Rome2Rio uses cookies to help personalize content and show you personalised ads. By proceeding, you accept the use of cookies in accordance with our privacy policy. You may opt out of personalised ads at any time. OK

Need a hotel room in Madrid?

Book now

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.

Recommended option

Train  •  2h 37m

  1. Take the train from Barcelona-Sants to Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes Ave / ...

4 alternative options

Bus  •  7h 35m

  1. Take the bus from Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord to Madrid Interc. Plaza Castilla Alsa

Rideshare  •  7h 17m

  1. Take the rideshare from Barcelone to Madrid 612.8 km

Fly  •  3h 14m

  1. Fly from Barcelona (BCN) to Madrid (MAD) BCN - MAD

Drive  •  6h 9m

  1. Drive from Barcelona to Madrid 610.1 km

Barcelona to Madrid by train

256 Weekly Trains
2h 37m Average Duration
€25 Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

The cheapest way to get from Barcelona to Madrid is to rideshare which costs €27 - €29 and takes 7h 17m.

More details

The fastest way to get from Barcelona to Madrid is to train which takes 2h 37m and costs €25 - €85.

More details

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.

More details

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.

More details

The distance between Barcelona and Madrid is 606 km. The road distance is 610.1 km.

Get driving directions

The best way to get from Barcelona to Madrid without a car is to train which takes 2h 37m and costs €25 - €85.

More details

The train from Barcelona-Sants to Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes takes 2h 37m including transfers and departs every 30 minutes.

More details

Barcelona to Madrid bus services, operated by ALSA, depart from Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord station.

More details

Barcelona to Madrid train services, operated by Renfe AVE, depart from Barcelona-Sants station.

More details

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.

Mode details

Map of how to get from Barcelona to Madrid.
Launch map view
  • 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.

Airlines
Iberia
Website
iberia.com
Flights from Barcelona to Madrid
Ave. Duration
1h 25m
When
Every day
Estimated price
€23 - €140
Air Europa
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
Ryanair
Website
ryanair.com
Flights from Barcelona to Madrid via Ibiza
Ave. Duration
3h 25m
When
Monday
Estimated price
€65 - €220
Train operators
iryo
Phone
+34 910 150 000
Email
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
Renfe Viajeros

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
Ouigo
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
Bus operators
ALSA

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
Email
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/
Other operators
BlaBlaCar.es
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.

More Questions & Answers

Barcelona to Madrid bus services, operated by ALSA, arrive at Madrid Interc. Plaza Castilla station.

More details

Barcelona to Madrid train services, operated by Renfe AVE, arrive at Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes station.

More details

Yes, the driving distance between Barcelona to Madrid is 610 km. It takes approximately 6h 9m to drive from Barcelona to Madrid.

Get driving directions

Book your Barcelona to Madrid train tickets online with Omio.

Search and book

Book your Barcelona to Madrid bus tickets online with Omio.

Search and book

There are 1711+ hotels available in Madrid. Prices start at €0 per night.

More details

Check out Blablacar's carpooling service for rideshare options between Barcelona and Madrid. A great option if you don't have a driver's licence or want to avoid public transport.

Read Rome2Rio's guide to Blablacar

ticket