The cheapest and fastest trains from Santander to Madrid
Cheapest price
€44
Average price
€59
Fastest journey
4 h 23 m
Average duration
4 h 51 m
Trains per day
13
Distance
339 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Santander to Madrid is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Santander to Madrid will cost around €59 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €44.
Of the 13 trains that leave Santander for Madrid on Fri, May 15, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, May 15 the direct trains cover the 339 km distance in an average of 4 h 51 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 23 m .
On Fri, May 15 the slowest trains will take 5 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.
18104+
041904:27 PM6h05Santander station10:32 PMMadrid Chamartín€441One-way1 transfer
04072+
180106:48 AM6h37Santander station1:25 PMMadrid Príncipe Pío€501One-way1 transfer
18102+
180049:20 AM8h09Santander station5:29 PMMadrid Príncipe Pío€501One-way1 transfer
18102+
051789:20 AM7h31Santander station4:51 PMMadrid Chamartín€501One-way1 transfer
040726:48 AM4h42Santander station11:30 AMMadrid Chamartín€521One-way0 transfers
041421:58 PM4h23Santander station6:21 PMMadrid Chamartín€571One-way0 transfers
040726:48 AM4h42Santander station11:30 AMMadrid Chamartín€521One-way0 transfers
04072 · 041866:48 AM4h47Santander station11:35 AMMadrid Chamartín€731One-way1 transfer
04142+
081781:58 PM5h04Santander station7:02 PMMadrid Chamartín€801One-way1 transfer
18104+
082084:27 PM5h20Santander station9:47 PMMadrid Chamartín€561One-way1 transfer
Travel Information
Compare bus, train, and flight for Santander to Madrid
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Santander to Madrid among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from €16. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 41m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of €16, and a flight costs an average of €49.
Distance: 339 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight |
|---|---|---|
€31 Average price Cheapest | €54 Average price | €254 Average price |
4h 47m Average total duration 4h 17m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 22m Average total duration 5h 52m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 41m Average total duration Fastest 2h 41m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.3 - 0.8kg CO2 emissions | 1.0 - 2.0kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus 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
Santander to Madrid train times
The table below shows live departures for Santander to Madrid trains for today, Thursday, May 14. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
04192 | Delayed 7:00 PM Santander station | 4h31 | 9:31 PM 9:31 PMMadrid Chamartín | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Friday, May 15 | |||||
04072 | 6:48 AM Santander station | 4h42 | 11:30 AM Madrid Chamartín | 0 transfersDirect | |
04072+ 18010 | On time 6:48 AM Santander station | 6h37 | 1:25 PM Madrid Príncipe Pío | 1 transfer | |
04072 · 04186 | 6:48 AM Santander station | 4h47 | 11:35 AM Madrid Chamartín | 1 transfer | |
37072 · 18010 | On time 6:48 AM Santander station | 6h37 | 1:25 PM Madrid Príncipe Pío | 1 transfer | |
18102+ 18004 | On time 9:20 AM Santander station | 8h09 | 5:29 PM Madrid Príncipe Pío | 1 transfer | |
18102+ 05178 | On time 9:20 AM Santander station | 7h31 | 4:51 PM Madrid Chamartín | 1 transfer | |
04142+ 08178 | 1:58 PM Santander station | 5h04 | 7:02 PM Madrid Chamartín | 1 transfer | |
04142 | 1:58 PM Santander station | 4h23 | 6:21 PM Madrid Chamartín | 0 transfersDirect | |
04142+ 18006 | 1:58 PM Santander station | 6h43 | 8:41 PM Madrid Príncipe Pío | 1 transfer | |
04142+ 04786 | 1:58 PM Santander station | 6h24 | 8:22 PM Madrid Chamartín | 1 transfer | |
18104+ 08208 | 4:27 PM Santander station | 5h20 | 9:47 PM Madrid Chamartín | 1 transfer | |
18104+ 04366 | 4:27 PM Santander station | 5h53 | 10:20 PM Madrid Chamartín | 1 transfer | |
18104+ 04190 | 4:27 PM Santander station | 6h05 | 10:32 PM Madrid Chamartín | 1 transfer | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Santander 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.
May 14
May 15
May 16
May 17
May 18
May 19
May 20
May 21
May 22
May 23
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May 30
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Jun 01
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Jun 03
Why should you book Santander to Madrid trains with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs Renfe ALVIA?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Renfe ALVIA, but also compare tickets for the likes of Renfe INTERCITY, Renfe, Renfe MD or Renfe Viajeros to find the best option for your trip from Santander to Madrid.
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Renfe ALVIA with all available travel options, which are bus, train and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Santander to Madrid.
How far in advance should I book train tickets from Santander to Madrid?
Journey information
Overview: Train from Santander to Madrid
Trains from Santander to Madrid run on average 3 times per day, taking around 4h 17m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €16 if you book in advance.
There are 3 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 06:36, the last at 19:20. The fastest train covers the 339 km distance in 4h 16m.
Distance 339 km |
Average train duration 4h 17m |
Cheapest ticket price €16 |
Trains per day 3 |
Direct trains 3 |
Fastest train 4h 16m |
First train 6:36 AM |
Last train 7:20 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 49 days |
Train companies: Renfe ALVIA, Renfe INTERCITY, Renfe, Renfe MD, Renfe Viajeros from Santander to Madrid trainsRenfe ALVIA, Renfe INTERCITY, Renfe, Renfe MD, Renfe Viajeros trains will get you between Santander and Madrid from €16. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Renfe ALVIA
Renfe INTERCITY
Renfe
Renfe MD
Renfe Viajeros
FAQs: Trains from Santander to Madrid
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Santander to Madrid by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Madrid, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Santander to Madrid
Most popular train connections from Santander
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