There are 7 ways to get from Barcelona to Madrid by train, bus, rideshare, car or plane
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner.
Recommended option
Train • 2h 30m
55€ - 120€
Cheapest option
Rideshare • 7h 17m
27€ - 29€
5 alternative options
Bus via Madrid - Barajas Airport T4 • 8h 19m
50€ - 69€
Bus • 8h 40m
30€ - 45€
Train via Chamartin • 10h 4m
42€ - 52€
Drive • 6h 3m
60€ - 95€
Fly • 3h 31m
30€ - 170€
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For the latest travel status, we recommend checking the official page for Spain.
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Source Type: Government | Last updated: 5/16/2020Some domestic travel restrictions began to ease in Spain from 5/9/2020.
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Source Type: Government | Last updated: 3/26/2020Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Barcelona to Madrid is to rideshare which costs 27€ - 29€ and takes 7h 17m.
The quickest way to get from Barcelona to Madrid is to train which costs 55€ - 120€ and takes 2h 30m.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Barcelona Nord and arriving at Madrid Est Sur. Services depart four times a week, and operate Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. The journey takes approximately 8h 40m.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from Barcelona-Sants and arriving at Madrid-Puerta De Atocha. Services depart four times a day, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 2h 30m.
The distance between Barcelona and Madrid is 505 km. The road distance is 620 km.
The best way to get from Barcelona to Madrid without a car is to train which takes 2h 30m and costs 55€ - 120€.
The train from Barcelona-Sants to Madrid-Puerta De Atocha takes 2h 30m including transfers and departs four times a day.
Barcelona to Madrid bus services, operated by Eurolines FR, depart from Barcelona 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 30m and costs 55€ - 120€. Alternatively, you can bus via Madrid - Barajas Airport T4, which costs 50€ - 70€ and takes 8h 19m, you could also fly, which costs 30€ - 170€ and takes 3h 31m.
- Distance: 505.3 km
- Duration: 2h 30m
What companies run services between Barcelona, Spain and Madrid, Spain?
Renfe AVE operates a train from Barcelona-Sants to Madrid-Puerta De Atocha hourly. Tickets cost 60€ - 120€ and the journey takes 2h 30m. Renfe SNCF also services this route once daily. Alternatively, ALSA operates a bus from Barcelona to Madrid - Barajas Airport T4 3 times a day. Tickets cost 45€ - 65€ and the journey takes 7h 20m.
- Website
- vueling.com
Flights from Barcelona to Madrid
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 25m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- 40€ - 170€
- Website
- iberia.com
Flights from Barcelona to Madrid
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 25m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- 35€ - 220€
- Website
- aireuropa.com
Flights from Barcelona to Madrid
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 26m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- 35€ - 160€
Rome2rio's guide to Renfe AVE
Contact Details
- Website
- renfe.com
Train from Barcelona-Sants to Madrid-Puerta De Atocha
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 30m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- 60€ - 120€
- Website
- Renfe AVE
- Promo
- 60€ - 80€
- Promo+
- 68€ - 73€
- Flexible
- 90€ - 120€
- Website
- renfe-sncf.com
Train from Barcelona-Sants to Madrid-Puerta De Atocha
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 55m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- 55€ - 80€
- Website
- renfe-sncf.com
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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
- 902 320 320
- Website
- renfe.com
Train from Barcelona-Paseo De Gracia to Madrid-Chamartin
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 42m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- 40€ - 55€
- Website
- Renfe Viajeros
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
- +34 902 42 22 42
- Website
- alsa.es
Bus from Barcelona to Madrid - Barajas Airport T4
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 20m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- 45€ - 65€
- Website
- alsa.com
Eurolines is a network of coach companies that operate throughout Europe plus Morocco. It’s an affordable way to travel around the continent, with tickets starting at €5. All coaches have Wi-Fi, plug sockets and USBs, reclining chairs and toilets, and a standard ticket includes up to two medium suitcases plus carry-on luggage. Within France, Eurolines serves 69 destinations; including Paris, Lyon, Versailles, Nice and Bordeaux.
Contact Details
- Phone
- + 33 1 41 86 24 21
- Website
- eurolines.fr
Bus from Barcelona Nord to Madrid Est Sur
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 40m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- 30€ - 45€
- Website
- Eurolines FR
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
The quickest flight from Barcelona Airport to Madrid Airport is the direct flight which takes 1h 20m.
Barcelona to Madrid bus services, operated by Eurolines FR, arrive at Madrid Est Sur station.
Barcelona to Madrid train services, operated by Renfe AVE, arrive at Madrid-Puerta De Atocha station.
Yes, the driving distance between Barcelona to Madrid is 620 km. It takes approximately 6h 3m to drive from Barcelona to Madrid.
Air Europa, Vueling Airlines and Iberia offer flights from Barcelona Airport to Madrid Airport.
Book your Barcelona to Madrid train tickets online with Omio.
Book your Barcelona to Madrid bus tickets online with Omio and Busbud.
There are 3960+ hotels available in Madrid. Prices start at 87€ per night.
The best way to get from Barcelona to Barcelona Airport is to train which takes 25 min and costs .