The cheapest and fastest buses from Barcelona to Madrid
Cheapest price
€41
Average price
€48
Fastest journey
6 h
Average duration
6 h 36 m
Buses per day
12
Distance
504 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Barcelona to Madrid is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Barcelona to Madrid will cost around €48 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €41.
Of the 12 buses that leave Barcelona for Madrid on Wed, Dec 24, 10 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Dec 24 the direct buses cover the 504 km distance in an average of 6 h 36 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 6 h .
On Wed, Dec 24 the slowest buses will take 7 h 20 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.










Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Barcelona to Madrid
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Barcelona to Madrid among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from €19. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 47m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.2 - 0.5kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of €19, and a flight costs an average of €69.
Distance: 504 km
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight |
|---|---|---|
€116 Average price | €75 Average price Cheapest | €274 Average price |
12h 8m Average total duration 11h 38m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 7m Average total duration 3h 37m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 47m Average total duration Fastest 1h 47m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.5 - 1.3kg CO2 emissions | 0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.5 - 3.0kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Barcelona to Madrid bus times
The table below shows live departures for Barcelona to Madrid buses for today, Tuesday, December 23. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Normal | 2:30 PM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 7h35 | 10:05 PM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 2:30 PM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 7h50 | 10:20 PM Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 3:30 PM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 7h50 | 11:20 PM Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 9:00 PM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 7h35 | 4:35 AM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 9:00 PM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 7h50 | 4:50 AM Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus | 10:10 PM Barcelona, Estación de Autobuses de Sants | 32h50 | 7:00 AM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 2 transfers | |
Normal | 10:45 PM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 7h40 | 6:25 AM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 10:45 PM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 7h55 | 6:40 AM Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Wednesday, December 24 | |||||
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus | 1:20 AM Barcelona, Estación de Autobuses de Sants | 29h40 | 7:00 AM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 2 transfers | |
Normal | 6:00 AM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 7h50 | 1:50 PM Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 6:00 AM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 7h35 | 1:35 PM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 9:30 AM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 8h05 | 5:35 PM Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 9:30 AM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 7h40 | 5:10 PM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 10:30 AM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 7h35 | 6:05 PM Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Barcelona to Madrid by train, bus, or flight
Compare train, bus, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Dec 23
Dec 24
Dec 25
Dec 26
Dec 27
Dec 28
Dec 29
Dec 30
Dec 31
Jan 01
Jan 02
Jan 03
Jan 04
Jan 05
Jan 06
Jan 07
Jan 08
Jan 09
Jan 10
Jan 11
Jan 12
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Barcelona to Madrid
Buses from Barcelona to Madrid run on average 19 times per day, taking around 11h 38m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at €27 but you can travel from only €19 by train.
There are 18 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:14, the last at 23:45. The fastest bus covers the 504 km distance in 7h 5m.
Distance 504 km |
Average bus duration 11h 38m |
Cheapest ticket price €27 |
Buses per day 19 |
Direct buses 18 |
Fastest bus 7h 5m |
First bus 00:14 |
Last bus 23:45 |
Bus providers: Alsa, BlaBlaCar, Infobus, FlixBus, Ouigo, AVE from Barcelona to MadridYou can travel by bus between Barcelona to Madrid with Alsa, BlaBlaCar, Infobus, FlixBus, Ouigo, AVE for as low as €19. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
AVE
Alsa
Infobus
FlixBus
Ouigo
BlaBlaCar
Buses from Barcelona to Madrid: An Overview
Using the bus to get from Barcelona to Madrid is a great option for those with a bit of extra time and want to spend less money. The bus leaves from just outside Barcelona city centre and arrives into Madrid around 7 - 8 hours later. Many of the buses stop off at Madrid Airport, making it a great option for those who are leaving Spain for other destinations.
Which bus companies run service from Barcelona to Madrid?
All buses from Barcelona to Madrid are run by Spanish bus company ALSA.
How long is the bus journey from Barcelona to Madrid?
The journey time can vary depending on the arrival station in Madrid. Most buses terminate at Avenida de America, and it take arounds 8 hours to get here. Many of these buses also stop at Madrid's Airport en route. A couple of buses terminate at Estacion Sur de Autobus (also known as Méndez Álvaro) instead and they take around 7h35m to complete the journey.
How many buses are there from Barcelona to Madrid day?
There are around 19 buses a day that leave Barcelona for Madrid. The first bus leaves at 07:00 in the morning and the last bus leaves Barcelona Nord at 23:59 arriving into Madrid at around 07:20.
What are the departure and arrival stations for buses from Barcelona to Madrid?
Departure Information: Buses depart from Barcelona's main coach station, Barcelona Nord, located just to the north of the centre. Barcelona can be accessed via the L1 Metro line or bus number 54. Getting to the station from the centre of Barcelona takes approximately 20 minutes, whether you go by metro or walk, and the bus takes about ten minutes. Taxis from central Barcelona are useful for those travelling at night, especially as the station is only about a ten-minute drive from the centre of Barcelona.
Arrival bus station: The Barcelona to Madrid bus mostly terminates at Avenida de America with a stop off at Madrid Airport before hand. Avenida de America is located in the North East of Madrid and is connected to the rest of the city by Metro. Some buses arrive into Estacion Sur de Autobus (also known as Méndez Álvaro), this is Madrid's main bus station and is well- connected to the rest of Madrid by Metro. A taxi rank is situated outside both stations.
FAQs: Bus from Barcelona to Madrid
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Barcelona to Madrid by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Madrid, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Passengers board the coach most frequently from Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord, which is located around 1.9 miles (3.1 km) away from the city centre, and they get off the coach at Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses, located 3.1 miles (5 km) away from the city centre.
To find the cheapest bus tickets for your trip from Barcelona to Madrid, follow these tips:
Start your search now and compare ticket prices to find the best deal!
popular bus stations
Popular bus stations from Barcelona to Madrid
- 06:30-21:30
- Free Wi-Fi
- Cafetería de la estación (in the station)
- Tapas 24 (0.4 km)
- Pizzeria Roma (0.6 km).
- Available outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 54, 6, H12 Metro: L1 Train: R1, R3, R4
- 06:00-23:00
- Free Wi-Fi
- Cafetería de la estación (in the station)
- Fast Food Corner (in the station)
- Local Cuisine Spot (in the station).
- Available outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 27, 78, 109 Metro: L3, L5 Train: R1, R2, R3
- 06:00-23:00
- Free Wi-Fi
- Cafetería de la estación (in the station)
- Restaurante El Rincón (0.5 km)
- La Vaca Argentina (0.7 km).
- Available outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 200, 114, 115, 122 Metro: 4, 6, 7, 9
- 06:00-23:00
- Free Wi-Fi
- Cafetería de la estación (in the station)
- Restaurante El Brillante (0.5 km)
- La Taberna de Domínguez (0.7 km).
- Available outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 8, 102, 148 Metro: L6 Train: C1, C5
More options for your journey from Barcelona to Madrid
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