- Must visit
Museo de Arte Abstracto Español
Contemporary art museum inside the Casas Colgadas, with a strong collection of Spanish abstract art and memorable rooms over the gorge.
Cheapest price on 29 Aug
£20
Average ticket price on 29 Aug
£20
Fastest journey on 29 Aug
2 h
Average journey duration on 29 Aug
2 h 15 m
Buses on 29 Aug
6
Distance
139 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Madrid to Cuenca is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Madrid to Cuenca will cost around £20 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £20.
On Sat 29 Aug, we found 6 buses from Madrid to Cuenca, including 6 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 139 km distance in an average of 2 h 15 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 2 h .
The slowest buses will take 2 h 30 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
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NORMAL.Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Madrid to Cuenca among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of £13 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 1h 43m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.1kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £13, while a coach costs an average of £21.
Distance: 139 km
| Coach | Most popular Train |
|---|---|
£21 Average Price | £13 Average Price Cheapest |
1h 54m Average total duration 1h 24m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 43m Average total duration Fastest 1h 13m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
The table below shows live departures for Madrid to Cuenca coaches for tomorrow, Saturday 29 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NORMAL. | 7:30 Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 2h30 | 10:00 Cuenca, Estacion de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
NORMAL. | 12:30 Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 2h30 | 15:00 Cuenca, Estacion de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
NORMAL. | 14:30 Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 2h05 | 16:35 Cuenca, Estacion de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
NORMAL. | 16:30 Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 2h10 | 18:40 Cuenca, Estacion de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
NORMAL. | 18:30 Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 2h00 | 20:30 Cuenca, Estacion de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
NORMAL. | 20:00 Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 2h30 | 22:30 Cuenca, Estacion de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare coach and train prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Madrid to Cuenca run on average 11 times per day, taking around 1h 24m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £20 but you can travel from only £6 by train.
There are 11 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 07:00, the last at 22:05. The fastest coach covers the 139 km distance in 2h 10m.
Distance 139 km |
Average bus duration 1h 24m |
Cheapest ticket price £20 |
Buses per day 11 |
Direct buses 11 |
Fastest bus 2h 10m |
First bus 7:00 |
Last bus 22:05 |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 21 days |
Discover the best of Cuenca — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Cuenca trip today.
Contemporary art museum inside the Casas Colgadas, with a strong collection of Spanish abstract art and memorable rooms over the gorge.
Provincial fine arts museum showing paintings, sculpture and decorative arts from the region in a historic building near the cathedral.
Science museum with hands-on displays, a planetarium and engaging exhibits for families, set close to the old town viewpoints.
Cuenca’s main square, framed by the cathedral, colourful façades and terraces, and a natural starting point for exploring the historic centre.
Historic old town of steep lanes, viewpoints and medieval streets, ideal for wandering between churches, museums and dramatic gorge scenery.
Viewpoint with one of the finest panoramas over the Casas Colgadas, the Huécar gorge and the old town skyline, especially good at sunset.
Hearty shepherds’ stew of potatoes, cod, eggs and garlic. A signature Cuenca dish linked to rural mountain cooking and especially popular in colder months.
Rich game pâté-like spread made with hare, pork, poultry, spices and breadcrumbs. One of Cuenca’s most emblematic traditional dishes, usually served warm.
Garlicky mashed potatoes enriched with cod, eggs and oil. A classic from Cuenca and La Mancha, valued for its simple ingredients and strong traditional flavour.
Refined regional cooking with views over the old city. A good choice for updated Manchegan and Cuenca specialities in an elegant atmosphere.
Traditional Castilian restaurant in the historic centre, known for local dishes such as morteruelo and ajo arriero in a rustic setting.
Popular casual spot for tapas, raciones and local wines near the centre. Lively atmosphere and reliable choice for regional flavours.
Moderate for Spain. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than Madrid or Barcelona, while local buses and sights remain reasonably priced for visitors.
Tipping is modest. In restaurants, round up or leave 5-10% for very good service. In cafés, small change is enough. Taxi fares are usually rounded up slightly.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Madrid to Cuenca by coach. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest coach, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Cuenca, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Madrid to Cuenca buses use the Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses to Cuenca, Estacion de Autobuses station pair. Use this guide to compare Madrid and Cuenca bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses is 3 km from Madrid city centre. Public transport options include:
Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafetería de la estación (in the station), Restaurante El Brillante (0.5 km), La Taberna de Domínguez (0.7 km).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance and in the waiting area.
Ticket office support is available at Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses.
Available at Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses: Elevators, ramps.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need