Getting Around Jaén: A Practical Transport Guide

The short answer: Jaén's centre is compact and walkable, but you'll want a car to explore the surrounding olive country. The city itself has limited public transport and few tourists, which means you'll rely on walking for the main sights and taxis or a rental car for anything beyond.

Jaén is the capital of Spain's olive oil province, but it sees far fewer visitors than its famous neighbours Úbeda and Baeza.

This works in your favour: the city is authentic, unhurried, and easy to navigate on foot. The challenge is getting here and getting around the wider region, where public transport is sparse.

The Quick Summary

Walking: The Best Way to See the Centre

Jaén's historic centre is small and easily walkable. The cathedral, the old Jewish quarter, the Arab baths, and the main squares are all within a compact area that you can cover on foot in a morning.

What you need to know:

• The centre is hilly but manageable
• The walk from the cathedral to the castle is steep (or take a taxi)
• Most streets are pedestrian-friendly
• The main attractions are close together
• Comfortable shoes help on the uneven streets

Walking Distances

From	To	Time	Notes
Cathedral	Arab Baths	5 min	Flat, easy
Cathedral	Plaza de la Constitución	8 min	Mostly flat
Cathedral	Jewish Quarter	10 min	Some hills
City centre	Castle (Santa Catalina)	30-40 min	Very steep climb
Cathedral	Train station	15 min	Downhill

The Castle

The Castillo de Santa Catalina sits high above the city with spectacular views over the olive groves. While you can walk up, the climb is steep and exposed.

Options for reaching the castle:

• Walk: 30-40 minutes uphill from the centre (demanding)
• Taxi: About €8-10 from the centre (recommended)
• Drive: Parking available at the top

Local Buses

Jaén has a small local bus network, but it's primarily designed for residents commuting to work and residential areas. Tourists rarely need it.

What you need to know:

• Routes connect the centre to residential neighbourhoods
• Buses run approximately every 15-30 minutes
• Limited service on weekends
• Single tickets cost around €1.20
• The bus station is about 1km from the centre

For visitors, walking and the occasional taxi will cover most needs. The local buses don't serve the main tourist attractions directly.

Taxis

Taxis in Jaén are readily available and reasonably priced. They're particularly useful for reaching the castle and for airport transfers.

Where to find taxis:

• Taxi rank at Plaza de la Constitución
• Near the cathedral
• Train station
• Bus station
• Call Radio Taxi Jaén

Typical fares:

From	To	Approximate Cost
City centre	Castle	€8-10
City centre	Train station	€5-7
City centre	Bus station	€5-7
City centre	Granada Airport	€80-100

What you need to know:

• Fares are metered
• Most accept card payment
• No ride-hailing apps operate in Jaén
• Taxis are generally easy to find during the day

Getting to Jaén

Jaén doesn't have its own airport and is somewhat off the main tourist routes. Here's how to reach it.

By Train

Jaén has a train station with connections to major cities, though services are less frequent than you might expect.

Key connections:

• Madrid: About 3.5-4 hours
• Córdoba: About 1.5 hours
• Seville: About 3 hours (often via Córdoba)

The train station is about 1km from the centre, an easy 15-minute walk downhill or a short taxi ride.

By Bus

Buses connect Jaén to surrounding towns and cities. The bus station is about 1km from the centre.

Key connections:

Destination	Time	Frequency
Granada	1-1.5 hours	Several daily
Úbeda	45 min	Regular service
Baeza	45 min	Regular service
Córdoba	2 hours	Several daily
Madrid	4-4.5 hours	Several daily

ALSA is the main bus company serving Jaén.

From Airports

Jaén doesn't have its own airport. The nearest options:

Airport	Distance	Time	Best Option
Granada (GRX)	95km	1 hour	Rental car or taxi (€80-100)
Málaga (AGP)	200km	2 hours	Rental car
Seville (SVQ)	250km	2.5 hours	Rental car
Madrid (MAD)	330km	3.5 hours	Train or rental car

Recommendation: Granada Airport is closest, but Málaga has far more international connections. Rent a car at the airport if you want to explore the region.

Driving and Parking

A rental car is strongly recommended for visiting Jaén province. While the city itself is walkable, the surrounding olive country, the UNESCO towns of Úbeda and Baeza, and the Sierra de Cazorla natural park all require a car.

Driving in Jaén:

• The city centre has some pedestrianised areas
• Traffic is generally light compared to larger cities
• Street parking can be found without too much difficulty
• The castle has a car park at the top

Parking

Type	Location	Cost
Street parking (blue zone)	Around centre	€0.50-1/hour
Free street parking	Outer areas	Free
Underground car park	Near Plaza de la Constitución	€10-15/day
Castle car park	Castillo de Santa Catalina	Free

Day Trips from Jaén

Jaén is perfectly positioned for exploring the olive province, but most destinations require a car.

By Public Transport

• Úbeda: Regular buses, about 45 minutes
• Baeza: Regular buses, about 45 minutes
• Granada: Bus or train, 1-1.5 hours

By Car (Recommended)

Destination	Distance	Time	Why Visit
Úbeda	50km	45 min	UNESCO Renaissance town
Baeza	45km	40 min	UNESCO Renaissance town
Cazorla	90km	1.5 hours	Gateway to Sierra de Cazorla
Olive mills	Various	15-45 min	Tours and tastings
Alcalá la Real	75km	1 hour	Fortaleza de la Mota

The Olive Country

Jaén province produces more olive oil than any region in the world. Driving through the endless groves is an experience in itself.

What to see:

• The "olive sea" views from the castle
• Working olive mills (many offer tours and tastings)
• Small villages surrounded by silver-green trees
• The harvest season (November to January) when the mills are active

Getting to Úbeda and Baeza

The twin UNESCO towns are the main draw for most visitors to Jaén province.

To Úbeda

• Bus: About 45 minutes from Jaén, regular service
• Car: 50km, about 45 minutes via A-316
• Taxi: Can be arranged but expensive for a day trip

To Baeza

• Bus: About 45 minutes from Jaén, regular service
• Car: 45km, about 40 minutes via A-316
• Taxi: Can be arranged but expensive for a day trip

Between Úbeda and Baeza:

• Just 9km apart, about 15 minutes by car
• Regular local buses connect them
• A taxi costs about €15-20

Accessibility

Jaén's historic centre has accessibility challenges typical of old Spanish cities:

• Many streets are hilly and cobbled
• The Jewish quarter has steep, narrow lanes
• The castle is not easily accessible without a vehicle
• Modern buses have low-floor access
• Taxis can accommodate some mobility aids

Practical Tips

Best Times to Visit

• Spring (March-May): Pleasant temperatures, olive trees in bloom
• Summer (June-August): Very hot, avoid midday walking
• Autumn (September-November): Harvest season begins, mild weather
• Winter (December-February): Cold but atmospheric, quiet

Money and Transport

• Cash is useful for smaller establishments and taxis
• ATMs available in the centre
• Buses accept cash (have small change ready)
• Petrol stations can be sparse in rural areas

The Bottom Line

Jaén is an easy city to explore on foot.

The centre is compact, the main sights are close together, and a taxi handles the steep climb to the castle. You won't need the local buses, and walking is genuinely the best way to experience the atmospheric old town.

The real transport consideration is the wider region.

Jaén province has some of Spain's most underrated attractions: the Renaissance treasures of Úbeda and Baeza, the dramatic Sierra de Cazorla, and the endless olive groves that produce the world's best olive oil. For all of this, you need a car.

Arrive with a rental car, or pick one up in Jaén or at Granada Airport, and give yourself time to explore. The olive country rewards those who venture beyond the city, and the roads through the silver-green groves are some of the most peaceful driving in Andalusia.