Madrid to Barcelona bus with Alsa

Buses from Madrid to Barcelona

If you're planning on taking a bus from Madrid to Barcelona, you'll be glad to know there are numerous options every day, travelling between multiple bus stations in each city. All buses travelling between these two destinations will be handled by the same bus company between Monday and Saturday, Alsa, which is one of the most important bus operators on the continent and connects most Spanish major cities. All bus routes between Madrid and Barcelona are direct trips without the need for changeovers en route. Your first bus is usually available around 12:15 a.m. each morning and start to run consistently from around 8:00 a.m. If you're travelling on a Sunday, you'll typically have a couple more routes to choose from than buses between Monday and Saturday.

Madrid to Barcelona Bus Time: Daily Departures

Thanks to the popularity of bus trips from Madrid to Barcelona, you'll be glad to find numerous routes between these two destinations daily. Your first trip usually leaves the station around 12:15 a.m. each morning and run from then until the last train leaves around 11:59 p.m. every evening. From Monday to Saturday, expect roughly 30 trains operating between Madrid and Barcelona every day. On Sundays, you'll find close to 10 more trips per day, with a couple of extra trips during the late mornings and early afternoons.

How long is the journey by bus from Madrid to Barcelona?

Your travel time from Madrid to Barcelona largely depends on the route you take and the time of day you leave the station. Some of the fastest routes available are the afternoon routes from Madrid, Aeropuerto Barajas T4 to Barcelona, Estación de Autobuses de Sants. This trip usually takes around 7h 10min. Taking the bus from the airport to Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord, your trip is likely to take a little longer. These routes usually take close to 7h 30min. If you're travelling between Madrid Interc. Av América and Estació d'Autobusos Nord, your trip can take as long as 8h 05min.

Towers of the Financial District in Madrid. Source: Shutterstock

What is/are the departure and arrival stations for buses from Madrid to Barcelona?

Departure bus station: When departing from Madrid, you'll have the choice of five different departure stations. The most common option is the airport bus station and is easily accessible to the rest of the city through trains, buses, and taxis. Although the station doesn't have its own amenities, you will have access to the airport and all of the amenities and services available at the airport. Madrid Interc. Av América is the second most popular option available. The station is multimodal and located close to the heart of the city centre that hosts several facilities and amenities for passengers, including accessible and standard toilets, as well as a choice of eateries. Madrid Interc. Plaza Castilla is another common choice that's located in Plaza Castilla and is easily accessible from the city centre through buses and trains. One of the busiest stations is Méndez Álvaro Station, also known as Estación Sur, and is situated a little further northeast away from the centre of the city. This station is home to several amenities including ticketing offices, information services, restrooms, and restaurants.

Arrival bus station: When arriving in Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord is the main train station that you'll arrive at. Estació d'Autobusos Nord once stood as a mainline railway station but has been restructured to be used partly as a bus station, partly as a sports hall, and partly as a police station. This station is a short walk away from the centre of the city and is accessed through taxis or buses. Estació d'Autobusos Nord is the largest bus station in the city and serves as a transport hub for Barcelona. You'll find a variety of services and amenities including restaurants, shops, luggage storage, lost property, information desks, accessible toilets, and ticketing offices.

Which bus companies travel from Madrid to Barcelona?

When travelling from Madrid to Barcelona, all of your buses will be operated by the same bus company. Alsa is the main bus operator in the city and stands as one of the most important bus companies in Europe, providing a wide variety of services within the country and to international destinations, including the rest of Europe, as well as Morocco. Alsa provides close to 30 trips on any given day, with more than 40 trips every Sunday. Trips start as early as 12:15 a.m. each day and run until just before midnight.

Alsa buses from Madrid to Barcelona

Alsa is the primary bus company in Europe and provides various trips throughout many major cities in Spain and other countries in Europe. Buses start running as early as 12:15 a.m. every day, including Sundays. You'll find all of the routes are direct routes without the need for a changeover en route, with an average travel time of around 7h 30min. Alsa offers a variety of bus services, but all routes between Madrid and Barcelona are operated by Normal buses, which are long-distance vehicles equipped with basic onboard entertainment.

Bus Madrid to Barcelona: Services on Board

If you're searching for bus tickets through Alsa, you'll find that you only have one ticket class available. Standard tickets provide access to the onboard entertainment while on the bus, free WiFi, a footrest, and air-conditioning. When it comes to luggage, you may take up to 66 lbs (30 kg) with you on a domestic journey like this one. If you're hoping to travel with a pet, you'll need to call ahead to arrange space for them as these are limited to a certain number of pets per journey. For those with disabilities travelling with support dogs, you'll need to provide all of the relevant paperwork and proof before they're allowed on board, and they must be on a leash at all times during the trip. To take a bicycle with you, you'll need to book a space ahead of time.

How to find cheap bus tickets from Madrid to Barcelona?

In order to travel efficiently and cheaply, there are a few things you can do to ensure you pick up the best deals. Have a look at the Omio Magazine to pick up tips on efficient travel. When searching for your tickets throughOmio, make sure you filter your results according to the best price. Travelling during the week seems to be less costly than travelling over the weekend, so stick with midweek travel for the cheapest routes. Another trick is to book your tickets as far in advance as possible. these tickets go on sale months in advance and gradually increase in price as you get closer to the departure date.

Traveling by bus: Sustainable journey

Travelling by bus may not be the most sustainable way to travel but they are more sustainable than travelling by car or plane. Planes have much higher CO2 emissions, while cars can't transport as many people as a bus can. Buses also offer less noise pollution than planes do.

Gothic Cathedral in Barcelona. Source: Shutterstock

To Barcelona by bus—travel tips

Barcelona stands as the popular cosmopolitan capital of the Catalonia region in Spain and is most well known for its architecture, art, and lively nightlife scene. Barcelona stands as one of the most must-see cities in the world and offers something for everyone to get involved in. If you're looking for good cuisine, you'll find a wide range of Michelin-star restaurants throughout the city. If you're looking to frolic in the waves and soak up the sun, there are a vast number of urban beaches. You can indulge in the nightlife scene or spend your days shopping u a storm. There's something for everyone in Barcelona. Try out these things while you're visiting.

• Walk through the Las Ramblas that runs through to the Columbus Monument from Placa de Catalunya
• Check out one of Anton Gaudi's most famous creations in the city, the Casa Batlló
• Explore some of the Catalan modernist works throughout the city, such as La Pedrera, otherwise known as Casa Milà. This piece of work has been UNESCO listed and one of the final buildings completed by Gaudi.
• Take a walk along the beachfront boardwalk in Barcelona that stretches on for miles. Spend time enjoying the water and sandy beach. You can also spend time shopping at the western beaches like Sant Sebastia, with their range of shops, bars, and terraces.
• Make your way to La Boqueria to pick up your fruits and vegetables and experience the lively feeling of a traditional Boqueria market in Barcelona.

Taking the Bus from Madrid

For most buses from Madrid to Barcelona, passengers will alight at the Intercambiador de Transporte Avenida de América station. Easily connected to the rest of the city via the Madrid Metro, the station lies to the north of the city centre. A limited night service operates, providing 24/7 connections to the main bus interchange, while taxis offer convenient pick-ups and journeys across the city centre and beyond. Journeys from Madrid to Barcelona take on average 7 hours 50 minutes, although express services can take as little as 7 hours.

Getting into Barcelona by Bus

Barcelona is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Europe, with a thriving arts culture, first-rate cuisine, and celebrated fashions at every turn. The capital of Spain's Catalonia region, Barcelona offers some of the oldest and most iconic architecture in Europe, alongside breath-taking beaches and coastal views. Most buses from Madrid to Barcelona arrive at Estació d'Autobusos Barcelona Nord (Bus Station North), the main bus interchange for regional and international journeys. The bus station is just minutes from the coast and conveniently connected to the rest of the Madrid Metro system. The city has its own subway network, alongside regular bus service and a light-rail tram system, with a limited night service available on some lines.