Trains from Barcelona to Madrid
Barcelona to Madrid train times
Renfe and AVE trains from Barcelona to Madrid
Renfe
AVE
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 high-speed train, with trains capable of reaching up to 330 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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Everything you need to know about your train journey
Information included in this video is correct as of 10/12/16Barcelona to Madrid train prices
Train tickets from Barcelona to Madrid start at €32.30 if purchased from 3 to 6 months in advance. Prices for train journeys from Barcelona to Madrid start at €82.64 when you book at least 28 days in advance.** Tickets usually go on sale 3 months in advance, yet in some rare cases this can be up to 6 months. For more precise information on when you can book your tickets or whether there are any promotional sales, click here.
How long does it take to travel from Barcelona to Madrid by train?
The average journey time between Barcelona and Madrid is 2 hours and 42 minutes and the fastest journey time is 2 hours and 30 minutes. On an average weekday, there are 24 trains per day travelling from Barcelona to Madrid. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays; use our journey planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.
What time is the first and last train of the day from Barcelona to Madrid?
The first train from Barcelona to Madrid departs at 05:50. The last train from Barcelona to Madrid departs at 21:25. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services. Alternatively, some popular routes may run throughout the night at a reduced frequency. There may also be less services on weekends and holidays; use our journey planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.
Are there direct train services between Barcelona and Madrid?
Yes, it is possible to travel from Barcelona to Madrid without having to change trains. There are 24 direct trains from Barcelona to Madrid. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.