Photo: HazteOir.org (CC BY-SA 2.0)
How to get from Madrid to Barcelona
4 ways, 504 km apart. Times come from today's timetables (Tuesday, planned from 08:00). Prices are marked live, operator fare or estimated. We add nothing to the fare.
4 ways to travel
| Way | Door to door | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Trainbest | 3h 20m | €70–247 estimated |
| Fly | 4h 42m | €120–180 estimated |
| Drivecheapest | 8h 31m | €60–85 estimated |
| Taxi | 8h 31m | €740–1,110 estimated |
Departures today
- 08:00 → 12:144h 14m · directRENFE OPERADORA AVE€70–230
- 08:00 → 12:004h · 1 changeRENFE OPERADORA AVE€70–231
- 08:17 → 12:143h 57m · 1 changeRenfe Cercanias C4b€70–231
- 08:17 → 12:003h 43m · 2 changesRenfe Cercanias C4b€70–231
- 08:30 → 12:364h 6m · directRENFE OPERADORA AVE€75–235
- 08:30 → 12:253h 55m · 1 changeRENFE OPERADORA AVE€75–236
Timetable data via Transitous and the operators' own GTFS feeds. Live delays arrive when an operator publishes a real-time feed.
Questions people ask
- How long does it take to get from Madrid to Barcelona?
- The fastest way is by train: about 3h 20m door to door. The straight-line distance is 504 km.
- What is the cheapest way from Madrid to Barcelona?
- Drive is the cheapest, from €60. That figure is an estimate from the operator's fare bands, not a live quote.
- Is there a direct train from Madrid to Barcelona?
- Yes. Today's timetable shows 2 direct trains, the fastest taking 3h 20m. Fares run €70–247 across classes.
- How long is the flight from Madrid to Barcelona?
- About 1h 18m in the air (MAD → BCN), about 4h 42m door to door once you add the ride to the airport, check-in and the cab at the other end. Typical fares run €120–180; live prices are on Flights70.
- How far is Barcelona from Madrid by road?
- About 617 km, roughly 8h 31m of driving in normal traffic. Fuel alone costs around €60–85; tolls and parking are extra.