Trains from Cuenca to Madrid
Why choose Trainline?
Join millions of travelers who love Trainline: Europe's leading official retailer for train and bus tickets
Easily compare prices and book your European train and bus travel
Book your tickets in US Dollars, and pay securely with Apple Pay, PayPal, and more
What customers say about Trainline
Read real reviews from real users
How to travel from Cuenca to Madrid by train
Want to find out more about taking the train from Cuenca to Madrid? Look no further.
You'll usually find 6 trains per day running between Cuenca and Madrid, which usually take 3 hours 37 minutes to complete the 138 km journey. It can take as little as 2 hours 1 minute on the fastest services though, if you want to get there as quickly as possible. As soon as you board the train, you'll be able to make yourself comfortable and enjoy the journey as there are direct services available. During your journey, you're likely to be traveling with AVE, Avlo or Renfe, as these are the main train operators on this route.
You can save money on train tickets from Cuenca to Madrid if you book in advance, as tickets usually start from $7.83. Use our Journey Planner at the top of the page to compare ticket prices and get the cheapest fares.
Want to book your train tickets now? Just start a search with us today. If you want to find out more about the journey, read on for train schedules (including first and last train times), FAQs and tips on how to book cheap train tickets.
Cuenca to Madrid by train
It takes an average of 3h 37m to travel from Cuenca to Madrid by train, over a distance of around 86 miles (138 km). There are normally 6 trains per day traveling from Cuenca to Madrid and tickets for this journey start from $7.83 when you book in advance.
| First train | 11:21 | |
|---|---|---|
| Last train | 18:48 | |
| Departure station | Cuenca | |
| Arrival station | Madrid | |
| Journey time | From 2h 1m | |
| Distance | 86 miles (138 km) | |
| Frequency | 6 trains per day | |
| Changes | Direct trains available | |
| Price | From $7.83 | |
| Train and bus operators |
AVE, iryo, Renfe and Avant trains from Cuenca to Madrid
AVE
iryo
Renfe
Avant
AVE is Renfe's flagship high-speed service, with trains capable of reaching up to 193 mph (310 km/h). It’s one of the fastest trains in Europe and connects the main cities of Spain. Most AVE trains offer two comfort classes – Estándard (Standard Class) and Confort (First Class equivalent, with 1-1 configuration, ultra-wide seats, gourmet food and drink and lounge access). All AVE trains have air conditioning, power sockets, free WiFi and a buffet carriage serving a selection of food and drinks. There are three fares for AVE services: the cheapest but least flexible Básico fare, the Elige fare (slightly pricier but more flexible), and the Premium fare for seats in Confort Class.
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
Renfe is the national train operator in Spain. It operates trains on the longest high-speed railway network in Europe, and the second-longest in the world. The country's major cities are linked up by the high-speed AVE and Avlo trains, while other long-distance routes are served by Altaria, Talgo, Alvia and Euromed trains. Renfe also operates cross-border services into neighbouring Portugal and France. Depending on which service you are travelling on, you'll usually find two classes on Renfe trains - Estándard (Standard Class) and Confort (First Class). Fare types range from the cheapest (but least flexible) Básico fare, to the more flexible Elige fares, to the Premium fare for seats in Confort carriages.
More information
Able to reach speeds of at 155 mph (250 km/h), Avant trains operate short and medium distance high-speed services. These trains are intended to cover journeys within the same autonomous community or in two neighbouring communities. For this reason, trains generally don’t offer catering services and travel less than 125 miles (200 km). They have two types of comfort classes – Turista (Second Class) and Preferente (First Class).
More information
Cheap train tickets from Cuenca 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 Cuenca 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 Cuenca to Madrid
How long does the train from Cuenca to Madrid take?
The average journey time by train between Cuenca and Madrid is 3 hours and 37 minutes, with around 6 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 Cuenca and Madrid by train?
The fastest journey time by train from Cuenca to Madrid is 2 hours and 1 minute.
How much does the train from Cuenca to Madrid cost?
Train tickets from Cuenca to Madrid can start from as little as $7.83 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 Cuenca to Madrid?
Yes, it is possible to travel from Cuenca to Madrid without having to change trains. There are 2 direct trains from Cuenca to Madrid each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.
What time does the first train from Cuenca to Madrid leave?
The first train from Cuenca to Madrid leaves at 11:21. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.
What time does the last train from Cuenca to Madrid leave?
The last train from Cuenca to Madrid leaves at 18:48. 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 Cuenca and Madrid by train?
Trains travelling from Cuenca to Madrid cover a distance of around 86 miles (138 km) during the journey.