Getting around Granada

Granada is an ideal city to explore and enjoy on foot, always wearing comfortable shoes to successfully negotiate the slopes and cobblestone streets. But these slopes, many times, make it a little complicated for certain types of people who, for reasons of age or physical condition, can not endure a whole day walking. That is why the city offers many alternatives in means of transportation to travel longer distances or for those tourists who, for different reasons, prefer to alternate their walks with buses, cabs or trains.

The cards you need

Credibus

It is a magnetic card used to travel on public transportation at a discounted fare. There are three prices: 5 €, 10 € and 20 €. For each trip, the ticket price is deducted from the remaining balance. For example, on a normal city bus trip, where the ticket costs €1.40, with this card each trip costs between €0.87 and €0.83, depending on the type of recharge. However, the card alone costs 2 €.

Granada Card

It is a similar card, at a higher cost but with two advantages: it offers discounts to the main points of interest in the city (including the Alhambra and the Generalife) and can be used unlimitedly on all public transport in Granada. There are two types: a three-day package for 37 € and a five-day package for 40 €. If this is the best option for you, we recommend that you buy it on the web before your trip because in high season it may be sold out in stores in the city. And if you go with children from 3 to 11 years old, you can buy the Kids Granada Card, a similar card but at a lower price.

Trains

Tourist train

These trains have audio guides in twelve different languages and you can connect to the wifi for free. Its main line is the Green Day route and includes stops in the center, the Realejo (the old Jewish quarter), Sacromonte and ends at the Alhambra. The ticket is valid from the moment it is used for the first time until the end of the same day, with the possibility of getting on and off the train as many times as you want. Headphones for the audio guide are included in the cost of the ticket. The cost of the ticket is 9 € per day and 13 € for two days.

Light rail

It has only one line, Albolote-Armilla, and is similar to a tramway, as all of its stops are above ground and there are only three underground. The price of a ticket is 1,35 € and with the Granada Card you will have unlimited trips.

Buses

It is the most economical means of transportation in Granada. There are a total of 28 different lines and all the buses that go through the most touristic areas have the letter C. They are called “Alhambra Bus” and have a characteristic red and white color and a small size. Another line to consider is the LAC (High Capacity Line), a fast bus that crosses downtown from Cruz del Sur to Violon. In addition, there are two night lines, circular 111 and 112, which operate after midnight and until 6:00 am. The cost of the ticket is €1.40 for day service and €1.50 for night service. There is a 9-trip pass for 5.50 € and a 20-trip pass for 11.00 €.

Cabs

Granada cabs have a characteristic white color with a diagonal green line on the side and display the city’s coat of arms. They can be stopped directly on the street when the green “free” light is on and it is very easy to get one because they are in permanent circulation throughout the city. It can be a good option in case you need to get to a place quickly, but it is the most expensive means of transport in Granada, so we recommend you to take them only on specific occasions.

Uber

Uber operates in Grenada, but does not have too many drivers. Therefore, in high season you may have long waiting times if you opt for this service. It is a cheaper service than a cab and you only need to download the application on your cell phone to access it.

Bicycle rental

It is an environmentally friendly way of touring Granada and the most popular choice among sports-loving tourists. There are different bike rental companies and rates average €18 for half a day and €28 for a full day. Keep in mind that Granada is a city with very steep slopes, so if you are not a person used to cycling or doing sports, perhaps this is not a very recommendable option. In these cases, the best alternative is an electric bike, which requires less effort and can be tested for an hour for 3 € and, if it suits you, you can rent it for half a day or a whole day for prices similar to those of a normal bike.

Scooters and segways

Recently, scooters have been gaining popularity worldwide as a means of urban transportation. And in a city full of slopes as Granada is doing furor. There are many companies that offer scooters for rent for prices ranging from 5 € per hour, 10 € for two hours or 15 € for three hours and is a highly recommended option, for example, to visit the Sacromonte and comfortably get around all its ups and downs.

The other option is the segwaysThe tours are not rented, but in this case they are part of a tour with a guide and a group visit in different neighborhoods of Granada, especially Sacromonte, with costs ranging from 20 € to 30 € per person, depending on the company.

Walking in the city

The best option to move around Granada is, at the same time, the most economical and ecological: walking. The city center is small and the tour is best enjoyed walking through the narrow streets of the Albaicin, which invite you to get lost and dwell on all its details. Of all the sites of interest for tourism, the only one that is far from the center is the Alhambra, but you have many buses to get there right away and you can also walk and enjoy the walk. If you leave from the Cathedral, it will take you between 20 and 25 minutes to walk to the Alhambra, and 5 minutes to the Albaicín neighborhood and Carrera del Darro street.

Granada is a very safe city by day and night to walk around without problems, of course taking the minimum precautions that must be taken in any tourist city and always keeping an eye on your belongings. But you will be able to walk it without any problems and you will discover that it is the best way to get to know the city. And if you travel in summer, it is essential that you use sun protection factor 50 and a hat, as well as carrying a bottle of water for good hydration. And, of course, comfortable and lightweight sneakers.