Trains from Madrid to Alicante

Trains from Madrid to Alicante: Journey Details

If you want to enjoy the sunshine of the Costa Blanca, it's easy to take trains from Madrid to Alicante. Spanish national rail operator Renfe provides around one direct train every hour throughout the week, as well as indirect services with a change in Albacete. The direct journey time is only 2 hours 47 minutes, the earliest trains leave at 7:45 a.m., and the final train of the day leaves Madrid at 7:20 p.m.

Taking the Train from Madrid

All trains leaving Madrid for Alicante depart from Atocha Station. Atocha is a transport hub, and is well connected to every suburb of Madrid. To get to the station, simply take Metro Line 1 to Atocha Renfe station. Bus number 19 also stops at Atocha, and runs from Plaza de Catalunya at the centre of Madrid. If you are transferring from a flight at Barajas, you can catch trains from Madrid to Alicante by taking Metro Line 8 and changing at Nuevos Ministerios, then Cuatro Caminos. The Metro runs from 6:00 a.m. until 1:30 a.m., so should be available to catch any trains.

Getting into Alicante by Train

Alicante was once a thriving Moorish city, but nowadays it is famous as the gateway to the beaches of the Costa Blanca region. The city itself has historical attractions aplenty - from the Castle of Santa Barbara to the excellent Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts. The Old Town is also filled with atmospheric tapas bars patronised by the town's large student population. Alicante station is just north of the city centre, around 2 kilometres from the seafront. From there, you can catch local buses to hostels and hotels in the town centre, or transfer to Alsa coaches to the resorts of the coast.