Trains from Madrid to Leipzig
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Travel from Madrid to Leipzig by train in 21 hours 48 minutes
If you want to know more about the journey from Madrid to Leipzig by train, look no further!
The average journey time from Madrid to Leipzig by train is 27 hours 10 minutes, although on the fastest services it can take just 21 hours 48 minutes. You'll usually find 10 trains per day traveling the 1733 km between these two destinations. You'll need to make 3 changes along the way as there are no direct services to Leipzig. You're likely to be traveling with TGV, AVE or Avlo to Leipzig. As the main train operators on this route, all offer plenty of space for luggage and comfortable seating as standard.
Book train tickets from Madrid to Leipzig in advance instead of buying them on the day and they can start from $114.92. We'll always highlight the cheapest prices when you search in our Journey Planner.
Ready to book? Start your search for cheap train tickets with us today. Keep reading for more information, including our train schedule where you can view first and last train times, as well as tips on how to find cheap train tickets.
Madrid to Leipzig by train
It takes an average of 27h 10m to travel from Madrid to Leipzig by train, over a distance of around 1077 miles (1733 km). There are normally 10 trains per day traveling from Madrid to Leipzig and tickets for this journey start from $114.92 when you book in advance.
| First train | 07:00 | |
|---|---|---|
| Last train | 13:00 | |
| Departure station | Madrid | |
| Arrival station | Leipzig | |
| Journey time | 21h 48m | |
| Distance | 1733 miles (1077 km) | |
| Frequency | 10 trains per day | |
| Changes | 3 changes | |
| Price | From $114.92 | |
| Train and bus operators | Deutsche Bahn, SNCF, Flixbus, Renfe-SNCF, Renfe, OUIGO, ALSA, Union Ivkoni (Bus), iryo |
AVE, OUIGO, iryo and Renfe trains from Madrid to Leipzig
AVE
OUIGO
iryo
Renfe
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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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Cheap train tickets from Madrid to Leipzig
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 Leipzig 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 Leipzig
How long does the train from Madrid to Leipzig take?
The average journey time by train between Madrid and Leipzig is 27 hours and 10 minutes, with around 10 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 Leipzig by train?
The fastest journey time by train from Madrid to Leipzig is 21 hours and 48 minutes.
How much does the train from Madrid to Leipzig cost?
Train tickets from Madrid to Leipzig can start from as little as $114.92 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 Leipzig?
No, there are no direct train services from Madrid to Leipzig. Travelling from Madrid to Leipzig by train will require a minimum of 3 changes.
What time does the first train from Madrid to Leipzig leave?
The first train from Madrid to Leipzig leaves at 07:00. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.
What time does the last train from Madrid to Leipzig leave?
The last train from Madrid to Leipzig leaves at 13:00. 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 Leipzig by train?
Trains travelling from Madrid to Leipzig cover a distance of around 1077 miles (1733 km) during the journey.