- Recommended
Museo de Nerja
A local history museum covering Nerja from prehistory to modern times. Useful for understanding the caves, town growth and regional heritage.
Cheapest price on 18 Sept
£40
Average ticket price on 18 Sept
£53
Fastest journey on 18 Sept
5 h
Average journey duration on 18 Sept
5 h 16 m
Trains on 18 Sept
15
Distance
407 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Madrid to Nerja is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Madrid to Nerja will cost around £53 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £40.
To travel from Madrid to Nerja you need to make at least one change.
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NormalOmio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Madrid to Nerja among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of £22 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 1m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.4kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £22, while a flight costs an average of £64.
Distance: 407 km
| Train | Most popular Coach | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
£22 Average Price Cheapest | £29 Average Price | £64 Average Price | £77 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 1m Average total duration Fastest 2h 31m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 25m Average total duration 5h 55m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 5m Average total duration 2h 5m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 4h 46m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.4 - 1.0kg CO2 emissions | 1.2 - 2.4kg 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 Nerja:
A train is £7 less than a coach for this route with tickets for a coach from Madrid to Nerja costing on average £29.
A train is £42 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Madrid to Nerja costing on average £64.
Other travel options to Nerja take longer:
Train takes on average 2h 31m.
Coach takes on average 5h 55m.
The journey is about 2h 15m faster (2h 31m by train vs 4h 46m by car) and roughly £55 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls (£22 vs £77). 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.
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 Nerja trains for today, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
06118+ Normal | 11:55 Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 5h20 | 17:15 Nerja, N-340 (Autobus linea Frigiliana-Nerja) | 1 change | |
06118+ Normal | 11:55 Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 5h20 | 17:15 Nerja, N-340 (Autobus linea Frigiliana-Nerja) | 1 change | |
06118+ Normal | 11:55 Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 6h00 | 17:55 Nerja, N-340 (Autobus linea Frigiliana-Nerja) | 1 change | |
06020+ Normal | 15:05 Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 6h10 | 21:15 Nerja, N-340 (Autobus linea Frigiliana-Nerja) | 1 change | |
06020+ Normal | 15:05 Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 6h10 | 21:15 Nerja, N-340 (Autobus linea Frigiliana-Nerja) | 1 change | |
06020+ Normal | 15:05 Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 4h40 | 19:45 Nerja, N-340 (Autobus linea Frigiliana-Nerja) | 1 change | |
06168+ Normal | 16:55 Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 6h20 | 23:15 Nerja, N-340 (Autobus linea Frigiliana-Nerja) | 1 change | |
06168+ Normal | 16:55 Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 5h50 | 22:45 Nerja, N-340 (Autobus linea Frigiliana-Nerja) | 1 change | |
06168+ Normal | 16:55 Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 5h50 | 22:45 Nerja, N-340 (Autobus linea Frigiliana-Nerja) | 1 change | |
| Friday 18 September | |||||
06078+ Normal | 7:36 Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 5h49 | 13:25 Nerja, N-340 (Autobus linea Frigiliana-Nerja) | 1 change | |
06078+ Normal | 7:36 Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 6h19 | 13:55 Nerja, N-340 (Autobus linea Frigiliana-Nerja) | 1 change | |
06078+ Normal | 7:36 Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 5h49 | 13:25 Nerja, N-340 (Autobus linea Frigiliana-Nerja) | 1 change | |
06088+ Normal | 8:55 Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 5h20 | 14:15 Nerja, N-340 (Autobus linea Frigiliana-Nerja) | 1 change | |
06088+ Normal | 8:55 Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 5h00 | 13:55 Nerja, N-340 (Autobus linea Frigiliana-Nerja) | 1 change | |
06088+ Normal | 8:55 Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 5h20 | 14:15 Nerja, N-340 (Autobus linea Frigiliana-Nerja) | 1 change | |
06108+ Normal | 9:50 Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 6h25 | 16:15 Nerja, N-340 (Autobus linea Frigiliana-Nerja) | 1 change | |
06108+ Normal | 9:50 Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 5h35 | 15:25 Nerja, N-340 (Autobus linea Frigiliana-Nerja) | 1 change | |
06108+ Normal | 9:50 Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 5h35 | 15:25 Nerja, N-340 (Autobus linea Frigiliana-Nerja) | 1 change | |
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 Nerja run on average 7 times per day, taking around 2h 31m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £6 if you book in advance.
There are 7 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 06:15, the last at 21:20. The fastest train covers the 407 km distance in 2h 44m.
Distance 407 km |
Average train duration 2h 31m |
Cheapest ticket price £6 |
Trains per day 7 |
Direct trains 7 |
Fastest train 2h 44m |
First train 6:15 |
Last train 21:20 |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Discover the best of Nerja — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Nerja trip today.
A local history museum covering Nerja from prehistory to modern times. Useful for understanding the caves, town growth and regional heritage.
An educational exhibition space at the cave site with displays on geology, archaeology and discoveries. A practical addition to a cave visit.
A small cultural exhibition venue in Maro used for local displays and events. It offers a quieter look at village culture beyond central Nerja.
A scenic beach and promenade area east of the centre, known for its open views and relaxed feel. Good for walking, swimming and sunsets.
A sandy urban beach below the old town with clear water and easy access. Ideal for a classic seaside walk close to Nerja’s centre.
A narrow whitewashed street in the old town lined with shops and local life. It is a pleasant route for exploring central Nerja on foot.
Fried small fish, often anchovies or whitebait, served simply with lemon. A coastal staple on the Costa del Sol and a classic beachside tapa.
Fresh sardines threaded onto reeds and grilled over open embers on the beach. One of Málaga province’s most iconic seaside dishes.
A chilled soup of tomato, bread, olive oil, garlic and pepper, often topped with ham and egg. Very typical in Andalusia during hot weather.
Refined restaurant near the Balcón de Europa serving creative Mediterranean cuisine in an elegant, intimate setting.
Well-known central restaurant focused on Andalusian and Spanish cooking, with tapas, rice dishes and a polished old-town atmosphere.
Established venue for grilled meats, seafood and Spanish classics, popular for generous portions and a smart but relaxed dining room.
Moderate for the Costa del Sol: dining is fair, buses are cheap, but summer stays and seafront spots cost more than many inland Spanish towns.
Tipping is optional. In restaurants, round up or leave 5-10% for very good service; cafés often just round up, and taxis are usually rounded up slightly.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Madrid to Nerja 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 Nerja, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Madrid to Nerja trains use the Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes to Malaga María Zambrano station pair. Use this guide to compare Madrid and Nerja 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.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need