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Barcelona to Madrid Train
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Barcelona to Madrid by train
The journey from Barcelona to Madrid by train is 313.67 mi 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 $16.39 or as much as $166.99. The best price for this journey is $16.39.
| Lowest Price | $16.39 |
| Journey Duration | 2 hr 49 min |
| Connection per Day | AVE, Renfe REGIONAL EXPRESS, Iryo, Renfe AVE INT, AVLO 42 |
| Lowest Price | AVE, Renfe REGIONAL EXPRESS, Iryo, Renfe AVE INT, AVLO $16.39 |
| Highest Price | AVE, Renfe REGIONAL EXPRESS, Iryo, Renfe AVE INT, AVLO $166.99 |
| First Departure | AVE, Renfe REGIONAL EXPRESS, Iryo, Renfe AVE INT, AVLO 5:40 AM |
| Last Departure | AVE, Renfe REGIONAL EXPRESS, Iryo, Renfe AVE INT, AVLO 9:25 PM |
| Distance | AVE, Renfe REGIONAL EXPRESS, Iryo, Renfe AVE INT, AVLO 313.67 mi |
| Departure | AVE, Renfe REGIONAL EXPRESS, Iryo, Renfe AVE INT, AVLO Barcelona |
| Arrival | AVE, Renfe REGIONAL EXPRESS, Iryo, Renfe AVE INT, AVLO Madrid |
| Carriers | AVE, Renfe REGIONAL EXPRESS AVE, Renfe REGIONAL EXPRESS, Iryo, Renfe AVE INT, AVLO |
Barcelona to Madrid Train Times
Traveling from Barcelona to Madrid by Train
Embark on a delightful journey from Barcelona, a city celebrated for its vibrant culture and stunning architecture, to Madrid, Spain's capital, known for its rich history and lively atmosphere. Covering a distance of approximately 313.67 mi, high-speed AVE trains streamline the journey to around 2 hr 49 min. With numerous daily departures, ticket prices often start from $16.39. You should reserve the tickets quickly to secure the best prices and seat availability; early booking is recommended. Trains usually depart from Barcelona-Sants and arrive at Madrid-Atocha.
High-speed AVE trains are the principal connection between Barcelona and Madrid, linking these two vibrant cities in a swift journey, enabling passengers to experience the essence of Spanish charm and vivacity. These trains, departing primarily from Barcelona-Sants and concluding at Madrid-Atocha, are revered for their punctuality and superior amenities. Passengers aboard can relish the convenience of power outlets, ensuring their devices remain charged, and complimentary Wi-Fi, allowing for continuous connectivity. The journey is further enhanced by access to a selection of dining services, providing a range of food and beverage options to savor while absorbing the picturesque Spanish landscapes that unfold along the route. The comfortable seating and generous legroom afford a relaxed travel experience, while the choice of classes allows travelers to select the level of luxury that suits their preferences and budget.
Things to Do/See in Madrid:
- Prado Museum: Explore one of the world's most extensive collections of European art.
- Royal Palace of Madrid: Tour the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family.
- Retiro Park: Relax and unwind in this vast, lush green space.
- Puerta del Sol: Discover the heart of Madrid, bustling with shops, cafes, and street performers.
- Gran Vía: Stroll along Madrid's most famous street, lined with shops, restaurants, and theaters.
- Temple of Debod: Visit this ancient Egyptian temple, gifted to Spain in 1968.
- Santiago Bernabéu Stadium: Experience the thrill of a match or tour the home of Real Madrid CF.
- Mercado San Miguel: Sample local delicacies at this famous gourmet tapas market.
What to Eat in Madrid:
- Churros con Chocolate: Enjoy this sweet fried dough treat with hot chocolate.
- Cocido Madrileño: Relish this hearty chickpea-based stew with vegetables and meat.
- Tapas: Savor an assortment of small dishes, from olives to calamari.
- Jamón ibérico: Sample this renowned Spanish cured ham.
- Tortilla Española: Taste this traditional Spanish omelet made with eggs and potatoes.
- Bocadillo de Calamares: Bite into a sandwich filled with fried squid rings.
- Tarta de Santiago: Indulge in this almond cake topped with powdered sugar and the Cross of Saint James.
- Flan: Finish your meal with this creamy caramel custard dessert.
Day Trips from Madrid:
- Toledo: Explore the historic "City of Three Cultures" with its blend of Christian, Muslim, and Jewish heritage.
- Segovia: Marvel at this fairytale-like city's ancient Roman aqueduct and Alcázar castle.
- Ávila: Visit this medieval city renowned for its perfectly preserved city walls.
- El Escorial: Discover the splendid royal palace and monastery, symbolizing Spanish Golden Age power.
- Aranjuez: Wander through the Royal Palace's lush gardens and explore its lavish interiors.
- Salamanca: Learn about the rich history and admire the stunning architecture of this university city.
- Cuenca: Explore the "hanging houses" and dramatic landscapes of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Travel Tips for Madrid:
Madrid boasts a well-developed public transportation network consisting of buses, metro, and commuter trains, making exploring the city and its surroundings easy. The culinary scene in Madrid is diverse, offering everything from high-end dining experiences to quaint tapas bars. While Madrid is generally safe, it is advisable to stay vigilant, particularly in crowded areas. Shopping lovers will find various options, from high-end boutiques to charming local markets.
To seamlessly plan your journey from Barcelona to Madrid, utilize Virail, which aggregates various travel options and prices, allowing you to select the most suitable travel arrangements for your needs. Begin your travel planning today by visiting Virail.
Compare prices and 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.
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 $21.57 to $60.49 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 $19.36 if you’re lucky, or $30.16 on average. The most expensive ticket can cost as much as $37.33.
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.
WiFi 
Quiet zone 
Power sockets 
Luggage 
Accessibility 
Air conditioning 
Bicycle 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. WiFi Quiet zone Power sockets Luggage Accessibility 
Food and drink Air conditioning Bicycle 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. WiFi Quiet zone Power sockets Luggage Accessibility Food and drink Air conditioning Bicycle 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. WiFi Quiet zone Power sockets Luggage Accessibility Food and drink Air conditioning Bicycle Singular
The "Singular fare" offers flexibility for entrepreneurs and companies with personalized customer service from iryo assistants. WiFi Power sockets Luggage Accessibility Food and drink Air conditioning Bicycle Inicial
iryo's Inicial fare provides affordable travel without compromising on comfort or service. WiFi Power sockets Luggage Accessibility Food and drink Air conditioning Bicycle 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. WiFi Power sockets Luggage Accessibility Food and drink Air conditioning Bicycle Infinita
Infinita is iryo's all-inclusive fare that offers the best travel options with flexibility and comfort. WiFi Power sockets Luggage Accessibility Food and drink Air conditioning Bicycle Facility Description
Find out more about the different facilities available onboard with each carrier on this route.
Air conditioning Travel in comfort as all AVE trains are air-conditioned. Air conditioning 
WiFi Stay connected at high speeds with PlayRenfe, AVE's complimentary WiFi service, ensuring you remain online even at 300 km/h. WiFi Quiet zone 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. Quiet zone Power sockets Every AVE seat is fitted with power sockets and at-seat radios for your convenience.
Power sockets Accessibility AVE provides a complimentary care and assistance service for individuals with limited mobility. To utilize this service, please reach out to AVE directly. Accessibility Luggage 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. Luggage Food and drink 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. Food and drink Bicycle 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. Bicycle WiFi Connect to free WiFi on iryo trains in any class. Enjoy movies, TV shows, live news, and Spotify for entertainment. WiFi Power sockets Every seat on iryo trains comes with power sockets, and those in the Infinita and Singular Cafe class boast additional USB ports. Power sockets Luggage 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. Luggage Accessibility iryo trains are designed for inclusivity, offering designated seats for passengers with reduced mobility and ensuring step-free access during both boarding and disembarking. Accessibility Food and drink 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. Food and drink Air conditioning 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. Air conditioning Bicycle 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. Bicycle | Facilities | AVE | Iryo | AVLO |
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Luggage | | | |
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Barcelona to Madrid CO2 Emissions by Train
Anything we can improve?