Our journey from Madrid to Malaga took us through the cities of Andalusia, using the excellent Spanish train network. Over 10 days we explored the highlights of Madrid, Toledo, Cordoba, Granada and Malaga as well as enjoying the relaxing journey, reserved seats and views from the train window.<\/p>\n
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From the grand architecture of Madrid and monasteries of Toledo to the Mezquita in Cordoba and Alhambra in Granada, read about what we enjoyed and how easy it is to book this train trip for yourself.<\/p>\n
This article may contain affiliate links that provide commission on purchases you make at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.<\/em><\/p>\n You can book this itinerary independently, reserving train journeys and hotels separately. We recommend using Booking<\/strong><\/a> for hotels and RailEurope<\/strong><\/a> for trains or Omnio<\/strong><\/a> for buses and trains.<\/p>\n However, if prefer to have the whole itinerary organised for you, we recommend Byway Travel<\/strong><\/a>, who specialise in European holidays by train. They have two very similar itineraries below, or you can ask them to tailor a trip just for you.<\/p>\n Madrid to Malaga by train<\/a> (9 nights)<\/p>\n London to Malaga \u2013 slow route to Spain<\/a> (12 nights)<\/p>\n From Madrid to Malaga by train with Byway Travel<\/strong><\/p>\n Follow our 10 day itinerary through Andalusia, Spain with Byway travel<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n If you are booking hotels independently, we recommend;<\/p>\n On the Spanish intercity train network, you need to buy a ticket in advance. Normally a few days ahead is fine, but on some routes or in high season, allow longer as train tickets sell out. Many of the trains on the Madrid to Malaga route are high speed trains, for which there is strong demand.<\/p>\n All tickets on high speed trains are allocated a seat, and there is no standing in the carriage as you might find in England on busy trains. Do not assume that you can turn up at the station and buy tickets for the next train!<\/strong><\/p>\n I used both RailEurope<\/strong><\/a> and Omnio<\/strong><\/a> to check train times, and both offer easy online ticket booking. I recommend that you download the Omnio app, as it also covers buses in Spain, so we found it a useful travel planning tool.<\/p>\n We found travelling by train in Spain was a relaxing and well organised way to get around, with good security and comfortable seats. Once on board we could sit back and enjoy the scenery speeding past the window, arriving in the centre of cities without the stress of parking a hire car.<\/p>\n Spain\u2019s capital is known for its myriad of cultural attractions and vibrant food scene, yet it feels less over-run with tourists than some of Spain\u2019s coastal cities like Barcelona. We visited friends in Madrid at the beginning of our train trip, so saw the city from a local\u2019s perspective. Here\u2019s a 2 day itinerary, based on what we enjoyed in Madrid.<\/p>\n If you have a bit more time in Madrid, you might like to explore in the south of the city, a favourite with locals at weekends.<\/p>\n For Day 3 of our itinerary, we took a day trip to Toledo from Madrid, since the journey is only 30 minutes by train or 45 mins by bus. The old town of Toledo is set on a hill, about 15 mins walk from both the Toledo train and bus stations, with an escalator to help with the climb.<\/p>\n Train<\/strong> \u2013 from Madrid \u2013 Puerta de Atocha to Toledo train station (Estacion de tren Toledo), trains run around every hour with Renfe<\/strong>. Journey time 35 mins. Walk from Toledo station to centre of Toledo old town 15 mins. Book on RailEurope<\/strong><\/a> or Omnio<\/strong><\/a>. Cost around \u20ac14 one way. Note that despite the short distance from Madrid, these trains can book up, so you should reserve a few days before.<\/em><\/p>\n Bus<\/strong> \u2013 from Madrid Estacion de Plaza Eliptica to Toledo bus station (Estacion de Autobuses de Toledo) run around every 30 mins with Alsa<\/strong>. Journey time 50 mins. Walk from Toledo bus station to centre of Toledo old town 15 mins. Book on Omnio<\/strong><\/a>. Cost around \u20ac7 one way. Bus is a good alternative is you are on a tight budget or the trains are sold out.<\/em><\/p>\n Cordoba was one of the most charming towns we visited on our Madrid to Malaga trip through Andalusia. Set by the Rio Guadalquivir, the town became important under the Romans and had its heyday as the capital of the Moorish caliphate of Al-Andalus, before being reconquered in 1236 AD by King Ferdinand III of Castile.<\/p>\n The historic centre is compact and easily walkable, so you can see most of the sites in a day, or perhaps two if you have time to linger.<\/p>\n![\"Casa](\"https:\/\/www.heatheronhertravels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Casa-Max-Moreau-Granada-Spain-%C2%A9-Heatheronhertravels.com_.jpg\")
Overview of our itinerary<\/h2>\n
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How to book this Madrid to Malaga itinerary<\/h2>\n
![\"Byway](\"https:\/\/www.heatheronhertravels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Byway-Madrid-to-Malaga-map-1000-x-800-750x600.jpg\")
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<\/a><\/figure>\nHigh speed trains in Spain \u2013 what you need to know<\/h2>\n
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Madrid<\/h2>\n
Day 1 in Madrid<\/h3>\n
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Day 2 in Madrid<\/h3>\n
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Toledo<\/h2>\n
![\"View](\"https:\/\/www.heatheronhertravels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/View-from-the-Jesuit-tower-Toledo-Spain-%C2%A9-Heatheronhertravels.com_.jpg\")
Top things to do in Toledo<\/h2>\n
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![\"Puente](\"https:\/\/www.heatheronhertravels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Puente-de-Alcantara-in-Toledo-Spain-%C2%A9-Heatheronhertravels.com_.jpg\")
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![\"Santa](\"https:\/\/www.heatheronhertravels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Santa-Maria-la-Blanca-Synagogue-Toledo-%C2%A9-Heatheronhertravels.com-3.jpg\")
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![\"El](\"https:\/\/www.heatheronhertravels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/El-Greco-in-Toledo-Cathedral-%C2%A9-Heatheronhertravels.com-3.jpg\")
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![\"Marzipan](\"https:\/\/www.heatheronhertravels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Marzipan-in-Toledo-%C2%A9-Heatheronhertravels.com-3.jpg\")
How to get from Madrid to Toledo<\/h2>\n
![\"Bus](\"https:\/\/www.heatheronhertravels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Bus-station-at-Toledo-Spain-%C2%A9-Heatheronhertravels.com_.jpg\")
Cordoba<\/h2>\n
![\"Alcazar](\"https:\/\/www.heatheronhertravels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Alcazar-in-Cordoba-Spain-%C2%A9-Heatheronhertravels.com_.jpg\")
![\"La](\"https:\/\/www.heatheronhertravels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/La-Mezquita-in-Cordoba-%C2%A9-Heatheronhertravels.com_.jpg\")
Top things to do in Cordoba<\/h2>\n
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![\"La](\"https:\/\/www.heatheronhertravels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/La-Mezquita-in-Cordoba-%C2%A9-Heatheronhertravels.com-1.jpg\")
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