There are 6 ways to get from Madrid to Barcelona by train (Renfe, Ouigo), bus, rideshare, plane, or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Train
best- Take the train from Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes to Barcelona-SantsAve
2h 37m€25–85Bus
- Take the bus from Madrid - Barajas Airport T4 to Barcelona - North Bus StationBlaBlaCar Bus
8h 52m€42–65Rideshare
- Take the rideshare from Madrid to Barcelone609.1 km
7h 13m€30Fly
- Fly from Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) to Barcelona–El Prat Airport (BCN)MAD - BCN
3h 30m€48–180Bus via Madrid Chamartín
- Take the bus from Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) to Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos NordAlsa
9h 9m€38–113Drive 608.7 km
- Drive from Madrid to Barcelona608.7 km
6h 17m€97–139
Madrid to Barcelona by train
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Madrid to Barcelona is to rideshare which costs €30 and takes 7h 13m.
The fastest way to get from Madrid to Barcelona is to train which takes 2h 37m and costs €25 - €85.
No, there is no direct bus from Madrid to Barcelona station. However, there are services departing from Cibeles and arriving at Barcelona - North Bus Station via Madrid - Barajas Airport T4. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 8h 52m.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes and arriving at Barcelona-Sants. Services depart hourly, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 2h 37m.
The distance between Madrid and Barcelona is 605 km. The road distance is 608.7 km.
The best way to get from Madrid to Barcelona without a car is to train which takes 2h 37m and costs €25 - €85.
The train from Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes to Barcelona-Sants takes 2h 37m including transfers and departs hourly.
Madrid to Barcelona bus services, operated by BlaBlaCar Bus, depart from Madrid - Barajas Airport T4 station.
Madrid to Barcelona train services, operated by Renfe AVE, depart from Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes station.
The best way to get from Madrid to Barcelona is to train which takes 2h 37m and costs €25 - €85. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs €40 - €65 and takes 8h 52m, you could also fly, which costs €45 - €180 and takes 3h 30m.
What companies run services between Madrid, Spain and Barcelona, Spain?
Renfe AVE operates a train from Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes to Barcelona-Sants hourly. Tickets cost €50–75 and the journey takes 2h 37m. Three other operators also service this route. Alternatively, BlaBlaCar Bus operates a bus from Madrid - Barajas Airport T4 to Barcelona - North Bus Station 6 times a week. Tickets cost €40–60 and the journey takes 7h 10m.
- Website
- iberia.com
Flights from Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport to Barcelona–El Prat Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 16m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €30–160
- Website
- aireuropa.com
Flights from Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport to Barcelona–El Prat Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 25m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €40–160
- Website
- ryanair.com
Flights from Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport to Barcelona–El Prat Airport via Ibiza
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 47m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
- Estimated price
- €40–210
- Website
- rj.com
Flights from Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport to Barcelona–El Prat Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 25m
- When
- Wednesday
- Estimated price
- €95–220
- Phone
- +34 91 232 03 20
- Website
- renfe.com
Train from Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes to Barcelona-Sants
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 37m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €50–75
- Website
- https://www.renfe.com/es/en
- Básico
- €50–75
- Phone
- +34 900 926 851
- [email protected]
- Website
- iryo.eu
Train from Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes to Barcelona-Sants
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 59m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €27–85
- Website
- https://iryo.eu/en/home
- Inicial
- €27–85
- Phone
- +34 910 780 990
- Website
- ouigo.com
Train from Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes to Barcelona-Sants
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 2m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- €25–80
- Website
- https://www.ouigo.com/es/en
- Phone
- +34 91 232 03 20
- Website
- renfe.com
Train from Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes to Barcelona-Sants
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 4m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- €45–65
- Website
- https://www.renfe.com/es/en
- Phone
- +3-389-268-0068
- Website
- blablacar.co.uk
Bus from Madrid - Barajas Airport T4 to Barcelona - North Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 10m
- Frequency
- 6 times a week
- Estimated price
- €40–60
- Website
- https://www.blablacar.co.uk/bus
- Phone
- +34 910 207 007
- [email protected]
- Website
- alsa.com
Bus from Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) to Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 50m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- €35–110
- Website
- https://www.alsa.com/en/
Rome2Rio's guide to BlaBlaCar.es
Contact Details
- Website
- blablacar.com
Rideshare from Madrid to Barcelone
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 13m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €30
- Book at
- blablacar.es
Want to know more about travelling around Spain
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
Related travel guides
Train travel in Spain: A guide to Renfe
Read the travel guide
What are the different types of Renfe trains in Spain?
Read the travel guide
Is ride-sharing platform BlaBlaCar right for you?
Read the travel guide
More Questions & Answers
Madrid to Barcelona bus services, operated by BlaBlaCar Bus, arrive at Barcelona - North Bus Station.
Madrid to Barcelona train services, operated by Renfe AVE, arrive at Barcelona-Sants station.
Yes, the driving distance between Madrid to Barcelona is 609 km. It takes approximately 6h 17m to drive from Madrid to Barcelona.
Book your Madrid to Barcelona bus tickets online with Omio.
There are 5539+ hotels available in Barcelona.
Check out Blablacar's carpooling service for rideshare options between Madrid and Barcelona. A great option if you don't have a driver's licence or want to avoid public transport.