Can you travel southern Spain by train?

So, you're wondering if you can get around Southern Spain by train? Yeah, you totally can, but it's not quite like, say, zipping around Germany or something. I mean, it's doable, definitely, especially if you're okay with a little bit of hopping around. I tried to get from Malaga to Ronda once – oh, the views were amazing, by the way, stunning! – and it involved a regional train, which was charming in its own right, all rickety and old-timey, but it took forever! And I think there were a few changes, if I remember correctly. A bit of a headache, but I wouldn't trade the experience for the world.

They do have those super-fast AVE trains though, linking places like Malaga and Cordoba. Those are a dream, honestly. I took one once for a work trip – so much faster than I expected. It's like, whoosh, and you're there. But, yeah, you'll probably find yourself needing to transfer sometimes, maybe more often than you'd like if you're heading to smaller towns. It’s not as comprehensive a network as other parts of Spain, you know? Like, trying to get to some of the smaller villages in the mountains – forget about it unless you’re happy with a bus afterwards.

So, is it possible? Absolutely. Is it always convenient? Hmm, maybe not always, haha. But if you're up for a bit of adventure, and you're okay with some extra planning, trains can be a really beautiful and surprisingly affordable way to explore southern Spain. Just be prepared for a few transfers and maybe the occasional slightly longer journey. It's all part of the charm, right?