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Barcelona to Madrid Train
Find the cheapest ticket for your trip
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Barcelona to Madrid by train
The journey from Barcelona to Madrid by train is 313.67 mi and takes 2 hrs 49 mins. There are 42 connections per day, with the first departure at 05:40 and the last at 21:25. It is possible to travel from Barcelona to Madrid by train for as little as £13.50 or as much as £137.53. The best price for this journey is £13.50.
| Lowest Price | £13.50 |
| Journey Duration | 2 hrs 49 mins |
| Connection per Day | AVE, Renfe REGIONAL EXPRESS, Iryo, Renfe AVE INT, AVLO 42 |
| Lowest Price | AVE, Renfe REGIONAL EXPRESS, Iryo, Renfe AVE INT, AVLO £13.50 |
| Highest Price | AVE, Renfe REGIONAL EXPRESS, Iryo, Renfe AVE INT, AVLO £137.53 |
| First Departure | AVE, Renfe REGIONAL EXPRESS, Iryo, Renfe AVE INT, AVLO 05:40 |
| Last Departure | AVE, Renfe REGIONAL EXPRESS, Iryo, Renfe AVE INT, AVLO 21:25 |
| Distance | AVE, Renfe REGIONAL EXPRESS, Iryo, Renfe AVE INT, AVLO 313.67 mi |
| Departure | AVE, Renfe REGIONAL EXPRESS, Iryo, Renfe AVE INT, AVLO Barcelona |
| Arrival | AVE, Renfe REGIONAL EXPRESS, Iryo, Renfe AVE INT, AVLO Madrid |
| Carriers | AVE, Renfe REGIONAL EXPRESS AVE, Renfe REGIONAL EXPRESS, Iryo, Renfe AVE INT, AVLO |
Barcelona to Madrid Train Times
Your journey from Barcelona to Madrid with Virail
Planning to travel from Barcelona to Madrid? Sometimes it can be hard to know where to start - but that's where Virail comes in. Our powerful search engine will explore all the options available for your trip, combing through more than 2000 transport companies all over the globe. All you have to do is enter your travel dates. In an instant, we'll show you a thorough list of possible routes, with all the information you need to make your decision. Choose from buses, trains, and more, connecting or direct, one-way or round trip - whatever you prefer. When you see your results, select your chosen option and Virail will redirect you to the provider's website, where you can complete your booking. Let us do the legwork for you, and you can just sit back and enjoy your trip.
How can I find the cheapest train tickets to get from Barcelona to Madrid?
When you're traveling from Barcelona to Madrid, you can expect to pay an average of approximately £46.26. You might be able to find prices as low as £13.50, but it all depends on how you travel. Some forms of transport are cheaper than others, and prices will vary according to time of day, day of the week, season, and other factors. For the cheapest train tickets, make your reservation well in advance. If you can, travel at an off-peak time, as train ticket prices will often be reduced. You might also be able to save money by booking a connecting journey, rather than a direct route. Be sure to check the conditions of the ticket before booking, as sometimes cheaper train tickets cannot be changed or refunded. Use Virail to check your options before booking, to ensure that you find the lowest price for your journey.
Unfortunately, no price was found for your trip from Barcelona to Madrid. Selecting a new departure or arrival city, without dramatically changing your itinerary could help you find price results.
Prices will vary when you travel from Barcelona to Madrid. On average, though, you'll pay about £46.26 for a train ticket. If you're looking for a low price, you may need to prepare to spend more time in transit. You can also often find cheaper train tickets at particular times of day, or on certain days of the week. Of course, ticket prices often change during the year, too; expect to pay more in peak season. For the lowest prices, it's usually best to make your reservation in advance. Be careful, though, as many providers do not offer refunds or exchanges on their cheapest train tickets.
How long does it take to get from Barcelona to Madrid by train?
Traveling from Barcelona to Madrid by train will usually take 2 hrs 49 mins. This journey covers a distance of 313.67 mi . When planning your trip, bear in mind that 2 hrs 49 mins is an average, and route times may vary from day to day. Weather conditions, issues with transport, unexpected diversions, and local events could all cause delays to your journey. Please keep the possibility of these exceptional events in mind when making travel plans. The journey from Barcelona to Madrid covers a distance of 313.67 mi. On average, you can expect your journey to last roughly 2 hrs 49 mins. However, booking the fastest option will see you reach your destination in approximately 2 hrs 29 mins. For faster journeys, look for express routes. Please remember that these may only depart at certain times of day, or on particular days of the week. You may also find that you can go from Barcelona to Madrid faster by making connections, rather than taking a direct route.
When do departures from Barcelona to Madrid leave?
If you prefer to travel early, you will usually find the first departure from Barcelona to Madrid leaving at 05:40. Although things may change depending on the day, in general the last daily departure leaves at 21:25.If you have some flexibility over the day on which you travel, you might find more options available to you. For example, some providers may only run early morning routes on weekdays, when people are traveling to work. You will often find fewer options available on weekends or public holidays. The first departure of the night from Barcelona to Madrid leaves at 05:40, while the last journey sets out at 21:25. These are according to the standard schedules for the route between Barcelona and Madrid. However, different providers' timetables can vary from day to day or month to month, so these particular departures may not be available every day. Some providers may change their schedules on public holidays and weekends, or during the summer months. Check your travel dates when making your booking.
Which stations can I use on the Barcelona to Madrid route?
Depending on the type of transport, and the provider you decide to use for your journey, you will be able to depart Barcelona from the following stations: Barcelona-Sant Andreu Comtal,Barcelona Placa de Catalunya,Barcelona-Clot-Arago,Barcelona Paseo de Gracia,BARCELONA SANTS,Barcelona Franca,Barcelona El Prat Airport T2,Barcelona Nord. Arriving at Madrid, your route will pass through all or some of the following stations: MADRID (E),Madrid Puente de la Cea,Madrid - Avenida de America,Madrid Méndez Alvaro,MADRID BARAJAS aeropuerto T1,Madrid Chamartin,Madrid-Atocha,Madrid Barajas Airport. Not all transport providers serve every station, so check in advance to see exactly where your route takes you. You may need to use another form of transport to get from one station to another or to your final destination when you arrive in Madrid.
How many journeys from Barcelona to Madrid take place each day?
On average, there are 42 daily departures from Barcelona to Madrid. However, there may be more or less on different days. Providers' timetables can change on certain days of the week or public holidays, and many also vary at particular times of year. Some providers change their schedules during the summer season, for example. At very busy times, there may be up to departures each day. The providers that travel along this route include , and each operates according to their own specific schedules. As a traveler, you may prefer a direct journey, or you may not mind making changes and connections. If you have heavy suitcases, a direct journey could be best; otherwise, you might be able to save money and enjoy more flexibility by making a change along the way. Every day, there are an average of 42 departures from Barcelona which travel directly to Madrid. There are 0 journeys with one change or more. Unfortunately, no connection was found for your trip from Barcelona to Madrid. Selecting a new departure or arrival city, without dramatically changing your itinerary could help you find connections.
Compare prices and tickets from Barcelona to Madrid
Book in advance and save
If you're looking for the best deal for your trip from Barcelona to Madrid, booking train tickets in advance is a great way to save money, but keep in mind that advance tickets are usually not available until 3 months before your travel date.
Stay flexible with your travel time and explore off-peak journeys
Planning your trips around off-peak travel times not only means that you'll be able to avoid the crowds, but can also end up saving you money. Being flexible with your schedule and considering alternative routes or times will significantly impact the amount of money you spend on getting from Barcelona to Madrid.
Always check special offers
Checking on the latest deals can help save a lot of money, making it worth taking the time to browse and compare prices. So make sure you get the best deal on your ticket and take advantage of special fares for children, youth and seniors as well as discounts for groups.
Unlock the potential of slower trains or connecting trains
If you're planning a trip with some flexible time, why not opt for the scenic route? Taking slower trains or connecting trains that make more stops may save you money on your ticket – definitely worth considering if it fits in your schedule.
Virail Pro Tip ✌: Booking 10 days in advance save 10% on average
Price as departure date approaches
Train companies may charge higher ticket prices as the date of departure approaches. Prices in the next days can range from around £17.77 to £49.82 but may be subject to change. Our advice is to book as early as possible to potentially save up to 64% on your trip!
Best time to book cheap train tickets from Barcelona to Madrid
The cheapest Barcelona - Madrid train tickets can be found for as low as £15.94 if you’re lucky, or £24.84 on average. The most expensive ticket can cost as much as £30.74.
Find the best day to travel to Madrid by train
When travelling to Madrid by train, if you want to avoid crowds you can check how frequently our customers are travelling in the next 30-days using the graph below. On average, the peak hours to travel are between 6:30am and 9am in the morning, or between 4pm and 7pm in the evening. Please keep this in mind when travelling to your point of departure as you may need some extra time to arrive, particularly in big cities!
Carriers on this route
Find out more about the carriers on this route.
AVE stands for "Alta Velocidad Española", which means "Spanish High Speed". AVE is a high-speed train service operated by the Spanish national railway company Renfe. With the AVE trains you can travel to many major cities in Spain, including routes to Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Malaga, and Zaragoza.
Iryo is a Spanish high-speed train operator, founded in 2019 and serving Spain's major cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Seville, Valencia and Zaragoza. iryo operates on the national rail network in Spain, using the latest AVE high-speed trains to transport passengers at speeds of up to 310 km/h.
Ticket types and facilities from Barcelona to Madrid
Compare the different ticket types and the facilities provided by AVE and Iryo when traveling from Barcelona to Madrid.
Básico
The Basico are the most affordable tickets, but they come with certain restrictions, such as no changes or refunds. They also typically have limited availability and must be purchased well in advance.
WiFi 
Quiet zone 
Power sockets 
Luggage 
Accessibility 
Air conditioning 
Bicycle Elige Estándar
The Elige tickets provide enhanced flexibility for exchanging or canceling your reservation. Elige Estándar," provides travelers with the standard, regular seating arrangement known as the "Estándar seat." Additionally, you can choose your preferred seat by paying an extra fee, and upgrading to Premium is also possible. WiFi Quiet zone Power sockets Luggage Accessibility 
Food and drink Air conditioning Bicycle Elige Confort
If you go for "Elige Confort," you get the bigger and likely more comfortable XL Confort seat. The Elige tickets provide enhanced flexibility for exchanging or canceling your reservation. Additionally, you can choose your preferred seat by paying an extra fee, and upgrading to Premium is also possible. WiFi Quiet zone Power sockets Luggage Accessibility Food and drink Air conditioning Bicycle Prémium
Renfe AVE's Premium tickets are the priciest but also the most flexible, limited to Confort class only. They allow free train changes and provide the benefit of boarding the next train for free in case you miss your scheduled one. WiFi Quiet zone Power sockets Luggage Accessibility Food and drink Air conditioning Bicycle Singular
The "Singular fare" offers flexibility for entrepreneurs and companies with personalized customer service from iryo assistants. WiFi Power sockets Luggage Accessibility Food and drink Air conditioning Bicycle Inicial
iryo's Inicial fare provides affordable travel without compromising on comfort or service. WiFi Power sockets Luggage Accessibility Food and drink Air conditioning Bicycle Singular ONLY YOU
The "Singular Only YOU" fare is designed for entrepreneurs and companies, providing the best conditions for changes and cancellations in the ticket. WiFi Power sockets Luggage Accessibility Food and drink Air conditioning Bicycle Infinita
Infinita is iryo's all-inclusive fare that offers the best travel options with flexibility and comfort. WiFi Power sockets Luggage Accessibility Food and drink Air conditioning Bicycle Facility Description
Find out more about the different facilities available onboard with each carrier on this route.
Air conditioning Travel in comfort as all AVE trains are air-conditioned. Air conditioning 
WiFi Stay connected at high speeds with PlayRenfe, AVE's complimentary WiFi service, ensuring you remain online even at 300 km/h. WiFi Quiet zone The Silent Carriage is available exclusively for standard seats on AVE trains, excluding the AVE International route between Spain and France, as well as Euromed trains. Due to its popularity, early ticket purchase is advised. Quiet zone Power sockets Every AVE seat is fitted with power sockets and at-seat radios for your convenience.
Power sockets Accessibility AVE provides a complimentary care and assistance service for individuals with limited mobility. To utilize this service, please reach out to AVE directly. Accessibility Luggage On AVE trains, you're welcome to bring along 3 bags, each not surpassing 85 x 55 x 35 cm and 25 kg (55 lbs) in weight. Moreover, instruments are considered hand luggage if they're within 30 x 120 x 38 cm and safely tucked in a case. Luggage Food and drink Visit the onboard AVE bar carriage for a treat or wait for the food trolley that travels through the train. Prémium Ticket holders can enjoy in-seat dining featuring Chef Ramón Freixa's expertise. Please ensure you request special menus, from vegetarian to Halal, at least 12 hours before departure to enjoy a tailored meal experience. Food and drink Bicycle You can bring along your bike or scooter, just make sure it's folded and snug in a case. Don't forget to remove the pedals and give those handlebars a 90-degree turn. If your case's total dimensions are under 180cm, it counts as hand luggage. Anything larger falls into the special luggage category but keep it within 120 x 90 x 40 cm. Bicycle WiFi Connect to free WiFi on iryo trains in any class. Enjoy movies, TV shows, live news, and Spotify for entertainment. WiFi Power sockets Every seat on iryo trains comes with power sockets, and those in the Infinita and Singular Cafe class boast additional USB ports. Power sockets Luggage On iryo trains, flexible baggage policy lets you travel comfortably with up to 3 pieces of luggage, including a piece of hand luggage. Maximum size for 2 larger pieces is 85x55x35cm, while hand luggage must be 36x27x15cm. Total weight limit is 25kg. Luggage Accessibility iryo trains are designed for inclusivity, offering designated seats for passengers with reduced mobility and ensuring step-free access during both boarding and disembarking. Accessibility Food and drink iryo offers quality menus for all classes. Find the onboard restaurant/bar usually close to coach 2. For Infinita Class passengers, meals are served at your seat, but remember to book 24 hours in advance. Food and drink Air conditioning Enjoy fresh and comfortable air on the ETR1000 train; its cutting-edge air-conditioning system refreshes the entire carriage's air in just 3 minutes, ensuring a generous 35 m3/h of fresh outside air for every passenger. Air conditioning Bicycle On Iryo trains, you can bring along one disassembled bicycle or electric scooter per coach, as long as it's tucked into a bag and stays within 90x120x40cm. It's free to transport! Just keep in mind that you'll handle the loading, safekeeping, and unloading. Also, be considerate of other passengers' comfort and safety, and remember any damages caused are on you. Bicycle | Facilities | AVE | Iryo | AVLO |
|---|---|---|---|
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Quiet zone |  |  | |
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WiFi | | | |
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Power sockets | | | |
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Luggage | | | |
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Accessibility | | | |
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Food and drink | | | |
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Air conditioning | | | |
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Bicycle | | | |
Barcelona to Madrid CO2 Emissions by Train
Anything we can improve?