Looking for the cheapest date to travel?
Within 7 days
Outbound fromWithin 1 month
Outbound fromWithin 3 months
Outbound fromWhat customers say about Trainline
Read real reviews from real users
Travelling from Zurich Hb to Madrid by train
Looking to travel from Zurich Hb to Madrid by train? You've come to the right place!
On average, it takes around 18 hours 37 minutes to travel from Zurich Hb to Madrid by train, the fastest services can get you there in as little as 14 hours 15 minutes though. You'll usually find 8 trains per day running along the 775 miles (1247 km) route between these two destinations. You’ll need to make 2 changes during the journey to Madrid, as there currently aren't any direct services on this route. Trains on this route are usually operated by either SBB or OUIGO. On board you'll find modern comfortable seating and plenty of room for luggage as standard.
Plan your trip ahead of time and book early if you want to snap up the cheapest fares. Tickets from Zurich Hb to Madrid start from £204.42 when you book in advance, so use our Journey Planner to view the latest prices.
If you’re feeling ready to book, start looking for cheap train tickets with us today. Keep reading for more information on the journey to Madrid by train, including our timetable where you can view first and last train times.
Trains to Madrid from Zurich Hb
It takes an average of 18h 37m to travel from Zurich Hb to Madrid by train, over a distance of around 775 miles (1247 km). There are normally 8 trains per day travelling from Zurich Hb to Madrid and tickets for this journey start from £204.42 when you book in advance.
What do people frequently ask about the train journey from Zurich Hb to Madrid?
Want to know more about your journey from Zurich Hb to Madrid? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
What is the quickest journey time between Zurich Hb and Madrid by train?
Are there direct trains from Zurich Hb to Madrid?
What's the distance between Zurich Hb and Madrid by train?
Who runs the trains from Zurich Hb to Madrid?
Can you travel from Zurich Hb to Madrid without taking a flight?
What is the best way to get to Madrid from Zurich Hb?
What time is the first train from Zurich Hb to Madrid?
What time is the last train from Zurich Hb to Madrid?
How often do trains go from Zurich Hb to Madrid?
Do you need to prebook train tickets from Zurich Hb to Madrid?
Is there a return trip from Zurich Hb to Madrid?
SBB, iryo and OUIGO trains from Zurich Hb to Madrid
SBB
iryo
OUIGO
The Swiss rail network is operated by SBB. SBB train ticket prices are based on travel and not on the type of trains. You will find available return tickets (standard price, one way or round trip), Multiple journey tickets (for six individual trips on a pre-determined itinerary) and the City-Ticket (including a one-day transportation pass from the city of departure or arrival).
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
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
What Intercity, iryo and OUIGO classes are there from Zurich Hb to Madrid?
Compare the different travel classes offered by Intercity, iryo and OUIGO when travelling from Zurich Hb to Madrid.
Intercity
iryo
OUIGO
Economy
Take advantage of the restaurant carriage which offers a menu made of high-quality produce. Travelling with kids? Choose your seats in the dedicated Family Zone.
- Free WiFi
- Power sockets
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Family area
- Power sockets at each seat
- Extra luggage
- Fold-down table
- Quiet area
First Class
In First Class, you'll get to travel in comfortable seats, enjoy free WiFi, as well as more space for your luggage and individual plug sockets (German + Swiss).
- Free WiFi
- Power sockets
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Family area
- Power sockets at each seat
- Extra luggage
- Fold-down table
- Quiet area
Inicial
If you're looking for a reasonably-priced experience without compromising on the best service and comfort, Inicial Class is ideal for you!
- Luggage storage
- Entertainment portal
- Adjustable seats/footrests
- Fold-down table
- Power sockets at each seat
- Free WiFi
- Trolley service
- Single seat options
- Only YOU Hotel access
- Catering at your seat
Singular
Singular Class is ideal for business travellers looking for flexibility and comfort. If you need to, you can adapt your ticket to your needs at the time.
- Luggage storage
- Entertainment portal
- Adjustable seats/footrests
- Fold-down table
- Power sockets at each seat
- Free WiFi
- Trolley service
- Single seat options
- Only YOU Hotel access
- Catering at your seat
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.
- Luggage storage
- Entertainment portal
- Adjustable seats/footrests
- Fold-down table
- Power sockets at each seat
- Free WiFi
- Trolley service
- Single seat options
- Only YOU Hotel access
- Catering at your seat
Infinita Bistró
iryo's Infinita Bistró Class offers plenty of amenities on board, including wider leather reclining seats, free WiFi and at-seat meal service offering a complimentary gourmet meal. You'll need to book your meal 24 hours in advance.
- Luggage storage
- Entertainment portal
- Adjustable seats/footrests
- Fold-down table
- Power sockets at each seat
- Free WiFi
- Trolley service
- Single seat options
- Only YOU Hotel access
- Catering at your seat
Standard Class
OUIGO comes with only one class, Standard Class, which is the equivalent of TGV INOUI's Second Class. On board you'll find WiFi and a café-bar (on services in Spain). There may be a trolley service on Train Classique services in France. You can pay extra to guarantee a seat with a plug socket, as not all seats currently have one.
- Fold-down table
- Luggage storage
- Bar/restaurant carriage (1)
- Catering at your seat (2)
- WiFi (3)
- Power sockets
- (1) Available on OUIGO Spain services only
- (2) Snack service available on some OUIGO Classique trains
- (3) WiFi available for a fee on services in France; may be free in Spain
What are the onboard services on Intercity, iryo and OUIGO?
Discover more about the onboard services offered on trains from Zurich Hb to Madrid.
Intercity
iryo
OUIGO
What luggage limits are there? | You can take as much luggage as you want on SBB Intercity trains, provided that it fits in the luggage racks provided. |
|---|---|
What food and drink is available? | Many SBB Intercity trains will have a restaurant or bistro carriage so you can buy food and drink throughout your journey. You may be able to sit at a table in the restaurant carriage or take your meal back to your seat. |
What onboard entertainment is available? | There are plug sockets on SBB trains. You can also enjoy free WiFi on Intercity trains via the SBB FreeSurf portal. |
What facilities are there for travel with children? | There is pushchair storage available on the train, as well as a baby changing toilet onboard. On Intercity trains, there is also a dedicated family carriage. |
Can I bring a bike on board? | You can take your bicycle onboard SBB Intercity trains. Between 21st March and 31st October, it's compulsory to reserve a bike space on some Intercity trains. You must also buy a ticket for your bike at a ticket office, ticket machine or online. |
Can I bring pets on board? | Dogs under 30cm in height can travel for free if they're in a carrier and placed under your seat. Larger dogs can travel with you if you buy a Dog Day Pass for CHF 25, which can be purchased at a ticket office, at a ticket machine, online or on the SBB app. The pass is valid for a day on trains, ships, trams and buses in most Swiss cities. |
What special assistance is available? | SBB Intercity trains have priority seats for passengers with reduced mobility, as well as a wheelchair-accessible toilet. |
What else do I need to know? | There is a Business Zone and a Quiet Zone in First Class on SBB Intercity trains. |
What luggage limits are there? | Iryo's luggage policy varies by class. With an Inicial ticket, you can take one carry-on bag measuring 36 x 27 x 15 cm and one cabin suitcase measuring 55 x 35 x 25 cm. With a Singular (and Singular Only YOU) ticket, you can also take one large suitcase measuring 80 x 55 x 35 cm. The Infinita Bistró fare includes all of the above and also allows travel with one pet inside a carrier. |
|---|---|
What food and drink is available? | iryo offers different menus with high-quality products in all classes. You can buy your favourite meal from their onboard restaurant/bar carriage, which is usually near coach 2. If you’re travelling in the Infinita Bistró Class, you can enjoy the Infinita Bistró food service – your meal will be served straight to your seat. Please note that you’ll need to book your meal at least 24 hours in advance. |
What onboard entertainment is available? | You can enjoy free WiFi in all classes on iryo trains, as well as an onboard entertainment platform providing a wide selection of movies, TV series, live news and Spotify. |
What facilities are there for travel with children? | Children aged 0-3 travel for free on all iryo trains. Children aged 4-13 get a discounted ticket while those aged 14-18 need to pay the full price. Please note that children aged under 18 need to be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians. |
Can I bring a bike on board? | You can take your bike on board iryo trains for free if it’s folded and does not exceed 90 x 120 x 40cm. Also, your bike must travel without the pedals and with the handlebar rotated 90 degrees. |
Can I bring pets on board? | iryo allows pets that do not exceed 10kg in weight, as long as they travel inside a carrier with a maximum size of 60 x 35 x 35cm. You'll need to buy a ticket for your pet in advance. In addition, guide dogs can travel at no additional cost. |
What special assistance is available? | There are seats for people with reduced mobility on iryo trains. Step-free access is also available both when boarding and when getting off the train. |
What luggage limits are there? | One piece of hand luggage (40 x 30 x 15 cm) and one piece of cabin luggage (55 x 35 x 25 cm) can be taken onboard. You can take additional or larger bags with you (max. 30kg) for an extra fee or by paying for OUIGO Plus. |
|---|---|
What food and drink is available? | On OUIGO trains in France: an at-seat service of snacks is available on Train classique services. This service is not available on high-speed OUIGO trains. |
What onboard entertainment is available? | WiFi (OUIFI) and an entertainment portal (OUIFUN) are available at an additional cost. |
What facilities are there for travel with children? | For OUIGO trains in France: Passengers under 12 years old pay a fixed price for tickets all year round - €5 for journeys on Train classique services, and €8 for high speed services. |
Can I bring a bike on board? | You can take your bicycle on board OUIGO trains if you add the 'Bike' option onto your ticket for an additional fee of at least €5. Your bike must be folded or dismantled and placed in a storage bag for transport. |
Can I bring pets on board? | Pets are only allowed on board OUIGO trains if the 'Pets' option is added to your ticket at the time of booking. (1 pet per adult, per booking, €10 per pet.) |
What special assistance is available? | Passengers with reduced mobility can travel onboard OUIGO trains. You can also request the "Assist'enGare" service for help at the station. |
How do I find cheap train tickets from Zurich Hb 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
2. Be flexible with your travel times
3. Buy a rail pass
4. Choose a slower or connecting train
5. Look out for train ticket sales and discounts
6. Take a night train
For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.