Trains from Madrid to Barcelona
Madrid to Barcelona train times
Renfe and AVE trains from Madrid to Barcelona
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).
More information
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.
More information
Everything you need to know about your train journey
Information included in this video is correct as of 10/12/16Madrid to Barcelona train prices
Train tickets from Madrid to Barcelona start at €32.30 if purchased from 3 to 6 months in advance. Prices for train journeys from Madrid to Barcelona start at €84.37 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 Madrid to Barcelona by train?
The average journey time between Madrid and Barcelona is 3 hours and 0 minutes and the fastest journey time is 2 hours and 30 minutes. On an average weekday, there are 26 trains per day travelling from Madrid to Barcelona. 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 Madrid to Barcelona?
The first train from Madrid to Barcelona departs at 06:10. The last train from Madrid to Barcelona departs at 21:30. 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 Madrid and Barcelona?
Yes, it is possible to travel from Madrid to Barcelona without having to change trains. There are 25 direct trains from Madrid to Barcelona. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.