Wide variety of transportation means in Cordoba appears to be very useful during your stay in the city.

Trains

The AVE high speed train links Cordoba with Sevilla (45min) and Madrid ( 2hrs) The new station opened in 1994 and is located in the northwest of the city. There are trains to most important Andalucian cities and Madrid and Barcelona. European and American rail passes, including EuroRail and Inter Rail are accepted on the RENFE network, subject to the usual conditions. However on certain trains there may be a supplement to pay. Ticket machines for local trains (cercanias) and regional lines are easy to use. A green flashing light guides you through the instructions printed on the front of the machine.

The Spanish railway network is run by the state owned company RENFE.

International trains from France terminate at either Madrid or Barcelona. From there you can catch a train to many of the cities in Andalucia.

There are four diferent services:

Alta Velocidad (High Speed)

These include the magnificent AVE which runs on a special line from Madrid to Cordoba and Seville. (under 3hrs)

There is also the Talgo 200 train which runs from ·

Madrid to Malaga (4.5 hrs) ·

Madrid to Cadiz (5 hrs) and Huelva (4.5 hrs) ·

Madrid to Algeciras (6 hrs)

Grandes Lineas (Long Distance)

Services from Madrid and Barcelona direct to most of the major cities in Andalucia. Namely: Huelva, Sevilla, Cadiz, Jerez, Sevilla, Algeciras, Malaga, Cordoba, Granada, Almeria, Linares / Baeza. There is also a service from Cadiz to Almeria via Jerez, Sevilla Cordoba and Linares / Baeza.

Regionales (Regional)

There is a network of regional trains that stop at the smaller internediate stations en route.

Routes are from: ·

Huelva to Seville ·

Huelva to Merida ·

Seville to Merida ·

Cadiz to Seville ·

Seville to Cordoba to Jaen ·

Seville to Bobadilla to Malaga ·

Algeciras to Ronda to Bobadilla to Malaga ·

Seville to Bobadilla to Granada ·

Malaga to Bobadilla to Cordoba ·

Granada to Almeria ·

Granada to Linares / Baeza

Cercanias (Local)

These stopping trains operate on the following routes: ·

Malaga to Fuengirola ( Calling at Malaga airport) ·

Malaga to Alora ·

Seville to Cazalla-Constantina ·

Seville to Loria del Rio ·

Seville to Utrera ·

Cadiz to Jerez de la Fronterra

Booking and Tickets

Booking is advisable on the 'Alta Velocidad' and 'Grandes lineas' if travelling at weekends and bank holidays. Booking can be made at main stations and RENFE agents which includes many travel agents.

Tickets are reasonably priced but prices vary depending on the class (Club, Preferente, Turista) of service and the peak hour times (Punta, Plano, Valle).

Andalucia Express

The Al Andaluz express is a special train which offers high quality service in refurbished coaches built in the early part of the 20th Century. The excursions in the summer visit some of the popular cities of Andalucia.

Coaches

Coach travel is very popular and very cheap in Andalucia and thanks to the recent improvement in road can be fast and enjoyable. However, around the many holidays in the Spanish festive calendar, travelling can be difficult as the stations are crowded with locals and departures may be delayed and roads busier than usual. The main coach station is located near the RENFE train station. It is convenient and well signed with plenty of ticket windows, an information desk and a shopping mall.

Cordoba Airport

The local airport to the west is only a small airstrip suitable for light aircrafts.

Driving

Most of the main roads and highways in Andalucia are very good. However, due to the rapid expansion of the road infrastructure in recent years, some of the maps are out of date so be sure to check the publishing date. Always drive with caution, as the accident rate is the second highest after Portugal. The worse time of year is July and August when the roads are packed with holiday makers. You should always carry your driving licence with you to produce to police if necessary. Failure to do so can result in a hefty fine.

Driving a car in Andalucia or Spain is very similar to driving in other European countries. The roads are reasonably well maintained. The following points should serve as a guide.

The law demands that: ·

Driving license, car document and insurance be carried at all times. ·

Seat belts are worn front and back at all times. ·

Less than 50mg/100ml of alcohol be in the blood (less than many other countries).

Speed limits: ·

120 km/h on motorways. ·

100 km/h on dual carriageways. ·

90 km/h on single carriageway roads. ·

50 km/h in towns.

Rules of the road ·

Give way to the right. ·

Priority is to those already on a roundabout.

Signposts

Signposting is generally not good and often inconsistant. Old signs are often not taken down when new roads make them redundant. This can lead to conflicting directions. 'Cambio de Sentido' indicates an oportunity to turn round. Keep cool, you will get there in the end.

Motorways.

Most of the major cities of Andalucia are now linked by two lane fast motorways. The only toll motorways are from Seville to Jerez and Cadiz and from Malaga to Marbella and Estepona. These are both in very good condition and have low traffic density. Some of the older motorways especially those constructed in 1992 have very poor road surfaces which are being slowly repared.

Petrol

Almost all garages sell petrol at the maximum price permitted by the government. This varies periodically, but as a guide: ·

Leaded Petrol is 0.84 Euros a litre ·

Unleaded Petrol is 0.81 Euros a litre ·

Diesel is 0.75 Euros a litre

Most of the newer petrol stations are self service, many of the older ones are attendant service. Credit Cards are universally accepted. Tipping is unusual despite what you may read in many guide books. Many garages are open 24hrs. You always put petrol in first then pay at the desk, an exception to this rule may be at night.

Driving Style

Drivers are generally impatient. They will sound the horn if you delay starting at a green trafic light. Do not give way, out of politeness, when you don't have to, it won't be expected and will lead to confusion. Flashing headlights does not mean 'Please go ahead' it means only 'Watch out I am coming!'

City Buses

Buses in Spain are all single decker. Get on at the front and either pay the driver or punch your ticket in the machine. When alighting press the button to request your stop and, if the bus is crowded, remember to give yourself plenty of time to disembark

Taxis

There is not usually much difficulty in finding a taxi when you need it. They are always white and have a logo on the door which displays their official number. Learn enough Spanish to explain where you are going as most drivers won't speak English. The meter marks up the basic fare, however a supplement may be added after midnight and during fiestas or public holidays.