Seville has one of the largest historic centres in Europe, it also has different neighbourhoods making Seville one of the largest cities in Spain. Here I tell you how to move around a city like this.
On foot
Although it may not seem so because of the immensity of its centre, due to the weather and development, the best way to explore Seville is on foot. You can plan your trip to visit nearby areas on the same day or book tours that show you the city and you will see how pleasant it is to walk through it.
Use a map to point out the nearby places you want to see on the same day or in the same space of time to avoid going from one distant area to another and ending up exhausted.
By public transport
However, you may have to move by public transport, either to go from where you are to a far area, or to rest your legs a little. Here I give you the different public transport that you can choose:
Bus
It is the most popular as well as the one that most Sevillians use. The company name is Tussam and from now on I recommend that you download its app to check the stops, routes and arrival times.
Routes and stops
- The first thing you should know is that most buses do not run through the historic center. Once you’ve walked through the city you will understand why. The streets are too narrow and circulation becomes too difficult for them. But don’t worry, the bus routes surround it, so if you want to go to a remote area, you will surely be able to take a nearby bus that will take you there.
- Because there are a lot of routes -around 40- that move throughout Seville, so one of them will certainly take you to your destination.
- Buses are named by their number, for example 6 or 41. Some of them have a letter before, such as circular (ex. C3) or night buses (ex. A2).
- There are 4 circular buses, this is that circulate around the historic center and other areas. Circulars 1 and 2 (C1 and C2) have the same route but in reverse, while 3 and 4 (C3 and C4) have the same route more or less with the change that C3 includes Triana in its route.
- The rest of the buses connect different neighborhoods to the center, and are distinguished by numbers or letters such as LE and LN, which connect the most remote areas.
- The bus stops are outdoors although they usually have a canopy. Most stops do not have a panel with arrival times, so I recommend that you use the app.
Hours and frequency
- The bus service begins around 7:00 and ends around 23:00.
- At night there are some night buses, but the hours are reduced and they don’t come with the same frequency.
- The frequency is usually pretty good so you rarely will have to wait more than 10 minutes. However, it does depends on the demand of the route and the time of day, since very early in the morning and very late at night the frequency is less.
Prices
- A single ticket costs € 1.40 and is purchased directly on the bus.
- There are also tourist cards with which you can make unlimited trips within its time limit. For a day the price is €5, and for 3 days it costs €10. You can buy them from the tourist information points. Bear in mind that you must pay a deposit of €1.50 that will be refunded once you have returned your card.
- You can also buy the multi-trip card or Bonobús, a rechargeable card for all the trips you need. You must swipe it on the ticket machine on the bus so that the journey is deducted. This way the trip costs you €0.69 -instead of €1.40-. The card costs €1.50 -that will be refunded- and the top up must exceed €7. You can purchase and top it up at the Tussam information points or at the tram ticket machines. You can also top up online through the app or website
Use and standars
- Normally all the drivers stop if you take the bus at a stop in the centre, but signal the driver when they are approaching to make sure they know you are waiting.
- You always go in through the front door -where you buy or pick up the ticket- and get off at the other doors, which are located in the middle and at the end of the bus.
- Most buses have special seats reserved for people with reduced mobility, the elderly or pregnant women. Please have a and try to sit in the other seats.
- All buses are wheelchair accessible, and have designated area for them.
Tram (metrocentro)
Actually it is a short line that connects only one part of Seville with a small area of the historic centre, but it can be very useful if you are staying in an area close to one of its stops.
- Its route is very small as it leaves from San Bernardo and only reaches the central Plaza Nueva, previously passing through the Archivo de Indias and Puerta Jerez.
- Hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., and the frequency is every 7 – 9 minutes.
- The prices are the same as the bus’ as it is the same company. However, tickets must be purchased from the vending machines found at each stop.
- Here you have all the information about the stops it makes.
Metro
The Seville underground connects the city from East to West and for the moment it only has one line. Again, it hardly makes any stops in the actual historic centre if you consider that the most central station is Puerta Jerez, followed by Prado de San Sebastián. However, it can be very useful if your accommodation is located near a stop.
Routes and stops
- It is divided into 3 zones. But don’t worry, because unless you stay outside the metropolitan area you won’t change zones. These changes from one part to another are called “jumps” (saltos)
- It has a total of 22 stops, although it is most likely that you will only use the ones between Plaza de Cuba and Nervión.
Hours and frequency
- From Monday to Thursday the hours are from 6:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. On Fridays and public holidays it works until 2:00 a.m.
- On Saturdays service begins at 7:30 a.m., and ends at 2:00 a.m. On Sundays and holidays it works from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
- It passes every 5 – 7 minutes, but keep in mind that in the last hours of the night it’s not as frequent.
- Here you have the Seville subway website, where you will find all the information.
Prices
The prices I’ve shown you are always referring to “0 jumps” -without changing zones-. The jumps increase the journey price by around € 0.30 – € 0.50.
Except in the case of the “1 day ticket”, the metro tickets are singles, valid for everyone you have bought it for.
- A single ticket is € 1.35 and perfect if you are making a single trip.
- A round trip ticket is € 2.70. In this case, buy it if you are only doing one trip using the metro to go and come back.
- The Bonometro is the one used by most Sevillians since it is a card that allows you to make as many trips according to the balance you have. This way the trip costs € 0.82. It is acquired and topped up at the ticket machines at the stations, and to top it up the minimum is € 10.
- The transfer ticket (Transport Card) is the same as the previous card, but you can also use it on all the public transport within Seville. Therefore, you get a 20% discount if you have to make a transfer and you use it within 120 minutes. A normal trip also costs € 0.82.
- Another option is the 1-day ticket which cost € 4.50 and allows you to make unlimited trips throughout the day in which it was purchased.
By bike
Another mode of transport and way of getting to know Seville is using a bicycle to move around the city. The reason that this is one of the most popular ways of getting around among the locals is Seville’s the good weather and the flat terrain.
- Keep in mind that cycling through the historic centre is limited since the narrow, cobbled streets can be dangerous for you and pedestrians. In addition, the bike paths don’t fully enter the historic centre.
- Seville has some of the largest and best bike lanes in Europe, so the experience is highly recommended. Besides, you will find bike racks all around the city.
- Bike rental points are all over the place too, although I’d recommend to search for them on the internet in order to find the one that suits you the best. Or if you prefer, there are many tourism companies that do cycling tours.
- However, Seville has a public bicycle network called Sevici, which you can also use. Prices are around € 13 for a week. With this service, the maximum time you can use the bike is 30 minutes. If you go over, you must pay € 1 more.
I hope that this information has been helpful for you and that you enjoy visiting this cheerful city.
Images source: 9 – 14 (section 1)
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