Don’t limit your Spanish getaway to only one major city. See La Sagrada Familia, the Prado Museum, and more with train routes between Madrid and Barcelona.
Getting between Barcelona and Madrid by train is easy, which it rightly should be.
Madrid and Barcelona’s international airports have loads of direct flights from the United States, but don’t assume that you need to take a short-haul flight to get between cities.
Madrid Atocha train station is right in the center of the city and it’s so stunning that it’s basically an attraction in itself. At Barcelona Sants train station, you can hop right on the metro and get to La Sagrada Familia, Gothic Quarter, and Barceloneta Beach in minutes.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Madrid to Barcelona train.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Alexander Spatari
Food (and fun) for thought in Barcelona and Madrid
Meal you can’t miss
Barcelona: Paella
Madrid: Callos a la Madrileña
Landmark worth the lines
Barcelona: La Sagrada Familia
Madrid: The Prado Museum
Photo Credit: Getty Images, Tanatat Pongphibool. Image Location: Sagrada Familia, Barcelona
Hidden gem
Barcelona: Parc del Laberint d'Horta
Madrid: Madrid Rio Beach
Fantastic festivals
Barcelona: Festa Major de Gràcia
Madrid: Madrid Pride
A must-do for you
Barcelona: A catamaran cruise with an open bar
Madrid: A neighborhood tapas crawl
Image Credit: Getty Images, Gary Yeowell. Image Location: Plaza de Santa Ana, Madrid
Need to know: Getting between Barcelona and Madrid by train
How long does it take to get from Barcelona to Madrid?
Getting around Spain without a car is super easy, and that goes double for getting between Barcelona and Madrid. It takes 2h 30m on the fastest high-speed train and roughly 3h on the other high-speed trains with 0 changes.
How far from Barcelona to Madrid?
There are approximately 390 miles between Barcelona and Madrid by car which is a similar distance from Des Moines to Milwaukee or Sacramento to Los Angeles. Now, you could take that trek by car or bus, but that might be a little lengthy. A flight may *seem* shorter, but that’s before you include non-flight time hours. Just take the train: it’s fast, affordable, and flexes with your schedule.
Is there a high-speed train between Barcelona to Madrid?
You know it. The high-speed train from Barcelona to Madrid can get you there in 2h 30m. These trains are operated by Iryo, Ouigo, and Renfe, which means multiple opportunities per day to catch this quick ride between Spanish cities.
How much does it cost to go from Barcelona to Madrid?
Train ticket prices for Barcelona to Madrid can be as low as $20. Sometimes a few bucks cheaper, if you book well-enough in advance. That’s no pricing flub either. You can easily find Barcelona to Madrid first-class train tickets that are cheaper than the taxi you’d take to the airport.
Can I take a direct, non-stop train from Barcelona to Madrid?
Of course you can. Spain’s trains aren’t puttering down the track at a snail’s pace. There are plenty of direct services between Barcelona and Madrid with no need to stop and hop trains.
Is the train from Barcelona to Madrid scenic?
The train from Barcelona to Madrid is about as scenic as it gets in Spain without taking a completely-coastal or mountainous sightseeing route. You’ll leave Madrid Atocha and get treated to views of hillsides, countrysides, villages, and even part of coast.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Max Bailen. Image Location: Sitges, Catalonia, Spain
Perks of the high speed train from Barcelona to Madrid
…besides seeing two of Spain’s coolest cities.
- More room for everything. We’re talking more room for your feet, no middle seats, and looser carry-on baggage restrictions than planes.
- More than just a pack of peanuts. From buffet cars and mobile bar service to Michelin-starred chef-prepared meals delivered right to your seat, you won’t starve yourself on-board.
- More time to relax and enjoy your vacation. Less stress and fewer moments wasted getting from city to city, letting you spend more time in the city and zero time staring at an airport runway.
Ready to book?
You can bypass the ticket counters by purchasing and storing all of your train tickets right on your phone. Download the Trainline app today to purchase etickets between Madrid and Barcelona.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Daniel Hernanz Ramos. Image Location: Atocha Station, Madrid