4.9
4.6
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 €22. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 4h 27m. 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 €22, and a flight costs an average of €27.
Distance: 504 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight |
|---|---|---|
€48 Average price Cheapest | €51 Average price | €158 Average price |
5h 33m Average total duration 5h 3m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 40m Average total duration 6h 10m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 27m Average total duration Fastest 4h 27m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.5 - 1.3kg CO2 emissions | 1.5 - 3.0kg 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.
Travel optionsfrom Barcelona to Madrid
How to get from Barcelona to Madrid by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Barcelona to Madrid is by taking a train because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
07410Cheapest
NormalFastest
VY1008Other options
064100608006110NormalNormalNormalVY1004VY1006IB414Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights
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.
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How to Travel from Barcelona to Madrid
It is possible to make a direct journey between the two cities by plane train or bus. Journey times are between 3.5 and 9 hours approximately. Travelling by train is the quickest route, as although actual flight times are short, journey times to and from airports and security checks add to the time taken when flying. The slowest journey time between the two cities is by bus.
Barcelona to Madrid Travel Comparison
Average Price |
Travel Time |
Cheapest Time to Book |
|
|---|---|---|---|
£29 |
7:50 h |
1 Week Before |
|
£80 |
2:30 h |
2 Months Before |
|
£40 |
1:25 h |
2 Months Before |
What is the best way to travel from Barcelona to Madrid?
Cheapest way to travel from Barcelona to Madrid
Buses are definitely the cheapest option for travel from Barcelona to Madrid, however, it’s also the slowest by some distance. ALSA operates a route from Barcelona which takes around 7.5 hours to reach Madrid. Buses leave from Barcelona Nord Coach Station, arriving at Madrid Intercambiador Avenida de America. There are around 16 departures a day, seven days a week.
Fastest way to travel from Barcelona to Madrid
The Spanish provider RENFE operates its high-speed AVE route between the two cities, leaving from Barcelona Sants Train Station and arriving at Madrid Puerta de Atocha. There is at least one departure an hour throughout the day, seven days a week. The journey time is approximately 3 hours. There are also two slower early morning trains which take around 9 hours. When Check-In and Journeys to and from the airport are included, the train proves the quickest option between the two cities.
Most popular way to travel from Barcelona to Madrid
The total flight time between Barcelona Prat Airport and Madrid Barajas Airport is around 1 hour 15 mins, with three airlines offering a direct service, seven days a week. Iberia has 7 departures a day, Vueling and Air Europa have 3 departures each. The frequency of departures and low cost of the flights mean that they remain a popular choice.
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FAQs: Travel from Barcelona to Madrid
Travel to Madrid easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Barcelona to Madrid.
This is compared to other travel options from Barcelona to Madrid:
A train is €4 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Barcelona to Madrid costing on average €26.
A train is €5 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Barcelona to Madrid costing on average €27.
Other travel options to Madrid take longer:
Train takes on average 2h 36m.
Bus takes on average 7h 20m.
- Around 37 trains per day.
- Around 30 flights per day.
- Around 20 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Barcelona and Madrid as scheduled services by bus, train, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from Barcelona El Prat Airport and arrive in Madrid Barajas Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from Barcelona Sants and arrive in Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes.
- Buses mostly depart from Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord and arrive in Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid).
- Travel with Ouigo, Alsa, BlaBlaCar, Infobus, FlixBus to go to Madrid by bus.
- Travel with AVE, Iberia, Vueling Airlines, Air Europa, GetJet Airlines, Stobart Air, Royal Air Maroc to go to Madrid by flight.
- Travel with iryo, Renfe AVLO, Renfe, Renfe Viajeros, Ouigo to go to Madrid by train.
- 19 direct buses per day with Ouigo, Alsa, BlaBlaCar.
- 11 direct flights per day with AVE, Iberia, Vueling Airlines, Air Europa.
- 37 direct trains per day with iryo, Renfe AVLO, Renfe, Renfe Viajeros, Ouigo.
Travelling from Barcelona to Madrid: related information
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