Your driver will meet you at your address in Granada.
You’ll travel in comfort for 4 h 10 min.
Your driver will drop you off at your address in Madrid.
Your journey from Granada to Madrid begins in the Sierra Nevada foothills, amongst powerful Medieval architecture and lasting Moorish influences. After you’ve explored Granada’s imposing Alhambra fortress and indulged in Arabic-style teahouses, you can look forward to traversing the distance to the bustling “Heart of Spain”, Madrid.
The transfer from Granada to Madrid spans about 570 kilometers and takes just over 3.5 hours. With a private car transfer, you will be able to make the most of your travel by visiting attractions along the way such as charming Consuegra or historically rich Toledo. Opting for a driving service such as Daytrip enables you to soak up Spanish history and culture in transit with an English-speaking driver. You will benefit from a convenient door-to-door service that guarantees your safe and comfortable transportation to vibrant Madrid.
Transformed by Philip II in the 16th century into the political and cultural capital of Spain, Madrid is a flourishing center of Spanish history that should be a bucket-list destination for any trip to the country. Your Granada to Madrid transfer will transport you to a utopia of cultural and historical icons, thriving nightlife, and famously friendly locals.
Choosing a private driving service will grant you native insight into this incredible city. With Daytrip, you will start your visit off on the right foot with baggage assistance, a kind and knowledgeable local driver, and efficient transfer time, letting you focus on reveling in all Madrid has to offer.
The city boasts an incredibly diverse range of museums and art galleries celebrating Spanish culture and featuring some of the biggest names in art history: Picasso, Valesquez, and Goyo. Your tour of Madrid should also include visits to stand-out examples of Baroque architecture such as the Plaza Mayor or the Royal Palace.
After a day spent sightseeing, you will be greeted by Madrid’s globally renowned nightlife. The city is packed with opportunities to dabble in the local cuisine, try your hand at Spanish dance styles, or let loose in old-world pubs and trendy bars - there is truly something for every traveler.
Madrid is a remarkably modern city that still honors its history through enduring landmarks and traditions, making it one of the most sought-after travel destinations in Spain. Once you’ve made it this far with your private transfer experience, you are sure to understand all of the fanfare surrounding this beautiful city.
There are a few things to consider to make your journey from Granada to Madrid smoother and to ensure you have the best time possible along the way. These tips are especially important if you plan to partake in any sightseeing stops along the way, such as a detour to Toledo.
You will likely be familiar with the siesta as an afternoon nap time to beat the Spanish heat, but nowadays, it is treated more as a lunch break where many shops will be closed to the public from mid to late afternoon (ranging from around 1 PM to as late as 5 PM.) As you will already be spending a day traveling between Granada and Madrid, it is a good idea to allocate your sightseeing stops to either occur in the morning or later in the evening to avoid being caught out.
While there are buses and trains between the two cities, you will have a much better time on your transfer from Granada to Madrid with a private driver. You can truly make the most of your time in both destinations with Daytrip’s convenient pickup and dropoff transfer service, saving you valuable sightseeing time you’d otherwise have to spend navigating your way to public transport stations.
Madrid is famed for its compact and walkable city design, making it a treat for travelers hoping to see all of the sights in just a few days. This makes it essential for you to pack comfortable, broken-in shoes that are seasonally appropriate. Note that while Madrid can be very hot in the summer months, open-toed shoes are not advisable during this peak tourism season because you're sure to get your toes stepped on in the crowds!
Depending on your budget and personal preferences, there are a few ways to navigate the Granada to Madrid transfer. Public transportation is available, as are flights and driving routes, though speeds and costs can vary. The following travel options are ranked in order of their convenience and practicality.
The best way to travel between Granada and Madrid is with Daytrip's private car service. You'll get safe and reliable transportation with a friendly local driver. This option encourages you to see as much of the Spanish countryside en route as possible. We've already found the best places to visit along the way, so you can easily enrich your trip by stopping at cities and smaller towns.
There is a train from Granada to Madrid that takes just under 4 hours and typically involves a transfer to a new train in Córdoba. Tickets range from $70-$109 (€65-€100) depending on the time of the train’s departure and how far in advance bookings are made.
A cheaper alternative to the train is the bus between Granada and Madrid, which is a direct journey of 4-5 hours and tickets start at $33 (€31). As with the train, you will also need to account for the time and money spent on transportation to and from the station and your accommodation.
Some choose to take a flight between Granada and Madrid, but this is not the most convenient option for covering such a relatively short distance. A direct flight only takes an hour, but any saved time is eaten up by the two-hour pre-departure arrival recommendation and the actual travel time to the airport. The available flights start at $81 (€75).
Choosing instead to drive with a private car service will ultimately save you time and means you can avoid additional baggage fees as well as the hassle of transfers to and from the airport in each city. Plus, this option is much greener than taking a heavy-emissions flight between cities that are not very far apart!
After your Granada to Madrid transfer, you get to explore the city’s impeccable cuisine and revel in the decadence of its architecture, all while mingling with the sociable locals. Whether you are an eager art history buff or simply want to enjoy the Bocadillo de Calamares (Madrid’s famous fried squid sandwich), you are in for a fantastic adventure upon your arrival.
One of the most iconic sights of Madrid is the Plaza Mayor, nestled in the charming district of Hapsburg Madrid. This is the site of the former Plaza del Arrabal, which used to be the city’s most popular market. You can pay homage to the Plaza’s storied past by strolling along the many shops, enjoying a coffee on the sunny terraces, or simply basking in the grandeur of the city’s main square.
Possibly one of the first things that come to mind when you think of Madrid is Flamenco. This beautiful art form, complete with extravagant costumes and highly disciplined dancers and musicians, has blossomed in Madrid. It is well worth engaging with this part of Spanish history and culture during your stay in Madrid. Be sure to compare ticket costs across Flamenco companies before booking, and secure your place well in advance if you will be traveling to Madrid in the busy summer months.
Easily accessible with nearby metro stops, the Cerro del Tío Pío is a hilltop park known for offering the best sunset views of the Madrid skyline. This is a fantastic, free activity for a quiet evening (though there are plenty of places to eat and drink nearby if you choose to make a night of your outing.)
As you plan your Granada to Madrid transfer, you should consider visiting in the spring or autumn shoulder seasons. This will allow you to avoid the severest Spanish heat and prices will likely be lower outside of the peak travel months in the summer.
In Madrid, spring is ushered in by the delicate blooms of pink almond blossoms from late February to March. This time is a little cooler and you will see fewer crowds at the main attractions.
Conversely, in the autumn or early winter months, you will be able to sample some of Madrid’s traditional winter fare, such as Cocido Madrileño (a hearty stew of meat and chickpeas dating back to the Middle Ages.)
Amongst the olive groves, this provincial capital has the largest number of protected spaces and fortresses in Spain. The Olive Oil Capital
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is known as the Renaissance Capital of Andalucia for its wealth of historic architecture. Renaissance Ensemble
Since construction first began in 968, the castle has seen very little damage—from time or human action—and remains one of the best-preserved Muslim castles in Spain. Europe's Second Oldest Castle
Famed for its 16th century windmills, as fought by Don Quixote, this section of Toledo opens up a world of history. 30 or so Wild Giants
In the Middle Ages, Christian, Muslim, and Jewish communities peacefully coexisted in this UNESCO-listed city, which is now a hotbed for historic monuments. The City of Three Cultures
Balancing nature, man, and an opulent royal palace, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is renowned for its harmonious perfection. Hail to the King
“Felix was on time, friendly and informative during our trip. His driving was excellent. He provided us with information about the country of Spain as we drove through the countryside. I’d highly recommend Daytrip for other travelers and would consider it again for a “splurge “ .”
kasweetman
Dec 15, 2019“Julio was a wonderful, considerate driver Madrid to Granada. So convenient to be picked up at the Madrid airport after a long flight. Nabil was a reliable, safe driver and a professional, knowledgeable guide dedicated to service. Both journeys were very pleasant. Highly recommend DayTrip , especially for those transfers where trains or flights are not the most accessible or convenient. Excellent customer service.”
mfamily1
Oct 2, 2019“my family of 4 (2 adults, 2 kids (ages 6 and 7) had a fabulous car trip with ricardo from granada to madrid, which we opted for because the flights were either early in the morning or later in the evening than we preferred. we had originally planned a sightseeing stop but decided mid trip to abort the extra stop because of weather and tired children, which ricardo easily accommodated. We had a relaxing, safe, comfortable drive. ricardo was polite and kind and helpful and super professional. he was a pleasure to travel with and his car was clean and comfortable and he had two great booster seats for our kids plus waters for all of us. i will absolutely use mydaytrip.com again and will recommend to folks i know”
curly013
Apr 26, 2019“I would like to heap praise both of the drivers, Bruno G. and Mauricio A. ! Both of them were very amazingly nice and friendly throughout the journey to Madrid and that totally made my first experience with mydaytrip's service memorable. They were very attentive and tried their very best to cater our needs like helping us to take photographs, helping us to look for restaurants for lunch and even found us some great spots to take some nice photos. I will definitely recommend to anyone to use your service!”
ZacharyP58
Feb 16, 2019All Daytrip drivers speak English* as well as their native language (and sometimes additional languages too!). They'll be happy to discuss local history and culture with you, as well as answer any questions you may have. And because they speak the language, they're able to provide you with a unique opportunity to connect with local culture. *Drivers for Lite service aren't required to speak English but must meet all other standards.
We screen all our drivers for criminal and traffic records, and personally interview each one. We also inspect their cars for safety, comfort, and reliability. All cars must be less than ten years old, in excellent operating condition, and insured as required by local law. And because our drivers are locals, they're familiar with the rules and customs of the road.
If you’re traveling with children, make sure to let us know in the booking so we can get the appropriate child seats ready!
Pets are allowed (and loved)! We just need to know beforehand. You can tell us about them in the next phase of the booking.
Gratuity isn’t included or required, but if you really enjoyed your trip, you can show your driver your appreciation with an optional tip (10% is sufficient).
Each passenger is allowed to have one checked bag and one carry on. If you’re traveling with more bags or oversized luggage, you can adjust this while booking.
Pay by credit card online, or in cash directly to your driver!
If you have any questions, here are the answers.
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