AboutVíctor Díaz Expertise I live in Madrid,and travel frequently to Valencia. I have also travelled to many places all over spain, if haven't been there i'd try to help anyway providing my knowledge and links.
I enjoy trekking in the mountains, and know pyrinees, Picos de Europa and mountains in the center.
Question Hi Victor,
I am feeling a little overwhelmed with all the travel plans I have made and how expensive it all seems to be. I arrive in Portugal on the 18th August, originally I had no deadline to get to Spain. But now I have to be in Valencia on the 26August for a busabout tour of La Tomitana. I am travelling with 2 other girlfriends. We were hoping to do 2 days in Lisbon and then 3 days or so along the Algarve. It seems the quickest, cheapest and easiest way to get from Portugal to Valencia is by flying and that is still 200euro.
Our next problem is, we have around 19 days in Spain, we would like to visit as much as possible including the Balearic Islands, but it would appear the transport to these islands is also really expensive.
We would like to be in Nice for about 16/17 September as our flight leaves from there to Munich on the 18th, so we wanted a few days in Nice as well. We can get a flight from Barcelona to Nice for 60euro, so this isnt really a problem.
I was suppose when we booked our around the world tickets we didnt account for such high transport costs for the middle of our trip....we are planning on backpacking and our budget is very tight.
Is there any options you could suggest, especially from Portugal to Spain and to the Balearic Islands and I have spent countless hours searching online trying to find the cheapest ways for transport around Spain.
Anything you could suggest would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Kristy
Answer Hello Kristy
Portugal-Valencia is no easy option, there is no flight from Algarve (Faro airport) to Spain, so you should get back to Lisboa and then take a plane to Valencia with Iberia, and that's expensive as you have found.
If you are already in the south of Portugal, the best option is moving to Sevilla by bus (no trains to spain from south of Portugal)
and then take a train to Valencia or bus.
The combination of quickest-cheapest-convenient in this case is very complex.
Lest see how much time and cost. Assuming you travel to Spain on day 25 of August (monday).
Bus to Sevilla, (sevilha in portuguese) http://www.eva-bus.com/
departure 07:40, arrival 11:30, cost 15euros
arriving station to Sevilla is 'plaza de armas' bus station.
Take a plane to valencia with Vueling (lowcost)
this is perfect, plenty of time to get to the airport and for unexpected delays with the bus.
Vuelo VY 8004 14:00 arriving Valencia 15:05
Cost 60euros +10euros each factured bag
You'll be in Valencia on day 25 at about 16h with a cost of 90euros aproximately.
--second option, bus + train
not good option, since the only train depart at 08.20 and the first bus from Faro arrives at 11.30am
--third option. bus + bus
you could combine bus from Faro with bus to Valencia in several ways.
Bus to Valencia depart from the same bus station in Sevilla, company Alsa http://www.alsa.es
for example, leaving on day 25 with bus at 16:35 arriving sevilla at 21:15 (15euros)
take bus at 21:59 arriving valencia at 10:00am of day 26th, cost 51.51euros
+ metro ride (turia station) to anywhere in valencia 1,30
final cost about 68euros, and save an hotel night... another thing is if you could rest travelling by night.
The cheapest option: 68euros, the fastest bus+plane, most convenient... you choose. I would choose bus+plane, but if budget is very limited then choose bus+bus.
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19 days in spain, life is unfair, people with money have not much time, and you have time, but not much money.
From Valencia to Balearic islands is not very cheap, we are talking about august, high season and everytghing is more expensive.
Mallorca island (Palma de Mallorca) have more options on flights and ferries. Second destination could be Ibiza island.
You have time enough to spent a few days in Valencia, Palma/Ibiza and Barcelona.
You could do this
Valencia: tomatina + a couple of days in the city. Flight to Palma.
Palma: a few days, you could also spend some time in Ibiza.
return to Barcelona from Palma or Ibiza.
Barcelona: the rest of time.
