There are 5 ways to get from Barcelona to Madrid by train, bus, rideshare, plane or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Barcelona to Madrid by train
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Barcelona to Madrid is to rideshare which costs €27 - €29 and takes 7h 17m.
The fastest way to get from Barcelona to Madrid is to train which takes 2h 37m and costs €25 - €85.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord and arriving at Madrid Interc. Plaza Castilla. Services depart once daily, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 7h 35m.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from Barcelona-Sants and arriving at Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes. Services depart every 30 minutes, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 2h 37m.
The distance between Barcelona and Madrid is 606 km. The road distance is 610.1 km.
The best way to get from Barcelona to Madrid without a car is to train which takes 2h 37m and costs €25 - €85.
The train from Barcelona-Sants to Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes takes 2h 37m including transfers and departs every 30 minutes.
Barcelona to Madrid bus services, operated by ALSA, depart from Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord station.
Barcelona to Madrid train services, operated by Renfe AVE, depart from Barcelona-Sants station.
The best way to get from Barcelona to Madrid is to train which takes 2h 37m and costs €25 - €85. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs €50 - €75 and takes 7h 35m, you could also fly, which costs €40 - €160 and takes 3h 14m.
- Distance: 605.6 km
- Duration: 2h 37m
What companies run services between and ?
Renfe AVE operates a train from Barcelona-Sants to Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes hourly. Tickets cost €50 - €75 and the journey takes 2h 37m. Three other operators also service this route. Alternatively, ALSA operates a bus from Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord to Madrid Interc. Plaza Castilla once daily. Tickets cost €50 - €75 and the journey takes 7h 35m.
- Website
- iberia.com
Flights from Barcelona to Madrid
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 25m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €23 - €140
- Website
- aireuropa.com
Flights from Barcelona to Madrid
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €40 - €150
Flights from Barcelona to Madrid via Palma Mallorca
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 20m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €40 - €150
- Website
- ryanair.com
Flights from Barcelona to Madrid via Ibiza
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 25m
- When
- Monday
- Estimated price
- €65 - €220
Rome2Rio's guide to Renfe AVE
Contact Details
- Phone
- +34 91 232 03 20
- Website
- renfe.com
Train from Barcelona-Sants to Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 37m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €50 - €75
- Website
- https://www.renfe.com/es/en
- Básico
- €50 - €75
- Phone
- +34 910 150 000
- atencion.cliente@iryo.eu
- Website
- iryo.eu
Train from Barcelona-Sants to Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 59m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €27 - €85
- Website
- https://iryo.eu/en/home
- Inicial
- €27 - €85
Spain's excellent and extensive rail system connects cities across Spain and into neighbouring countries. Renfe's high-speed AVE trains can reach speeds of up to 350km/h, making travel between major cities very efficient. All medium- and long-distance trains require a seat reservation; ticket sales for these trains usually open 30-60 days before travel. Most Renfe trains have two classes: Turista (2nd class) and Preferente (1st class), although some AVE trains offer Turista Plus. There is free WiFi for Preferente passengers and for those with a +Renfe loyalty card.
Rome2Rio's guide to Renfe Viajeros
Contact Details
- Phone
- +34 91 232 03 20
- Website
- renfe.com
Train from Barcelona-Sants to Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 24m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- €45 - €65
- Website
- https://www.renfe.com/es/en
- Phone
- +34 910 780 990
- Website
- ouigo.com
Train from Barcelona-Sants to Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 2m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- €25 - €80
- Website
- https://www.ouigo.com/es/en
A Spanish subsidiary of National Express, ALSA provides bus and coach services across Spain and neighbouring countries including Portugal, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Poland and Malta. Founded in 1923, ALSA values service and the customer experience. Buses are equipped with communal TV screens showing movies, individual behind-seat screens, ALSA radio, app for books and music, and free WiFi. ALSA services are accessible to people with disabilities, and guide dogs are welcome on all journeys. There are three types of tickets on offer (Frequent Traveller Pass, Share Pass and ALSA Pass), along with discounts for senior citizens, students and children.
Contact Details
- Phone
- +34 910 207 007
- alsa@alsa.es
- Website
- alsa.com
Bus from Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord to Madrid Interc. Plaza Castilla
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 35m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- €50 - €75
- Website
- https://www.alsa.com/en/
Rome2Rio's guide to BlaBlaCar.es
Contact Details
- Website
- blablacar.com
Rideshare from Barcelone to Madrid
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 17m
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- €27 - €29
- Book at
- blablacar.es
Want to know more about travelling around Spain
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
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Read the travel guideMore Questions & Answers
Barcelona to Madrid bus services, operated by ALSA, arrive at Madrid Interc. Plaza Castilla station.
Barcelona to Madrid train services, operated by Renfe AVE, arrive at Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes station.
Yes, the driving distance between Barcelona to Madrid is 610 km. It takes approximately 6h 9m to drive from Barcelona to Madrid.
Book your Barcelona to Madrid train tickets online with Omio.
Book your Barcelona to Madrid bus tickets online with Omio.
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