Seville To Cordoba Day Trip: Best Travel Tips [2024]

Seville To Cordoba Day Trip: Best Travel Tips [2024]

If you’re looking for the best tips to plan your Seville to Cordoba day trip, then you’re at the right place!

I have been living in Southern Spain for over three years now, and after visiting Cordoba, I have many practical tips and insights I will happily share in this article.

In this article, you will find a detailed breakdown of the 4 ways you can plan your day trip from Seville to Cordoba, with practical insights and expert tips for each.

If you prefer to book immediately without reading the whole topic, I have linked the most popular day tour option below.

Seville To Cordoba Day Trip: Best Travel Options

There are four ways you can plan this day trip, in terms of transport and your program, here they are:

  1. Day trip to Cordoba with a local travel company – in this case, you don’t have to worry about anything. It’s a hassle-free way to see Cordoba without worrying about transport or planning your own program. You also get tickets for the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba and a tour guide.
  2. Day trip with a rental car – a convenient option for those who are already planning to rent a car for their stay in Seville. In this case, it’s an easy drive, and you can plan what to see based on my recommendations below.
  3. Day trip with public transport – if you’re on a tight budget but would still love to see Cordoba, using public transport is fairly convenient and affordable, you only need to pay attention to your arrival times. More on that is below.
  4. Day trip with a taxiif you’re looking for private transport and flexibility to plan your program in Cordoba, this is the easiest option, although it’s quite expensive.
Mezequita Cathedral in Cordoba, Spain (Andalusia)
Inside the Cordoba Cathedral

Option 1: Seville To Cordoba Day Trip with Local Travel Company

The most popular option for this day trip is using a local travel company, which has lots of advantages:

  • FREE cancellation up to 24 hours before the trip for a full refund, giving you lots of flexibility in case your plans change
  • Reserve now and pay later option – no need to pay the whole amount immediately.
  • Explore this UNESCO-listed Mezquita with a guide and skip-the-line tickets included
  • TWO in one tour where you also get to visit the beautiful village of Carmona
  • Local English and Spanish-speaking guide
  • Three options for pick up points in Seville: Calle Trajano 6 Naturanda Office at 8:45 AM; Hotel Don Paco at 8:50 AM; Calle Rastro 12A Naturanda office at 9 AM
  • Travel in a comfortable modern air-conditioned bus
  • This trip is available 7 days a week, offering you plenty of flexibility to book a day trip while you’re staying in Seville
  • Book online in just a few steps via the link below

How to Book Tris Day Trip

Navigate to the page linked above, and then follow the instructions:

  • From the page, select the number of people attending, your preferred day trip and your language preference
  • You will be navigated to a payment page.
  • Your ID will be required to book the trip
  • You will receive an email confirmation which will show you the starting time, pick-up location and all the details that you need to know for this trip
Mezequita Cathedral in Cordoba, Spain (Andalusia)
View of the bell tower from the orange courtyard

Is This Day Tour Already Sold Out?

The trip to Cordoba is very popular, so in case you already checked the recommended tour and it’s not available on the dates you would like to travel, here are a few options you could consider instead:

  • Alternative Cordoba day trip from Seville – this one runs 6 times per week and also includes a pick up and drop off to your hotel. Tickets to the cathedral are also included.
  • Full Day Cordoba day trip from Seville – similar to the original trip, this one also includes a guided tour and skip the line tickets to the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba.
  • In case none of the alternative trips is available, you can also consider driving to Cordoba with a rental car or using public transport (check the directions below). In this case, it’s important to check that the tickets to the Mosque-Cathedarl are available for the day you want to visit, as they tend to sell out pretty fast. You can buy them online here.
malaga to Cordoba
The Roman Bridge of Cordoba

Option 2: Seville To Cordoba Day Trip with Rental Car

Driving to Cordoba makes the most sense if you have already rented a car for your stay in Seville. If this is the best option for you, here are a few things you should be aware of:

If you’re visiting Cordoba, it’s safe to presume you would also like to see the famous Mezquita Cathedral of Cordoba. I highly recommend getting your tickets online as soon as possible, as you might end up in a situation where the tickets are sold out for the date you want to visit Cordoba.

The distance between Seville and Cordoba is 141 km

The journey should take about 1 hour 45 minutes, depending on the traffic and which route you are taking.

As the drive is fairly long, I recommend leaving Seville as early as possible so you have plenty of time to explore Cordoba on your day trip.

The drive to Cordoba from Seville is fairly easy, but there may be some toll roads on your way, so have some spare cash in the car in case you hit the toll booth.

The outline of the journey is on the map under this section.

It’s worth checking parking options in Cordoba in advance, especially if you want to stay close to the center – in many cases, the big parking places also allow you to buy day tickets in advance, saving you the hassle on the day.

What to see in Cordoba on your day trip? Skip to the section below to check my suggestions for this day trip!

Option 3: Seville To Cordoba Day Trip with Public Transport

Using public transport for this trip is very affordable if you book your tickets online. It’s also a convenient option as there are many connections per day.

I recommend taking the train instead of the bus. Even though the bus is cheaper, the journey is much longer and not really practical for a day trip like this.

The trains all leave Malaga Maria Zambrano station, within a short taxi drive from central Malaga. Here is what you need to know to plan your train journey from Seville to Cordoba:

  • The train journey takes about 40 to 45 minutes, so it’s much faster than driving by car
  • The faster trains are direct to Cordoba, with no stops on the way
  • The slower trains have many stops in between, but the ticket prices are lower
  • Tickets start as low as 17 euros one way, but can go up to 40 euros one way, depending on which train you select
  • There are up to 30 connections per day, so very convenient for a day trip
  • The earliest train from Seville leaves around 6.40 am, and your last train from Cordoba back to Seville would be before 11pm.
  • Get your tickets in advance online here, where you will also see the different departure options and prices.
  • Remember to type in Sevilla instead of Seville in your destination box

What to do once you get to Cordoba?

Check out my suggestions below!

Palacio de Viana, Cordoba
Palacio de Viana in Cordoba

Option 4: Seville To Cordoba Day Trip with Taxi

The last option, which is the most expensive one, is using a taxi for this trip.

According to estimates online, this trip would cost you around 200 euros one way for a standard car with up to 4 people sharing. If more people are travelling, it might work out as ok price as you will share the cost of the trip.

Seville To Cordoba Day Trip: Your Itinerary

If you’re planning to drive to Cordoba on your own, or use public transport, you’re probably wondering what’s the best way to spend your time there.

Here are my suggestions, based on my own trip to Cordoba:

BEFORE arriving in Cordoba, secure your tickets to the Mosque-Cathedral here

Try to get the first tickets possible, and make sure you check your arrival time for either a car trip or train properly to be there at least 20 minutes before your time slot. It would take you about 15 minutes from the train station to get there by a local taxi.

MORNING: Visit the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba – you should leave at least 2 – 3 hours to visit the whole cathedral and the bell tower, together with the orange courtyard

LUNCH: Following your trip to the Mosque, you can easily stroll the streets of the old town to find a cosy place for lunch

AFTERNOON: In the afternoon, you can take a walk towards the Roman Bridge, and from there, continue walking down until you reach the Alcazar de Los Reyes Cristianos – you can get your tickets in advance online here. The visit to the Alcazar would also take roughly 2 hours as the gardens are pretty big and impressive!

EARLY EVENING: If you still have time spare, explore the cobbled streets in the old town, sit down for a traditional tea in one of the Teterias, or book yourself a massage in a traditional Hammam Arab Baths – the most popular option here.

alcazar de los reyes christianos cordoba spain
Alcazar de Los Reyes Cristianos

Seville To Cordoba Day Trip: Top Travel Tips

Here are some practical tips that will make your trip to Cordoba much more enjoyable:

  • wear comfortable shoes and clothing – Cordoba can be notoriously hot in the summer months, but also in early spring
  • take a water bottle with you everywhere you go
  • if you’re planning this trip on your own without using a local travel company, don’t forget to check and book your Mosque-Cathedral tickets right away as they sell out really quickly, especially in the main season
  • if you’re travelling with a baby, you might struggle in some parts of Cordoba that have cobbled streets, and also in the orange tree courtyard of the cathedral – it might be a good idea to take a baby carrier with you
  • the centre of Cordoba is not big, so I am quite confident you can see all the highlights within one day
  • The best time to visit the Cathedral is in the very early morning hours or late afternoon, so keep that in mind when you book your tickets
cordoba spain 9 2
streets of old town in Cordoba

Seville To Cordoba Day Trip: Frequent Questions

Can you do a day trip from Seville to Cordoba?

Yes, you most certainly can! The most convenient option is using a local travel company, which often includes a pick up and drop off from your hotel. The other option is getting to Cordoba by train, and making your own program. The train journey is pretty fast, around 40 minutes, and there are up to 30 connections per day, so its very easy to visit Cordoba on a quick day trip from Seville.

Is a day trip to Cordoba enough?

Most certainly! While Cordoba has lots to offer visitors, if you want to see the main highlights (Mosque-Cathedral, Roman Bridge and the Alcazar), you can accomplish them in a single day trip, without feeling like you’re rushing through the sites.

Is Cordoba worth visiting?

Most definitely! Cordoba in Spain is part of the Andalusian triangle, which consists of the three most important cities in Southern Spain – Cordoba, Granada and Seville. Cordoba has much to offer visitors, but perhaps the most known landmark is the UNESCO heritage Mosque-Cathedral, a truly remarkable building with an interesting history. The trip to the Cathedral will certainly leave you speechless!

How long is the train journey from Seville to Cordoba?

The journey takes on average 40 minutes, and the trains depart from Sevilla Santa Justa train station.

How much is the train ticket from Seville to Cordoba?

The price of the tickets fluctuates as demand goes up and down. The price depends on the season and also what type of train you’re taking. Usually the longer journey tickets are cheaper than the faster 40-minute trains. On average, the cheapest tickets for the fast trains are around 17 euros one way, but can go up to 40 euros if you buy them on short notice in high season.

How much is a taxi from Seville to Cordoba?

Taxi companies would charge around 200 euros for this trip.

How long should I spend in Cordoba?

I have spent 5 days visiting Cordoba, and I would personally say that after 2 days you kind of see everything that’s in the city. I would recommend one full day will be enough to see all the sights, if you want to explore more in-depth and experience the city a little more, then 2 days will be fine.

Is Cordoba better than Granada?

Each city has something that’s really unique to the location, but having visited Granada already 4 times and not running out of places to see, my vote would go to Granada.

Is Cordoba walkable city?

Yes, it is! During my 5 day stay in the city, we have walked everywhere even with a small child, and didn’t use the taxi apart from getting to the hotel from the train station.

What to do in Cordoba in One Day?

If you have only one day to explore Cordoba, I recommend to focus on the two main important sights – the Mosque-Cathedral (about 2-3 hours to visit) and the Alcaza de Los Reyes Cristianos (another 2 hours). In the spare time, you can explore the old town or visit the Roman Bridge of Cordoba.

Other Day Trips from Seville You Might Like

Seville To Granada Day Trip: 4 Ways To Plan the Perfect Trip

Seville To Ronda Day Trip

Seville To Gibraltar Day Trip

Day Trip From Seville To Alhambra

Most Popular Experiences in Seville

Here are some highlights you can experience while staying in Seville.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links – if you decide to book using one of the links, I will earn a small commission that helps me run this site. This is at no extra cost to you.

Southern Spain Travel Tips

Find Best Hotels

Find Hotels

I have been using booking.com for all my trips in Spain and abroad, and it’s the best place to book your hotel.

Find Car Rental

Find Car Rental

To rent a car, I highly recommend Discover Cars, an award-winning price comparison site for car rentals.

Book Your Tour

Local travel companies offer many day trip options from almost all the destinations in Southern Spain. You can check them out here.

Book Local Transport

To get the cheapest bus or train tickets, take a look at Omio to find the timetables and prices.

Find Cheap Flights

Get the best flight deals when you book early via Skyscanner.com

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links - if you decide to book using one of the links, I will earn a small commission that helps me run this site. This is at no extra cost to you.

Hi, I'm Lucia

At Viva La Vita, I will help you to discover Southern Spain like a local!

I've been living on Costa del Sol since 2020, and fill these pages with first-hand insights, personal experience and practical tips that will help you plan a wonderful trip to Spain.

Make yourself at home and find the best places to explore in Andalusia and beyond.

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