Alsa Bus in Spain - reviewed and recommended

Alsa (ALSA) bus service has an awful reputation online rating at 2 stars out of 5 in Trip Advisor. We thought our journeys with Alsa in Spain (Madrid, Granada and Seville / Sevilla) would be awful but they trip was really good.
The first journey from Madrid to Granada (where The Alhambra is) took 5 hours and cost a mere €26 per person (so cheap) including taxes and the bus had TV screens, wireless internet (wifi), and a working toilet (free), as well as stopped midway for food and drinks.
The second journey from Granada to Seville was on a more simple bus without any extras and took 3 hours. There were no stops. This ticket cost €30 per person (not sure how it was more expensive than the first leg but it was - LOL).
Based on our experience, next time we are in Spain we will definitely take Alsa bus if we do not have a car there.

[@richardupton3323]

I live in Spain and have used alsa a few times. They are always good and dirt cheap.

[@ebermtheburn]

Thank you for the review! I was worried they wouldn't stop on my 5,5 hour journey. It's glad to know you get a snack break

[@SophiesTravelSecrets]

Thanks for this info - super useful!

[@marshac1479]

They've always been great when I used them

[@user-qf2pd5lt7q]

If its a double decker bus, is it better to book lower or upper deck? Thanks

[@emmachristinep]

Was there a bathroom on the Alsa bus from Granada to Seville?

[@lizcoleman5229]

Thank you for the good information. Do you know if you can buy tickets on the bus or do you have to buy online ahead of time?

[@federicobicego8612]

I'd recommend you to buy in advance (lower prices and seats are less likely to run out)

[@ThomasDowdyWinslett]

Short answer - no, but that isn't always true. You can't buy tickets from the driver on these long distance buses. Buses from city to city like in this video reviews have assigned seats and you need to purchase before you board. The easiest way is use the Alsa app on a smart phone which gives you your ticket on the phone to show the driver as you board. You can purchase at the station. But beware, buses often sell out so using the app has the advantage of making sure you have a seat before you head to the station. You can buy some Alsa bus tickets from the driver, however. Alsa also operates some buses from cities airports into the city center and other short distance routes - for these you can buy from the driver or buy using the app.

[@lizcoleman5229]

@@ThomasDowdyWinslett thank you

[@lizcoleman5229]

@@federicobicego8612 thank you

[@kumarvir5453]

Can u send the app link

[@lidipm8748]

El día 5 de noviembre viaje desde la estación de autobús del Norte de Barcelona hasta Andorra la Vella. Cuando me dispuse a recoger mi equipaje del compartimento de maletas, este ya no estaba. Se supone que cuando viajas en un medio en el que cada pasajero tiene acceso al compartimento en cada parada, debería existir cierta vigilancia. En Alsa no es así. He perdido pertenencias de gran valor, he tenido que comprar hasta ropa para estos días, porque todo (excepto mi dni, móvil y cartera) iba en ese equipaje.

[@travelbyplanestrainsandcruise]

Its unlikely someone would run of with your luggage I don't think so had my luggage stolen on Alsa bus used apple air tag to track the luggage and the police would not go into the address and knock.This happens a lot in Spain, read the news keep your backs close to your chest best take a train or flight in Spain.👍

[@mediatriage]

Oh wow. I am so sorry to hear that.

[@user-ic7cv1of7d]

I had a very bad experience with the ALSA BUS three weeks ago, when I was supposed to travel with them between Montpellier (France) to Barcelona (Spain). Not only the bus did not arrived at all in Montpellier, and I had to find in a hurry another transpotation means to avoid loosing my flight from Barcelona, but when I sent them a complaint asking for reimbursement of my expenses, they lied in my face pretending that the bus was there and I was late to it. Avoid ALSA BUSES to avoid the awful experience of losing your money and your time, while being called a liar.

[@ofer100]

Was it standard seats or first class seat?

[@mediatriage]

Standard. There was no "first class" option to book online when we were travelling 😀

[@pablosearth]

Bro! I've just got off an Alsa bus from Madrid to San Sabastian up north. Worst and scariest bus ride I've ever had mate. Roads are very curvey and windy up North and the driver was just going flat out round all the bends and curves. Throwing us around roundabouts. Straight lining going downhill on bends. Up every Cars backside that dared go the speed limit and on top of driving like a possessed devil the bus was still late getting to destination! What does that tell you about the company! I'm a truck driver in the UK so I know all about how to handle heavy loads. If this guy was driving bus in the UK it would be instant dismissal. Avoid avoid and avoid again. I will not be taking another bus in Spain. This was proper scary!!

[@mediatriage]

Oh wow. So sorry to hear of your horrible experience. Had similar in Malaysia years ago. Did you report the driver?

[@rajsrivastav6940]

You will have a nightmare then in India

[@ebermtheburn]

Challenge accepted 😎

[@melissarachman7915]

border check from zurich to madrid?

[@ebermtheburn]

It's a coin flip. I crossed the border at Basel-France and Basel-Germany and we had no border control

[@andym28]

I used this to almeria. Fine but driver was very aggressive. Prefer blah blah car.

[@cg000gc]

I had a very bad experience with the ALSA BUS three weeks ago, when I was supposed to travel with them between Montpellier (France) to Barcelona (Spain). Not only the bus did not arrived at all in Montpellier, and I had to find in a hurry another transpotation means to avoid loosing my flight from Barcelona, but when I sent them a complaint asking for reimbursement of my expenses, they lied in my face pretending that the bus was there and I was late to it. Avoid ALSA BUSES to avoid the awful experience of losing your money and your time, while being called a liar.