narrow to say the least. Round-abouts can also be confusing unless you know exactly where you want to exist. Plan ahead - especially with a toddler.

We've decided to rent a car for a day, and do the trip that way.
One week until we leave.

Thanks for all the input!

Scott

thanks for reporting back. Have a great trip, to see the nooks and crannies of Spain the best is the car, the 3 yrs will love it too as well as adults.

made it to Granada no problem. Returning the rental in Granada. Yikes! I've never, ever been that lost driving in my life. Wow! And I thought I planned ahead.
Anyway, we're here for a few weeks, and are looking forward to exploring the city!

hehehe yes Granada is small inner city center of one way streets, but the driving is exciting ::)

once was enough for me!

hahaha enjoy the thrill of city driving in Europe;its a grand prix every day for free ::)

Driving in Granada City isn't so bad - OUTSIDE of the old city center.

But driving in Granada City is NOTHING compared to driving in Toledo! We almost got our car stuck once driving down those steep, narrow, twisting streets! Really, I was terrified as we inched around a corner, side-view mirrors both tucked in, and hoping hot to crumple the rear/front fenders.

Saludos, MadridMan

hahaha in comparison with Granada, yes Toledo is a bit more difficult, but when you learn to drive in NYC nothing else is difficult.
I am in a town with similar streets, and its a joy to drive around such beauty and grand prix style driving;you know what I mean spins and turns.

plus if visiting you always see more lol!!!

In Granada I saw a part of Calle de San Juan de los Reyes where the horizontal clearance is 1.5 m. You can see the gouges in the walls where cars didn't quite fit!

The skinny streets and traffic didn't bother me, but the difficult-to-see street signs, nowhere to pull over to check a map, and crazy street layout did me in! What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

And if we're ever in Toledo, we'll take a taxi!

hahaha yes sometimes we can wonder if we can go thru but we do, and we bent our outside rear view mirrors to squeeze in, I was just in such a street in Paris lol! today.
oh lets not start hear about that city too,driving is fun .Well at least you got the experience, and will be back....
cheers,

When me the wife and I were driving about Spain, we used to hire a mini a lot, perfect for the Spanish medieval towns