Train to Madrid – Cheap tickets To & From Madrid
Madrid now has direct high-speed trains from half a dozen French cities. Most passengers coming from the north (including travellers from London and Paris) route through Barcelona (which is just 2 hrs 30 mins away from Madrid on the fastest trains). London to Madrid by train is feasible in a long day – it takes just under 14 hours, routing via Paris and Barcelona.
Most long-distance rail services to and from Madrid run from Atocha station (referred to in some timetables and on many maps as Puerta de Atocha). This is the jumping-off point for the high-speed trains to Alicante, Barcelona, Córdoba, Málaga, Sevilla,
Valencia and
Zaragoza. A second station at Atocha, called Atocha Cercanías, serves local trains and a few long-distance services to western Spain. Another major rail station is Chamartín in the northern suburbs of Madrid. It is the departure point for journeys to Bilbao, San sebastian, Irun, Salamanca and cities in Galicia. All night trains from Madrid leave from Chamartín. These include the overnight sleeper services (branded Trenhotel) to Lisbon, Vigo, Santiago de Compostela.
Spain’s bustling capital is a place for Bourbon style, serious culture, sport aplenty and some of Europe’s best bars and cafés. As the hub of Spain’s impressive high-speed rail network, devotees of Spanish rail travel inevitably return to Madrid time and time again. It’s a wonderful city, a place that deserves a week or more, but even an overnight stay is enough to catch the flavour of Madrid. Do it once, and you’ll be hooked. in 2019, Madrid’s celebrated Museo del Prado is marking its bicentenary. Those less inclined to art might head instead to Madrid’s excellent Museo del Ferrocarril (Railway Museum) located at the old Delicias station.
There are many superb day trips from Madrid by train. Favourites include Toledo, El Escorial, Ávila and Segovia. Some of these rely on local trains (which don’t need to be booked in advance), but other destinations (eg.
Toledo) are served by high-speed trains where advance booking is advisable and on peak days an absolute necessity.
Travel to Madrid by train from anywhere across Europe.
Barcelona to Madrid by train
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Best things to do in Madrid
The ideal city for night owls, art lovers and food fanatics, visit Madrid by train to discover one of Europe’s most electrifying capitals.
Best places to visit in Spain by train
From paella to playas, cities to soaring mountains, Spain’s diverse cultures and landscapes reflect a country proud of its traditions, heritage and history.
Getting around Madrid by Train
ATTENTION: Works at Madrid Chamartín-Clara Campoamor station
The works in progress between Chamartín and Nuevos Ministerios stations – scheduled to last until at least December 2023 – affect the rail services on suburban trains (Cercanías) C-3, C-3a, C-4, C-4a and C- 4b.
To guarantee user mobility, an alternative transport system has been introduced on the affected lines.
Therefore, trains from Alcobendas-San Sebastián de los Reyes and Colmenar Viejo will stop at Chamartín-Clara Campoamor where passengers can switch to Atocha via the Recoletos tunnel, using lines C-1, C-2, C-7, C-8 and C -10.
Trains originating from or heading to Aranjuez and Parla will terminate at Atocha and Nuevos Ministerios, respectively, where passengers will be able to continue their journey on the rest of the Cercanías lines.
Further information (in Spanish)
This Renfe service consists of 9 train lines running in the Region of Madrid. They all depart from or stop at Atocha train station. In some zones, you can use the same ticket as for the metro and buses.
The Cercanías suburban service lines currently run the following routes:
- C-1: Príncipe Pío – Atocha – Recoletos – Aeropuerto T4
- C-2: Guadalajara – Alcalá de Henares – Atocha – Chamartín
- C-3: Aranjuez – Atocha – Sol – Chamartín – El Escorial
- C-4: Parla – Atocha – Sol – Chamartín – Cantoblanco
- C-4a: Parla – Atocha – Chamartín – Cantoblanco – Alcobendas – San Sebastián de los Reyes
- C-4b: Parla – Atocha – Chamartín – Cantoblanco – Colmenar Viejo
- C-5: Móstoles El Soto – Atocha – Fuenlabrada – Humanes
- C-7: Alcalá de Henares – Atocha – Chamartín – Príncipe Pío – Atocha – Chamartín – Fuente de la Mora
- C-8: Atocha – Chamartín – Villaba – Cercedilla
- C-9: Cercedilla – Cotos
- C-10: Villalba – Príncipe Pío – Atocha – Chamartín – Fuente de la Mora
The Cercanías suburban trains are cheap and fast, making them the best option for getting to and from towns and villages in the Region of Madrid.
In fact, they are ideal for going on daytrips to the outskirts of the city, to the Guadarrama Mountains and to nearby UNESCO Heritage Sites such as Alcalá de Henares, Aranjuez and El Escorial. You can also use Cercanías trains within the city, travelling for example between Madrid – Chamartín – Clara Campoamor Station and Atocha stations, which is much faster than by Metro.
Bicycles and pets
You are allowed to travel with bicycles on all Cercanías trains and between all stations. The only exception is line C-9 (Cotos-Cercedilla) where you can only embark on a train with a bike at Cotos or Cercedilla (not Puerta de Navacerrada). Bikes are not allowed on this line at weekends or during the winter season.
You may travel with guide dogs and small pets on all trains provided you follow the rules.
Times and prices
Trains start running every day between 5am and 6am and stop at around midnight.
They normally run every 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the line. The price varies according to the distance travelled. You can buy a single ticket or a bonotren, which is valid for ten journeys. The following fares apply according to the zones:
|
ZONE |
SINGLE TICKET |
BONOTREN |
|---|---|---|
|
1/2 |
1.70 € |
10.00 € |
|
3 |
1.85 € |
13.70 € |
|
4 |
2.60 € |
18.55 € |
|
5 |
3.40 € |
24.30 € |
|
6 |
4.05 € |
28.55 € |
|
7 |
5.50 € |
38.45 € |
|
Green Zone* |
8. |
— |
70 €*Green Zone: A flat rate of 8.70 € for a single journey and 17.40 € return is established from any zone on the Cercanías network on the C-9 line.
Children under 6 travel free provided they do not occupy a seat. Discounts are also available for children under 12, groups and large families on presentation of proof of large family.
You can also get a +Renfe & Tú Contactless Card. As a contactless card, you just have to place it close to the access control reader to open the gates. Saving you time and effort when you travel, it’s reusable, rechargeable and has no expiry date.
*View T&Cs for free tickets valid on Cercanías and Media Distancia trains, and half price tickets on Alta Velocidad de Media Distancia trains
Wi-Fi
The stations of Nuevos Ministerios, Sol, Méndez Álvaro, Príncipe Pío, Atocha Cercanías and Getafe Centro offer free Wi-Fi and access (by first downloading an app) to the PlayRenfe platform, which provides the Agencia EFE newsfeed, specific services for each station, RenfeViajes leisure options, short films, film trailers, books and games.
The initiative is part of the Local Trains Overall Improvement Plan and users can stay connected for a maximum of 30 minutes.
Leisure
In addition to services provided by Renfe, travellers can also enjoy special offers aimed at promoting culture and entertainment in the Autonomous Region of Madrid. For more information on Knowledge Trains, Culture Trains, Fun Trains and Special Trains, visit the Renfe official website.
Discover other means of transport for getting around the city
Traveling in the province of Madrid by train
From February 7, 2023 Wearing masks on public transport is not mandatory.
ATTENTION: work at the Madrid Chamartín – Clara Campoamor station
Renovations between the Chamartín and Nuevos Ministerios stations, scheduled to be completed no earlier than December 2023, affect commuter train traffic (Cer003í0) , C-3a, C-4, C-4a and C-4b .
An alternative transport system has been introduced to ensure the mobility of passengers on these lines.
Thus, trains from Alcobendas – San Sebastian de los Reyes and Colmenar Viejo stop at the station Chamartin – Clara Campoamor , from where passengers can reach Atocha via the Recoletos tunnel using 8 lines 9000 C-1, C-2, C-7, C-8 and C -10.
Trains from Aranjuez and Parla , or vice versa, will continue to Atocha and Nuevos Ministerios respectively, where passengers can continue their journey on the remaining suburban train lines.
More details 0003 This service, provided by the Spanish railway Renfe, consists of nine lines providing connections in the Autonomous Community of Madrid. All of these commuter trains pass or depart from Atocha station and allow tourists to easily reach World Heritage Sites such as Alcala de Henares, El Escorial Monastery, Aranjuez or get to the T4 terminal of the Airport.
Adolfo Suarez Madrid – Barajas.
At present commuter trains operate the following routes
Commuter trains are fast and inexpensive, so this is one of the best options for traveling between cities neighboring the capital.
It is also very convenient to go on an excursion to the outskirts of the city, to Guadarrama mountains and nearby cities Alcala de Henares , Aranjuez and El Escorial . You can also travel around the city on suburban trains. For example, the line between stations Madrid – Chamartin – Clara Campoamor and Atocha is much faster than the same metro route (In addition, you can transport your bicycle by train without date or schedule restrictions, with the exception of line C-9, which can only be changed at Cercedilla and Cotos stations, and where bicycles are not allowed on weekends and public holidays during the winter season).
The suburban train service in Madrid starts from 05:00-6:00 in the morning and ends around 00:00. The interval of trains is usually 10-30 minutes depending on the line. Prices depend on distances.
Tariffs
For commuter trains, you can use the Tourist Pass ( Abono Transporte Tur í stico at 1.0 0.9) 5 and 7 calendar days, suitable for two zones (A and T). In addition, it is possible to purchase a single ticket or a travel card for ten trips. Depending on the area, the following tariffs apply:
|
DISTRICTS |
SIMPLE TICKET |
TRAVEL TICKET |
|
1/2 |
€1.70 |
€10.00 |
|
3 |
€1.85 |
€13.45 |
|
4 |
2.60 € |
€18.55 |
|
5 |
€3.40 |
€24. |
|
6 |
4.05 € |
€28.55 |
|
7 |
€5.50 |
€38.45 |
|
Green zone* |
€8.70 |
— |
30 *Green zone: There is a single fare for any zone of Commuter trains line C-9: 8.70 € for one trip on a simple ticket and 17.40 € for a round-trip ticket.
Children under the age of 6 travel free if they do not occupy a seat. There are also discounts for children under 12, groups and large families.
It is also possible to purchase a contactless card ” +Renfe & Tú “. To open the entrance doors, just bring the contactless card close to the access validator terminal. You will save time and be able to travel in comfort. The card is reusable, rechargeable and unlimited.
Cercanías” and medium distance “Media Distancia”, as well as the purchase of tickets for half the price of high-speed trains of medium distance ” Alta Velocidad de Media Distancia”
Traveling with animals
Suburban trains are allowed, subject to schedule restrictions, to carry pets (pets, no weight restrictions, should be considered dogs, cats and birds
Wifi suburban trains
Stations Nuevos Ministerios , Sol , M é ndez Á lvaro , Pr í ncipe 9008 900 008 – o , Atocha Cercan – as and Getafe Centro offers a free connection to Wifi , and after downloading the application, and access to the PlayRenfe platform, where you can see the news feed of the EFE Agency, and where information is provided about the services on each specific stations, leisure activities in the RenfeViajes section, as well as short films, movie trailers, books and games.
This initiative is proposed as part of the Comprehensive Commuter Improvement Program and allows you to use the connection for no more than 30 minutes.
Entertainment
In addition to the standard Renfe services, Spanish Railway customers can benefit from special offers aimed at promoting culture and entertainment in the Autonomous Region of Madrid. Find information about the Acquaintance, Culture, Entertainment and Special Trains on the Renfe official website (also in English and French).
Find out more about getting around Madrid!
How to get there by train | Tourism Madrid
Madrid is the center of the major rail network Renfe ( Renfe ), which links the city with all points in Spain and offers the possibility of comfortable movement around the country, including free WiFi connection. Madrid main train stations: Atocha and Chamartín stations – Clara Campoamor.
Short-distance and long-distance trains, high-speed and suburban trains arrive here. International flights from France and Portugal also arrive in Madrid.
ANNOUNCEMENT
Due to the work carried out by the Spanish Railways Infrastructure Authority (Adif) at Chamartin station, changes will be made to the routes of the Renfe medium-distance trains connecting Madrid with the northern regions of Spain. From June 1, 2020, Principe Pio Station has become the departure/arrival point, instead of Chamartin Station, for the following destinations:
- MD Madrid – Valladolid – Palencia / León
- MD Madrid – Burgos – Vitoria / Irun
- MD Madrid – Salamanca
Middle distance
Medium distance lines bring travelers from all parts of Spain to Madrid. Station Chamartin (Chamartín, st. Agustín de Foxa, s / n) and Atocha (Atocha, Plaza del Emperador Carlos V, s / n) daily trains pass through themselves, departing from major cities in Spain:
- High-speed lines-Medium distance (Avant)
- Avant Madrid-Ciudad Real-Puertollano : departure from Atocha.
Arrives in Ciudad Real 53 minutes after departure, and in Puertollano – 1 hour 13 minutes. - Avant Madrid-Toledo : departure from Atocha. Travel time: 30 minutes.
- Avant Madrid-Segovia-Valladolid : departure Chamartin. Travel time: about 28 minutes to Segovia, 1 hour 5 minutes to Valladolid.
Arrives in Ciudad Real 53 minutes after departure, and in Puertollano – 1 hour 13 minutes. Other mid-distance offers
MIDDLE-TRAIN CENTER AND NORTH
- Route R-1. Madrid-Avila : Departure for Atocha via Chamartin. Travel time: about 2 hours. The express train departs from Chamartin and arrives at its destination in 1 hour and 20 minutes.
- Route R-2. Madrid-Segovia : Departure for Atocha via Chamartin. Travel time: about 1 hour 40 minutes. Talgo (Talgo train) departs from Chamartin and arrives at its destination in 31 minutes.
- Route R-3. Madrid-Soria : Departs from Atocha. Travel time: about 3 hours.
- Route R-4. Madrid-Arcos de Jalón-Zaragos a: Departs from Chamartin. Travel time: about 2 hours 10 minutes to Arcos de Jalón and about 3 hours 49 minutes to Zaragoza.
- Route R-20. Madrid-Salamanca : departs from Chamartin. Travel time: 2 hours 45 minutes.
- Route R-21. Madrid-Valladolid-Leon : Departs from Chamartin. Travel time: about 2 hours 45 minutes to Valladolid and about 4 hours 40 minutes to León.
- Route R-27. Madrid-Valladolid-Vitoria : Departs from Chamartin. Travel time: about 2 hours 45 minutes to Valladolid and about 5 hours 30 minutes to Vitoria.
MIDDLE DISTANCE EAST
- Route R-6. Madrid-Cuenca-Valencia : Departs from Atocha. Travel time: about 6 hours 25 minutes.
- Route R-7. Madrid-Alcazar-Albacete-Valencia : Departs from Chamartin via Atocha Sercanias. Travel time: about 2 hours 50 minutes to Albacete.
MIDDLE DISTANCE EXTREMADURA-CASTILLA-LA MANCHA
- Line R-8. Madrid-Ciudad Real Jaén : Departs from Chamartin via Atocha. Travel time: about 4 hours to Jaén.
- Route R-9. Madrid-Ciudad Real-Ciudad de Buey Badajoz: leaves from Atocha. Travel time: 7 hours 47 minutes.
- Route R-10. Madrid-Cáceres-Badajoz : Departs from Atocha. Travel time: 5 hours 47 minutes. Talgo departs from Chamartin via Atocha. Travel time: 5 hours 28 minutes.
Long Distance / High Speed Lines.
Among the long-distance routes of Renfe you can find other offers:
ALTARIA TRAIN
- Madrid-Algeciras : Departs from Atocha. Travel time: about 1 hour to Ciudad Real, 2 hours to Cordoba, about 5 hours 30 minutes to Algeciras.
- Madrid-Granada : departs from Atocha. Travel time: 4 hours 25 minutes.
- Madrid-Murcia-Cartagena : Departs from Chamartin via Atocha Sercanias. Travel time: about 4 hours to Murcia and 5 hours to Cartagena.
ALVIA TRAIN
- Madrid-Alicante : leaves from Atocha Sercanias. Travel time: about 3 hours 15 minutes.
- Madrid-Cádiz : Departs from Atocha. Travel time: about 1 hour to Ciudad Real, 2 hours to Cordoba, 2 hours 40 minutes to Seville, 4 hours 30 minutes to Cadiz.
- Madrid-Huelva : departs from Atocha. Travel time: 1 hour 47 minutes to Cordoba and 3 hours 50 minutes to Huelva.
- Madrid-Logroño : departs from Atocha. Travel time: 3 hours 23 minutes.
- Madrid-Pamplona : departs from Atocha. Travel time: about 3 hours 10 minutes.
- Madrid-San Sebastian-Irún : departs from Chamartin. Travel time: about 5 hours 20 minutes to San Sebastian and about 6 hours to Irun.
- Madrid-Albacete-Valencia : departs from Atocha. Travel time: about 3 hours.
AVE
- Madrid – Granada: the train leaves Atocha three times a day: 07:35, 14:35 and 19:10. Travel time: approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to Cordoba, 2 hours 10 minutes to Puente Genil, 2 hours 30 minutes to Antequera Santa Ana and a total of 3 hours 20 minutes to Granada. *The train will start running on April 4, 2022, with up to 42 trips per week
- Madrid-Cuenca Requena/Utiel-Valencia : Departs from Atocha. Travel time: about 50 minutes to Cuenca, 1 hour 15 minutes to Requena, 1 hour 35 minutes to Valencia. 30 trains per day.
- Madrid-Ciudad Real-Cordoba-Seville : Departs from Atocha. Travel time: about 1 hour to Ciudad Real, 2 hours to Cordoba, about 2 hours 40 minutes to Seville.
- Madrid-Zaragoza-Lleida-Tarragona-Barcelona : departs from Atocha. Travel time: about 1 hour 20 minutes to Zaragoza, 2 hours 10 minutes to Laida, 2 hours 40 minutes to Tarragona, about 3 hours to Barcelona.
- Madrid-Guadalajara-Zaragoza-Huesca : Departs from Atocha. Travel time: about 25 minutes to Guadalajara, 1 hour 30 minutes to Zaragoza, 2 hours 20 minutes to Huesca.
- Madrid-Cordoba-Malaga : Departs from Atocha. Travel time: about 1 hour 50 minutes to Cordoba Valencia and about 2 hours 30 minutes to Malaga.
- Madrid-Segovia-Valladolid : departs from Chamartin. Travel time: about 30 hours from Segovia and 1 hour from Valladolid.
- Madrid-Zaragoza-Barcelona-Girona-Figueres : departs from Atocha. Travel time to Girona – 3 hours 32 minutes, to Figueres – 3 hours 48 minutes.
- Madrid-Cuenca-Albacete-Villena-Alicante : departs from Atocha. Travel time to Alicante is 2 hours 20 minutes. Nine trains a day in each direction. Fridays – 10.
Travel time: about 1 hour 20 minutes to Zaragoza, 2 hours 10 minutes to Laida, 2 hours 40 minutes to Tarragona, about 3 hours to Barcelona. 
Fridays – 10.TALGO TRAIN
- Madrid-A Coruña : leaves from Chamartin. Travel time: 5 hours 20 minutes to Ourense, 7 hours 1 minute to Santiago de Compostela, 7 hours 38 minutes to A Coruña.
- Madrid-Pontevedra : departs from Atocha. Travel time: 5 hours 20 minutes to Ourense and 8 hours 6 minutes to Pontevedra.
- Madrid-Badajoz : Departs from Chamartin via Atocha Sercanias. Travel time: 5 hours 28 minutes.
- Madrid-Almería : Departs from Chamartin via Atocha Sercanias. Travel time: 6 hours 30 minutes.
TRENHOTEL
- This is a higher class train in which the passenger is accommodated in a separate compartment with a bed. Trenhotel runs between Madrid and Galicia. The Madrid-A Coruña flight departs from Chamartin. Travel time takes 9hours 35 minutes. The train goes through the cities of Avila, Zamora, Ourense, Santiago de Compostela. The Madrid-Pontevedra flight also departs from Chamartin. Travel time 9 hours 35 minutes. The train runs through the cities of Ourense, Pontevedra, Santiago de Compostela and Vigo.
The Madrid-Pontevedra flight also departs from Chamartin. Travel time 9 hours 35 minutes. The train runs through the cities of Ourense, Pontevedra, Santiago de Compostela and Vigo. AVLO TRAIN
- This new RENFE low cost train allows you to travel at a great price and with all the comforts. Over 400 seats with reclining seats, power outlets in every seat, reading lights, space for suitcases and accessible toilets. Tickets for high-speed travel between Madrid, Barcelona and Zaragoza will cost from 7 euros.
OUIGO
- Fast trains at low cost to Madrid , Barcelona , Zaragoza, Valencia and Tarragona offer fast and pleasant travel. In the near future, they are also expected to appear in the direction of Alicante, Albacete, Cordoba, Seville and Malaga.
IRYO (available in 2022)
- Iryo high-speed trains operated by ILSA, formed by Trenitalia and Air Nostrum, operate on the following routes: Madrid – Barcelona ; Madrid – Seville ; Madrid – Malaga ; Madrid – Valencia ; and Madrid – Alicante .
International flights
Two long distance flights connect Madrid with Lisbon and Marseille.
- Madrid (Chamartín) – Lisbon (Santa Apolonia) : Trenhotel Lusitania daily train takes 9 hours 5 minutes.
- Madrid (Atocha)-Marseille ( St. Charlie) : AVE’s daily high-speed route covers the distance between cities in 7 hours. The train passes through the following French cities: Perpignan, Narbona, Beziers, Montpellier, Nimmes, Avignon and Au-en-Provence (http://www.renfe-sncf.com).
PLEASE NOTE
Airport im. Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas is only 30 minutes from the city center by public transport.
Highways, highways, radial roads leading to Madrid.
Tourist information
Zone
Aeropuerto / Feria de Madrid (8)
Austrias (32)
Barrio de las Letras (11)
Barrio de Salamanca (12)
Casa de Campo (10)
Castella (Castella) )
Around Madrid (9)
Chamberí (13)
Chueca (6)
Conde Duque (6)
La Latina (10)
Lavapies (12)
Madrid Río (22)
Malasaña (7)
Otros (42)
Paseo del Arte (40)
Princesa (15)
Retiro (16)
Salesas 003 Sol/Gran Vía (38)
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Welcome to an exciting themed train journey around Madrid!
Tourist trains
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Enjoy Madrid without the hassle of leaving your luggage.
