SEVILLE - CONNECTIONS AT PLAZA DE ARMAS BUS STATION

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.  Official website for the bus station here. In Spanish mostly, some information is available other languages via the national flags at top right of first page.

There is a direct bus between the Plaza de Armas and the Santa Justa railway station.This is route (line) 21, which also stops at the Prado de San Sebastian bus station. The number 21 bus runs 4 - 6 times an hour on weekdays and Saturdays, 3 times every hour on Sundays and Holidays. Intervals between buses are slightly irregular.

The official website of the Seville city bus service is at www.tussam.es including a downloadable map. This is however only in Spanish. A useful site for Seville public transport information in English at https://en.redtransporte.com/sevilla/  which includes information about buses to places more distant. There is a lot more information about Seville , including maps, here.

The single 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 and at San Bernado rail and bus station, served by regional trains and where some regional buses start their journeys. The metro website is http://www.metro-sevilla.es/en/ - available in English.

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, Grupo Valenzuela and Alsina Graells (ALSA)  use this terminal. They each have their own ticket/enquiry offices inside. NOTE - I read that Los Amarillos has lost their contract to operate certain regional routes in favour of DAMAS.  In particular this includes the popular route for tourists Sevilla  – Ronda –  Chipiona – Málaga. Please therefore check times and buy tickets at the DAMAS website.

** 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 2km. 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, DAMAS use Plaza de Armas.

The route M124 bus from Seville to Carmona, operated by CASAL, starts from San Bernardo, at the metro station and runs via Avenida San Franciso Javier and Avenida Kansas City towards Carmona. This bus DOES NOT STOP at the airport.

Long distance buses (coaches) from Seville to elsewhere in Spain

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

You can check times of buses from the  Plaza de Armas bus station on this website http://www.autobusesplazadearmas.es/ with some sections available in more than one language.

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) runs to and from the bus station at Plaza de Armas in the city centre, calling at the Prado San Sebastian bus station and the Santa Justa railway station on the way.

At Plaza de Armas the airport bus now stops INSIDE the bus station building, at stand number 21.

First bus from the city to the airport is at 0430am daily, last bus is just after midnight. From the airport the first bus is at 0520, last bus at 0054. Buses run every 15 minutes between about 0730 and 2100hrs .Early and late buses run every 20 - 30 minutes. Additional journeys may run in summer.

One way fare is 4 Euros, return fare 6 Euros. Journey is between 20 and 30 minutes, depending on traffic.

Information leaflet here in Spanish and English.

Gibraltar

ALGARVE - SEVILLE USING THE FERRY?

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 an area of small 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.

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

Seville - Algarve - I have used the coach/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 coach (cost now €16,76) 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 (€1.90) across to Portugal.

Ferry to Ayamonte (Spain)

A little ferry crosses the river between Vila Real de Santo António (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. (Spanish time is one hour ahead of Portugal, so you gain or lose an hour in the 10 minute crossing of the river.)

Other resources, trust them as you wish! Thanks to Marcel Versteeg in Amstelveen, Netherlands for this and other recent information.

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

The crossing takes about 10 minutes. Fare for foot passengers is €1.90; children under 4 go free, ages 4 to 10yrs €1,20.The ticket office at Vila Real is within the restored former customs control building.

TAKE YOUR PASSPORT OR ID CARD! PORTUGUESE FRONTIER POLICE SOMETIMES CHECK THEM BOTH OUTBOUND AND INBOUND. ALSO IT THE LAW HERE IN PORTUGAL THAT ALL ADULTS MUST CARRY PHOTO ID AT ALL TIMES INCLUDING TOURISTS. DIDN'T KNOW THAT, DID YOU!

Ayamonte to/from Seville direct or via Huelva

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, six times on Saturdays and three times on Sundays and on public holidays. Journey to Seville is about 2¾ hours, one way fare is €14,41. There are also journeys between Ayamonte and Huelva about every two hours.  You have more options Ayamonte - Seville with a change in Huelva. These journeys are also operated by DAMAS.

Socibus also operate two journeys a day between Ayamonte and Madrid - details below.

HUELVA'S NEW RAILWAY STATION AND THE BUS STATION ARE 1.7km (just over 1 mile) apart. Do allow enough time between train and bus if required. I have as yet been unable to figure out the buses that may connect the two. You are welcome to try at http://www.emtusahuelva.com which is not helped by the strange orientation of their map and the fact that the new station is not marked! Any information welcome by email.

Trains Huelva - Seville

There are a few 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.

Reservation is not needed between Huelva and Seville.

Train times Huelva to Seville daily at 0655, 1500 and 1900. Journey to Seville is about 90 minutes. One way 'Turista' fare is €12,25 but discounted fares are available for advance purchase. There is NO CONNECTION by bus Ayamonte to Huelva for the 0655 train.

Train times Seville Santa Justa to Huelva at 1000, 1700 and 2050. Additional train on Fridays at 1902 which comes from Madrid.

There is an additional train on Sundays all year from Huelva to Seville at 1750hrs which continues to Madrid Atocha station.

Huelva <> Madrid direct by train

Tickets can also be purchased in £ or € at www.loco2.com - an accredited ticket seller for many European railways.

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 OTHER PARTS OF PORTUGAL AND SPAIN

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 1300 arriving Lisbon Sete Rios at 0645 . The 1300 departure also stops at Zaragoza and Madrid Airport. Change buses in Madrid (Interchange Avenida das Americas, then it calls at Madrid (Estacion Sur), Caceres, Badajoz, Estremoz, Evora, Montemor, Setubal and Lisbon Gare Oriente.

The 1300 from Barcelona operates daily so far as I can tell.

From Lisbon towards Barcelona the departure from Sete Rios is at 2100, arriving in Barcelona at 1650 the following day, calling at the same places

Tickets one way €72,11 purchased on line.

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 daytime from €39 to €50, night-time fare from €31 to €40. There is no exchange or refund on the lowest price tickets.

Two buses daily all year one daytime and one overnight bus, journey time is about 12 hours daytime, 10 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 no longer available. One-way standard adult fare Lisbon > Madrid is €43,30, some discounted tickets (no exchange, no refund) are avialble on certain journets. Vehicles are configured with 33 seats only, including single seats. Some journeys now also call at Lisbon Airport.

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 €37.00 no refund or exchange, €48 flexible fare.

PORTO - ANDORRA VIA (Zaragoza, Burgos) NORTH WEST SPAIN also serves Bragança, Braga, Guimarães etc in Portual

Fridays and Sundays all year in both directions, also operates on certain other dates. See http://www.interurbana.ad/index.php available in numerous languages.Journeys actually start / end in Vila Praia Ancora and stop also at Ponte da Lima, Braga, Guimarães, Amarante, Vila Real and Bragança. In Spain theys top in Valladolid, Burgos and Zarazoga, among others.

There is also this operation three times a week Porto - Braga - Chaves - Valladolid - Burgos - across Spain to Andorra - http://www.rutasvigo.com/destinos.php

Porto - Vigo -  Santiago de Compostela  via Porto airport and Valença

AUTNA BUS

Six journeys each way on weekdays, three journeys each way Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays. All journeys stop at Porto airport.

Connections available at Vigo to and from Santiago de Compostela, also possible by train or local bus. International service  operated by AUTNA www.autna.com website now available partly in English. Tickets can be bought on line - one way fare Porto to Vigo €12, return (round-trip) €21 - discounts available for certain travellers. Downloadable timetable can be seen here. Some journeys serve the main long distance bus station in Porto Campo 24 de Agosto for easier connections to other cities. The 'Aliados McDonald's' stop is 120 metres from the metro station Aliados in the city centre and is directly outside a McDonald's. This is same place where many tour buses stop. I did not see any actual 'AUTNA' sign. The location is also served by many city buses, some (eg route 500) are shown as going to Praça de Liberdade, the name of the public square.

ALSA

Has two or three daily services from Porto (Casa da Musica bus station, adjacent to the metro station) via the airport and Viana do Castelo to Vigo and Santiago de Compostela, with connections available to and from many other cities. Journey takes 3 hours. Check times and buy tickets at www.alsa.es and be aware that it has been reported that only Spanish credit cards are accepted on line. Ticket price €15 one way.

ALSA also operate one direct service each day between LISBON and SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA via Fátima, Coimbra and Porto, leaving at 0730am, returning at 1200 noon. One way ticket €29,00, Lisbon to / from Santiago de Compostela takes almost 8 hours.

FLIXBUS

Low cost coaches to and from major Portuguese cities and towns. They are expanding rapidly, check their website www.flixbus.com

IBEROCOACH

One or two daily journeys Porto - Braga - Vigo - Santiago de Compostela and further into northern Spain at www.iberocoach.com one trip calls at Porto Airport and I notice that they have different departure points in Porto, so check carefully.

See also this page on Trip Advisor however some details are now out of date! - http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g187506-c56944/Galicia:Spain:Portugal.Galicia.Via.Public.Transport.html

Socibus service Madrid Airport - Madrid - Cordoba - Ayamonte

Operated by Socibus
Madrid Airport stop is at Terminal One
Please check all times when buying tickets. There are no downloadable timetables on their website.
One-way fare Madrid (City or Airport) <> Ayamonte €30 approx. purchased via website.

Journey time almost 9 hours.
Two journeys each day and one overnight, stopping at Isla Cristina, La Antilla and Lepe, then on to Cordoba and Madrid.
NB these do not stop in Seville.

Eurolines

The Eurolines company operates a number of routes connecting Portugal with the outside world.
A number of these times are the same as routes operated by other companies,  they are a 'code share' type operation.
Several of the routes involve a change of vehicle, but through tickets are available.

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

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS  IN PORTUGAL AND SPAIN 2018/ 2019

Click here for a list of Portuguese public and religious holidays until end 2019. In general trains and buses run to Sunday times on these holidays. At Christmas and New Year public transport does operate, but services may be reduced and in very rural areas local bus service is nil. 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. Particularly in rural areas, bus service may not operate on these days. Do check locally if making an important journey.

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