Barcelona and Madrid: 621 km and four ways to get there in 2026
There are four ways to get from Barcelona to Madrid. Each takes between two and a half and eight hours and costs differently. We gathered carrier data for September 2026 and compared train, plane, bus, and car.
You can see right away where you save time and where you save money. The rail distance between the cities is 621 km (as of 08/2026, Myeurotrain). The train is the fastest, while the bus or a promotional Ouigo ticket sometimes turns out to be the cheapest. The choice depends on what matters more to you: speed, price, or date flexibility.
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How much it costs and how long the trip takes
💡 In short:
- Train: 2 hours 30 minutes from city center to city center, the cheapest options are the low-cost carriers Ouigo and Avlo.
- Plane: about 1 hour 15 minutes in the air, but with the trip to the airport the journey stretches to 4 hours.
- Bus: from 7 hours 20 minutes (Alsa schedule), the most budget-friendly option for those who are not in a hurry.
- Bus schedules: 09/2026, checked on the official Alsa website.
Compare the four options in one table:
Transport | Travel time | Price | From |
|---|---|---|---|
AVE train | 2 hours 30 minutes | dynamic fare, usually from €25 | Barcelona Sants |
Ouigo and Avlo trains | 2 hours 50 minutes | from €9 (Ouigo) | Barcelona Sants |
Plane | 1 hour 15 minutes in the air | dynamic fare | El Prat |
Bus | from 7 hours 20 minutes | cheaper than the train | Barcelona Nord |
Car | 6-7 hours | fuel and toll sections | A-2 highway |
Train and plane data: 2026 route overview. For bus schedules, see the carrier Alsa.
To Madrid by plane
© Charles from Port Chester, New York · CC BYPhoto: Charles from Port Chester, New York, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia CommonsDirect flights between Barcelona and Madrid are operated by Vueling, Iberia, and Air Europa. You spend about 1 hour 15 minutes in the air, so the plane is chosen by those for whom every hour matters.
Add the trip to El Prat Airport, check-in, and security to the flight time. The trip from central Barcelona to the airport takes 35-40 minutes. As a result, the journey from central Barcelona to central Madrid takes about 4 hours (as of 08/2026, Myeurotrain).
Ticket prices are dynamic. The earlier you book a seat, the cheaper it is. In high season and the day before departure, the fare rises several times over, while November and February have the lowest prices. Compare dates and check flights on Kiwi.com.
- Who it's for: for those who value every hour on the road.
- Not for: for those who count every euro. The bus and a promotional train ticket will be cheaper.
- The catch: airports are outside the city, and the trip to them adds time on both ends.
From Barcelona to Madrid by bus
© Chris j wood · CC BY-SAPhoto: Chris j wood, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsThe bus takes from 7 hours 20 minutes, but it's the cheapest way to get from Barcelona to Madrid. Up to 24 departures run between the cities per day, so a bus leaves almost every hour (schedule, 09/2026). The main routes are operated by the Spanish carrier Alsa.
Departures are from Barcelona Nord bus station. You get there by metro to Arc de Triomf station on the red line L1, about 10 minutes from Plaça de Catalunya. Buy tickets online in advance: at the ticket office and from the driver they're usually more expensive.
Night departures are also available. An evening bus replaces a night in a hotel, and in the morning you're already in Madrid. The journey takes almost the whole day or the whole night, so take a window seat and a supply of water.
- Who it's for: travelers on a tight budget with no urgent business.
- The catch: 7-8 hours on the road, and almost the entire day is spent on the transfer.
Compare the schedule and bus tickets in advance.
By train from Barcelona to Madrid
© André Marques · CC BYPhoto: André Marques, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia CommonsMore than 40 high-speed trains run daily between Barcelona and Madrid by rail, and the fastest covers the route in 2 hours 19 minutes (as of 08/2026, Myeurotrain). Standard travel time is about 2 and a half hours.
Renfe AVE
Renfe's AVE trains depart from Barcelona Sants station. The journey takes 2 hours 30 minutes, with up to 20 departures per day. Fares are dynamic: in standard class a ticket starts at around €25 when booked early and rises noticeably closer to the date. The car has Wi-Fi, power outlets and a buffet car, and baggage is limited to three items with a total weight of up to 25 kg.
© Daniel Lu ( User:dllu ) · CC BY-SAPhoto: Daniel Lu ( User:dllu ), CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsTrains arrive at Madrid Atocha or Madrid Chamartín. You can get between these stations in 15 minutes on the Cercanías commuter train on lines C-1 and C-10. AVE train tickets are cheaper to buy 4-8 weeks before the trip.
Iryo trains
iryo operates Italian Frecciarossa 1000 trains. The train takes 2 hours 40 minutes and arrives at Madrid Chamartín, and tickets booked early start at around €20 and get more expensive closer to the date. The train has quiet cars and good Wi-Fi, so iryo is chosen by those who work on the go.
© CARLOS TEIXIDOR CADENAS · CC BY-SAPhoto: CARLOS TEIXIDOR CADENAS, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsOuigo and Avlo trains
The cheapest tickets come from the low-cost Ouigo and Avlo trains. Travel time is from 2 hours 50 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes, and tickets start at €9 and rise as the train fills up (as of 09/2026, official Ouigo website). Ouigo promotional fares appear 60-90 days before the date, and this is the most cost-effective way to travel.
The catch: Ouigo has strict baggage rules. The base fare includes only a carry-on and a small bag in the cabin, while a large suitcase is added as a separate option: the OUIGO Plus package starts at €6 and includes an additional baggage allowance (as of 09/2026, Ouigo terms).
© Smiley.toerist · CC BY-SAPhoto: Smiley.toerist, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsEstrella night train
Older guidebooks for this route list the night train Estrella Costa Brava between Madrid Chamartín and Barcelona Sants. Night services change more often than daytime ones, so check train availability on renfe.com before booking. If there is no night train, you can actually do the overnight trip by bus.
By car on the A-2
Your own car or a rental gives you maximum freedom. The A-2 between Barcelona and Madrid is about 620 km, and the drive takes 6-7 hours without stops. Part of the route runs on toll sections of the AP-2, so fuel and tolls add up to a separate expense.
© Jorge Franganillo · CC BYPhoto: Jorge Franganillo, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia CommonsAlong the way, it's worth stopping in Zaragoza to see the Basilica del Pilar and have lunch. That turns the trip into a small journey rather than a transfer between two points. Book your rental car in advance so you can choose the vehicle class and insurance.
Check car rental on DiscoverCars if you want to compare offers by date.
Barcelona to Madrid route on the map
Below is the route along the A-2. Open the map to plan stops and fuel stops.
⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to get from Barcelona to Madrid?
The price depends on the mode of transport and the date. Fares are dynamic: with AVE and iryo, a ticket bought early costs roughly from €25 and from €20 respectively. Closer to the date, prices rise several times over. The cheapest tickets come from Ouigo and Avlo, and the bus is usually cheaper than the train.
Which is faster, train or plane?
The train is almost always faster in total time. It takes 2 hours 30 minutes from center to center. A flight, with the trip to the airport, check-in, and security, takes about 4 hours (as of 08/2026, Myeurotrain).
How long does the bus take from Barcelona to Madrid?
According to Alsa, trips take from 7 hours 20 minutes to 8 hours 5 minutes, with up to 24 departures a day between the cities. The bus leaves from Barcelona Nord bus station, and night services let you save on a hotel.
Where can I buy cheaper tickets?
Train tickets get cheaper if you buy them 4-8 weeks before the date. Ouigo promotions start 60-90 days out, and plane prices depend on the day of the week and the season. Compare dates across carriers and aggregators.
Do you need a transfer from Madrid airport?
From Madrid-Barajas Airport, you can get to the center by metro line 8 or by Cercanías commuter train for little money. If you arrive at night or with a lot of luggage, it's more convenient to book a transfer in advance.
Tours and tickets in Madrid
Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.
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In short: what to book
If you're short on time: take the AVE or iryo train, you'll be in central Madrid in 2.5 hours. If you're short on money: check Ouigo and Avlo deals or the Alsa bus. If you're traveling with a group: renting a car and taking the A-2 gives you freedom and stops along the way.
Compare schedules and prices for the AVE train, and book a car on DiscoverCars.
A small editorial team writing guides for independent travel. We travel ourselves, but we haven’t been everywhere, so we check prices, opening hours and how to get there against official sources.