- Recommended
Fundación Schlotter
Municipal art centre hosting temporary exhibitions in a historic building, with a strong focus on contemporary visual arts.
Cheapest price on 19 Sept
£32
Average ticket price on 19 Sept
£40
Fastest journey on 19 Sept
2 h 22 m
Average journey duration on 19 Sept
2 h 24 m
Trains on 19 Sept
3
Distance
373 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Madrid to Altea is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Madrid to Altea will cost around £40 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £32.
On Sat 19 Sept, we found 3 trains from Madrid to Altea, including 3 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 373 km distance in an average of 2 h 24 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 22 m .
The slowest trains will take 2 h 29 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.
06594
06944
06484
06594
06484
06944Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Madrid to Altea among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of £35 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 53m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the coach is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.4 - 0.9kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £35, while a flight costs an average of £51.
Distance: 373 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
£35 Average Price Cheapest | £43 Average Price | £51 Average Price | £69 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 53m Average total duration Fastest 2h 23m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 58m Average total duration 5h 28m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 26m Average total duration 1h 26m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 4h 35m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
- CO2 emissions | 0.4 - 0.9kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.1 - 2.2kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Madrid to Altea:
A train is £7 less than a coach for this route with tickets for a coach from Madrid to Altea costing on average £43.
A train is £16 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Madrid to Altea costing on average £51.
Other travel options to Altea take longer:
Train takes on average 2h 23m.
Coach takes on average 5h 28m.
The journey is about 2h 12m faster (2h 23m by train vs 4h 35m by car) and roughly £34 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls (£35 vs £69). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Direct services run with SNCF OUIGO, iryo.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Madrid to Altea trains for today, Friday 18 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
06484 | On time 8:15 Madrid Chamartín | 2h22 | 10:37 Alicante-Terminal | 0 changesdirect | |
06944 | 14:15 Madrid Chamartín | 2h29 | 16:44 Alicante-Terminal | 0 changesdirect | |
06164 | On time 16:45 Madrid Chamartín | 2h25 | 19:10 Alicante-Terminal | 0 changesdirect | |
06594 | On time 18:45 Madrid Chamartín | 2h22 | 21:07 Alicante-Terminal | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare coach, train and flight 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.
Trains from Madrid to Altea run on average 3 times per day, taking around 2h 25m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £8 if you book in advance.
There are 3 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 06:15, the last at 21:20. The fastest train covers the 373 km distance in 2h 22m.
Distance 373 km |
Average train duration 2h 25m |
Cheapest ticket price £8 |
Trains per day 3 |
Direct trains 3 |
Fastest train 2h 22m |
First train 6:15 |
Last train 21:20 |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 35 days |
Discover the best of Altea — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Altea trip today.
Municipal art centre hosting temporary exhibitions in a historic building, with a strong focus on contemporary visual arts.
Cultural venue inside Palau Altea that regularly presents accessible exhibitions, making it a useful stop beyond the old town streets.
Exhibition space linked to the university arts faculty, showing changing displays of contemporary art and design in Altea.
The old town’s main square beside the blue-domed church, known for its tiled paving, viewpoints and lively evening atmosphere.
Charming old quarter of steep cobbled lanes, white houses and artisan shops; the best area for wandering and viewpoints.
Promenade and beachside walking area lined with palms and sea views, ideal for an easy stroll between the town and waterfront.
Rice baked in a pan with stock, pork, sausage, chickpeas and potato. A hearty Valencian classic found in traditional homes and local restaurants.
Rice dish cooked with squid ink, giving a dark colour and deep seafood flavour. A staple on the Costa Blanca, usually served with allioli.
Traditional Valencian paella with rabbit, chicken, green beans and garrofó beans. It reflects the region’s inland and coastal food culture.
Elegant restaurant in Altea’s old town serving refined Mediterranean cooking with tasting menus and a calm, intimate atmosphere.
Stylish old-town restaurant with Mediterranean dishes, cocktails and terrace dining, suited to a leisurely evening meal.
Well-known seafront rice restaurant in Altea, popular for paella, seafood and beach views in a relaxed setting.
Moderate for Costa Blanca. Hotels rise in summer, but dining and local transport are usually reasonable versus larger Spanish beach resorts.
Tipping is modest. Round up in cafés and taxis; in restaurants, 5-10% for good service is appreciated but not expected.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Madrid to Altea by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Altea, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Madrid to Altea trains use the Madrid Chamartín to Alicante-Terminal station pair. Use this guide to compare Madrid and Altea train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Madrid Chamartín is 6 km from Madrid city centre. Public transport options include:
Madrid Chamartín has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Madrid Chamartín.
ATMs are available at Madrid Chamartín.
Ticket office support is available at Madrid Chamartín. Information desks are available at Madrid Chamartín.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Madrid Chamartín: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Madrid Chamartín: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Madrid Chamartín.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need