Seven years resident in Granada. Specialist in Nasrid architecture, Al-Andalus history, and Andalusian walking routes.
Published
For most of the historic centre, the getting-around guide covers walking distances and the C1/C2/C3 bus routes that tourists use most. This guide goes into the full system: how the EMT network actually works, what the Bono card does that contactless does not, why the metro is less useful than it sounds, how taxis are priced, and the real-world options for getting in from the airport.
EMT city buses run from 6 AM to 11 PM daily, cover the city extensively, and accept contactless payment or the Bono card. The metro exists but skips the historic centre almost entirely. Taxis are affordable and metered. The airport bus costs €10. Each option has a specific use case; this guide maps which one is right for which journey.
EMT city bus network
Granada's urban buses run under the EMT Granada brand. The network covers the full city with a combination of large buses on main corridors and smaller minibuses for the narrow streets of the Albaicín and historic centre. For visitors, the minibus routes C1, C2, and C3 are the most relevant (see the getting-around guide for stop locations and walking times).
Network basics
Hours: 6 AM to 11 PM daily on most routes. Night service (nocturno) on limited routes until around 2 AM on weekends.
Frequency: 4-10 minutes on main routes; 15-20 minutes on minibus routes (C1, C2).
Coverage: City-wide, including university campus, hospital, bus and train stations, and outer residential districts. The metro does not overlap significantly with EMT routes in the tourist zone.
Payment: Contactless bank card, Bono card, or cash (exact change preferred, but drivers can make change).
Single fare: €1.50 cash or contactless. Reduced with Bono card.
Route 33 from Gran Vía connects the city centre to the main bus station (Estación de Autobuses) and is useful for anyone arriving with luggage and heading to a hotel in the centre. The walk from the bus station is doable (20-25 minutes) but unpleasant with a suitcase on uneven streets. Route 3 covers the university campus area.
Real-time bus info
EMT Granada has a route planner on its website and real-time arrival information at most main stops. Google Maps shows EMT routes accurately. The stops outside the train station (Estación de Trenes) and on Gran Vía have electronic arrival boards.
The Bono card: buying and using it
The Bono card is a rechargeable smartcard for Granada's EMT bus network. It gives you a lower per-trip fare than paying cash or contactless, and the free 60-minute transfer between any two EMT lines.
Where to buy
Tobacco and press kiosks (estancos) across the city
Main bus station (Estación de Autobuses)
EMT service points
The card itself is free. You load credit onto it at purchase.
How it works
Tap the reader at the bus door when boarding
Reduced fare deducted automatically
Board a second bus within 60 minutes: tap again, no additional charge
Add credit at estancos or via the EMT app when the balance runs low
If you are staying three or more days and plan to use buses regularly (Albaicín, Alhambra, cross-city trips), the Bono card pays for itself quickly. If you are only in Granada for one or two days and making two or three bus trips total, contactless is sufficient and simpler.
The card is non-refundable for remaining credit if you don't use it all. Load a modest amount (€5-10) rather than a large top-up if you are uncertain how much you'll use it.
Metro Line 1: what it covers
Granada's Metro Line 1 runs roughly north-south through the province. It is more useful for connections between provincial towns and the university hospital than for tourist travel within Granada city.
What Line 1 serves
Hospital Universitario: useful if you need the main public hospital
University campus area: connects to faculties in the north of the city
Armilla and other southern municipalities: suburban connections
RENFE train station: nearby, though the station is close enough to walk from the centre
What Line 1 does not serve
The historic centre, Albaicín, Alhambra, Sacromonte, Cathedral area, or Realejo. For all of these, EMT buses or taxis are the practical option.
Line 2 has been in planning for several years and was not yet operational at the time of writing. Check current status before arrival if you have specific route requirements.
Taxis in Granada
Granada taxis are metered, affordable, and available throughout the city. White cars with a green diagonal stripe are the only licensed vehicles. Unlicensed drivers occasionally approach tourists outside the Alhambra entrance; use the official taxi rank there instead.
Typical fares (metered)
Within the historic centre (hotel to Cathedral, Plaza Nueva to Albaicín): €2-5
City centre to Alhambra: €5-7
Late-night returns from Sacromonte: €6-8 to the centre
Airport to city centre: €25-30 (25 min in light traffic)
Night supplement applies from 22:00 and on Sundays. Luggage supplements may apply on airport runs.
Flag fall
~€1.40
Short city trip
€2-5
From airport
€25-30
The main taxi ranks are on Plaza Nueva (historic centre), Calle Reyes Católicos near the Cathedral, and at the Alhambra main entrance. At the airport, taxis wait outside the arrivals hall.
Groups travel cheaper by taxi
Four people splitting a €6 taxi from Plaza Nueva to the Alhambra pay less per person than four individual bus tickets at €1.50 each. For groups of three or four, taxis are often the economical choice for short point-to-point trips.
Rideshare apps: Uber, Bolt, Cabify
Rideshare operates differently in Spain than in the UK or US. All rideshare drivers in Spain require a VTC (Vehículo de Turismo con Conductor) licence, a full commercial licence rather than the informal model used by Uber in some countries. This keeps fares relatively comparable to taxis.
Uber
Available in Granada, with fewer drivers than in Madrid, Barcelona, or Seville. Expect longer wait times, particularly outside the city centre and late at night. Fares are broadly comparable to licensed taxis. Useful if you prefer in-app payment and address entry over communicating with a driver.
Bolt and Cabify
Both operate in Spain. Availability in Granada specifically varies. Check both apps on arrival, as driver pools in mid-sized Spanish cities change. If neither shows drivers, traditional taxis are always available.
For most trips within Granada, licensed taxis are faster to find and arrive more reliably. Rideshare apps are most useful for pre-booked airport runs where you want a fixed price and a driver meeting you in arrivals.
Cycling and bike rentals
Cycling in Granada works on flat ground. The historic centre and the hill districts are a different matter.
Where cycling works
Genil river path (flat, traffic-free)
University campus area and southern avenues
The Vega plain beyond the city edges
Roads toward Santa Fe and the wider Granada province
Sierra Nevada MTB trails (with a mountain bike)
Where cycling does not work
Albaicín (steep, cobblestone, pedestrian lanes)
Alhambra hill approach (15%+ gradient)
Sacromonte paths (off-road, uneven)
Many of the historic centre's narrow streets
Rental shops include Bicicletas La Estación, Granada Rent a Bike, and Baja Bikes. For mountain biking, Sierra Nevada Bike Rental and several shops near the ski resort specialize in MTB hire. No municipal bike-share system was confirmed operating in Granada at the time of writing; check with the tourist office for current status.
The cycling in Granada guide covers the river path, the Vega routes, and rental shop contacts in more detail.
Airport transfer options
Granada Airport (Federico García Lorca, GRX) is 17 km west of the city centre. There is no rail connection. The three practical options are the Alsa bus, a taxi, or a pre-booked transfer.
Alsa Line 245 bus (best value)
Departs from outside the arrivals hall after each flight arrival. Stops: main bus station, Jardines del Triunfo, Gran Vía, Cathedral area (Reyes Católicos), Puerta Real.
Cost: around €10
Journey time: approximately 45 minutes to Gran Vía
Schedule: follows flight arrivals; check Alsa website for current times
Tip: buy your ticket from the driver. Exact change appreciated but not required.
Taxi
Taxis wait outside arrivals. Metered fare.
Cost: €25-30 to city centre
Journey time: 25 minutes in light traffic
Best for: late-night or early-morning flights, heavy luggage, groups of three or four
Pre-booked rideshare or transfer
Book via Uber, Cabify, or a local transfer company in advance. Useful for early-morning flights when taxi availability is uncertain, or when you want a fixed price. Pre-booked fares are typically comparable to the metered taxi rate or slightly higher.
No rail connection to Granada Airport
Unlike Málaga or Madrid, Granada Airport has no direct train link. There are no plans for one currently. Bus or taxi are the only options. If you are connecting to a long-distance train at Granada RENFE station, add 15-20 minutes for the taxi or bus journey from the city centre.
Reporter notebook
Insider tips
Practical observations gathered the way a local journalist would keep them: short, specific, and more useful than brochure copy.
Money tip
The 60-minute free transfer is the Bono card's real advantage
The Bono card's per-trip saving is modest. The real value is the free transfer window: any connecting bus you board within 60 minutes of your first tap costs nothing extra. If you are crossing the city (hotel in Zaidín to the historic centre, for example) and need two buses, the second is free. On a day with multiple bus trips, this adds up quickly. The card loads at estancos; you don't need to speak Spanish to use the machine, as most have a button for the card top-up option.
Booking tip
Book airport transfers in advance for early-morning arrivals
The Alsa Line 245 airport bus departs after each flight, but early-morning arrivals (6-7 AM) can coincide with no taxis outside and a 45-minute wait for the next bus connection into the city centre. If your flight arrives before 8 AM or after 11 PM, a pre-booked taxi or rideshare is worth the premium. The taxi fare of €25-30 is fixed and the driver meets you in arrivals. For mid-day flights, the bus is comfortable and straightforward.
Local custom
Contactless payment works on EMT buses since 2022
Granada's EMT buses accept contactless bank card payment directly on the reader; you do not need a Bono card or exact change. Tap your card or phone as you would a Bono card. The charge is the standard single fare (€1.50). This is useful for arrivals who haven't yet bought a Bono card, or for occasional bus users. The contactless option does not give you the free 60-minute transfer or the reduced per-trip rate. Those only apply with the Bono card.
Best time
Use taxis for late-night returns from Sacromonte
EMT buses stop around 11 PM on most routes. The C2 service toward Sacromonte ends earlier. A flamenco cave show in Sacromonte finishes at 10:30 PM or 11 PM, which puts you outside on a steep, poorly-lit hill with no late bus. Taxis wait near the main cave venues (Venta El Gallo, Zambra María la Canastera) for exactly this reason. A €6-8 ride back to Plaza Nueva takes five minutes. Don't leave this to chance.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
How do I use the Bono card on Granada buses?
Buy a Bono card from any tobacconist (estanco) or at the main bus station. Load credit onto it, then tap the reader when boarding. The card gives you a reduced per-trip fare (below the €1.50 cash single). Transfers within 60 minutes between EMT routes cost nothing on a Bono card: tap on each bus and only the first journey deducts. For the full fare breakdown and card availability, the getting-around guide has the current per-trip rates.
Does the Granada Metro go to the historic centre?
No. Metro Line 1 runs north-south through the provincial capital but does not serve the Albaicín, Cathedral area, Alhambra, or most tourist attractions. It is useful for connections to the university hospital (Hospital Universitario), the RENFE train station area, and the northern suburbs. For most visitors staying in the historic centre, the LAC bus network is more practical. Line 2 has been planned for several years but was not yet operational at the time of writing.
How much does a taxi from Granada Airport to the city cost?
A taxi from Granada Airport (Federico García Lorca Airport, GRX) to the city centre runs €25-30 with light traffic, taking around 25 minutes. A night supplement applies after 22:00 and on Sundays. Licensed taxis are white with a green diagonal stripe. For a cheaper alternative, the Alsa Line 245 airport bus costs around €10 and takes approximately 45 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Granada Airport to the city?
The Alsa Line 245 bus departs from outside the arrivals hall after each flight. It stops at the main bus station, Jardines del Triunfo, Gran Vía, the Cathedral area, and Puerta Real, covering most of the tourist centre. The fare is around €10. Journey time is 45 minutes. This is the lowest-cost transfer option. Check the Alsa website for current timetable, as departures follow flight arrivals rather than fixed intervals.
Is Uber available in Granada?
Uber operates in Granada but with fewer drivers than in Madrid, Barcelona, or Seville. Wait times are longer, particularly outside the city centre and late at night. Traditional licensed taxis remain the most reliable on-demand option. Bolt and Cabify may also operate in Granada — check both apps on arrival, as availability varies. For airport runs, booking in advance via any app is advisable.
Can I rent a bike in Granada to get around?
Yes. Several rental shops operate in the city — Bicicletas La Estación, Granada Rent a Bike, and Baja Bikes are among the established options. Cycling is practical on flat ground: the Genil river path, the university campus area, and roads toward the Vega plain. The historic centre is a different matter — the Albaicín and the approaches to the Alhambra involve steep cobblestone climbs that are not practical on a standard hire bike. No municipal bike-share system was confirmed operating in Granada at the time of writing; private rental is the option.
