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The Roman Bridge of Córdoba, gateway to the city
Transport guide

Getting to Córdoba: Train, Bus, Flight & Car Options

From Paris, Lyon or Marseille: the real journey times, real prices, and which option actually makes sense for your trip.

Comparing your transport options

Option Journey time Return price Comfort Our verdict
Flight + AVE 4–5h €80–350 Good Recommended
Train (TGV-Renfe) 10–12h €100–250 Excellent Scenic, slow
Car 12–15h €120–180 Flexible For Andalusian road trip
Coach 14–18h €60–100 Basic Tight budget

Flight + AVE (recommended)

The fastest combination: fly to Madrid or Málaga, then take the AVE high-speed train to Córdoba. Door-to-door in 4–5 hours from Paris.

Via Madrid (most convenient)

  • Flight: Paris CDG/Orly → Madrid Barajas (2h15)
  • Airlines: Air France, Iberia, Vueling, easyJet, Ryanair
  • Flights from: Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Nice, Bordeaux, Nantes
  • AVE: Madrid Atocha → Córdoba (1h45, 20+ trains/day). See our Madrid–Córdoba by AVE guide
  • AVE price: €20–45 one way (book on renfe.com)
  • Airport to station: Cercanías C1 to Atocha (25 min, €2.60)
Tip: book the AVE as soon as tickets go on sale (90 days in advance) for Promo fares at €20–25.

Via Málaga (budget alternative)

  • Flight: Paris → Málaga Costa del Sol (2h40)
  • Airlines: Ryanair, Vueling, Transavia
  • From Málaga: AVE or regional train (1h–1h45, €15–30)
  • Alternative: Direct ALSA bus (2h, €12–15)
  • Advantage: Often the cheapest flights. Ideal for combining with a trip to Granada
Perfect if you're combining Córdoba with the Costa del Sol or Granada.

Via Seville (for an Andalusian circuit)

  • Flight: Paris → Seville San Pablo (2h30)
  • Airlines: Vueling, Ryanair, Transavia (seasonal)
  • AVE: Seville Santa Justa → Córdoba (45 min, €10–20). See our Seville–Córdoba day trip guide

Handy if you're starting your circuit in Seville. See our comparison of the three cities.

The Mezquita of Córdoba seen from the Guadalquivir

The Mezquita awaits at the end of your journey

By train from France

Recommended route

1

Paris Gare de Lyon → Barcelona Sants

TGV-Renfe co-operation service, 6h30, €59–130

2

Barcelona Sants → Madrid Atocha

AVE, 2h30, €30–70

3

Madrid Atocha → Córdoba

AVE, 1h45, €20–45

Total: 10–12h, €100–250 return. Book on sncf-connect.com or renfe.com.

From other French cities

  • Lyon: TGV Lyon → Barcelona (5h), then AVE to Córdoba. Or fly Lyon–Madrid (2h).
  • Marseille: TGV Marseille → Barcelona (4h30), then AVE connection. Faster than from Paris.
  • Toulouse: Train Toulouse → Barcelona (3h via Renfe-SNCF), then AVE. The shortest route from France.
  • Bordeaux / Montpellier: TGV to Barcelona or fly to Madrid, depending on fares.
Good to know: An overnight stop in Barcelona or Madrid breaks the journey nicely and lets you discover an extra city.

By car

Routes from France

  • Paris → Córdoba: 1,500 km, 14–15h. Via Bordeaux, Irun, Burgos, Madrid, Despeñaperros. French tolls ~€30, Spanish ~€40.
  • Toulouse → Córdoba: 1,100 km, 10–11h. Via Barcelona and the Mediterranean coast, or via Madrid.
  • Marseille → Córdoba: 1,300 km, 12–13h. Via Barcelona, Valencia, then inland via Jaén.
Cost: Fuel €80–120 + tolls €40–60 = €120–180 one way. Cost-effective for 3–4 passengers.

Practical tips

  • Plan a stopover (Burgos, Madrid or Barcelona)
  • Córdoba's historic centre is pedestrianised: park at Alcázar Viejo car park (€15/day) or station car park (€12/day)
  • No motorway vignette required in Spain
  • Speed limits: 120 km/h motorway, 90 km/h single carriageway
  • A car is useful for visiting Medina Azahara (8 km) and surrounding villages
Lane in the historic centre of Córdoba

Córdoba's historic centre is best explored on foot once you arrive

By coach

Flixbus / BlaBlaCar Bus

  • Paris → Córdoba: 18–22h with a change in Madrid or Barcelona
  • Price: €30–60 one way – often the cheapest option
  • Comfort: Wi-Fi, USB sockets, reclining seats
  • Book at: flixbus.com

ALSA (Spanish coaches)

  • Madrid → Córdoba: 4h30, €15–25, 8 coaches/day
  • Seville → Córdoba: 2h, €12–15, 8 coaches/day
  • Málaga → Córdoba: 2h30, €12–18, 5 coaches/day
  • Book at: alsa.com (Supra+ service recommended)

Our tip: Coaches are most useful for domestic Spanish routes (Madrid–Córdoba, Seville–Córdoba). For the France–Spain leg, the time-to-price ratio favours flying or taking the train.

On arrival in Córdoba

From the AVE station

  • • On foot: 20 min to the Mezquita (1.5 km, a pleasant walk)
  • • Bus: Line 3 to the centre (€1.40, 10 min)
  • • Taxi: €6–8 to the Mezquita
  • • The station has left-luggage lockers (€3–5/day)

From the bus station

  • • Located opposite the AVE station (same area)
  • • Same transport options to the city centre
  • • ALSA ticket desks open 7am–10pm

For getting around Córdoba, see our local transport guide (bus, bike, on foot).

Ready to head to Córdoba?

Once you arrive, the guides below cover where to stay, what to see and how to get around.

2-day itinerary Practical information Where to stay

Official sources

This guide draws on official and recognised sources to ensure the accuracy of the information provided.