Back to the Semana Santa info.....be prepared for absolutely PACKED streets. Keep documents and cash in safe places (like your hotel room) and don't take any more euros than you need right away. The processions go on all day and all night. The tourist office should have info about times and parade routes. Don't expect to take a taxi anywhere (like from train station...) cavalcaldes have priority. Be prepared for odd opening and closing times for businesses....and hiked up prices at hotels and restaurants. In spite of the sardinne-packed partying streets, I thought the municipalities did a great job of tidying up after everything the next day(s). Enjoy!!!!

liatris:
I arrive in Sevilla by train on Tuesday evening and leave for Madrid on Saturday around noon. I'm staying in the Santa Cruz barrio. Will I have a problem getting a taxi from the train station to my hotel at these times?

I'm curious about getting to the train station too. I'm supposed to leave by train on Palm Sunday (13 April) and wonder if I'll be able to get from near Plaza Nueva to Santa Justa in the afternoon. And if so, how much time should I allow?

CathyM writes: No problem! Semana Santa doesn't really get under way until Thursday and by Saturday AM (a day for Easter shopping) most Semana Santa activities will be over with. Saturday will also be a big travel day, so make sure you have a reservation well in advance.

We arrived on Palm Sunday and had a terrible time finding taxis. Finally twisted arms and acted pathetic because my elderly father was really sick and couldn't manage the crowded streets. The rest of our group dragged suitcases through throngs of Palm Sunday celebrants to the hotel. If you are LEAVING on Palm Sunday, check with your hotel people, who will probably be very glad to help you....but you might be prepared for plan B to get to the train station. and allow ample time. Although other towns don't seem to get frantic with Semana Santa activities until about Thursday, as already mentioned, we found that Sevilla was pretty busy for the whole week....it just got crazier as the week wore on.
Suerte!!!!
Liatris

Any ideas on a Plan B if taxis fall through? I guess my only other two options are buses (and who knows is they're running) and schlepping from Plaza Nueva to Santa Justa - not my idea of fun even without Santa Semana crowds. Oh well, I've got two weeks in Sevilla to worry about it.

I am arriving by Bus from Granada on Thursday, and going back to Granada (also by bus) on Sunday...where exactly is the bus station, can we walk? Is it going to be easier the earlier can get there on Thursday? Better midday?

I think the bus from Granada arrives in the station near the University. Where do you need to get to? If you're just trying to see the major processions, get a schedule to see when/where they'll be. The majority of the major ones (silencio, la macarena) go through barrio santa cruz in front of El Corte Ingles, which is a little bit of a walk, but Candelaria goes through Plaza Jerez, which is just a short walk from the bus station. Of course all of them end up at the Cathedral, which is very close, but I don't reccomend trying to go through those crowds. El Pais comes with a supplement of the routes for the processions the entire week and gives a nice history of each as well. When we went last year, we sat out until 7 AM to watch La Macarena, El Silencio and Triana and had a great time. Most people my age enjoy the Feria more because it's nonstop partying, but I preferred the Semana Santa. I'm hoping to be able to go again next year!

Melinda