SEVILLE - CONNECTIONS - checked and updated 5th March 2014

Connections within the city of Seville

The Plaza de Armas bus terminal in Seville is about 2km across the city from the Santa Justa railway station. It is also about 2km from the Prado San Sebastian Bus Station.  It is very busy, even on a Sunday morning, so allow ample time to buy your ticket. Perhaps go there a day or two earlier as I did, or book on-line if you can.

There is no direct bus between the Plaza de Armas and the Santa Justa railway station. You need to take bus C4 to Prado San Sebastian then change to the C2 for Santa Justa. The official website of the Seville city bus service is at www.tussam.es including a downloadable map. There is a lot more information about Seville generally, including maps, here.

The first line of Seville's metro (underground) rail network is in service. It does not serve either the Plaza de Armas bus station or the Santa Justa rail station. It does have a stop at the Prado San Sebastian, the other major bus station. The metro website is http://www.metro-sevilla.es/en/ - only in Spanish.

Most parts of Seville can also reached by city buses from outside the Plaza de Armas.

Buses to suburban and regional destinations

There is comprehensive information on buses in the Seville region (in Spanish only) at the 'Consorcio Transportes' website.

Buses to many suburban destinations leave from the Plaza de Armas, but some leave from the Prado San Sebastian. The C3 and C4 circular routes link the two bus stations. The bus station at Prado San Sebastian is the yellow painted building with the arches, just around the corner from the  tram/light rail stop**. The entrance is actually in the Plaza San Sebastian. The bus companies Casal, Los Amarillos, Linesur and Alsina Graells (ALSA)  use this terminal. They each have their own ticket/enquiry offices inside. Timetables were displayed when I last visited.

** The short tram line runs between San Bernado metro station via Prado San Sebastian (close to a lot of bus stops) to the old city centre at the Plaza Nueva, a distance of about 1km. Ticketing is integrated with the city buses operated under the Tussam banner.

Buses from Seville to many regional destinations (eg Cadiz, Jerez, Tarifa, La Linea and Algeciras) are operated by DAMAS and Transportes Generales Comes. TG Comes buses use the Prado San Sebastian bus station.

Long distance buses (coaches)

Long distance buses to many other parts of Spain leave from Plaza de Armas.  These companies use Plaza de Armas - ALSA, DAMAS, SOCIBUS, LINESUR, LEDA SA and EUROLINES

You can check times of buses from the  Plaza de Armas bus station on this website http://www.autobusesplazadearmas.es/ note that the site is in Spanish only

The ALSA and Eurolines sites are available in English, the TG Comes site has quite of a lot of its information in English (but isn't very easy to navigate!) but the other sites are only in Spanish.

Seville Airport bus

The airport bus (EA, Especial Aeroporto) now runs to and from the bus station at Plaza de Armas in the city centre, passing the Prado San Sebastian bus station and the Santa Justa railway station on the way.

At Plaza de Armas the airport bus stops in front of the bus station on Calle Torneo (not evident from the Tussam website). There are two city bus stops in front of the station, on the same side of Calle Torneo as the bus station itself. The airport bus stops at the one furthest away to the left from the bus station exit.

First bus from town is at 0430am daily, last bus at 0030. From the airport the first bus is at 0520, last bus at 0120. Buses run three times each hour between about 0730 and 2300hrs, earlier and later twice an hour, mostly at slightly irregular intervals. One way fare is 4 Euros, return fare 6 Euros. Journey is between 20 and 30 minutes, depending on traffic.

Check the times and route maps on the TUSSAM website. Or there is this PDF file here.

Gibraltar

ALGARVE - SEVILLE USING THE FERRY?

checked 1st February 2014

In the direction Algarve - Seville, you have to take the train or bus to Vila Real de Santo António (VRSA). This town is on the Portuguese side of the wide Guadiana river, which forms the border between Portugal and Spain.

The railway station at Vila Real de Santo António is at the end of the Algarve line from Lagos, which also serves Portimão, Faro and Tavira etc as do the buses above. Trains run about every two hours; train times are here.

The station in VRSA is about ten minutes walk (flat, no hills) from the ferry terminal. To get from the railway station to the ferry, walk out of the station, straight down the road, past the roundabout and on to the next junction. Turn left and pass through a rather dismal lot of mostly closed factories, until you get to a T-junction and can see the river. Turn right and you will see the bus station ahead of you. The ferry is just beyond. The Intermarché supermarket outside the VRSA train station is a good place to stock up. It’s open daily including Sunday afternoons. There aren't any other supermarkets until you get to Spain. The town centre of VRSA is off to the right when you get to the bus station. There you will see bars, restaurants etc. Map here - opens in a new window.

The ferry runs  every 30 minutes in summer, every 60 minutes in winter, between about 0830 and 1930 only. No service on winter Sundays. Details below.

If you are staying somewhere (eg Faro, Tavira, Monte Gordo) there is a bus to Vila Real de Santo António and bus might be best, as the bus station at VRSA is at the ferry terminal

Seville - Algarve - I have used the bus/ferry/bus option from Seville to Albufeira! It was fairly painless except for a half hour delay caused by traffic congestion on the outskirts of Seville. The bus (cost now €14.25) took me from Seville to Ayamonte, on the Spanish side of the river. The Spanish railway line runs only as far as Huelva and there are only three trains a day, so unless you are coming from elsewhere, the bus from Seville is best. Then it's about 15 minutes easy walk through the town to the ferry terminal. This isn't signposted very well, so keep the river to your left. Then there's the ten minute ferry ride (€1.70) across to Portugal.

Ferry to Ayamonte (Spain)

A little ferry crosses the river between VRSA and Ayamonte.

I have used the ferry a few times. That’s a picture of it to the left. It can take two or three cars and maybe 50 passengers maximum.  All the times published in Portugal are in PORTUGUESE TIME so check return times from Ayamonte carefully.

(Spanish time is one hour ahead of Portugal, so you gain or lose an hour in the 10 minute crossing of the river.)

THE SPANISH BOAT IS THE ONLY ONE RUNNING UNTIL 31.3.14 AT THESE TIMES - NO FERRIES OPERATE ON SUNDAYS IN WINTER!!

From Vila Real de Santo António at 0845, 0930 then every hour until 1630 then last trip at 1815. From Ayamonte SPANISH TIME at 0930, 1000 then every hour until 1700 then last trip at 1900. Don't forget to adjust your watches.

Winter service 2013/2014 valid from 16th September until 30th April 2014 according to information available at Vila Real.

When the PORTUGUESE boat is running: 

From Vila Real de Santo António at 0815, 0900 then every hour until 1700 then at 1830; from Ayamonte Spanish time at 0930 then every hour until 1830 then at 1930.

Summer service - every 30 minutes daily from 0830 to 1930. Summer service valid from 1st July 2014 to mid-September, subject to confirmation. In May and June ferries operate every 60 minutes between 1000hrs and 2000hrs.

An English language website for Ayamonte has a timetable on line here. The information differs greatly from what is available in Portugal!

The crossing takes about 10 minutes. Fare for foot passengers is €1.70; children under 4 go free, ages 4 to 10yrs €0.85.The ticket office at Vila Real is within the restored former customs control building.

Ayamonte to/from Seville direct or via Huelva

CHECKED AND UPDATED 6th March 2014
PLEASE REFER TO THE TIMETABLE/TICKET WEBSITE FOR SPECIFIC BUS/COACH TIMES FOR THE DAY YOU WISH TO TRAVEL

For all BUS timetable enquiries around Ayamonte, Isla Cristina and Huelva go to the regional bus website here this site is only in Spanish. There are several different buses between Ayamonte and Huelva, so you will have to fish around a little.

For times, fares and tickets for longer journeys in Spain eg Ayamonte - Seville go to www.movelia.es - this site is available in English.

The DAMAS bus company runs between Seville (Plaza da Armas) and Ayamonte four times daily on weekdays, three times daily at weekends and on public holidays. Journey to Seville is about 2¾ hours. There are also buses between Ayamonte and Huelva about every two hours.  You have more options Ayamonte - Seville with a change of bus in Huelva. These buses are also operated by DAMAS.

Socibus also operate three times a day between Ayamonte, Sevllle and Madrid - details below.

Trains - times current from 15th December 2013 until further notice.

There are trains (www.renfe.com) between Huelva and Seville (Santa Justa). The railway between Ayamonte and Huelva closed long ago and the railway station in Ayamonte was converted into the bus station. Train times Huelva to Seville- trains leave daily at 0700, 1500 and 1920 with an extra train on Sundays at 1750. Journey is about 90 minutes, one way 'Turista' fare is €11.75 but discounted fares are available for advance purchase. There is NO CONNECTION by bus Ayamonte to Huelva for the 0700 train or the 0800 to Madrid below. Trains leave Seville Santa Justa for Huelva at 1000, 1700 and 2050 with an extra train on Fridays at 1902. Reservation is not needed except for the 1902 Friday train, which comes from Madrid.

Huelva <> Madrid direct by train

There is also a direct fast train between Huelva and Madrid Atocha NOT STOPPING in Seville. The Huelva - Madrid train leaves at 0800 arriving at 1140  Return train leaves Madrid at 1805 arriving in Huelva at 2145. These trains stop in Cordoba. Details and fares at www.renfe.es - normal tourist class fare one-way is €71,50. Reservation required.

There is an extra weekend trip between Huelva and Madrid. Train leaves Madrid Puerta de Atocha station on Fridays at 1620 arriving in Huelva at 2023, returning to Madrid on Sundays at 1750 arrival 2158. Subject to alteration around major public holidays eg Easter.

VAN/TAXI/MINIBUS?

A number of companies and travel agents advertise that they will do airport transfers to Seville, so that could be an avenue worth exploring, especially if there is a group of you. For example, try www.yellowfishtransfers.com

OTHER BUSES BETWEEN PORTUGAL AND SPAIN

Section checked and updated 5th March 2014

Thanks to Barlavento Expert for much of this information about various other bus services between Portugal and Spain. There are a lot of enquiries about these buses, as there are almost no trains between Portugal and Spain, as already stated. Don't forget that Spanish time is one hour ahead of Portugal. All times given below are local time to the country and city concerned.

I have checked as much of the information as I can through the company websites. Advance reservation is required on almost all the buses (coaches to UK readers) so you must check all times etc before committing yourself.

Many of the buses between Portugal and Spain are operated by the ALSA company. This company is owned by National Express, a UK train and bus operator. Most of their website and on-line booking system is in English. Also, the INTERNORTE consortium website offers domestic and international services. EUROLINES - see below.

The timetables do not state so specifically, but services on holidays are usually as for Sunday times. Service does not usually operate on New Year's Day (1st January) and may be reduced on December 24th, 25th, 31st and subject to change around major holidays eg Easter. Also, according to my leaflet, you are supposed to 'present yourself' 45 minutes prior to departure. Tickets should be bought in advance if at all possible, especially in summer. I do not claim that this information is comprehensive. There may well be other links, especially in the north of the country, but this site is really about the Algarve.

BARCELONA - LISBON (CHANGE OF BUS REQUIRED IN MADRID)

Operated by ALSA. - Please check details on their website

Leaving Barcelona North Bus Station at 1230 (a) and 2300 (b) arriving Lisbon Sete Rios at 0700 and 1700 respectively. The 1230 departure also stops at : Barcelona (Sants), Lerida and Zaragoza. Change buses in Madrid (Est. Sur de autobuses) then it calls at Elvas, Estremoz, Evora, Montemor, Setubal and Lisbon Gare Oriente. The 2300 departure stops at the same places as far as Madrid then Evora and Lisbon only.

(a) the 1230 from Barcelona operates Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays all year plus Saturdays in summer. (b) the 2300 from Barcelona operates Tuesdays and Fridays all year, also Wednesdays in summer.

From Lisbon towards Barcelona buses leave at 1130 and 2100. The 1130 runs on SUNDAYS only, all year round and is the fast service arriving in Madrid at 2130, change buses for Barcelona arrival at 0700. The 2100 stops in all the towns and arrival in Barcelona is 1645 the next day. The 2100 runs every day except Sundays in summer; in winter it runs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays only.

BARCELONA - PORTO (CHANGE OF BUS REQUIRED IN MADRID)

Operated by ALSA -  please check details on their website.

The Internorte bus company also operates Porto - Madrid - Barcelona three times a week; times and reservations at http://www.internorte.pt/

MADRID AND LISBON/PORTO

Madrid <> Lisbon via Badajoz and Évora operated by ALSA. One-way fare €44,00, return (round-trip) €73.00 some small taxes and charges will be added to the total.

Two buses daily all year one daytime and one overnight bus, journey time 12 hours daytime, 11 hours overnight. Buses leave/arrive at Madrid's Est Sur de Autobuses and to/from Lisbon Sete Rios Bus Terminal but calling at Lisbon Gare Oriente 15 minutes later/earlier.

Madrid <> Lisbon via Badajoz, Elvas, Montemor and Setubal - Operated by Avanzabus

Three buses each way on weekdays, two each way at weekends and on holidays. One journey each day is overnight. Journey time about 8 hours. Full timetable on the Avanzabus website; in Spanish only. Downloadable timetables are available for all their routes across Spain under the 'horarios' tab. One-way adult fare Lisbon > Madrid is €42,10. Vehicles are configured with 33 seats only, including single seats.

Madrid <> LIsbon via Merida, Badajoz, Elvas, Evora and Setubal - operated by Anibal timetable is no longer on their website may therefore have ceased operation

Madrid <> Porto via Salamanca with connection to Coimbra etc Operated by ALSA.

One daytime journey each way every day, journey time 9hrs 30 minutes. Check the ALSA website for times. One way fare €50.00

There is a connection at Madrid from and to Valencia daily in summer, four days a week in winter.

Porto - Vigo via Porto airport

Four journeys each way on weekdays, only one journey each way Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays. One extra journey every day if pre-booked. Operated by AUTNA www.autna.com website is in Spanish only.

Socibus service Madrid - Seville - Ayamonte

Madrid Airport stop is at Terminal One
Please check all times when buying tickets as there are no longer any downloadable timetables on the website

Eurolines

The Eurolines company operates a number of routes connecting Portugal with the outside world. Their Portugal timetable can be found here - external link.
A number of these times are the same as routes operated by the ALSA bus company,  they are a 'code share' type operation.
Several of the routes involve a change of bus but through tickets are available.

Routes: Madrid-Mérida-Badajoz>>>>Elvas-Estremoz-Évora-Montemor - Setubal - Lisbon
Madrid-Ávila-Salamanca-Ciudad Rodrigo>>>>Guarda-Viseu-Porto-Fatima-Lisbon - Vila Real St. António
Algeciras-Huelva-Jerez-MálagaSevilla-Granada>>>>Faro-Setubal-Lisbon-Fatima-Porto
Barcelona-Lleida-Zaragoza>>>>Vilar Formoso-Guarda-Celorico-Mangualde-Viseu-Albergaria-Porto
Valencia>>>>Elvas-Estremoz-Evora-Setubal-Lisbon - V. Formoso-Guarda-Viseu-Porto

Socinterbus - Northern Portugal to Andorra!

Spanish company Socintarbus runs a service three times a week across from Vila Praia da Ancora through Braga, Guimarães, Porto (stop is at Campanhã railway station), Amarante, Mirandela and Bragança to Valladolid, Burgos, Zaragoza, Lleida and various places in Andorra. Timetable and more details at http://socintarbus.com/showPG.php?Id=2

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS  IN PORTUGAL AND SPAIN 2014

Click here for a list of Portuguese public and religious holidays until end 2014.

All Spanish holidays are listed here - external link in a new window.

Note that, as in Portugal, Spanish holidays are not ‘moved’ and are held on the given date regardless of the day of the week. Also, there are many local holidays and festivals.

For an alphabetical list of places in the Algarve, please click here
For a bus map of the Algarve click here
For a quick list of all timetables on the site click here
For some important general notes about buses in the Algarve, click here

Algarve Bus.Info home page