- Recommended
Zarautz Museoa
Archaeological and historical museum beside Santa Maria la Real, displaying finds from the site and explaining Zarautz's development across centuries.
Cheapest price on 23 Sept
£44
Average ticket price on 23 Sept
£44
Fastest journey on 23 Sept
7 h 7 m
Average journey duration on 23 Sept
7 h 7 m
Trains on 23 Sept
1
Distance
343 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Madrid to Zarautz is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Madrid to Zarautz will cost around £44 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £44.
On Wed 23 Sept, we found 1 trains from Madrid to Zarautz, including 1 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 343 km distance in an average of 7 h 7 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 7 h 7 m .
The slowest trains will take 7 h 7 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.
18061
18061Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Madrid to Zarautz among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of £44 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 4h 5m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.3kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £44, while a flight costs an average of £215.
Distance: 343 km
| Train | Most popular Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£44 Average Price Cheapest | £215 Average Price | £66 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
7h 40m Average total duration 7h 10m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 5m Average total duration Fastest 2h 5m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 4h 30m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.0 - 2.1kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
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 Zarautz:
A train is £171 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Madrid to Zarautz costing on average £215.
Other travel options to Zarautz take longer:
Train takes on average 7h 10m.
Tickets start at around £44 compared to roughly £66 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £22. The journey takes 7h 10m versus 4h 30m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Direct services run with Renfe MD.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
The table below shows live departures for Madrid to Zarautz trains for tomorrow, Wednesday 23 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
18061 | 9:06 Madrid Príncipe Pío | 7h07 | 16:13 Villabona-Zizurkil | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, coach 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 Zarautz run on average 1 times per day, taking around 7h 10m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £44 but you can travel from only £33 by flight.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 09:06, the last at 14:28. The fastest train covers the 343 km distance in 7h 7m.
Distance 343 km |
Average train duration 7h 10m |
Cheapest ticket price £44 |
Trains per day 1 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 7h 7m |
First train 9:06 |
Last train 14:28 |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Zarautz — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Zarautz trip today.
Archaeological and historical museum beside Santa Maria la Real, displaying finds from the site and explaining Zarautz's development across centuries.
Photographic gallery and archive with exhibitions focused on Basque culture, history and documentary photography. A strong choice for local visual culture.
Cultural venue hosting contemporary art exhibitions, talks and local creative programmes. Useful for visitors seeking current artistic life in Zarautz.
Long urban beach and promenade ideal for walking, surfing and sea views. It is the town's signature area and the natural focus of a first visit.
Scenic coastal path and viewpoint above the beach, popular for sunsets and panoramas towards Getaria. A rewarding walk with a distinctly local feel.
Atmospheric old quarter with narrow streets, historic houses and easy access to key heritage sites. Best explored on foot at a relaxed pace.
Chargrilled wild turbot from the Basque coast, prized in nearby Getaria for its smoky flavour and very fresh local catch.
Whole grilled sea bream, a classic fish cookery style of the Gipuzkoa coast, valued for simple seasoning and charcoal flavour.
Salt cod omelette, a traditional Basque pintxo and cider-house dish. It is special for pairing local bacalao with eggs in a simple tavern style.
Refined seaside restaurant in Zarautz known for Basque tasting menus and polished cooking with Atlantic views.
Popular grill restaurant near the beach, specialising in charcoal-cooked fish and meat in a relaxed traditional setting.
Established local venue for Basque cuisine and pintxos, with a warm tavern atmosphere and strong seafood focus.
Moderate for northern Spain: dining and stays cost more in summer, but pintxos, local transport and cafés remain fairly manageable for most travellers.
Tipping is optional. In restaurants, round up or leave 5-10% for very good service. In cafés and taxis, small change or rounding up is usual, not expected.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Madrid to Zarautz 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 Zarautz, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Madrid to Zarautz trains use the Madrid Príncipe Pío to Villabona-Zizurkil station pair. Use this guide to compare Madrid and Zarautz train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Madrid Príncipe Pío is 1 km from Madrid city centre. Public transport options include:
Madrid Príncipe Pío 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, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Restaurant Casa Mingo, Café de Oriente, Noodles King
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Madrid Príncipe Pío. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Madrid Príncipe Pío. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Madrid Príncipe Pío: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Madrid Príncipe Pío: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Madrid Príncipe Pío: Ramps.
Nearby hotels include Hotel Príncipe Pío, Acta Madfor Hotel, Hotel Exe Moncloa.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need