Expert: Víctor Díaz - 8/19/2009

Question
Hello,

I will be travelling by myself to Spain and Portugal in October.  First, I would like to know if a day trip from Seville to Cordoba, or from Granada to Cordoba, just to see the Mezquita is doable.  The reason is that I don't want to be lugging my suitcase from one place to another if I will only be seeing just one attraction.
Second, what would you suggest for me to do to travel to Portugal. Should I just go back from Seville to Madrid and catch the night train to Lisbon? Or just take a bus from Seville to Lisbon?
Thank you in advance.

Best regards,

Jocelyn


Answer
Hello Jocelyn

Yes, Cordoba is doable as daytrip form Granada and Sevilla, most people do it from Sevilla, which is closer and you may use high speed trains to get there in 45minutes
http://www.renfe.es/

http://www.turismodecordoba.org/
i recommend also to do the tour to Medina Azahar (you may get ther only by car or taxi or this tour)
http://english.turismodecordoba.org/no-te-puedes-perder.cfm?codigo=0482


For the travel to Portugal, it's a hard choice of train via Madrid  vs direct bus (via Faro, so it's not straight Sevilla-Lisboa)

Train: Sevilla-Madrid may be done in high speed, and then take the overnight train Lusitania to Lisboa (tickets aren't sold on line for this type of train). You will save a night of hotel, but you are adding many km and still have to pay the train to Madrid.

Bus: is cheaper than trains, less confortable, you will spend most of the day traveling.

with alsa this are the buses available for october (site also shown more buses that have service until the first week of september)

SEVILLA(P)    LISBOA ORI    14:30    21:00    35,00euros    JVSD (thursday to sunday)
SEVILLA(P)    LISBOA ORI    23:30    06:15    35,00     LMXJVSD (daily)  

the overnight bus is an option to consider if you have a tight budget and don't mind sleeping in a bus seat.
The (P) means 'Prado de san sebastian' station but have the next stop at the other sevilla bus station 'plaza de armas' and departure from there at 15:00 and 23:59 respectively.

Other options are bus from Sevilla to Faro with EVA
http://www.eva-bus.com/home.php?lang=UK

and from Faro to Lisboa with Portuguese railways or bus
http://www.cp.pt
More information for connections between south of spin and portugal
http://thomasallen.home.sapo.pt/travel/001.htm

I hope this helps.