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About the train journey from Barcelona to Madrid

Want to travel from Barcelona to Madrid by train? You've come to the right place. A popular route with both locals and tourists, it’s quicker than flying and you will arrive right in the heart of the city at Madrid Atocha station.

The average journey time by train between Barcelona and Madrid is 3 hours and 27 minutes, although you can get there in just 2 hours and 30 minutes on the fastest services. There are now 3 high-speed services to choose from on this popular route which spans 314 miles (506 km) - Renfe's AVE and Avlo trains, and OUIGO trains.

  • AVE trains offer Standard and First Class comfortable seating and free WiFi.
  • Renfe's newest train type Avlo is Standard Class only, but also includes free Wifi and power sockets. 
  • OUIGO trains are double-decker and Standard Class only, with an onboard bar car.

Travelling First Class from Barcelona to Madrid

If you want to travel in style, why not choose a First Class train ticket from Barcelona to Madrid? AVE's Confort Class offers wider reclining seats and access to Renfe's First Class lounge at the station. Just look for Elige or Prémium tickets in our Journey Planner. Check out our guide to First Class v Second Class on European trains to find out more.

Once you arrive in Madrid why not spend an afternoon wandering around El Retiro Park, the Museo Nacional del Prado or grab a bite at Mercado de San Miguel. Need more inspiration? Check out our guide to the best things to do in Madrid, including the best restaurants, parks, museums and shops to go to.

If you’re feeling ready to book, start a search for cheap train tickets from Madrid to Barcelona with us today. Want to check if trains are running? Scroll down for more information about this journey, including timetables and FAQs.

Barcelona to Madrid by train

It takes an average of 3h 34m to travel from Barcelona to Madrid by train, over a distance of around 314 miles (506 km). There are normally 15 trains per day travelling from Barcelona to Madrid and tickets for this journey start from €5.45 when you book in advance.
Journey timeFrom 2h 30m
PriceFrom €5.45
Distance314 miles (506 km)
Frequency15 trains per day
First train05:51
Last train20:15
Departure stationBarcelona
Arrival stationMadrid
ChangesDirect trains available
Train and bus operatorsOUIGO, Renfe, ALSA

Barcelona to Madrid train times

Check out the next trains departing from Barcelona to Madrid for Friday 3rd December 2021. For the full train timetable/schedule, or to search for a later time or date, click here.
DepartsArrivesTrainDuration
12:00 Barcelona Sants15:12 Madrid AtochaAVE 3122 Renfe Get tickets3h 12m, direct
13:25 Barcelona Sants15:55 Madrid AtochaAVE 3130 Renfe Get tickets2h 30m, direct
14:00 Barcelona Sants17:12 Madrid AtochaAVE 3142 Renfe Get tickets3h 12m, direct
15:00 Barcelona Sants17:45 Madrid AtochaAVE 3152 Renfe Get tickets2h 45m, direct
15:25 Barcelona Sants17:55 Madrid AtochaAVE 3150 Renfe Get tickets2h 30m, direct
16:25 Barcelona Sants18:55 Madrid AtochaAVE 3160 Renfe Get tickets2h 30m, direct
17:00 Barcelona Sants19:45 Madrid AtochaAVE 3172 Renfe Get tickets2h 45m, direct
18:25 Barcelona Sants20:55 Madrid AtochaAVE 3180 Renfe Get tickets2h 30m, direct
19:00 Barcelona Sants22:07 Madrid AtochaAVE 3192 Renfe Get tickets3h 7m, direct
20:00 Barcelona Sants23:17 Madrid AtochaAVE 3202 Renfe Get tickets3h 17m, direct

Renfe, AVE and OUIGO trains from Barcelona to Madrid

You can travel from Barcelona to Madrid on Renfe, AVE and OUIGO trains. When you search for times and tickets, we might also show you some other options with multiple connections or operators if they’re available.

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

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

Photo: Cramos, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0

OUIGO is the low-cost brand of French rail company SNCF, who operate trains in France and Spain. In France, all seats on OUIGO are Second Class and tickets can only be purchased online. You can also pay for additional extras, such as reserving a seat in the ‘quiet area’, at-seat power sockets and extra luggage. OUIGO has been operating in Spain since May 2021, and their trains include an onboard bar and a premium class of service called OUIGO Plus.

More information

Cheap train tickets from Barcelona to Madrid

The price of train tickets from Barcelona to Madrid starts at €5.45 one-way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. Booking on the day is usually more expensive and costs can vary depending on the time of day, route or class.

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 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.

§Some train companies may not offer any Advance ticket types or cheaper deals for early bookings. On rare occasions, train companies may choose to release special offers closer to the date on last-minute or late-release tickets. This is dependent on the individual train operating company you travel with.

Journey details

Want to know more about your journey from Barcelona 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 to Madrid take?

The average journey time by train between Barcelona and Madrid is 3 hours and 34 minutes, with around 15 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 and Madrid by train?

The fastest journey time by train from Barcelona to Madrid is 2 hours and 30 minutes.

How much does the train from Barcelona to Madrid cost?

Train ticket prices from Barcelona to Madrid can start from as little as €5.45 when you book in advance. The cost of tickets can vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book and are usually more expensive if you book on the day.

Is there a direct train from Barcelona to Madrid?

Yes, it is possible to travel from Barcelona to Madrid without having to change trains. There are 14 direct trains from Barcelona 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 Barcelona to Madrid leave?

The first train from Barcelona to Madrid leaves at 05:51. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.

What time does the last train from Barcelona to Madrid leave?

The last train from Barcelona to Madrid leaves at 20:15. 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 and Madrid by train?

Trains travelling from Barcelona to Madrid cover a distance of around 314 miles (506 km) during the journey.

Looking for more information?

If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Madrid to Barcelona. If you’re looking for other options, you can also catch the bus from Barcelona to Madrid.

Our tips and tricks

We love helping our customers find inspiration for their next train journey. We also believe about taking those journeys and sharing our experiences with you, so you can sit back, relax and get the most out of your trip.

Barcelona to Madrid by high speed train

Review by Jaime Campoamor Velasco

The AVE train from Barcelona to Madrid is one of the most important high-speed routes in Spain. Even if you can travel by plane, car or bus between the two cities, the train is definitely the best way to do so. Thanks to the AVE high-speed service, you can take a train from Barcelona city centre and get off in Madrid after only 2h 45m.

Barcelona Sants train station

Since its inauguration in 2008, this train has seen more than 35 million passengers between the two cities. About 25 Renfe trains run daily between Barcelona and Madrid, with possible variations based on the day and time of year.

Even if most of the AVE trains stop in cities like Guadalajara, Zaragoza, Lleida or Tarragona, some trains are direct and take 2h 45m rather 3h 10m to get to the final destination.

Located in the Sants-Montjuïc district, Barcelona Sants is the second most important train station in Spain both for connections and passenger traffic. The station is served by Renfe’s regional trains (Rodalies), long and middle-distance trains and high-speed trains that go to many Spanish cities as well as many international destinations, including Paris and Marseille.

My last journey from Barcelona to Madrid was very fast and comfortable. For work reasons, I had to go to Barcelona on a Tuesday and work from there for a couple of days. However, on Wednesday evening I was told to go to an important meeting in Madrid on Thursday early morning. Luckily I managed to find a quite cheap train ticket to Madrid with an AVE train departing from Barcelona at 07:00.

Since you need to go through security checks before boarding an AVE train, I got to Barcelona Sants at 06:30. After a nice coffee and security checks, I went to the platform from which my train was leaving. In my case, it was the AVE 3072 departing at 07:05.

As I bought a last-minute train ticket, I couldn’t choose the 07:00 train which goes directly from Barcelona to Madrid in only 2h 30m. For this reason, I had to pick the next available train and a Básico ticket in Second Class (Clase Estandár), which doesn’t allow any refund or cancellation.

Once I got to my seat, I used the two available plug sockets to charge my cell phone and laptop. The seats had armrests, footrests, reclining tables, coat hooks and luggage racks.

 

Train stop in Zaragoza

The AVE train from Barcelona to Madrid can reach speeds of more than 300 km/h. While I was working, the staff came to offer coffee, tea and an a la carte breakfast. Unlike First Class (Clase Confort), Second Class (Clase Estandár) train tickets neither include meals nor free WiFi. If you want one of these services, you’ll need to pay an extra fee.

After travelling for 1h 17m, the train stopped at 08:28 for 3 minutes at Zaragoza-Delicias train station. I reached Madrid Atocha at 09:50.

 

About Jaime 

Jaime is one of our trusted writers. The information for this review was obtained first-hand and is based on his own travel experience.

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The information provided is calculated based on scheduled train services for Barcelona to Madrid for a typical week day using timetable data for 12/03/2021. On weekends, holidays or other exceptional times, fewer services may be available. The fare range provided has been found by our customers on Trainline on 12/10/2021 for travel on 12/10/2021 and for adult tickets in economy, discount cards and coach journeys excluded.

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