- Must visit
Museu Picasso
Barcelona’s leading art museum holds an outstanding collection of Picasso’s early works, offering insight into his formative years in the city.
Cheapest price on 22 Sept
£32
Average ticket price on 22 Sept
£83
Fastest journey on 22 Sept
3 h 2 m
Average journey duration on 22 Sept
3 h 2 m
Trains on 22 Sept
37
Distance
504 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Madrid to Barcelona is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Madrid to Barcelona will cost around £83 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £32.
On Tue 22 Sept, we found 37 trains from Madrid to Barcelona, including 37 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 504 km distance in an average of 3 h 2 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 2 m .
The slowest trains will take 3 h 2 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.
06415
06571
03141
06021
06011
06281
06071
06541
03171
03151Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Madrid to Barcelona among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £46 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 5h 8m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.2 - 0.5kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £46, while a flight costs an average of £106.
Distance: 504 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
£53 Average Price | £46 Average Price Cheapest | £106 Average Price | £92 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 20m Average total duration 4h 50m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 1m Average total duration 5h 31m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 8m Average total duration Fastest 3h 8m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 6h 22m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.5 - 1.3kg CO2 emissions | 1.5 - 3.0kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
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 Barcelona:
A coach is £24 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Madrid to Barcelona costing on average £58.
A coach is £139 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Madrid to Barcelona costing on average £173.
Other travel options to Barcelona take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 3m.
Coach takes on average 8h 38m.
The journey is about 3h 19m faster (3h 3m by train vs 6h 22m by car) and roughly £35 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls (£58 vs £92). 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 iryo, SNCF OUIGO, AVE, Renfe AVLO, Renfe, Renfe Viajeros, Ouigo.
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 Barcelona trains for today, Monday 21 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
03091 | On time 8:57 Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 3h09 | 12:06 Barcelona Sants | 0 changesdirect | |
06021 | 14:42 Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 3h31 | 18:13 Barcelona Sants | 0 changesdirect | |
06151 | 15:52 Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 3h02 | 18:54 Barcelona Sants | 0 changesdirect | |
06161 | 16:37 Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 3h02 | 19:39 Barcelona Sants | 0 changesdirect | |
06171 | 17:22 Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 3h20 | 20:42 Barcelona Sants | 0 changesdirect | |
06181 | 18:32 Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 3h12 | 21:44 Barcelona Sants | 0 changesdirect | |
06015 | 19:29 Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 3h21 | 22:50 Barcelona Sants | 0 changesdirect | |
| Tuesday 22 September | |||||
06261 | 6:09 Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 3h26 | 9:35 Barcelona Sants | 0 changesdirect | |
03301 | 6:16 Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 3h08 | 9:24 Barcelona Sants | 0 changesdirect | |
06471 | 6:22 Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 3h23 | 9:45 Barcelona Sants | 0 changesdirect | |
03063 | 6:27 Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 3h23 | 9:50 Barcelona Sants | 0 changesdirect | |
03071 | 6:57 Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 3h02 | 9:59 Barcelona Sants | 0 changesdirect | |
06071 | 7:22 Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 3h02 | 10:24 Barcelona Sants | 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 Barcelona run on average 37 times per day, taking around 4h 50m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £12 if you book in advance.
There are 37 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:14, the last at 21:15. The fastest train covers the 504 km distance in 3h 2m.
Distance 504 km |
Average train duration 4h 50m |
Cheapest ticket price £12 |
Trains per day 37 |
Direct trains 37 |
Fastest train 3h 2m |
First train 0:14 |
Last train 21:15 |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 91 days |
Discover the best of Barcelona — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Barcelona trip today.
Barcelona’s leading art museum holds an outstanding collection of Picasso’s early works, offering insight into his formative years in the city.
MNAC presents Catalan art from Romanesque frescoes to modern works inside a grand national palace with excellent terrace views.
A striking museum devoted to Joan Miró, with major paintings, sculptures and a bright hilltop setting on Montjuïc.
Barcelona’s famous boulevard links Plaça de Catalunya to the waterfront, lively with kiosks, architecture and constant people-watching.
The Gothic Quarter is a maze of medieval lanes, hidden squares and historic buildings that captures the atmosphere of old Barcelona.
This elegant avenue showcases luxury shops and several major modernista buildings, making it one of Barcelona’s best architectural walks.
A rustic Catalan salad of salt cod, tomatoes, onions and olives. It is a classic Barcelona starter linked to the region’s preserved fish traditions.
Toasted bread rubbed with tomato and olive oil, often finished with salt. This simple Catalan staple appears on tables across Barcelona.
Short pasta baked with pork, sausage, tomatoes and aioli. A beloved Catalan comfort dish strongly associated with family meals and local cuisine.
World-renowned fine dining restaurant by the sea, noted for creative seafood-focused tasting menus and polished service.
Long-standing tapas bar celebrated for bombas, vermouth and classic small plates in a busy, no-frills local atmosphere.
Historic market bar in La Boqueria, famous for fresh seafood, tapas and a lively counter dining atmosphere.
Moderate for Western Europe: hotels can be pricey in peak season, but dining and public transport are reasonable for tourists.
Tipping is optional. Round up or leave 5-10% in restaurants for good service; round up in taxis; small change is fine in cafés.
Official public transport app
Barcelona Sants -> Plaça de Catalunya
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Madrid to Barcelona 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 Barcelona, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Madrid to Barcelona trains use the Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes to Barcelona Sants station pair. Use this guide to compare Madrid and Barcelona train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes is 1 km from Madrid city centre. Public transport options include:
Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food options include: Passion Food, La Barrila, Enrique Tomás, Pic Nic, Foodissimo!, PureGusto, Burger King
Free WiFi in the station and on all Renfe trains. ATMs are in various points at the station.
The ticket office is open Mon - Sun: 10:00 - 20:00. Information desks are on the ground floor of the main concourse.
Luggage storage is open daily from 05:30 to 22:00. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes: Wheelchair parking, adapted elevators, adapted platforms, lobby shopping area.
Nearby hotels include 60 Balconies Urban Stay, Only YOU Hotel Atocha, SLEEP’N Atocha.
Barcelona Sants is 1 km from Barcelona city centre. Public transport options include:
Barcelona Sants has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food options include: McDonald’s, Caffe di Fiore, Ars Café, Café de l'Estació, Café de l’Estació Deli, Lavazza, Como, Peter's, Tutti Frutti, Enrique Tomás, & many more
Hotspots in and near restaurants. ATMs are in the central part of the station.
The ticket office is open Mon - Sun: 06:00 - 22:00. Information desks are located in various locations inside the station.
Luggage storage is staffed and automatic. Open daily from 05:30 to 21:00. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Barcelona Sants: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Barcelona Sants: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Barcelona Sants: All areas of the station have full disability access facilities.
Nearby hotels include Apartments Eixample, Apartment Guell, Sweet Inn Callao.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need