TrainlineTrainline is Europe’s leading platform for train and bus tickets

Low prices found by our customers
Each fare is the lowest adult economy ticket fare found by our customers on Trainline. Fares booked further in advance than the dates displayed may be cheaper. Prices are updated daily, subject to change and indicative of price last update. Limited availability. Discount cards and coach journeys excluded, prices exclusive of booking fee.

What customers say about Trainline

Read real reviews from real users

Travelling from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid by train

Looking to travel from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid by train? You've come to the right place!

On average, it takes around 3 hours 25 minutes to travel from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid by train, the fastest services can get you there in as little as 2 hours 55 minutes though. You'll usually find 34 trains per day running along the 314 miles (505 km) route between these two destinations. You’ll need to make 1 change during the journey to Madrid, as there currently aren't any direct services on this route. OUIGO, a low-cost, high-speed train service operated by SNCF, will whisk you to Madrid in no time at all.

Plan your trip ahead of time and book early if you want to snap up the cheapest fares. Tickets from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid start from £8.10 when you book in advance, so use our Journey Planner to view the latest prices.

If you’re feeling ready to book, start looking for cheap train tickets with us today. Keep reading for more information on the journey to Madrid by train, including our timetable where you can view first and last train times.

Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid by train

It takes an average of 3h 25m to travel from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid by train, over a distance of around 314 miles (505 km). There are normally 34 trains per day travelling from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid and tickets for this journey start from £8.10 when you book in advance.

First train

05:54

Last train

22:38

Departure station

Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya

Arrival station

Madrid

Journey time

From 2h 55m

Distance

314 miles (505 km)

Frequency

34 trains per day

Changes

1 change

Price

From £8.10

Train and bus operators

OUIGO, iryo, ALSA

Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid train times

Check out the next trains departing from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid for mardi 2 avril 2024. For the full train timetable/schedule, or to search for a later time or date, click here.
DepartsArrivesDuration
10:56 14:25 3h 29m, 1 change
11:24 14:45 3h 21m, 1 change
11:54 14:54 3h 0m, 1 change
12:24 15:20 2h 56m, 1 change
12:35 16:12 3h 37m, 1 change
13:24 16:40 3h 16m, 1 change
13:54 16:55 3h 1m, 1 change
14:24 17:40 3h 16m, 1 change
14:54 17:55 3h 1m, 1 change
15:24 18:45 3h 21m, 1 change

OUIGO and iryo trains from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid

You can travel from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid on OUIGO and iryo trains. When you search for times and tickets, we might also show you some other options with multiple connections or operators if they’re available.

PhotoCramos, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0

OUIGO is the low-cost brand of French rail company SNCF, who operate trains in France and Spain. In France, all seats on OUIGO are Second Class and tickets can only be purchased online. You can also pay for additional extras, such as reserving a seat in the ‘quiet area’, at-seat power sockets and extra luggage. OUIGO has been operating in Spain since May 2021, and their trains include an onboard bar and a premium class of service called OUIGO Plus.

Operating since the end of 2022, iryo is a new high-speed train company in Spain. It’s a consortium between the Spanish airline Air Norstrum and the train company Trenitalia, one of the greatest leaders in European rail transport. The first private Spanish high-speed company to operate, iryo runs high-speed services on the Madrid – Zaragoza – Barcelona route and connects Madrid – Cuenca – Valencia/Alicante and Madrid – Cordoba – Seville/Malaga. They are doing this all with a fleet of ETR1000 model trains that offer the highest level of comfort in Spain, with a combination of advanced propulsion and highest quality onboard services, including WiFi connection and catering service. 98% of the parts of the trains are 100% recyclable, making this trip sustainable as well!

iryo and OUIGO classes from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid

Compare the different travel classes offered by iryo and OUIGO when travelling from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid.

Onboard services on iryo and OUIGO

Discover more about the onboard services offered on trains from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid.

LuggageLuggageLuggage

You can carry up to 3 pieces of luggage on iryo trains, as long as they do not exceed 25kg in total. These 3 pieces can be 2 suitcases with a maximum size of 85 x 55 x 35cm and a backpack or handbag that does not exceed the dimensions of 36 x 27 x 15cm.

RestaurantRestaurantFood and drink

iryo offers different menus with high-quality products in all classes. You can buy your favourite meal from their onboard restaurant/bar carriage, which is usually near coach 2.

If you’re travelling in the Infinita Class, you can enjoy the Infinita Bistró service – your meal will be served straight to your seat. Please note that you’ll need to book your meal at least 24 hours in advance.

WiFiWiFiEntertainment

You can enjoy free WiFi in all classes on iryo trains, as well as an onboard entertainment platform providing a wide selection of movies, TV series, live news and Spotify.

ChildPassengerChildPassengerTravel with children

Children aged 0-3 travel for free on all iryo trains. Children aged 4-13 get a discounted ticket while those aged 14-18 need to pay the full price. Please note that children aged under 18 need to be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.

ModeOfTransportBikeModeOfTransportBikeBikes

You can take your bike on board iryo trains for free if it’s folded and does not exceed 90 x 120 x 40cm. Also, your bike must travel without the pedals and with the handlebar rotated 90 degrees.

PetPetPets

iryo allows pets that do not exceed 10kg in weight, as long as they travel inside a carrier with a maximum size of 60 x 35 x 35cm. You'll need to buy a ticket for your pet in advance. In addition, guide dogs can travel at no additional cost.

WheelchairWheelchairSpecial Assistance

There are seats for people with reduced mobility on iryo trains. Step-free access is also available both when boarding and when getting off the train.

LuggageLuggageLuggage

One piece of hand luggage (36 x 27 x 15 cm) and one piece of cabin luggage (55 x 35 x 25 cm) can be taken onboard. You can take additional or larger bags with you (max. 30kg) for an extra fee or by paying for OUIGO Plus.

RestaurantRestaurantFood and drink

On OUIGO trains in France: an at-seat service of snacks is available on Train classique services. This service is not available on high-speed OUIGO trains.
On OUIGO trains in Spain: OUIBAR is located in coach 4 of each train and offers a selection of hot and cold drinks, plus snacks.

WiFiWiFiEntertainment

WiFi (OUIFI) and an entertainment portal (OUIFUN) are available at an additional cost.

ChildPassengerChildPassengerTravel with children

For OUIGO trains in France: Passengers under 12 years old pay a fixed price for tickets all year round - €5 for journeys on Train classique services, and €8 for high speed services.
For OUIGO trains in Spain: Passengers under 12 pay €5 per ticket for all journeys.

ModeOfTransportBikeModeOfTransportBikeBikes

You can take your bicycle on board OUIGO trains if you add the 'Bike' option onto your ticket for an additional fee of at least €5. Your bike must be folded or dismantled and placed in a storage bag for transport.

PetPetPets

Pets are only allowed on board OUIGO trains if the 'Pets' option is added to your ticket at the time of booking. (1 pet per adult, per booking, €10 per pet.)

WheelchairWheelchairSpecial Assistance

For disabled passengers or those with reduced mobility, you can request assistance through 'Accès Plus'. With this service, a member of staff will meet you at the station and help you get to your seat on the train. To book assistance, contact Accès Plus after you book your tickets (and no later than 48 hours before your train is due to depart).

Cheap train tickets from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid

The price of train tickets from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid starts at £8.10 one-way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. Booking on the day is usually more expensive and costs can vary depending on the time of day, route or class.

Book in advance

Most of the train companies across Europe release their tickets around three to six months in advance, many of which can be cheaper the earlier you book. If you know the dates you want to travel, you may be able to find some cheaper train tickets from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid by booking early.§

Be flexible with your travel times

Many of the train services in Europe are also popular commuter services, lots of train companies increase ticket prices during “peak hours” (generally between 06:00 – 10:00 and 15:00 – 19:00 on weekdays). If you can, consider travelling outside of peak hours to find lower priced tickets.

Choose a slower or connecting train

On some of the busier routes, you might also have the option to take a slower or connecting train. It may take a little longer than some high-speed or direct services, but if you have a little extra time on your hands, you might find a cheaper fare. Plus, you'll have more time to enjoy the view of the countryside!

Look out for special deals

Take a look at our handy guides to find out when train operators release their special deals and offers to see if you can find cheap European train tickets for your journey.

For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.

§Some train companies may not offer any Advance ticket types or cheaper deals for early bookings. On rare occasions, train companies may choose to release special offers closer to the date on last-minute or late-release tickets. This is dependent on the individual train operating company you travel with.

Journey details

Want to know more about your journey from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.

How long does the train from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid take?

The average journey time by train between Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya and Madrid is 3 hours and 25 minutes, with around 34 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.

What's the fastest journey time between Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya and Madrid by train?

The fastest journey time by train from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid is 2 hours and 55 minutes.

How much does the train from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid cost?

Train ticket prices from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid can start from as little as £8.10 when you book in advance. The cost of tickets can vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book and are usually more expensive if you book on the day.

Is there a direct train from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid?

No, there are no direct train services from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid. Travelling from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid by train will require a minimum of 1 change.

What time does the first train from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid leave?

The first train from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid leaves at 05:54. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.

What time does the last train from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid leave?

The last train from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid leaves at 22:38. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.

What's the distance between Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya and Madrid by train?

Trains travelling from Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya to Madrid cover a distance of around 314 miles (505 km) during the journey.

Looking for more information?

If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Madrid to Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya.

Europe’s leading train and coach app

We help customers across Europe make more than 172,000 smarter journeys every day.