Trains from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid
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Take the train from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid in 2 hours 55 minutes
If you want to travel from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid by train, you've come to the right place.
You can expect the journey from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid by train to take around 3 hours 27 minutes. If you want to get there as quickly as possible, it can take as little as 2 hours 55 minutes on the fastest services. You'll usually find around 32 trains per day running on this route, which spans 505 km. You'll have to make 1 change along the way on your journey to Madrid. OUIGO is the main train company operating on this route, a low-cost, high-speed train service operated by SNCF.
Use our Journey Planner at the top of the page to search for cheap ticket prices and we'll show you how much you can save. Tickets from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid start from $20.52 when you book in advance.
If you want to know more about the journey, keep reading for train schedules, tips on finding cheap tickets and FAQs, including first and last train times. Want to go straight to booking? Start a search with us today!
Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid by train
It takes an average of 3h 27m to travel from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid by train, over a distance of around 314 miles (505 km). There are normally 32 trains per day traveling from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid and tickets for this journey start from $20.52 when you book in advance.
| First train | 05:54 | |
|---|---|---|
| Last train | 22:38 | |
| Departure station | Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya | |
| Arrival station | Madrid | |
| Journey time | From 2h 55m | |
| Distance | 314 miles (505 km) | |
| Frequency | 32 trains per day | |
| Changes | 1 change | |
| Price | From $20.52 | |
| Train and bus operators |
OUIGO and iryo trains from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid
OUIGO
iryo
OUIGO is the low-cost, high-speed train service operated by the French national train company SNCF. Despite having only one class on board, OUIGO trains offer the same comfort as Second Class seats on TGV trains, although OUIGO tickets are only available to purchase online. To make your journey as smooth as possible, arrive at least 30 minutes before departure and bear in mind that there's an additional fee for bringing a suitcase with you, having a seat with power sockets and travelling with a stroller/buggy.
More information
Operating since the end of 2022, iryo is a new high-speed train company in Spain. It’s a consortium between the Spanish airline Air Norstrum and the train company Trenitalia, one of the greatest leaders in European rail transport. The first private Spanish high-speed company to operate, iryo runs high-speed services on the Madrid – Zaragoza – Barcelona route and connects Madrid – Cuenca – Valencia/Alicante and Madrid – Cordoba – Seville/Malaga. They are doing this all with a fleet of ETR1000 model trains that offer the highest level of comfort in Spain, with a combination of advanced propulsion and highest quality onboard services, including WiFi connection and catering service. 98% of the parts of the trains are 100% recyclable, making this trip sustainable as well!
More information
iryo and OUIGO classes from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid
Compare the different travel classes offered by iryo and OUIGO when traveling from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid.
iryo
OUIGO
Inicial
If you're looking for a reasonably-priced experience without compromising on the best service and comfort, Inicial Class is ideal for you!
- Baggage storage
- Entertainment pass
- Single seat options
- Adjustable seats/footrests
- Fold-down table
- Power outlets at each seat
- Free WiFi
- Only YOU hotel access
- In-seat meal service
Singular
Singular Class is ideal for business travelers looking for flexibility and comfort. If you need to, you can adapt your ticket to your needs at the time.
- Baggage storage
- Entertainment pass
- Single seat options
- Adjustable seats/footrests
- Fold-down table
- Power outlets at each seat
- Free WiFi
- Only YOU hotel access
- In-seat meal service
Singular Only YOU
If you're looking for added comfort and full flexibility, Singular Only YOU class is a fantastic choice, with access to select hotels too.
- Baggage storage
- Entertainment pass
- Single seat options
- Adjustable seats/footrests
- Fold-down table
- Power outlets at each seat
- Free WiFi
- Only YOU hotel access
- In-seat meal service
Infinita
iryo's Infinita Class offers plenty of amenities on board, including wider leather reclining seats, free WiFi and in-seat meal service (Infinita Bistró) offering a complimentary gourmet meal. You'll need to book your meal 24 hours in advance.
- Baggage storage
- Entertainment pass
- Single seat options
- Adjustable seats/footrests
- Fold-down table
- Power outlets at each seat
- Free WiFi
- Only YOU hotel access
- In-seat meal service
Standard Class
OUIGO comes with only one class, Standard Class, which is the equivalent of TGV's Second Class. On board you'll find WiFi and a café-bar (on services in Spain). There may be a trolley service on Train Classique services in France. You can pay extra to guarantee a seat with a power outlet, as not all seats currently have one.
- Fold-down table
- Baggage storage
- Dining car (1)
- In-seat meal service (2)
- WiFi (3)
- Power outlets
- (1) Available on OUIGO Spain services only
- (2) Snack service available on some OUIGO Classique trains
- (3) WiFi available for a fee on services in France; may be free in Spain
Onboard services on iryo and OUIGO
Discover more about the onboard services offered on trains from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid.
iryo
OUIGO
You can carry up to 3 pieces of baggage on iryo trains, as long as they do not exceed 25kg (55.1lbs) in total. These 3 pieces can be 2 suitcases with a maximum size of 85 x 55 x 35cm (33.4 x 21.6 x 13.7 inches) and a backpack or handbag that does not exceed the dimensions of 36 x 27 x 15cm (14.1 x 10.6 x 5.9 inches).
iryo offers different menus with high-quality products in all classes. You can buy your favorite meal from their onboard restaurant/bar car, which is usually near car 2. If you’re traveling in the Infinita Class, you can enjoy the Infinita Bistró service – your meal will be served straight to your seat. Please note that you’ll need to book your meal at least 24 hours in advance.
You can enjoy free WiFi in all classes on iryo trains, as well as an onboard entertainment platform providing a wide selection of movies, TV series, live news and Spotify.
Kids aged 0-3 travel for free on all iryo trains. Kids aged 4-13 get a discounted ticket while those aged 14-18 need to pay the full price. Please note that kids aged under 18 need to be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
You can take your bike on board iryo trains for free if it’s folded and does not exceed 90 x 120 x 40cm. Also, your bike must travel without the pedals and with the handlebar rotated 90 degrees.
iryo allows pets that do not exceed 10kg (22lbs) in weight, as long as they travel inside a carrier with a maximum size of 60 x 35 x 35cm (23.6 x 13.7 x 13.7 inches). You'll need to buy a ticket for your pet in advance. In addition, guide dogs can travel at no additional cost.
There are 2 seats for people with reduced mobility on iryo trains. Step-free access is also available both when boarding and when getting off the train.
One piece of hand baggage (36 x 27 x 15 cm) and one piece of cabin baggage (55 x 35 x 25 cm) can be taken onboard. You can take additional or larger bags with you (max. 30kg) for an extra fee or by paying for OUIGO Plus.
On OUIGO trains in France: an at-seat service of snacks is available on Train classique services. This service is not available on high-speed OUIGO trains.
On OUIGO trains in Spain: OUIBAR is located in car 4 of each train and offers a selection of hot and cold drinks, plus snacks.
WiFi (OUIFI) and an entertainment portal (OUIFUN) are available at an additional cost.
For OUIGO trains in France: Passengers under 12 years old pay a fixed price for tickets all year round - €5 for journeys on Train classique services, and €8 for high speed services.
For OUIGO trains in Spain: Passengers under 12 pay €5 for all journeys.
You can take your bicycle on board OUIGO trains if you add the 'Bike' option onto your ticket for an additional fee of at least €5. Your bike must be folded or dismantled and placed in a storage bag for transport.
Pets are only allowed on board OUIGO trains if the 'Pets' option is added to your ticket at the time of booking. (1 pet per adult, per booking, €10 per pet.)
For disabled passengers or those with reduced mobility, you can request assistance through 'Accès Plus'. With this service, a member of staff will meet you at the station and help you get to your seat on the train. To book assistance, contact Accès Plus after you book your tickets (and no later than 48 hours before your train is due to depart).
Cheap train tickets from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid
Book in advance
Most of the train companies across Europe release their tickets around three to six months in advance, many of which can be cheaper the earlier you book. If you know the dates you want to travel, you may be able to find some cheaper train tickets from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid by booking early.§
Be flexible with your travel times
Many of the train services in Europe are also popular commuter services, lots of train companies increase ticket prices during “peak hours” (generally between 06:00 – 10:00 and 15:00 – 19:00 on weekdays). If you can, consider travelling outside of peak hours to find lower priced tickets.
Choose a slower or connecting train
On some of the busier routes, you might also have the option to take a slower or connecting train. It may take a little longer than some high-speed or direct services, but if you have a little extra time on your hands, you might find a cheaper fare. Plus, you'll have more time to enjoy the view of the countryside!
Look out for special deals
Take a look at our handy guides to find out when train operators release their special deals and offers to see if you can find cheap European train tickets for your journey.
For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.
FAQs for Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid
Want to know more about your journey from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
How long does the train from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid take?
The average journey time by train between Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya and Madrid is 3 hours and 27 minutes, with around 32 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.
What's the fastest journey time between Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya and Madrid by train?
The fastest journey time by train from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid is 2 hours and 55 minutes.
How much does the train from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid cost?
Train tickets from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid can start from as little as $20.52 when you book in advance and are usually more expensive when purchased on the day. Prices can also vary depending the time of day, route and class you book.
Is there a direct train from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid?
No, there are no direct train services from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid. Travelling from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid by train will require a minimum of 1 change.
What time does the first train from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid leave?
The first train from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid leaves at 05:54. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.
What time does the last train from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid leave?
The last train from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid leaves at 22:38. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.
What's the distance between Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya and Madrid by train?
Trains travelling from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid cover a distance of around 314 miles (505 km) during the journey.
* Based on European average monthly visitors to Trainline’s app and website from 1.1.2023 to 10.31.2023 vs other independent retailers.