Getting to Granada from the UK without flying

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Last Modified on August 18th, 2026
Created on April 19th, 2010
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I have a flying phobia. I have to go to a wedding in Granada.

Do you have information about alternatives to flying to Granada such as buses, trains, etc.
Re: Re: Getting to Granada from the UK without flying

Travel Guide: London to Granada Without Flying

Traveling from the UK to Granada by surface transport is straightforward and offers scenic routes across Europe. You can choose between a fast high-speed rail connection through France or a relaxed ferry crossing to northern Spain followed by rail or coach travel.

Route Options Summary

Route Type Main Segments Approximate Duration Best For
High-Speed Rail 1. Eurostar: London to Paris
2. TGV: Paris to Barcelona
3. AVE: Barcelona to Granada (direct or via Madrid)		 24 to 28 hours ( overnight stop recommended ) Fastest travel time and seamless city-center connections.
Ferry + Rail / Coach 1. Brittany Ferries: UK to Santander/Bilbao
2. Alvia Train: Santander/Bilbao to Madrid
3. AVE Train or Alsa Coach: Madrid to Granada		 36 to 48 hours A relaxed journey, bringing a car, or extra luggage flexibility.

Detailed Breakdown

Option 1: High-Speed Rail via Paris & Barcelona

  • London to Paris: Board the Eurostar at London St Pancras International arriving at Paris Gare du Nord (approx. 2h 20m).
  • Paris Station Transfer: Transfer from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon via Metro Line 5 or taxi.
  • Paris to Barcelona: Take the SNCF TGV InOui service directly from Paris Gare de Lyon to Barcelona Sants (approx. 6h 45m).
  • Barcelona to Granada: Board a direct Renfe AVE high-speed train to Granada (approx. 6h 15m), or connect via Madrid Atocha.

Option 2: Cruise-Ferry & Spanish Transport

  • UK to Northern Spain: Sail with Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth or Plymouth to Santander or Bilbao (approx. 20–32 hours).
  • Northern Spain to Madrid: Catch a Renfe Alvia train from Santander or Bilbao down to Madrid Chamartín (approx. 4–5 hours).
  • Madrid to Granada: Transfer to Madrid Atocha for the direct AVE train (approx. 3h 30m) or take an Alsa coach from Estación del Sur.

Practical Booking Advice

  • Advance Booking: Eurostar and Spanish AVE/Iryo tickets open 60–120 days in advance and offer significant early-bird discounts.
  • Luggage Allowances: Trains and ferries have no strict liquid rules and generous luggage weight limits compared to airlines.
  • Rail Passes: An Interrail Global Pass covers Eurostar, SNCF, and Renfe routes, though seat reservations are mandatory for high-speed legs.
Re: Re: Getting to Granada from the UK without flying
I don't like flying very much.
Last summer I had a very enjoyable car trip to England from Granada on the Santander to Plymouth and Portsmouth to Santander ferries.

We went from Granada to Cordoba then on towards Caceres.
We stayed the night in Caceres which is a  medieval town with a very pleasant old part of town.

The second night we spent in Palencia which has no tourists at all but is an interesting place to spend a few hours.
Most people doing the same trip would choose Burgos but I have been there several times already.

My favourite location was the Picos de Europa which is a very mountainous region in the north of Spain between Leon and Santander.
On the third night we stayed in Potes. After the heat of late July in Andalusia it was great to enjoy the cooler mountain air.
The Picos de Europa would be an excellent location for a walking holiday.

I really enjoyed driving through Spain. It was wonderful not having to fly.
It was more expensive overall but the price comparison was not so bad when you take into account that
I didn't have to hire a car.

When I go to England on Ryanair there is a baggage allowance of 15 kilos. On this trip I was able to take a 5 litre container of best olive oil
and many bottles of wine for all my family and friends.

I think I will do the same next year.







 







 



 

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