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Thinking about taking the train from Basel to Madrid? We’ve got you covered.
It usually takes around 18 hours 22 minutes to travel the 746 miles (1201 km) from Basel to Madrid by train, although you can get there in as little as 13 hours 3 minutes on the fastest services. You’ll normally find around 7 trains per day running on this route. You’ll need to make 2 changes along the way as there aren't any direct services on this line. You can travel on this route with either AVE, Avlo or ICE. As the main train operators on this route, all offer comfortable seating and plenty of space for luggage as standard.
Train tickets from Basel to Madrid start from £142.57 when you book in advance, which can be cheaper than 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.
| First train | 07:21 | |
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| Last train | 21:56 | |
| Departure station | Basel | |
| Arrival station | Madrid | |
| Journey time | From 13h 3m | |
| Distance | 746 miles (1201 km) | |
| Frequency | 7 trains per day | |
| Changes | 2 changes | |
| Price | From £142.57 | |
| Train and bus operators | ALSA, BlaBlaCar Bus, Deutsche Bahn, Flixbus, FlixTrain, iryo, OUIGO, Renfe, SNCF Voyageurs, TGV Lyria |
The Deutsche Bahn Group is owned by the German State and controls the majority of rail traffic in Germany as well as in many border regions of the country. Every year, Deutsche Bahn transports several million passengers and many stations in Germany are served exclusively by DB trains, including the ICE, IC and EC fleet.
Operating alongside its sister coach company FlixBus since 2018, FlixTrain provides cheap intercity connections using 100% green energy. The main routes served by FlixTrain are Cologne-Hamburg, Aachen-Cologne-Berlin, and Berlin-Stuttgart. The network will expand in future to include more routes to Munich and Leipzig. FlixTrain carriages are fitted with free WiFi and power outlets or USB charge points. Plus, every ticket comes with a seat reservation, guaranteeing you a seat for the journey.
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!
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.
If you're travelling in ICE's Second Class, you'll get to enjoy free WiFi and a bistrò carriage where you can buy snacks and drinks.
In addition to all the amenities in Second Class, in First Class you'll get more legroom, a catering service, Fast Track in some stations and free access to DB lounges.
Although Flixtrain have only one class (Standard), they offer plenty of amenities on board, including free WiFi, power sockets and a bar car supplying snacks and drinks.
TGV Lyria’s Standard Class offers comfortable seats and access to the dining car, perfect for an economical trip in comfort.
When travelling in Première with TGV Lyria, you will have additional legroom, the comfort of a first-class seat, as well as food sold at your seat.
If you prefer to travel in style, upgrade to Première Signature class and enjoy a welcome drink, a meal on board and much more.
If you're looking for a reasonably-priced experience without compromising on the best service and comfort, Inicial Class is ideal for you!
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.
If you're looking for added comfort and full flexibility, Singular Only YOU class is a fantastic choice, with access to select hotels too.
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.
What luggage limits are there? | You can take as much luggage as you like for free without making a reservation. Luggage items include briefcases, laptops, rucksacks, trolley bags or suitcases. You can also take pushchairs, folding bikes, scooters, skis and surfboards. Luggage should be stored under the seat or in the overhead luggage rack. Generally, the standard dimensions of luggage racks are 70 x 50 x 30 cm. Larger items of luggage such as suitcases can be stored in the large luggage racks by the doors. |
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What food and drink is available? | When travelling with ICE, you can enjoy an extensive menu in the on-board restaurant, or you can grab a snack from the bistro carriage. If you choose the latter, you can enjoy your food and drink in the bistro or take it back to your seat. Upgrade to First Class and you will be served complimentary food and drink at your seat. DB change their menu every three months, but you will always find a wide variety of locally sourced food and drink, including a range of vegetarian and vegan dishes. |
What onboard entertainment is available? | If you’re travelling on a ICE train, you can connect to the free WiFi and catch up on some work or your favourite TV show. You can also connect to the ICE portal, where you’ll find a wide range of entertainment, such as films, television, audiobooks, games, newspapers and magazines. |
What facilities are there for travel with children? | On DB’s ICE trains, kids under 5 years old travel for free and don’t need a ticket. Children up to 14 years old travel for free if they are accompanied by a person who is at least 15 years old. You can also book family areas and children compartments on all ICE trains. |
Can I bring a bike on board? | With ICE, you need a bicycle ticket and reservation to take a bicycle onboard. The reservation for your bike is included in the price. Generally, bike storage spaces are located in second class carriages. Please note that your seat and bike storage space might be located in different carriages. |
Can I bring pets on board? | You can travel with your pet on all ICE trains. You do not need an extra ticket If you have a small dog and they can travel in a transport box. If your dog or pet is bigger than the size of a house cat, you will need an additional ticket, which costs 50% less than a standard ticket. Dogs not travelling in a transport box must be on a lead and wear a muzzle. Assistance dogs travel free of charge and do not have to wear a muzzle on the train. |
What special assistance is available? | DB’s Mobility Service can assist you with boarding, disembarking or changing trains. Also, staff are happy to answer any questions or assist with any queries to make your journey easier. |
What luggage limits are there? | When travelling with Flixtrain, you can take the following luggage for free: 1x carry-on bag (max dimensions 42 x 30 x 18 cm and 7kg) and 1x checked bag (max dimensions 80 x 50 x 30 cm and 20kg). For safety reasons, you must stow your carry-on bag beneath your seat, or in the overhead compartment above your seat. |
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What food and drink is available? | Currently, FlixTrain does not offer a food and drink service. However, you may bring food and drink with you to enjoy on the train. |
What onboard entertainment is available? | On FlixTrain services, you can connect to the free WiFi to surf the internet, chat with friends, check your emails and more. If you’re worried about your battery life, you can charge your devices by connecting to the power sockets or USB outlets at your seat. |
What facilities are there for travel with children? | Children up to 6 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Children between 6 and 14 years old can travel alone with a declaration of consent from their parent or guardian. Keep an eye out for special discounts, as FlixTrain offer cheap tickets for children less than 15 years old. |
Can I bring a bike on board? | All FlixTrains are equipped with reservable bicycle storage. Bikes must be standard size and not exceed 20kg (45 lbs). To bring your bicycle on board, you must reserve a space with FlixTrain. |
Can I bring pets on board? | In Germany, passengers may take pets that are up to the size of a house cat carried in a secure container at no cost. If you want to take a dog with you on the train which is larger than a house cat, provided it is on a leash and wearing a muzzle, you can purchase an extra ticket at the child's price. Guide and assistance dogs travel for free. In Sweden, pets may not be transported on trains. The only exception is for guide and assistance dogs. |
What special assistance is available? | Passengers with limited mobility who require assistance with boarding and embarking should contact FlixTrain to book one of the designated seats provided. FlixTrain transport foldable wheelchairs, walking aids and other mobility devices for free. |
What luggage limits are there? | You can take luggage on board TGV Lyria trains without worrying about weight restrictions, so long as you're able to carry it yourself. |
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What food and drink is available? | There are two refreshment options on board TGV Lyria trains: Le Bistrot: Available in the café-bar carriage or at your seat, with a Standard or Première TGV Lyria ticket. |
What onboard entertainment is available? | Free WiFi is available on board. To get online, connect to the network _WIFI_LYRIA when you're on the train and go to the TGV Lyria Portal in your browser. |
What facilities are there for travel with children? | Families can reserve two different areas on the train: The Family Square, located in carriages 6, 16, 7 or 17 in Standard (Second Class). This is a set of four seats facing one another, with space for a pushchair. You will also find baby changing facilities, including a baby changing table on the upper deck of carriages 7 and 17, and the lower deck of carriages 1 and 11.
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Can I bring a bike on board? | Bikes are allowed on board, so long as they're folded or their wheels are detached. Bikes must also be placed in suitable storage cases (no larger than 130 x 90 cm). |
Can I bring pets on board? | Small pets may travel with TGV Lyria, as long as they are carried in a carrier or container no larger than 45 x 30 x 25 cm. Pets must be placed on your lap or by your feet and must travel with their own ticket at a flat rate of €7. Dogs on a lead may travel on TGV Lyria trains, but they must be muzzled throughout the journey and placed by your feet. Passengers must pay a flat-rate ticket fee of €20. |
What special assistance is available? | 2 seats in carriages 1 or 11 in First Class are reserved for passengers with reduced mobility. You can request one of these seats when making your booking. If these spaces are no longer available, you can reserve a standard seat. You can also reserve assistance at the train station for help folding and storing your wheelchair. |
What else do I need to know? | You can travel with musical instruments if they're stored in a case no larger than 130 x 90 cm. If you're going skiing, snowboards and skis are allowed on board (one pair of skis or one snowboard per person). They must be stored in their covers. |
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. |
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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. |
For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.