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About the train journey from Madrid to Catania Centrale
Want to travel from Madrid to Catania Centrale by train? Start your journey with us.
The train from Madrid to Catania Centrale usually takes 37 hours 40 minutes on average to travel 1028 miles (1654 km), although the quickest services can take as little as 32 hours 21 minutes. You can expect to find 4 trains per day running on this popular route. As there aren’t any direct services running between Madrid and Catania Centrale, you’ll need to make 4 changes on your way to Catania Centrale. You can choose to travel with AVE, Renfe or Trenitalia to get to Catania Centrale. As the main rail operators on this route, their trains offer modern comfortable seating and plenty of space for luggage as standard.
To help you get the best train deals, we'll highlight the cheapest train ticket prices from Madrid to Catania Centrale in our Journey Planner. Just remember, the sooner you book your tickets, the more you'll save!
Keep reading for more information about the train journey to Catania Centrale, including FAQs, timetables with first and last train times and tips on booking cheap train tickets. If you’re ready to book, just start a search for tickets with us today.
Madrid to Catania Centrale by train
| First train | 06:22 | |
|---|---|---|
| Last train | 13:18 | |
| Departure station | Madrid | |
| Arrival station | Catania Centrale | |
| Journey time | From 32h 21m | |
| Distance | 1028 miles (1654 km) | |
| Frequency | 4 trains per day | |
| Changes | 4 changes | |
| Train and bus operators | Flixbus, Trenitalia, BlaBlaCar Bus, Renfe |
FAQs about the train journey from Madrid to Catania Centrale
Want to know more about your journey from Madrid to Catania Centrale? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
Are there direct trains from Madrid to Catania Centrale?
What's the distance between Madrid and Catania Centrale by train?
Who runs the trains from Madrid to Catania Centrale?
Can you travel from Madrid to Catania Centrale without taking a flight?
What is the best way to get to Catania Centrale from Madrid?
What time is the first train from Madrid to Catania Centrale?
What time is the last train from Madrid to Catania Centrale?
How often do trains go from Madrid to Catania Centrale?
Do you need to prebook train tickets from Madrid to Catania Centrale?
AVE, Renfe, Intercity and Trenitalia trains from Madrid to Catania Centrale
AVE
Renfe
Intercity
Trenitalia
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.
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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.
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Trenitalia's Intercity trains run on standard lines outside the high-speed network, offering more than 90 trains a day that guarantee long and medium distance connections, ensuring wide coverage of the rail network. All Intercity trains are modern and comfortable with plenty of seats, retractable tables, power sockets, air conditioning, courtesy lights and plenty of luggage space. Intercity Night trains allow you to travel overnight in cabins with beds, berths or seating.
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Trenitalia is the national railway company of Italy, with a fleet including high-speed trains (Frecciarossa, Frecciargento and Frecciabianca), Intercity and Intercity night trains and regional trains. Trenitalia offers discounts and special promotions on selected routes, two types of discounted tickets for young people under 30 and people over 60.
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AVE, Intercity and Intercity Notte (night trains) classes from Madrid to Catania Centrale
Compare the different travel classes offered by AVE, Intercity and Intercity Notte (night trains) when travelling from Madrid to Catania Centrale.
AVE
Intercity
Intercity Notte (night trains)
Estándar (Standard Class)
In AVE's Estándar Class, you'll enjoy comfortable fuss-free travel. With luggage storage and air-conditioning throughout, there's access to their bar/restaurant carriage serving drinks and snacks and seats are usually in a row of 2 or 4 around a table. On board, you'll enjoy:
- Free WiFi
- Seat reservation
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Entertainment portal
- Fold-down table
- Reading light
- Power sockets at each seat
- Catering at your seat
- Lounge access
- Larger tables
Confort (First Class)
Onboard AVE's Confort Class, you’ll enjoy all the amenities of Estándar Class as well as extra perks, such as complimentary food and drinks, free newspapers and more. Don't forget to enjoy access to Renfe's Club Rooms before your trip to kick it off in style. On board, you'll enjoy:
- Free WiFi
- Seat reservation
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Entertainment portal
- Fold-down table
- Reading light
- Power sockets at each seat
- Catering at your seat
- Lounge access
- Larger tables
Second Class Easy
Travel in Second Class Easy and enjoy seats with fold-down tables, power sockets and a bar carriage in the middle of the train.
- Air-conditioning
- Clothes hanger
- Vending machine
- Luggage storage
- Seat reservation
- Fold-down table
- Power sockets at each seat
- Reading light
- More legroom
First Class Plus
In addition to all the amenities in Second Class Easy, you'll get to enjoy more spacious seats and legroom in First Class Plus.
- Air-conditioning
- Clothes hanger
- Vending machine
- Luggage storage
- Seat reservation
- Fold-down table
- Power sockets at each seat
- Reading light
- More legroom
Seated coach Basic Easy
If you're travelling on a budget, buy a ticket for a basic seat - you'll find a spacious and comfy seat with a fold-down table, as well as a minibar service.
- Fold-down table
- Minibar
- Reading light
- Luggage storage
- Power sockets
- USB sockets
- Bedding
- Breakfast
- Bottle of water
- Toiletries
- More legroom
- Free magazines/newspapers
- Clothes hanger
- Wakeup service
- Private bathroom
- Welcome drink
- Mirror
Comfort couchette
This couchette can host up to 4 people and offers plenty of amenities, including a toiletry kit, bedding, and breakfast served in the morning.
- Fold-down table
- Minibar
- Reading light
- Luggage storage
- Power sockets
- USB sockets
- Bedding
- Breakfast
- Bottle of water
- Toiletries
- More legroom
- Free magazines/newspapers
- Clothes hanger
- Wakeup service
- Private bathroom
- Welcome drink
- Mirror
Deluxe cabin Relax
In this cabin, you'll enjoy a whole breakfast menu, a wake-up service and a comfier bed. Single, double or 3-berth compartments are available.
- Fold-down table
- Minibar
- Reading light
- Luggage storage
- Power sockets
- USB sockets
- Bedding
- Breakfast
- Bottle of water
- Toiletries
- More legroom
- Free magazines/newspapers
- Clothes hanger
- Wakeup service
- Private bathroom
- Welcome drink
- Mirror
Excelsior cabin Superior
The Excelsior cabin Superior can host up to 2 people. Enjoy the perks of the Deluxe cabin Relax, as well as a welcome drink and a private bathroom with washbasin, shower and mirror.
- Fold-down table
- Minibar
- Reading light
- Luggage storage
- Power sockets
- USB sockets
- Bedding
- Breakfast
- Bottle of water
- Toiletries
- More legroom
- Free magazines/newspapers
- Clothes hanger
- Wakeup service
- Private bathroom
- Welcome drink
- Mirror
Onboard services on AVE, Intercity and Intercity Notte (night trains)
Discover more about the onboard services offered on trains from Madrid to Catania Centrale.
AVE
Intercity
Intercity Notte (night trains)
With AVE, you can travel with up to 3 pieces of luggage that do not exceed 290 cm and 25 kg. In total, the maximum measurements of each piece of luggage are 85 x 55 x 35 cm. Musical instruments also count as hand luggage as long as they do not exceed the dimensions 30 x 120 x 38 cm and are stored in a case.
If you’d like to stretch your legs and grab a coffee during your journey, AVE trains have an onboard bar carriage serving drinks and snacks. If you’d prefer to stay in your seat, AVE staff sell food and drinks from a trolley that will pass through the train during the journey.
On AVE trains, you can take advantage of PlayRenfe – their free WiFi and entertainment service. Giving you access to exclusive content and fast connection speeds, PlayRenfe can be downloaded from the app store on your phone. Once you’re connected, you can access the PlayRenfe portal, where you’ll find exclusive live sport, news, films and TV series.
Children under 3 years old travel for free with AVE, as long as they do not occupy a seat and have their free child ticket. Children from 3 to 14 years old can take advantage of a 40% discount on ticket prices.
On all AVE trains, each passenger can take one bicycle or scooter on board, as long as it’s folded and carried inside a case. Also, the pedals must be removed and handlebars turned 90 degrees. Lastly, if the sum of the dimensions of the case is less than 180cm, it is considered as hand luggage. However, if it’s bigger, it will be considered as special luggage (max dimensions 120 x 90 x 40 cm).
With AVE, you can travel with a pet as long as it weighs no more than 10 kg and travels inside a cage or carrier (60 x 35 x 35 cm). Your pet must have their own pet ticket, unless you’re travelling with a Premium ticket, in which case the pet ticket is free. Guide and assistance dogs travel for free.
AVE offer a free assistance and care service for people with reduced mobility. To request the service, passengers should contact AVE directly.
- You can take your bags on board Trenitalia's Intercity trains free of charge.
- In most cases, there are no luggage size limits. You’ll need to make sure that your luggage is compatible with the space available on board.
You can get snacks and drinks from the vending machines available in coach 3. Gluten-free and lactose-free options are available too.
At the moment, Intercity trains do not offer an entertainment portal on board. However, you can make use of your internet data, as well as charge your devices thanks to the power sockets that are available at your seat.
- Children under 4 can travel for free if a seat is not assigned to them. If they do have a seat, they can get 50% off Base tickets (standard fare).
- Children aged 4-14 also get 50% off.
- Bimbi Gratis offer: You can also get free travel for children under 15 plus 40% off Base tickets for adults, if you’re travelling in a family group of 2 to 5 people (including at least one adult and one child).
- You can travel with your bike for free on all Intercity trains, provided it’s not larger than 80 x 110 x 45cm. Your bike must be disassembled or folded and stored in a bag in one of the dedicated luggage racks.
- If you can't fold your bike, some Intercity trains allow you to take your bike on board. However, you’ll need to book a space and buy a ticket. There are 6 bike spaces in coach 3 and 2 e-bike chargers.
- Small pets can travel on all Intercity trains free of charge, if they’re placed in a carrier or cage of max dimensions of 70 x 30 x 50cm.
- Bigger dogs are allowed on all trains if they have a ticket, they’re kept on a leash and equipped with a muzzle.
- Guide and assistance dogs are allowed on all trains at no additional cost.
If you need to request special assistance, you can call the toll-free number 800 90 60 60 which can be reached from a landline in Italy, or the national number +3902323232 which can be reached from a landline or mobile, even from abroad (international calling charges may apply).
Air-conditioning is available on all Intercity trains.
- You can take your bags on board Trenitalia's Intercity Notte trains free of charge.
- In most cases, there are no luggage size limits – you can even travel with musical instruments and sports equipment. You’ll just need to make sure that your luggage is compatible with the space available on board.
A minibar trolley service is available on all Intercity Notte trains – you can choose from a wide range of snacks and drinks. Vegan, gluten-free and lactose-free options are available too.
Unfortunately, free WiFi is not available on Intercity Notte trains.
- Children under 4 can travel for free if a seat is not assigned to them. If they do have a seat, they can get 50% off Base tickets (standard fare).
- Children aged 4-14 also get 50% off, or 30% off if they’re travelling in the Comfort couchette or Deluxe cabin Relax.
- You can take your folding bike with you if it’s stored in one of the dedicated luggage spaces.
- If you have a traditional bike, you’ll need to disassemble it and place it in a bag that is not larger than 80 x 110 x 45cm.
- Small pets are allowed on board free of charge, if they’re placed in a carrier or cage of max dimensions of 70 x 30 x 50cm. You’ll need to buy a ticket for the whole compartment.
- Bigger dogs are allowed on board if they have a ticket – it’s usually 50% off the Base ticket (standard fare).
Intercity Notte trains have a coach with designated spaces for 2 passengers with a wheelchair and 2 companions. You’ll find a wheelchair symbol outside the coach.
Depending on the class you’ll be travelling in, you’ll get to enjoy additional perks, including a wake-up service, breakfast, bedding and more.
Cheap train tickets from Madrid to Catania Centrale
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 Madrid to Catania Centrale 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.