Barcelona to Madrid train tickets from €9.06 | Rail Europe
Travelling from Barcelona to Madrid by train
Want to know how to get from Barcelona to Madrid by train? We have gathered for you all the useful information about this trip!
The fastest trains from Barcelona to Madrid take around 2 hours and 29 minutes, covering a distance of approximately 503 kilometres.
On weekdays, the first train leaving Barcelona is scheduled to depart at around 05:50. The last departure is usually at around 21:25.
This is the same at the weekend.
There are frequent services on this particular rail route.
On average, there are about 36 trains per day travelling between the two cities.
They leave approximately every 23 minutes.
Prices for a single ticket between the two cities start from €9.06.
We think any time is a great time to visit Madrid, as each season has its own unique charm. Nevertheless, please make sure you check the local weather and average seasonal temperatures at destination before deciding on your holiday.
For more tips to help you plan your journey, check out our help articles, or read our guide to Madrid.
Is there a direct train from Barcelona to Madrid?
Yes, there is a direct train from Barcelona to Madrid.
We usually find around 38 direct trains on the route from Barcelona to Madrid every weekday.
There are typically fewer trains leaving at weekends, when we found around 30 departures.
How long does it take to travel from Barcelona to Madrid?
The Barcelona to Madrid train travel takes about 2 hours and 29 minutes, no matter when you leave.
What are the Barcelona to Madrid train times and schedule?
If you’re travelling on a weekday, you’ll find the earliest train to Madrid leaving Barcelona at around 05:50 and the last train leaving at around 21:25.
This is the same at the weekend.
How much is the train ticket from Barcelona to Madrid?
The cheapest tickets we’ve found for trains from Barcelona to Madrid are €9.06.
If you book 30 days in advance, tickets will cost around €26, while the price is around €40 if you book 7 days in advance.
Booking on the day of travel is likely to be more expensive, so it’s worth booking ahead of time if you can, or check our special offers and deals.
When should you book your train tickets from Barcelona to Madrid?
Trains in Spain usually open for booking around 4 months in advance.
If booking is not yet open for your travel dates, you can set a booking alert and you’ll receive an email as soon as the cheapest tickets are released for your train journey.
Help with booking alerts
Which train companies operate between Barcelona and Madrid?
More than one train company operates on the route from Barcelona to Madrid, so you’ll be travelling with one or more of the following rail operators:
- AVE
- AVE-TGV
- OUIGO ESP
You can check which train you’ll be travelling on by looking for the train name in search results.
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AVE
Travelling by train from Barcelona to Madrid is easy and so fast that the train is now taking a lot of trade away from Europe’s busiest air route. This new rail route opened in 2008.
There is also a once-a-day Regional Express from Barcelona to Madrid. With three dozen stops en route, it leaves from Barcelona França, then stops also at Sants and arrives in Madrid at Chamartin. The overnight Estrella train from Barcelona to Madrid was withdrawn in April 2015.
Barcelona to Madrid
Take a high-speed AVE or Ouigo train directly from Barcelona Sants station to Madrid Atocha. Trains that stop up to four times along the way may take 30 to 40 minutes longer. This journey along Spain’s premier high-speed rail route reveals a variety of passing landscapes as you speed from Catalonia through Aragon to the Spanish heartland.
- AVE train guide
- Ouigo Spain train guide
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High Velocity (AVE) or Overnight Services
Page Content
On this page you’ll find where you take the trains from, what time they leave, where to buy tickets, how much they cost, journey times and details of what services are provided on board the trains that run between Barcelona and Madrid.
| Barcelona Sants station |
Where do I catch the trains?
There are 3 trains which leave from Barcelona-Sants for Madrid. The ‘AVE’ train (high-velocity train) and the Combinado train runs to Madrid Puerta de Atocha, and the ‘Costa Brava’ train runs to Madrid-Chamartin. The AVE and combinado train travels during the day, and the Costa Brava (Estrella) train goes overnight.
Frequency And Travel Times
The AVE trains travel every day however some schedules only run during certain days of the week (see RENFE link below).
The AVE train runs regularly throughout the day (see timetable link below)
AVE travel time varies but it is around 3 hours. We recommend you refer to the timetable link below for precise information on travel times.
The ‘Combinado’ train runs each day and has more stops than the AVE, taking 6 hours. Check the link to the official RENFE website below for exact times.
The Costa Brava train runs overnight, making more stops and takes 9 hours. There is only one Costa Brava train.
Costa Brava train departure time: 21:15
Timetables can change. Official RENFE timetable for Barcelona Madrid train.
Feedback from one site visitor on the AVE train service
| AVE (High Speed Train) |
The AVE (high speed) train service between Madrid and Barcelona travel time is only 2 and 3/4 hours for the direct trains.
When you figure in the 1 or more hours in advance that you need to be at the airport, the total time is quite comparable.
Tourist class ticket price range
Single ticket: €58.15 – €127.10
There are also often discount fares available online on the RENFE site.
I have not used this train yet, but I have used the Madrid-Seville AVE and found it to offer excellent service. I am going to use the Madrid-Barcelona AVE in a few weeks. The web fare I obtained was cheaper than flying, and my door-to-door travel time will only be about half an hour longer.
Your website is excellent! Lots of thorough information. I have found it to be very, helpful. Keep up the excellent work.
How much is a ticket from Barcelona to Madrid?
The official RENFE prices in euros are as follows:
Information updated: January 2023
AVE Train Tourist Class
Single ticket: €85.10
AVE Train First Class
Single ticket: €181.
50
Do you want a chance to get discount tickets? Try the online reservations service by RENFE see link below.
High Velocity Train Timetable between Barcelona to Madrid
English RENFE agents site
The overnight train offers you the option to pay for a bed. You can choose from the following:
Tourist Class Single Ticket
Adults: €44.60
Children: €26.75
First Class Single Ticket
Adults: €56.70
Children: €34.05
Bunk Beds
Single ticket: €58.70
What are the benefits of the train as opposed to the plane?
One of the main advantage of taking a train is an environmental one. With the ever increasing levels of the green house gas C02 in the atmosphere which is directly leading to global warming many savvy travellers are now opting for more “carbon efficient” ways of travelling. According to Collins Gem “Carbon Counter” a plane flight leads to approximately three to five times more C02 emissions per passenger than an equivalent journey on a train.
In addition water vapour released at high altitudes from a plane has an even greater global warming effect than C02. Unlike water vapour released into the lower atmospheric altitudes where it is quickly removed.
To calculate your exact carbon footprint visit the following web page:
Flight Carbon Calculator
The other main advantages to a train journey is you have more opportunity to relax. There’s no need to be at the station hours before to check in, and of course you have space to walk up and down during the journey. You will see the scenery, and, on the daytime trains, you have the option of dining in the restaurant or snacking in the café and making a real experience of the journey itself.
With the new high velocity train between Barcelona and Madrid the journey times are comparable to those with the airlines if you consider check in times. The AVE high velocity train journey between Barcelona and Madrid will take around 3 hours on average depending on the time of day the service is operating.
Services on board the Barcelona Madrid train
If you go first class with either the day train or night train, you can benefit from free parking facilities at the departure station. If you are making a single journey, you may park for 24 hours, and if you are making a return journey you can park for 48 hours. All customers must pass through a checkpoint before getting on board. Note that this will close 2 minutes before departure time.
Other Train Facilities
AVE High Velocity Train
Club Class, First class (preferente) or standard (turista)
Toilets for people with a disability and seating
Café and restaurant
Free drink and restaurant meal for first class
Free magazine
TV, music
The Costa Brava train facilities include a free magazine and café facilities.
Official website www.renfe.com Then click the English flag to see the site in English. (Other languages also available).
Buying tickets
You can reserve your tickets by phone.
You can ask to be put through to an English speaking operator, and the phones are manned all night.
Ticket booking line
Tel: +34 91 919 0504
You can usually buy tickets directly from travel agents. They will display a RENFE notice in the window if they offer this service.
Or online with the ticketnet system at the official RENFE site www.renfe.com
You have to begin by registering as a client, and for this you will need an ID number. If you have one, you can use your Spanish resident’s card number (Sometimes you have to input it without the letters). You can also choose the option to print your own internet bought tickets.
If you have any queries with regards to buying tickets you can call the customer service line:
Tel: +34 91 919 0504
(Reservations)
Tel: +34 91 232 0320
(International)
If you’ve booked the wrong tickets, you can cancel tickets bought online up to two hours after the time you bought them, without any extra charges.
After this, they will charge 15% to the card that you used to buy them.
The credit card holder must be the one to collect the tickets from the station, and they must take photographic ID.
Fly between Barcelona and Madrid
Click here to learn more about Barcelona to Madrid flight
Further information on the train service available from the following stations
Barcelona Sants station information and ticket reservations:
Tel: +34 91 919 0504
International information
Tel: +34 91 232 0320
Address: Plaça dels Països Catalans, s/n
Station opening hours:
Monday – Sunday: 05:15 – 23:15
Left luggage office:
Monday – Sunday: 07:00 – 22:00
Ticket selling in advance:
Monday – Friday: 10:00 – 20:00
Ticket selling for immediate departure:
Monday – Sunday: 06:00 – 22:00
Bus numbers from station: 32, 44, 78, 109, 30, 27, 43, 115
Metro: Sants-Estació (Green Line, L3) and (Blue Line, L5)
|
Did you know you can enjoy unlimited travel on Barcelona public transport for 2, 3, 4 or 5 days?
Click to learn more |
Car parking near Barcelona Sants
Luggage Storage
Click to see luggage/bag storage facility near Barcelona Sants Station
Distance to airport: 13.
5km
Distance to port: 2.5 km
How to get from Barcelona to Madrid
From
Show hotels
Train
Take the Barcelona-Sants train at the Renfe AVE station.
Travel time 2 hours 45 minutes Fare from €60 Distance 610 km.
Carrier: Renfe AVE.
Buy ticket
Get off at Madrid-Puerta De Atocha.
🛏 Find hotel deals and discounts up to 20% in Madrid
Bus
Take the FlixBus bus at the Barcelona stop.
Travel time 7 hours 15 minutes Fare from €29 Distance 618 km.
Carrier: FlixBus.
Buy ticket
Get off at Madrid.
🛏 Find hotel deals and discounts up to 20% in Madrid
Bus
Take the ALSA bus at the Barcelona stop.
Travel time 7 hours 35 minutes Fare from €45 Distance 632 km.
Carrier: ALSA.
Buy ticket
Get off at Madrid.
🛏 Find hotel deals and discounts up to 20% in Madrid
By car
In a rented car. Check out this website which car rental company offers the best offer with up to 20% discounts.
Travel time 6 h 2 min. Distance 623 km.
Get off at Madrid.
🛏 Find hotel deals and discounts up to 20% in Madrid
Aircraft
Take the Àrea Metropolitana de Barcelona bus at Pl. Espanya – Creu Coberta .
Travel time 20 min. Fare from €4 Distance 12 km.
Carrier: Àrea Metropolitana de Barcelona.
Buy ticket
Get off at Aeroport / Terminal T2 – AB.
Fly to Barcelona (BCN) from Madrid Airport (MAD).
On the way 1 h 20 min. Fare from €20
Carrier: Vueling Airlines.
🔎
🚖 Find an inexpensive taxi
Get off at Madrid (MAD).
Apanhar o metro na estação de Aeropuerto T4.
Travel time 21 min. Distance 15 km.
Carrier: Metro de Madrid.
Buy ticket
Get off at Nuevos Ministerios.
Take the Nuevos Ministerios train at the Renfe Cercanias station.
Travel time 5 min. Fare from €5 Distance 3 km.
Carrier: Renfe Cercanias.
Buy ticket
Get off at Sol.
🛏 Find hotel deals and discounts up to 20% in Madrid
What is the cheapest way to get from Barcelona to Madrid?
The cheapest way to get from Barcelona to Madrid is by Traveling with a Travel Companion. The trip will cost approximately €27.
Travel time will be 7 hours 17 minutes.
What is the fastest way to get from Barcelona to Madrid?
The train is the fastest way to get from Barcelona to Madrid. Tickets cost around €60. The trip will take 2 hours 45 minutes.
How far is it between Barcelona and Madrid?
The distance between Barcelona and Madrid by road is 623 km, which is approximately 6 hours and 2 minutes. on the way by car.
Is there a direct bus from Barcelona to Madrid?
Yes, there is a direct non-stop bus to this destination. The flights are operated by the bus company ALSA. Tickets cost around €45. The bus ride from Barcelona to Madrid takes 7 hours and 35 minutes.
How long does it take to travel from Barcelona to Madrid by car?
Driving from Barcelona to Madrid will take you about 6 hours and 2 minutes.
Madrid
Madrid has so much to offer that it’s impossible to cover everything in a few paragraphs! Here are a few highlights including attractions, restaurant recommendations, things to do on a day trip from Madrid, and more. Things to Do: If you’re looking for things to do in Madrid, there’s no shortage of options. The Prado Museum houses the world’s most famous paintings and is definitely worth a visit. Architecture lovers can visit the Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso or the Palacio de Oriente. For something a little more interactive, head to Europa Park or the nearby Plaza de España for a day of fun in the sun. Restaurants: Madrid has some great restaurants to suit all budgets.
TOP 4 ways to get from Barcelona to Madrid
How to get from Barcelona to Madrid
Contents of the article
How to get from Barcelona to Madrid on your own
If you have already looked at everything and enjoyed your holiday in Barcelona and are planning to go to Madrid, then you need to know how you can quickly and profitably get from Barca to Madrid.
Madrid is located 625 km from Barcelona.
There are many ways to get to Madrid from Barcelona, such as taking a train, ordering a taxi from Barcelona, flying or taking a bus.
By bus, you can get to the place in about 7 hours and 20 minutes, the fare will cost you 32 euros. The Barcelona-Madrid train will take you much faster, in just 3 hours and 30 minutes, but ticket prices start at 90 euro.
Order a taxi
| Transport | Schedule | Travel time | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus from Barcelona to Madrid | Buses run around the clock | 8 hours (30 – metro, 7 hours and 30 minutes – group transfer) | From 36.2 euros (4 – metro to the bus station, 32.22 – bus) |
| Train from Barcelona to Madrid | Trains run from 08:00 to 21:15 with an interval of 1 hour | 3 h 15 min (30 – metro to the railway station, 2 h 45 min – train) | From 94 euros (4 – metro to the railway station, from 90 – train) |
| Plane from Barcelona to Madrid | Planes run from 07:00 am to 21:00 pm | 1 hour 35 minutes (1 hour 15 – plane, 20 minutes – bus from Madrid airport) | From 60 to 230 euro (from 55-225 – plane, 5 – bus to Madrid) |
| Taxi from Barcelona to Madrid | Taxi available 24/7 | the journey will take approximately 6 hours, excluding traffic jams | the car will cost from 500 euros for economy class |
The most convenient and inexpensive way is by plane, here you will spend about 1 hour 20 minutes on the road, tickets cost from 55 euros.
There is also an option to get to Madrid by taxi, the trip takes 6 hours, the cost is from 500 euros.
Barcelona to Madrid route
Barcelona to Madrid route
Barcelona to Madrid bus
Barcelona to Madrid bus
If you decide to go by bus, then you must first get to the Nord bus station. The Nord bus station is located on the red metro line, you need to get off at the Arc de Triomf station. The metro to the bus station will cost 4 euros.
Buses carry passengers at night, you can always leave. Barcelona-Madrid tickets are sold online on the website or can be bought at the box office at the bus station.
The bus goes to Madrid in about 7 hours and 20 minutes, the fare is 32 euros. The route starts from the Nord station in Barcelona and ends at Avenida de America in Madrid.
- Schedule: Buses run around the clock
- Route: Barcelona Nord Bus Station – Madrid Avenida de America Station
- Travel time: 8 h (30 – metro, 7 h 30 min – group transfer)
- Price: From 36.
2 euros (4 – metro to the bus station, 32.2 – bus)
2 euros (4 – metro to the bus station, 32.2 – bus) Train from Barcelona to Madrid
Train from Barcelona to Madrid
The fast train from Barcelona to Madrid will be more expensive than the bus. You can travel to Madrid from Barcelona by train from the Sants train station, which can be reached by the green metro line to the Sants-Estacio station. The cost of the metro is 4 euros.
Read also: How to get from Barcelona Airport to Sants Station
The train ride will take you 3 hours and 30 minutes, ticket prices start from 90 euros. Trains run at short intervals – 1 hour, from 08:00 am to 21:15 pm, there are no night flights on the route. Tickets can be bought at the box office at the station or online.
- Schedule: Trains run from 08:00 to 21:15 with an interval of 1 hour
- Route: Barcelona Sants railway station – Madrid Atocha railway station
- Travel time: 3 hours 15 minutes (30 – metro to the railway station, 2 hours 45 minutes – train)
- Price: From 94 euros (4 – metro to the railway station, from 90 – train)
Plane from Barcelona to Madrid
Plane from Barcelona to Madrid
The fastest and cheapest way to get from Barca to Madrid is by plane.
By plane it will be possible to fly to the historic city in just 1 hour 10 minutes, flight tickets start from 55 euros. But, there is a small nuance of such transport, from Madrid airport you will have to get to the city and it will take another 20 minutes.
Read also: How to get from Madrid airport to the city center
The route starts from Barcelona El Prata airport, the end point is Madrid Barajas airport. Buy tickets online from the air carrier, direct flights to Madrid are provided by Vueling Airlines.
-
- Route: Barcelona Airport El Prat – Madrid Barajas Airport
- Travel time: 1 h 35 min (1 h 15 – plane, 20 min – bus from Madrid airport)
- Price: From 60 to 230 euros (from 55-225 – plane, 5 – bus to Madrid).
Taxi from Barcelona to Madrid
Taxi from Barcelona to Madrid
For those who do not want to learn the routes of the trip and are not quite sure about some transport, they offer the option to get to Madrid by taxi.