Madrid to Barcelona Train

10/13/2024
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Madrid to Barcelona by train

The journey from Madrid to Barcelona by train is 313.67 mi and takes 2 hr 47 min. There are 45 connections per day, with the first departure at 6:15 AM and the last at 9:10 PM. It is possible to travel from Madrid to Barcelona by train for as little as $15.40 or as much as $256.28. The best price for this journey is $15.40.

Lowest Price$15.40
Journey Duration2 hr 47 min
Connection per Day45
Lowest Price$15.40
Highest Price$256.28
First Departure6:15 AM
Last Departure9:10 PM
Distance313.67 mi
DepartureMadrid
ArrivalBarcelona
CarriersRenfe REGIONAL EXPRESS, AVEMore

Madrid to Barcelona Train Times

Departure date
Sunday, Oct 13, 2024

Traveling from Madrid to Barcelona by Train

The average journey duration between Madrid and Barcelona is approximately 2 hr 47 min, covering a distance of roughly 313.67 mi. With an estimated 45 daily train departures, travelers have various options to sync with their schedules. Fares typically start at around $15.40, but booking tickets early is advisable, especially if traveling during busy seasons or holidays. Trains leave from Madrid's Puerta de Atocha, and upon reaching Barcelona, passengers disembark at the Barcelona Sants Station.

Primarily serviced by the Renfe AVE (Alta Velocidad Española) trains, the rail connection between Madrid and Barcelona stands out for its speed, reliability, and premium onboard features. Renfe's AVE trains promise top-tier comfort, offering spacious seats, Wi-Fi connectivity on specific routes, and device power outlets. As you speed through the Spanish terrain, picturesque landscapes captivate passengers, making the journey as enriching as the destination.

Barcelona Sants, located in the Sants-Montjuïc district, is Barcelona's main railway station. Well-equipped with facilities such as lounges, ticket offices, and information desks, the station also integrates with the city's metro and bus networks, ensuring convenient transit options. The heart of Barcelona, with its intricate blend of Catalan history, art, and modernity, lies just a few minutes away, welcoming visitors to explore its myriad attractions.

Things to Do/See in Barcelona:

  1. La Sagrada Família: Architect Antoni Gaudí's iconic basilica has been under construction for over a century.
  2. La Rambla: A bustling pedestrian street in the city's heart known for shops, cafes, and live performances.
  3. Park Güell: Another of Gaudí's masterpieces, this colorful park offers panoramic city views.
  4. Gothic Quarter: A maze of medieval alleys filled with history and charm.
  5. Magic Fountain of Montjuïc: Known for its evening light and music shows.
  6. Casa Batlló & Casa Milà: Modernist buildings designed by Gaudí, showcasing his unique architectural style.
  7. Barcelona Cathedral: A Gothic cathedral with stunning interiors and rooftop views.
  8. Barcelona Aquarium: One of Europe's largest and most fascinating aquariums.
  9. Poble Espanyol: An open-air architectural museum showcasing Spain's diverse cultures.
  10. Palau de la Música Catalana: A concert hall renowned for its Modernista architecture.

What to Eat in Barcelona:

  1. Tapas: Small dishes ranging from patatas bravas to anchovies and olives.
  2. Paella: A saffron-infused rice dish, often combined with seafood or meat.
  3. Crema Catalana: Catalonia's take on the crème brûlée.
  4. Botifarra: A traditional Catalan sausage.
  5. Fideuà: Similar to paella, but made with noodles instead of rice.
  6. Esqueixada: A salad made from shredded salt cod, tomatoes, onions, and bell peppers.
  7. Canelons: Pasta tubes stuffed with meat or fish and covered in béchamel sauce.
  8. Pan con tomate: Bread rubbed with garlic and ripe tomatoes, drizzled with olive oil, and sprinkled with salt.
  9. Escalivada: A dish of smoky grilled vegetables, typically eggplant and bell peppers.
  10. Turrón: A traditional nougat dessert, trendy during Christmas.

Day Trips from Barcelona:

Consider visiting the mountain monastery of Montserrat, just an hour away. The beautiful coastal town of Sitges, with its beaches and festivals, is also within easy reach. For wine enthusiasts, the Penedès wine region beckons with its vineyards and cellars.

Travel Tips for Barcelona:

Barcelona's extensive metro system, operated by TMB, connects most tourist attractions. Walking is often the ideal mode for those exploring the city center, revealing hidden gems along the way. While Barcelona boasts a reputation for being tourist-friendly, it's always wise to watch out for pickpockets, particularly in crowded spots.

If your travel plans involve a train journey from Madrid to Barcelona, we help streamline your arrangements. We ensure you get optimal deals by examining numerous routes across varied transport mediums. To view the most competitive rates, check out Virails calendar, and have a great trip!

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Compare prices and tickets from Madrid to Barcelona

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

Book in advance and save

If you're looking for the best deal for your trip from Madrid to Barcelona, 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 Madrid to Barcelona.

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 Madrid to Barcelona 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 $24.29 to $68.67 but may be subject to change. Our advice is to book as early as possible to potentially save up to 65% on your trip!

Best time to book cheap train tickets from Madrid to Barcelona

The cheapest Madrid - Barcelona train tickets can be found for as low as $20.57 if you’re lucky, or $31.56 on average. The most expensive ticket can cost as much as $38.10.

Find the best day to travel to Barcelona by train

When travelling to Barcelona 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 Madrid to Barcelona

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

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 WiFi
quiet_zone Quiet zone
power_sockets Power sockets
luggage Luggage
accessibility Accessibility
air_con Air conditioning
bicycle 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 WiFi
quiet_zone Quiet zone
power_sockets Power sockets
luggage Luggage
accessibility Accessibility
food_and_drink Food and drink
air_con Air conditioning
bicycle 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 WiFi
quiet_zone Quiet zone
power_sockets Power sockets
luggage Luggage
accessibility Accessibility
food_and_drink Food and drink
air_con Air conditioning
bicycle 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 WiFi
quiet_zone Quiet zone
power_sockets Power sockets
luggage Luggage
accessibility Accessibility
food_and_drink Food and drink
air_con Air conditioning
bicycle Bicycle

Singular

The "Singular fare" offers flexibility for entrepreneurs and companies with personalized customer service from iryo assistants.
wifi WiFi
power_sockets Power sockets
luggage Luggage
accessibility Accessibility
food_and_drink Food and drink
air_con Air conditioning
bicycle Bicycle

Inicial

iryo's Inicial fare provides affordable travel without compromising on comfort or service.
wifi WiFi
power_sockets Power sockets
luggage Luggage
accessibility Accessibility
food_and_drink Food and drink
air_con Air conditioning
bicycle 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 WiFi
power_sockets Power sockets
luggage Luggage
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.
wifi WiFi
power_sockets Power sockets
luggage Luggage
accessibility Accessibility
food_and_drink Food and drink
air_con Air conditioning
bicycle Bicycle

Facility Description

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

air_con Air conditioning open icon close icon
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.
quiet_zone Quiet zone open icon close icon
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.
power_sockets Power sockets open icon close icon
Every AVE seat is fitted with power sockets and at-seat radios for your convenience.
accessibility Accessibility open icon close icon
AVE provides a complimentary care and assistance service for individuals with limited mobility. To utilize this service, please reach out to AVE directly.
luggage Luggage open icon close icon
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.
food_and_drink Food and drink open icon close icon
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.
bicycle Bicycle open icon close icon
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.
wifi WiFi open icon close icon
Connect to free WiFi on iryo trains in any class. Enjoy movies, TV shows, live news, and Spotify for entertainment.
power_sockets Power sockets open icon close icon
Every seat on iryo trains comes with power sockets, and those in the Infinita and Singular Cafe class boast additional USB ports.
luggage Luggage open icon close icon
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.
accessibility Accessibility open icon close icon
iryo trains are designed for inclusivity, offering designated seats for passengers with reduced mobility and ensuring step-free access during both boarding and disembarking.
food_and_drink Food and drink open icon close icon
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.
air_con Air conditioning open icon close icon
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.
bicycle Bicycle open icon close icon
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 Madrid to Barcelona
Compare services on board when travelling from Madrid to Barcelona by train.
Facilities AVE Iryo AVLO
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power_sockets Power sockets check check check
luggage Luggage check check check
accessibility Accessibility check cross check
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air_con Air conditioning check cross check
bicycle Bicycle check cross check

Madrid to Barcelona CO2 Emissions by Train

Ecology
Train
35.34kg
Bus
37.86kg
Flight
100.96kg
Car
80.77kg
What are the CO2 emissions from Madrid to Barcelona by train? The CO2 emissions from taking the train between Madrid and Barcelona are 35.34kg.
How much CO2 do I save by taking the train between Madrid and Barcelona? By taking the train between Madrid and Barcelona 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 Madrid to Barcelona?
A train ticket from Madrid to Barcelona is $58.19. 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 $15.40.
What's the cheapest train ticket from Madrid to Barcelona?
The cheapest ticket you can get from Madrid to Barcelona is $15.40. 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 Madrid and Barcelona by train?
Madrid to Barcelona is 313.67 mi.
How long does the train between Madrid and Barcelona take?
Madrid to Barcelona is on average 2 hr 47 min. However the fastest option will get you there in 2 hr 29 min.
Which companies operate from Madrid to Barcelona?
The train journey from Madrid to Barcelona is covered by 4 operator(s). On Virail you can find these carriers that provide services on this route: Renfe REGIONAL EXPRESS, AVE, Iryo, Renfe AVE INT and AVLO.
How many train connections per day go from Madrid to Barcelona?
Madrid to Barcelona has 45 connection(s) per day on average.
What time does the first train from Madrid to Barcelona leave?
The earliest train from Madrid to Barcelona departs at 6:15 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 Madrid to Barcelona depart?
The latest train from Madrid to Barcelona departs at 9:10 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 Madrid to Barcelona 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 $15.40 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 Madrid to Barcelona?
There are on average 45 direct connection(s) from Madrid to go to Barcelona.
What's the fastest journey time between Madrid to Barcelona by train?
The fastest journey time by train between Madrid and Barcelona is 2 hr 29 min.
Is there a direct train from Madrid to Barcelona?
Yes, there is a direct train between Madrid and Barcelona.
What are the CO2 emissions for Madrid to Barcelona by train?
The train journey from Madrid to Barcelona creates 35.34kg of CO2 emissions.

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