Despite being a relatively small city, Granada is extremely well connected within the city limits and with other parts of the province, the region of Andalusia, and the rest of the country. For those spending most of their visit in the center of town, downtown Granada is very walkable and can be navigated easily on foot. For those needing a lift up to the hills of Sacromonte or the city’s main transportation hubs, there are many options, including a very efficient and inexpensive public transportation system.
The bus network in Granada covers a wide range of routes, providing convenient connections to various neighborhoods and tourist attractions. Whether you’re exploring the city center or venturing to the outskirts, the bus system offers a reliable and affordable mode of transportation.
City Buses
City buses are red, and 28 bus routes run seven days a week from 6 am to midnight, including Sundays and holidays. There are also two night buses called buho, or owl buses, that run from 12 am to 6 am. To use the buses in Granada, you can purchase tickets directly from the driver with cash when you board the bus. It’s advisable to have small change or the exact fare ready, as drivers may not always be able to provide change for larger bills. City buses cost 1,40€ per trip, but if you are considering staying longer than a few days, purchasing a refundable bus card for 2€ might be the best option as each trip then only costs 44 cents. Families or groups can share one card which, once loaded with the 5€ minimum, includes 11 trips. If you are using multiple buses within an hour for one single journey, hold onto your ticket for the duration of your trip. You will not be charged for each subsequent tap on a connecting bus when using a card.
Keep in mind that some buses that travel through the narrow streets of neighborhoods like Sacromonte, Albaicín or Realejo are smaller and resemble shuttle vans. They are still part of the city bus network and function in the same way as the full-size red buses. Find route maps and an accurate bus tracker at ctagr.es.
Regional Buses
Regional buses are green or blue and connect to surrounding towns or distant cities throughout Spain. Closer routes will have various departing locations in the city center, but connections for further locations depart from the official bus station at Avenida Juan Pablo II, 33, just north of the city center. Some popular destinations include Madrid, Malaga and the Malaga-Costa del Sol airport. The bus station is small and easy to navigate, but when it comes to popular destinations, multiple buses might be departing at the same time. After finding the platform, pay attention to the number on your ticket to know which bus to get on. Buses that head out to surrounding towns from city center locations can be paid for by the green transportation card or cash. For buses departing from the bus station, getting your tickets online or using the ALSA app is advisable. More information at alsa.com.
Metro
The Granada Metro was inaugurated in September 2017 and has since become an important mode of transportation for both residents and tourists. The metro currently consists of a single line, Line 1, which connects the towns of Albolote and Armilla north and south of the city center, respectively. The line spans approximately 16 kilometers (10 miles) and covers 26 stops. Some key stations along Line 1 include the Nevada Shopping Center, the central station of Recogidas, and the Granada railway and bus stations. A single trip costs 1.35€, and you can buy tickets from the machines on the platform. Don’t forget to tap your card when you enter the metro and hold on to it to save 10 cents on your next trip.
TAXIS AND UBER
Taxis in Granada are a popular and safe mode of transportation, offering a convenient and flexible way to get around the city. Taxis are readily available throughout the city and can be hailed on the street, found at designated taxi stands, or booked in advance through taxi companies. They are typically white with a yellow TAXI sign on the roof and accept cards or cash. A green light on the roof and a libre sign in the window indicate an available taxi. Book your taxis in English at pidetaxi.es/en. Ubers are also available in Granada, but the number of available drivers and rides can vary greatly depending on the neighborhood and time of day. Be prepared for the driver to arrive a little later than initially indicated by the app.
TRAIN
The Granada train station is located northwest of the center on Avenida de Andaluces, 20. Daily high-speed trains operate to destinations such as Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla and Almeria, with stop-offs in smaller towns like Cordoba and Zaragoza. Book early to get the best deals, as fastspeed rail can be pretty pricey in Spain. Tickets include a seat assignment; you can choose between table seats, facing forward or backward, and quiet coaches. Free luggage allowance includes up to three pieces, and pets are permitted for a fee of 20€. More information at renfe.com.
BLABLACAR
BlaBlaCar is a popular long-distance ride-sharing platform that operates all over Spain. It provides a way for drivers traveling between destinations to offer available seats in their vehicles to passengers heading in the same direction. It is a convenient and cost-effective way to travel that also reduces the number of vehicles on the road. When using BlaBlaCar, book your rides via the app and communicate with the driver in advance to agree on pickup and drop-off points. Remember to be punctual to ensure a smooth and enjoyable ride-sharing experience! Find out more at blablacar.com.
CAR RENTAL
Car rentals are a popular option for travelers visiting Granada, as they provide flexibility and convenience for exploring the city and its surrounding areas. Granada is served by most of the major global and European car rental companies, with offices and pick-up locations at the airport, train station and various spots throughout the city. Most Spaniards drive manual cars, and renting an automatic will come at a premium cost. Keep in mind that traffic on some main streets in Granada’s center is limited to taxis and buses, and other smaller throughways may be closed to vehicular traffic altogether. Check with each rental company for details.
AIRPORT
The Federico García Lorca Granada-Jaén Airport (GRX) is about 20 minutes away and a 30€ taxi ride from the city center. You can also hop on the blue ALSA Aeropuerto bus from 10 locations throughout the city, which costs only 3€. Tickets can be purchased with cash or credit card directly from the driver. Inbound and outbound airport bus service is synced with arriving and departing flights. Air Europa, Iberia, Vueling, Volotea and Binter Canarias fly from Granada to about a dozen domestic and international destinations. The small airport is very efficient, and security lines are typically short. More information at aena.es.
StayLonger Team Tip! If you plan to use public transportation, purchase a green transportation card from most tobacco shops. You can use this card for the metro and city buses, as well as for some regional buses to nearby destinations. Fares with this card will be much lower than paying individually for each subsequent trip.
