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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 train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight |
|---|---|---|
€75 Average price Cheapest | €116 Average price | €274 Average price |
4h 7m Average total duration 3h 37m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 12h 8m Average total duration 11h 38m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 47m Average total duration Fastest 1h 47m 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.
06500Cheapest
06610Fastest
IB412Other options
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UX7706IB410IB408Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights
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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.
There are 3 ways to get from Barcelona to Madrid: train, coach or flight.
The cheapest way to get from Barcelona to Madrid is by taking a coach with average ticket prices of €19 compared to other travel options to Madrid:
A coach is €2 less than a flight for this trip with tickets for a flight from Barcelona to Madrid costing on average €21.
A coach is €2 less than a train with an average ticket price of €21 from Barcelona to Madrid.
The fastest way from Barcelona to Madrid is by flight with an average journey time of 1 h 20 min.
There are alternative travel options to Madrid that take longer:
Getting to Madrid by coach takes 7 h 5 min on average.
Taking a train requires on average 2 h 30 min of travel time.
Madrid is approximately 504 km away from Barcelona.
The average frequency per day from Barcelona to Madrid is:
- 20 coaches per day.
- 23 flights per day.
- 34 trains a day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route to Madrid from Barcelona as scheduled services by train, coach or flight can vary by season or day of the week.
These are the most popular departure and arrival points for travellers from Barcelona to Madrid:
- Coaches from Barcelona to Madrid most often leave from Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord and arrive in Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses.
- Flights most often depart from Barcelona at Barcelona El Prat Airport and arrive in Madrid at Madrid Barajas Airport.
- Trains mostly leave from Barcelona Sants and tend to arrive in Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes.
The following travel companies offer services from Barcelona to Madrid:
- Alsa or FlixBus can take you to Madrid by coach. If searching for a good deal on coaches, you can find tickets for Alsa from Barcelona to Madrid for €19.
- Iberia, Vueling Airlines, Air Europa or GetJet Airlines can take you to Madrid by plane. If searching for a good deal on flights, you can find tickets for Iberia from Barcelona to Madrid for €21.
- Ouigo, AVE, iryo, Renfe AVLO, Renfe Regional Exprés or Renfe Viajeros can take you to Madrid by train. If searching for a good deal on trains, you can find tickets for iryo from Barcelona to Madrid for €21.
Yes, there are direct services available from Barcelona to Madrid with the following travel companies:
- 18 direct coaches per day with Alsa or FlixBus.
- Direct flight available with Iberia, Vueling Airlines or Air Europa 13 direct flights per day.
- 34 direct trains per day with Ouigo, AVE, iryo, Renfe AVLO, Renfe Regional Exprés or Renfe Viajeros.
Direct services tend to save you time and add more convenience in getting you to Madrid as you won't need to transfer at another stop in between, so it's worth paying attention to before booking your tickets between Barcelona and Madrid.
Travelling from Barcelona to Madrid: related information
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