The cheapest and fastest buses from Cartagena to Madrid
Cheapest price
€23
Average price
€41
Fastest journey
4 h 10 m
Average duration
4 h 42 m
Buses per day
14
Distance
391 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Cartagena to Madrid is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cartagena to Madrid will cost around €41 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €23.
Of the 14 buses that leave Cartagena for Madrid on Fri, Feb 13, 13 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Feb 13 the direct buses cover the 391 km distance in an average of 4 h 42 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 4 h 10 m .
On Fri, Feb 13 the slowest buses will take 5 h 10 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 bus, train, and flight for Cartagena to Madrid
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cartagena to Madrid among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from €9. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 44m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.4kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of €9, and a flight costs an average of €24.
Distance: 391 km
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight |
|---|---|---|
€42 Average price | €24 Average price Cheapest | €53 Average price |
5h 55m Average total duration 5h 25m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 28m Average total duration 3h 58m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 44m Average total duration Fastest 1h 44m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.4 - 1.0kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.2 - 2.3kg 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
Cartagena to Madrid bus times
The table below shows live departures for Cartagena to Madrid buses for today, Thursday, February 12. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Normal | 2:15 PM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 5h20 | 7:35 PM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 2:15 PM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 5h40 | 7:55 PM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 4:00 PM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 5h35 | 9:35 PM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 10:15 PM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 5h50 | 4:05 AM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 10:15 PM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 5h25 | 3:40 AM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Supra Economy | 5:45 AM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 5h20 | 11:05 AM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Supra Economy | 5:45 AM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 5h40 | 11:25 AM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 8:45 AM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 6h45 | 3:30 PM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal+ 06205 | 12:30 PM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 9h09 | 9:39 PM Madrid Chamartín | 1 transfer | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Cartagena to Madrid by bus, train, or flight
Compare bus, train, 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.
Feb 12
Feb 13
Feb 14
Feb 15
Feb 16
Feb 17
Feb 18
Feb 19
Feb 20
Feb 21
Feb 22
Feb 23
Feb 24
Feb 25
Feb 26
Feb 27
Feb 28
Mar 01
Mar 02
Mar 03
Mar 04
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Cartagena to Madrid
Buses from Cartagena to Madrid run on average 11 times per day, taking around 5h 25m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at €32 but you can travel from only €9 by train.
There are 11 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:30, the last at 23:45. The fastest bus covers the 391 km distance in 5h 20m.
Distance 391 km |
Average bus duration 5h 25m |
Cheapest ticket price €32 |
Buses per day 11 |
Direct buses 11 |
Fastest bus 5h 20m |
First bus 00:30 |
Last bus 23:45 |
Bus providers: Alsa, Alsa Supra, BlaBlaCar, Infobus from Cartagena to MadridYou can travel by bus between Cartagena to Madrid with Alsa, Alsa Supra, BlaBlaCar, Infobus for as low as €9. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
Alsa
Alsa Supra
Infobus
BlaBlaCar
FAQs: Bus from Cartagena to Madrid
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cartagena 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.

- Alsa
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Accessible seating.
- Infobus
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Transport for wheelchairs and mobility aids.
- Alsa Supra
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Accessible restrooms.
- Alsa
- You can cancel your ticket up to 48 hours before departure for a partial refund. Changes allowed for a fee.
- Infobus
- You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a partial refund. Cancellations within 24 hours may incur a fee.
- Alsa Supra
- You can cancel your ticket up to 48 hours before departure for a partial refund. Within 48 hours, a fee applies.
- Alsa
- One carry-on bag up to 10kg and one checked bag up to 25kg.
- Infobus
- One carry-on bag up to 5kg (40x20x25) and one checked bag up to 20kg (50x30x80).
- Alsa Supra
- One carry-on bag up to 10kg and one checked bag up to 25kg.
- Alsa
- Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
- Infobus
- 10€ per additional bag.
- Alsa Supra
- Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
- Alsa
- Small pets allowed in carriers
- larger pets must travel in the hold.
- Infobus
- Small pets allowed in carriers
- larger pets may require a separate ticket.
- Alsa Supra
- Small pets allowed in carriers
- guide dogs travel for free.
popular bus stations
Popular bus stations from Cartagena to Madrid
- 06:00-22:00
- Free Wi-Fi
- Cafetería de la estación (in the station)
- Restaurante El Galeón (0.5 km)
- La Catedral (0.7 km).
- Available outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 2, 4, 6 Train: C-1
- 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
- 06:00-23:00
- Rodilla, Mahoudrid
- Step-free access, elevators, accessible toilets
- Located inside the terminal, well-signposted, accessible, and generally clean
- No public showers in the bus station area; showers available in airport lounges (approx. €15-€30 for lounge access)
- Metro Line 8, Aeropuerto T4, 12 km
Most popular bus connections from Cartagena
More options for your journey from Cartagena to Madrid
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