Getting Around the Costa del Sol and Further Afield
July 30, 2009 - Posted in Lifestyle
For the last week or so I have had the son of one of my best friends here for some work experience. Like most youung people these days he is making the most of his summer holidays and having had some time with his parents in Marbella, then staying on with me for a while he has today headed off to Almeria to join some friends for another two weeks holiday.
We decided that it would be best if he went by bus and although many people have told me how good the Long distance bus service is in Spain I have never really had cause to use it. I booked the ticket from Malaga to Almeria on the Internet at a cost of 16 Euros plus a 2.50 Euro Internet booking fee and printed the ticket out in the Office.
I drove him to Malaga this morning and after a quick coffee in the Cafeteria, the bus was there, on time ready for boarding and left on time at 9.00 am. Once at Almeria he had to pick up another bus to Almeria Airport where he was due to meet his friends. By just after 12.30 I had a text to say that he was at the Airport and going for something to eat whilst he waited for his friends to arrive on a flight from the UK.
My original thought had been that I would drive him over to Almeria. I am so glad I didnt. Apart from the fact that the round trip would have taken me more than 8 hours and the car would have chewed its way through about 80 euros worth of fuel, it would have been a nonsense not to use what is an excellent service.
I would strongly recommend that anyone visiting the Costa del Sol who fancies a trip to Granada or Sevilla takes the bus. No driving worries, no parking worries, no drinking and driving worries and also much cheaper than the car! And if if you want to see Madrid, try the new fast train service.
Until next time
Michael