4.9
4.6
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Barcelona to Madrid among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £36 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 34m. 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 £36, while a flight costs an average of £168.
Distance: 504 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
£58 Average Price | £36 Average Price Cheapest | £168 Average Price | £91 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 34m Average total duration Fastest 3h 4m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 49m Average total duration 9h 19m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 20m Average total duration 2h 20m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 6h 16m 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 |
 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 Barcelona to Madrid:
A coach is £22 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Barcelona to Madrid costing on average £58.
A coach is £132 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Barcelona to Madrid costing on average £168.
Other travel options to Madrid take longer:
Flight takes on average 4h 20m.
Coach takes on average 9h 49m.
The journey is about 3h 12m faster (3h 4m by train vs 6h 16m by car) and roughly £33 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls (£58 vs £91). 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.
How to get to Madrid from Barcelona by train, bus, flight or ferry.
The best way to travel from Barcelona to Madrid is by taking a coach because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
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VY1010VY1012IB402Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
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.
The most popular day trips by train from Madrid are Toledo, Segovia, Ávila, Cuenca and Salamanca. Find out what you can do in these day trip destinations and how to book your train from Madrid on Omio.
Toledo is a historic hilltop city known for its medieval skyline, cathedral and Christian, Muslim and Jewish heritage. Its winding old streets, stone buildings and Tagus views give it a distinct, time-worn character.
Segovia is known for its Roman aqueduct, the Alcázar and a handsome old town crowned by a grand cathedral. Its Castilian character, historic streets and famous roast suckling pig make it feel elegant yet grounded.
Ávila is best known for its exceptionally well-preserved medieval walls and its strong Castilian character. Granite streets, Romanesque churches and the legacy of Saint Teresa give the city a calm, historic atmosphere.
Cuenca is known for its Casas Colgadas and its old town set above a dramatic gorge. Medieval streets, a notable cathedral and a calm Castilian atmosphere define its character.
Salamanca is known for its ancient university, honey-coloured stone and elegant old town. The city feels both scholarly and lively, with historic streets and a strong student presence shaping its character.
It is possible to make a direct journey between the two cities by plane train or bus. Journey times are between 3.5 and 9 hours approximately. Travelling by train is the quickest route, as although actual flight times are short, journey times to and from airports and security checks add to the time taken when flying. The slowest journey time between the two cities is by bus.
Average Price |
Travel Time |
Cheapest Time to Book |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
£29 |
7:50 h |
1 Week Before |
|
£80 |
2:30 h |
2 Months Before |
|
£40 |
1:25 h |
2 Months Before |
Buses are definitely the cheapest option for travel from Barcelona to Madrid, however, it’s also the slowest by some distance. ALSA operates a route from Barcelona which takes around 7.5 hours to reach Madrid. Buses leave from Barcelona Nord Coach Station, arriving at Madrid Intercambiador Avenida de America. There are around 16 departures a day, seven days a week.
The Spanish provider RENFE operates its high-speed AVE route between the two cities, leaving from Barcelona Sants Train Station and arriving at Madrid Puerta de Atocha. There is at least one departure an hour throughout the day, seven days a week. The journey time is approximately 3 hours. There are also two slower early morning trains which take around 9 hours. When Check-In and Journeys to and from the airport are included, the train proves the quickest option between the two cities.
The total flight time between Barcelona Prat Airport and Madrid Barajas Airport is around 1 hour 15 mins, with three airlines offering a direct service, seven days a week. Iberia has 7 departures a day, Vueling and Air Europa have 3 departures each. The frequency of departures and low cost of the flights mean that they remain a popular choice.
Travel to Madrid easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Barcelona to Madrid.
This is compared to other travel options from Barcelona to Madrid:
A coach is £22 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Barcelona to Madrid costing on average £58.
A coach is £132 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Barcelona to Madrid costing on average £168.
Other travel options to Madrid take longer:
Flight takes on average 4h 20m.
Coach takes on average 9h 49m.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Barcelona and Madrid as scheduled services by coach, train and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
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