Taking the train from Madrid to Cordoba
A little under 2 hours away by Renfe’s high-speed fleet, most with WiFi and air-conditioning, all with spacious and modern carriages for you to relax in, you can experience two sides of Spain in no time at all.
Offering something a bit different to the capital, as well as the Spain you thought you knew, the city of Cordoba has a distinctly exotic flair thanks to its Arabic past, with truly stunning historical sites to explore. The Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba and Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos are both gorgeous examples of this, so be sure to visit them, and a walk across the Roman Bridge, especially when it’s lit up come evening, is a romantic end to a day of adventure. Say ‘vamos!’ to a Spanish city break - start by checking out our journey information below!
Madrid to Cordoba by train
Renfe, AVE, Alvia and Altaria trains from Madrid to Cordoba
Renfe
AVE
Alvia
Altaria
Renfe is the national train operator in Spain. It has the widest network of high-speed trains in Europe, linking major cities with AVE, AV-City, Avant, Alvia, and Euromed trains. Long-distance routes are served by Altaria and Talgo trains, while regional routes are operated by Media Distancia, Regional and Express Regional trains. Renfe also operates on international routes to France and Portugal. Renfe trains offer four different travel classes, depending on the train you’re travelling on – Turista (Standard), Turista Plus (Premium Economy), Preferente (Business Class) and Club (First Class).
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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 four comfort classes – Turista (standard class), Turista Plus (wider, more comfortable seats), Preferente (lounge access, wide leather seats, food and drink service) and Club (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.
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Renfe's Alvia services combine high-speed tracks with lower speed sections, reaching speeds of up to 155 mph (250 km/h) on international lines and 125 mph (200 km/h) on conventional lines. These trains connect the cities of Madrid, Barcelona and Alicante with the other main Spanish cities. Alvia offers two types of classes – Turista (Second Class) and Preferente (First Class). The latter has wider seats, carriages with fewer seats, offers complimentary food and drinks, free newspapers, and access to parking and Club meeting rooms.
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The Altaria service is operated by Talgo trains that make day trips over long distances and connect central and southern Spain at speeds of up to 125 mph (200 km/h). Altaria services connects Madrid with the Murcia and Andalusia regions, and have two classes with different levels of comfort – Turista (Second Class) and Preferente (First Class).
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Cheap train tickets from Madrid to Cordoba
- lowest price found‡
- from$18.75
- 4 weeksin advance‡
- avg. single price$65.40
- 2 weeksin advance‡
- avg. single price$69.40
- on the day‡
- avg. single price$76.47
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 Madrid to Cordoba 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 Madrid to Cordoba
How long does the train from Madrid to Cordoba take?
The average journey time by train between Madrid and Cordoba is 1 hour and 52 minutes, with around 17 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 Madrid and Cordoba by train?
The fastest journey time by train from Madrid to Cordoba is 1 hour and 45 minutes.
How much does the train from Madrid to Cordoba cost?
Train tickets from Madrid to Cordoba can start from as little as $18.75 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 Madrid to Cordoba?
Yes, it is possible to travel from Madrid to Cordoba without having to change trains. There are 17 direct trains from Madrid to Cordoba each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.
What time does the first train from Madrid to Cordoba leave?
The first train from Madrid to Cordoba leaves at 06:24. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.
What time does the last train from Madrid to Cordoba leave?
The last train from Madrid to Cordoba leaves at 07:29. 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 Madrid and Cordoba by train?
Trains travelling from Madrid to Cordoba cover a distance of around 184 miles (296 km) during the journey.