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Trains from Gelsenkirchen Hbf to Madrid

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  1. Home
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  3. Gelsenkirchen Hbf to Madrid

Taking the train from Gelsenkirchen Hbf to Madrid in 16 hours 4 minutes

Thinking about taking the train from Gelsenkirchen Hbf to Madrid? We’ve got you covered.

It usually takes around 23 hours 11 minutes to travel the 923 miles (1486 km) from Gelsenkirchen Hbf to Madrid by train, although you can get there in as little as 16 hours 4 minutes on the fastest services. You’ll normally find around 10 trains per day running on this route. You’ll need to make 3 changes along the way as there aren't any direct services on this line.

Train tickets from Gelsenkirchen Hbf to Madrid are usually cheaper when you book in advance compared to buying them on the day. Start a search in our Journey Planner to check out the latest prices.

Keen to book your train tickets to Madrid? No need to wait, start a search with us today! If you want to find out a bit more about the journey first, you can find our train timetable below, tips on booking cheap tickets and our FAQs, including first and last train times.

Trains to Madrid from Gelsenkirchen Hbf

First train

04:18

Last train

22:37

Departure stationGelsenkirchen Hbf
Arrival stationMadrid
Journey time

From 16h 4m

Distance

923 miles (1486 km)

Frequency

10 trains per day

Changes

3 changes

Train and bus operators

Flixbus

What do people frequently ask about the train journey from Gelsenkirchen Hbf to Madrid?

Want to know more about your journey from Gelsenkirchen Hbf to Madrid? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.

How do I travel from Gelsenkirchen Hbf to Madrid?

You can get from Gelsenkirchen Hbf to Madrid by train in 23 hours and 11 minutes on average, with the fastest journeys taking just 16 hours and 4 minutes. Check out our Journey Planner for more details.

How long does the train from Gelsenkirchen Hbf to Madrid take?

The average journey time by train between Gelsenkirchen Hbf and Madrid is 23 hours and 11 minutes, with around 10 trains per day running on this route. 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 Gelsenkirchen Hbf and Madrid by train?

The fastest journey time by train from Gelsenkirchen Hbf to Madrid is 16 hours and 4 minutes.

Can you take a train directly from Gelsenkirchen Hbf to Madrid?

No, there are no direct train services from Gelsenkirchen Hbf to Madrid. Travelling from Gelsenkirchen Hbf to Madrid by train will require a minimum of 3 changes.

What are the train times from Gelsenkirchen Hbf to Madrid?

Check out the next trains departing from Gelsenkirchen Hbf to Madrid for Tuesday 20th January 2026. For the full train timetable/schedule, or to search for a later time or date, click here.
DepartsArrivesDuration
03:1822:1919h 1m, 4 changes
05:4207:3725h 55m, 3 changes
06:1522:1916h 4m, 4 changes
10:1212:1926h 7m, 5 changes
10:1212:5126h 39m, 3 changes
14:1414:5224h 38m, 4 changes
16:1316:3224h 19m, 3 changes
21:3720:0222h 25m, 10 changes
21:3720:5223h 15m, 9 changes
21:3721:1323h 36m, 6 changes

How do I find cheap train tickets from Gelsenkirchen Hbf to Madrid?

If you’re planning a trip to Europe soon, our Trainline team of experts have put together some tips to help you find cheap tickets. Booking on the day in Europe is usually more expensive and costs can vary depending on the time of day, route or travel class.

1. Book in advance

The price of train tickets from Gelsenkirchen Hbf to Madrid starts at § one-way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. Most train companies across Europe release their tickets around three to six months ahead of time, so if you know the dates you want to travel, you may be able to find cheaper tickets.

2. Be flexible with your travel times

If you can, consider travelling outside of 'peak hours' (generally between 06:00 - 10:00 and 15:00 - 19:00 on weekdays) as many train companies increase their ticket prices during these commuter times.

3. Buy a rail pass

If you're visiting multiple locations on your trip, buying a rail pass can be cheaper than buying individual tickets. We're official retailers of Interrail Passes that are valid for travel within one country or multiple countries across Europe.

4. Choose a slower or connecting train

On some busier routes, you might have the option to take a slower or connecting train. It may take longer than some high-speed or direct services, but if you have some extra time on your hands, you might find a cheaper fare.

5. Look out for train ticket sales and discounts

Many train companies in Europe will often run sales on tickets throughout the year or offer discounts to senior/youth/group travellers, so keep an eye out!

6. Take a night train

Save on accommodation and use the night to travel by sleeper train to your next destination.

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.

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