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Barcelona to Madrid Train

21/11/2024
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Today €42.81
Tomorrow €43.25
2 days €30.68
3 days €34.45

Barcelona to Madrid by train

The journey from Barcelona to Madrid by train is 504.81 km and takes 2 hr 49 min. There are 42 connections per day, with the first departure at 5:40 AM and the last at 9:25 PM. It is possible to travel from Barcelona to Madrid by train for as little as €15.97 or as much as €162.70. The best price for this journey is €15.97.

Lowest Price €15.97
Journey Duration 2 hr 49 min
Connection per Day 42
Lowest Price €15.97
Highest Price €162.70
First Departure 5:40 AM
Last Departure 9:25 PM
Distance 504.81 km
Departure Barcelona
Arrival Madrid
Carriers AVE, Renfe REGIONAL EXPRESS

Barcelona to Madrid Train Times

Departure date
Thursday, Nov 21, 2024

Compare prices and tickets from Barcelona to Madrid

Cheap train tickets from Barcelona to Madrid
Looking for the best deal on a train ticket for your trip? Here are 4 ways to get cheap train tickets from Barcelona to Madrid.

Book in advance and save

If you're looking for the best deal for your trip from Barcelona to Madrid, booking train tickets in advance is a great way to save money, but keep in mind that advance tickets are usually not available until 3 months before your travel date.

Stay flexible with your travel time and explore off-peak journeys

Planning your trips around off-peak travel times not only means that you'll be able to avoid the crowds, but can also end up saving you money. Being flexible with your schedule and considering alternative routes or times will significantly impact the amount of money you spend on getting from Barcelona to Madrid.

Always check special offers

Checking on the latest deals can help save a lot of money, making it worth taking the time to browse and compare prices. So make sure you get the best deal on your ticket and take advantage of special fares for children, youth and seniors as well as discounts for groups.

Unlock the potential of slower trains or connecting trains

If you're planning a trip with some flexible time, why not opt for the scenic route? Taking slower trains or connecting trains that make more stops may save you money on your ticket – definitely worth considering if it fits in your schedule.

Best time to book Barcelona to Madrid travel

Virail Pro Tip ✌: Booking 10 days in advance save 10% on average

Price as departure date approaches

Train companies may charge higher ticket prices as the date of departure approaches. Prices in the next days can range from around €21.02 to €58.94 but may be subject to change. Our advice is to book as early as possible to potentially save up to 64% on your trip!

Best time to book cheap train tickets from Barcelona to Madrid

The cheapest Barcelona - Madrid train tickets can be found for as low as €18.86 if you’re lucky, or €29.39 on average. The most expensive ticket can cost as much as €36.37.

Find the best day to travel to Madrid by train

When travelling to Madrid by train, if you want to avoid crowds you can check how frequently our customers are travelling in the next 30-days using the graph below. On average, the peak hours to travel are between 6:30am and 9am in the morning, or between 4pm and 7pm in the evening. Please keep this in mind when travelling to your point of departure as you may need some extra time to arrive, particularly in big cities!

Carriers on this route

Find out more about the carriers on this route.

AVE stands for "Alta Velocidad Española", which means "Spanish High Speed". AVE is a high-speed train service operated by the Spanish national railway company Renfe. With the AVE trains you can travel to many major cities in Spain, including routes to Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Malaga, and Zaragoza.

Iryo is a Spanish high-speed train operator, founded in 2019 and serving Spain's major cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Seville, Valencia and Zaragoza. iryo operates on the national rail network in Spain, using the latest AVE high-speed trains to transport passengers at speeds of up to 310 km/h.

Ticket types and facilities from Barcelona to Madrid

Compare the different ticket types and the facilities provided by AVE and Iryo when traveling from Barcelona to Madrid.

Básico

The Basico are the most affordable tickets, but they come with certain restrictions, such as no changes or refunds. They also typically have limited availability and must be purchased well in advance.
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Elige Estándar

The Elige tickets provide enhanced flexibility for exchanging or canceling your reservation. Elige Estándar," provides travelers with the standard, regular seating arrangement known as the "Estándar seat." Additionally, you can choose your preferred seat by paying an extra fee, and upgrading to Premium is also possible.
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Elige Confort

If you go for "Elige Confort," you get the bigger and likely more comfortable XL Confort seat. The Elige tickets provide enhanced flexibility for exchanging or canceling your reservation. Additionally, you can choose your preferred seat by paying an extra fee, and upgrading to Premium is also possible.
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Prémium

Renfe AVE's Premium tickets are the priciest but also the most flexible, limited to Confort class only. They allow free train changes and provide the benefit of boarding the next train for free in case you miss your scheduled one.
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luggage Luggage
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Singular

The "Singular fare" offers flexibility for entrepreneurs and companies with personalized customer service from iryo assistants.
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Inicial

iryo's Inicial fare provides affordable travel without compromising on comfort or service.
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Singular ONLY YOU

The "Singular Only YOU" fare is designed for entrepreneurs and companies, providing the best conditions for changes and cancellations in the ticket.
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accessibility Accessibility
food_and_drink Food and drink
air_con Air conditioning
bicycle Bicycle

Infinita

Infinita is iryo's all-inclusive fare that offers the best travel options with flexibility and comfort.
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Facility Description

Find out more about the different facilities available onboard with each carrier on this route.

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Travel in comfort as all AVE trains are air-conditioned.
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Stay connected at high speeds with PlayRenfe, AVE's complimentary WiFi service, ensuring you remain online even at 300 km/h.
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The Silent Carriage is available exclusively for standard seats on AVE trains, excluding the AVE International route between Spain and France, as well as Euromed trains. Due to its popularity, early ticket purchase is advised.
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Every AVE seat is fitted with power sockets and at-seat radios for your convenience.
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AVE provides a complimentary care and assistance service for individuals with limited mobility. To utilize this service, please reach out to AVE directly.
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On AVE trains, you're welcome to bring along 3 bags, each not surpassing 85 x 55 x 35 cm and 25 kg (55 lbs) in weight. Moreover, instruments are considered hand luggage if they're within 30 x 120 x 38 cm and safely tucked in a case.
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Visit the onboard AVE bar carriage for a treat or wait for the food trolley that travels through the train. Prémium Ticket holders can enjoy in-seat dining featuring Chef Ramón Freixa's expertise. Please ensure you request special menus, from vegetarian to Halal, at least 12 hours before departure to enjoy a tailored meal experience.
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You can bring along your bike or scooter, just make sure it's folded and snug in a case. Don't forget to remove the pedals and give those handlebars a 90-degree turn. If your case's total dimensions are under 180cm, it counts as hand luggage. Anything larger falls into the special luggage category but keep it within 120 x 90 x 40 cm.
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Connect to free WiFi on iryo trains in any class. Enjoy movies, TV shows, live news, and Spotify for entertainment.
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Every seat on iryo trains comes with power sockets, and those in the Infinita and Singular Cafe class boast additional USB ports.
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On iryo trains, flexible baggage policy lets you travel comfortably with up to 3 pieces of luggage, including a piece of hand luggage. Maximum size for 2 larger pieces is 85x55x35cm, while hand luggage must be 36x27x15cm. Total weight limit is 25kg.
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iryo trains are designed for inclusivity, offering designated seats for passengers with reduced mobility and ensuring step-free access during both boarding and disembarking.
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iryo offers quality menus for all classes. Find the onboard restaurant/bar usually close to coach 2. For Infinita Class passengers, meals are served at your seat, but remember to book 24 hours in advance.
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Enjoy fresh and comfortable air on the ETR1000 train; its cutting-edge air-conditioning system refreshes the entire carriage's air in just 3 minutes, ensuring a generous 35 m3/h of fresh outside air for every passenger.
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On Iryo trains, you can bring along one disassembled bicycle or electric scooter per coach, as long as it's tucked into a bag and stays within 90x120x40cm. It's free to transport! Just keep in mind that you'll handle the loading, safekeeping, and unloading. Also, be considerate of other passengers' comfort and safety, and remember any damages caused are on you.
Services on board AVE, Iryo and AVLO from Barcelona to Madrid
Compare services on board when travelling from Barcelona to Madrid by train.
Facilities AVE Iryo AVLO
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Barcelona to Madrid CO2 Emissions by Train

Ecology
Train
35.34kg
Bus
37.86kg
Flight
100.96kg
Car
80.77kg
What are the CO2 emissions from Barcelona to Madrid by train? The CO2 emissions from taking the train between Barcelona and Madrid are 35.34kg.
How much CO2 do I save by taking the train between Barcelona and Madrid? By taking the train between Barcelona and Madrid you will save 65.62kg CO2 emissions compared to a flight, 2.52kg compared to a bus and 45.43kg compared to a car.

Anything we can improve?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a train ticket from Barcelona to Madrid?
A train ticket from Barcelona to Madrid is €54.73. However the price varies depending on how early you buy, and if it's peak time to travel. Occasionally you can find them for as cheap as €15.97.
What's the cheapest train ticket from Barcelona to Madrid?
The cheapest ticket you can get from Barcelona to Madrid is €15.97. We recommend booking as early as possible and off-peak hours to get the cheapest ticket possible. Off-peak times are usually from 09:30 to 16:00, and after 19:00.
What's the distance between Barcelona and Madrid by train?
Barcelona to Madrid is 504.81 km.
How long does the train between Barcelona and Madrid take?
Barcelona to Madrid is on average 2 hr 49 min. However the fastest option will get you there in 2 hr 29 min.
Which companies operate from Barcelona to Madrid?
The train journey from Barcelona to Madrid is covered by 4 operator(s). On Virail you can find these carriers that provide services on this route: AVE, Renfe REGIONAL EXPRESS, Iryo, Renfe AVE INT and AVLO.
How many train connections per day go from Barcelona to Madrid?
Barcelona to Madrid has 42 connection(s) per day on average.
What time does the first train from Barcelona to Madrid leave?
The earliest train from Barcelona to Madrid departs at 5:40 AM. However be sure to check with us the schedule on the day you want to leave as the time may differ.
What time does the last train from Barcelona to Madrid depart?
The latest train from Barcelona to Madrid departs at 9:25 PM. However be sure to check with us the schedule on the day you want to leave as the time may differ.
Should I book my ticket from Barcelona to Madrid in advance?
If you can, we recommend booking your ticket as early as possible to ensure you get better savings. The cheapest train ticket we have found is €15.97 but this may be subject to change depending on the day of travel, hour you wish to depart and how far in advance you book.
How many direct connections depart from Barcelona to Madrid?
There are on average 42 direct connection(s) from Barcelona to go to Madrid.
What's the fastest journey time between Barcelona to Madrid by train?
The fastest journey time by train between Barcelona and Madrid is 2 hr 29 min.
Is there a direct train from Barcelona to Madrid?
Yes, there is a direct train between Barcelona and Madrid.
What are the CO2 emissions for Barcelona to Madrid by train?
The train journey from Barcelona to Madrid creates 35.34kg of CO2 emissions.