Trains from Barcelona to Madrid
What customers say about Trainline
Read real reviews from real users
Travelling from Barcelona to Madrid by train
Planning to travel from Barcelona to Madrid by train? Start your journey with us.
The train from Barcelona to Madrid usually takes 2 hours and 48 minutes but can take just 2 hours and 29 minutes on the fastest services. You'll be travelling direct on this route with AVE, Avlo, OUIGO or iryo – they all provide comfy and spacious seats for you to sit back and relax as you travel from Barcelona to Madrid.
- AVE offer Standard and First Class comfortable seating and free WiFi
- Avlo trains come with Standard Class only, but also include free WiFi and power sockets
- OUIGO Spain trains are double-decker and come with Standard Class only, with an onboard bar car
- iryo are the new high-speed trains operating on the Barcelona - Madrid route. Reaching speeds of up to 223 mph, their Frecciarossa 1000 trains are super-quiet trains that offer latest-generation 5G WiFi and an onboard restaurant service.
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? If you need more inspiration, check out our guide to the best things to do in Madrid.
Ready to book? Start a search for cheap train tickets from Barcelona to Madrid in our Journey Planner at the top of the page or keep reading for money-saving tips and FAQs.
Barcelona to Madrid by train
It takes an average of 2h 44m to travel from Barcelona to Madrid by train, over a distance of around 314 miles (506 km). There are normally 22 trains per day travelling from Barcelona to Madrid and tickets for this journey start from €7 when you book in advance.
| First train | 06:20 |
|---|---|
| Last train | 21:25 |
| Departure station | Barcelona |
| Arrival station | Madrid |
| Journey time | 2h 29m |
| Distance | 506 miles (314 km) |
| Frequency | 22 trains per day |
| Changes | Direct trains available |
| Price | From €7 |
| Train and bus operators |
AVE, OUIGO, iryo and Renfe trains from Barcelona to Madrid
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.
More information
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
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!
More information
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
Cheap train tickets from Barcelona to Madrid
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.
AVE train classes from Barcelona to Madrid
When travelling with AVE, you have two classes to choose from, Estándar (Standard) and Confort (First Class). Estándar is perfect for travellers on a budget, but if you prefer to travel yourself, why not upgrade to First Class? You’ll enjoy all the standard onboard amenities as well as extra perks and added comfort.
Estándar (Standard)
Estándar Class is the standard level of travel on AVE trains. Estándar is the ideal class for travellers looking for low-budget fuss-free travel. On board, you will enjoy:
| Comfortable seating | ✔ |
|---|---|
| Free WiFi | ✔ |
| Fold-down table | ✔ |
Confort (First Class)
Confort Class is the First Class offering on AVE services. On board, you’ll enjoy all the amenities of Estándar class as well as extra perks, such as complimentary food and drink, free newspapers and more:
| Complimentary food and drink | ✔ |
|---|---|
| Free newspapers | ✔ |
| Headphones for onboard entertainment | ✔ |
| Renfe Club Lounges | ✔ |
iryo train classes from Barcelona to Madrid
When travelling with iryo, you have four classes to choose from: Inicial, Singular, Singular Only YOU and Infinita. In each class, you can expect design, comfort and technology as standard.
Inicial
If you're looking for a reasonably-priced experience without compromising on the best service and comfort, Inicial class is ideal for you!
| Comfortable seating | ✔ |
|---|---|
| Power sockets | ✔ |
| Some ticket flexibility | ✔ |
| Free WiFi | ✔ |
| Onboard entertainment platform | ✔ |
| Café | ✔ |
Singular
Singular class is ideal for business travellers looking for flexibility! If you need to, you can adapt your ticket to your needs at the time.
| Comfortable seating | ✔ |
|---|---|
| Power sockets | ✔ |
| More ticket flexibility | ✔ |
| Free WiFi | ✔ |
| Onboard entertainment platform | ✔ |
| Café | ✔ |
Singular Only YOU
If you're looking for added comfort and full flexibility, Singular Only YOU class is a fantastic choice, with access to select hotels too.
| Highly comfortable seat | ✔ |
|---|---|
| Power sockets | ✔ |
| Full ticket flexibility | ✔ |
| Free WiFi | ✔ |
| Onboard entertainment platform | ✔ |
| Café | ✔ |
| Access to Hotel Only YOU at Madrid Atocha station | ✔ |
Infinita
Infinita is iryo's all-inclusive fare for the best travelling and flexibility conditions. It offers the best options for changes and cancellations included in your ticket.
| Highly comfortable seat | ✔ |
|---|---|
| Power sockets | ✔ |
| Full ticket flexibility | ✔ |
| Free WiFi | ✔ |
| Onboard entertainment platform | ✔ |
| Café | ✔ |
| Food and drink served to your seat | ✔ |
| Access to Hotel Only YOU at Madrid Atocha station | ✔ |
Avlo & OUIGO train classes from Barcelona to Madrid
On board Renfe’s high-speed long-distance Avlo trains, you will only find Economy Class, but the service and amenities are still high-quality. OUIGO’s double-decker trains come with Standard Class only, but there are still plenty of amenities to enjoy on board.
OUIGO Standard Class
With OUIGO’s Standard Class, you can find a seat on the upper deck with spectacular panoramic views of the Spanish countryside. Then, you can take advantage of the free WiFi, power sockets and café-bar.
| Free WiFi | ✔ |
|---|---|
| Power sockets | ✔ |
| Café-bar | ✔ |
Avlo Economy Class
Once you’ve found your seat in Avlo’s Economy Class, you can connect to the free WiFi, use the power sockets to charge your devices and grab some snacks from the vending machine.
| Free WiFi | ✔ |
|---|---|
| Power sockets | ✔ |
| Vending machine | ✔ |
Onboard services
Luggage
Food and drink
Entertainment
Pets
Bikes
How to get to Barcelona Sants station
Situated in the heart of the city, Barcelona Sants station is easily accessible due to the city’s public transport. You can get there by:
- Metro: Green Line L3 and Blue Line L5 links the city centre with the train station’s metro, Sants Estació.
- Bus: There are various buses available from the city centre to Barcelona Sants station.
- Walk: From La Rambla in the city centre, Barcelona Sants station is a 42-minute walk.
If you want to travel from Barcelona Airport to Barcelona Sants, you can simply catch the Renfe train from Barcelona Airport station to Barcelona Sants station, which takes around 20 minutes.
What’s on offer at Barcelona Sants station?
What are Renfe’s Club Lounges?
Arriving at Madrid Atocha station from Barcelona
No matter which operator you’re travelling with, you will arrive at Madrid Atocha station, in the heart of the city.
As soon as you’ve left the station, you can start to explore Madrid’s most iconic landmarks. From the station, it’s easy to get to Madrid city centre via public transport. You can get there by:
- Metro: From Atocha Renfe metro station, you can take the Metro Line 1 to the city centre.
- Bus: There are various buses available from Madrid Atocha station to the city centre.
- Walk: From Madrid Atocha, you can get to Puerta del Sol in central Madrid on foot in around 25 minutes.
If you want to travel from Madrid Atocha to Madrid Airport, you can take a Renfe train, taking around 35 minutes in total.
Using public transport in Madrid
Madrid’s public transport system is easy, fast, safe and reliable. The underground system, known as the Metro, is the easiest way to get around the city. Comprised of 12 lines and over 300 stations, Madrid’s Metro is one of the most accessible metro systems in Europe.
Typically, the Metro runs from 6:00am until 1:30am, with trains arriving every 2-15 minutes.
Madrid’s Metro system is integrated with the bus system, meaning that you can travel on the Metro and the bus with the same ticket. Roughly, there are over 200 bus lines with over 2,000 buses in operation. The city’s EMT buses are blue and offer excellent views of the city as you travel from your origin to your destination.
Things to see and do in Madrid
There are so many things to see and do in Madrid, it can be difficult to know where to start! To help you find inspiration, here are some ideas for things to do in Madrid:
Journey details
How long does the train from Barcelona to Madrid take?
The average journey time by train between Barcelona and Madrid is 2 hours and 44 minutes, with around 22 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 29 minutes.
How much does the train from Barcelona to Madrid cost?
Train ticket prices from Barcelona to Madrid can start from as little as €7 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 22 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 06:20. 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 21:25. 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.