AVE on route Barcelona-Madrid leaving Barcelona Sants, panoramic side shot with speed effect
Train Route

Trains Barcelona-Madrid: schedules, prices and offers

AVE Barcelona-Madrid in 3h 01min from €35. About 54 trains a day, cheap trains and train+hotel packages. Check prices and book your trip.

From 35€ 54 trains/day AVE · AVE INT 3h 1'

Consulta precios para tus fechas

🔒 Sin comisiones ocultas · Precio garantizado

35€Minimum price
3h 1'Direct journey
54Daily trains
35%Early booking savings
Route summary

Quick Route Summary Barcelona-Madrid

The AVE Barcelona-Madrid covers 621 km in 3h 01min (direct) with about 54 trains daily between Barcelona Sants and Madrid Chamartín. Prices from €35 in Economy class to €185 in Preferente, with the cheapest time slot between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. from Tuesday to Thursday. By booking 21 days in advance you save an average of 35%.
Train interior AVE
train interior
Distance621 km
Minimum duration3h 01min
Maximum duration3h 50min
Daily frequency54 trains (AVE)
Minimum price€35 (Tourist)
Maximum price€185 (Preferred)
Average price€62
Cheapest strip2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Tue.-Thu.
Optimal advance notice21 days (average savings 35%)
Origin stationBarcelona Sants
Destination stationMadrid Chamartín
Schedules

Train schedules Barcelona-Madrid

The Barcelona-Madrid trains run throughout the day with durations between 3h 01min and 3h 50min. Direct services are the fastest; those that stop in Zaragoza-Delicias, Camp Tarragona or Guadalajara-Yebes add up to 50 minutes. There are departures from early in the morning until late around 10:00 p.m.

Indicative schedules Barcelona-Madrid (example)
ExitArrivalDurationGuyStops
06:30 09:31 3h 01min
AVE
Straight
08:00 11:15 3h 15min
AVE
Saragossa
10:30 13:31 3h 01min
AVE
Straight
14:00 17:10 3h 10min
AVE
Saragossa
16:30 19:31 3h 01min
AVE
Straight
19:00 22:20 3h 20min
AVE
Saragossa

Indicative schedules. Check actual availability for your date.

Prices

Train prices Barcelona-Madrid

Renfe ticket app
Check prices in the app
The AVE Barcelona-Madrid starts at €35 in Economy and up to €185 in Preferente. The average price in recent months is around €62. The cheapest months are November (€52 on average) and February (€54); July is the most expensive (€78 on average).
Train prices Barcelona-Madrid by type and class
Type/ClassFromAverage priceUntil
AVE Tourist €35 €62 €110
AVE Tourist Plus €55 €78 €135
AVE Preferred €85 €115 €185
Journey time

How long does the Barcelona-Madrid train take?

The fastest train Barcelona-Madrid takes 3h 01min in direct service. Services with a stop in Zaragoza-Delicias, Camp Tarragona or Guadalajara-Yebes take between 3h 10min and 3h 50min. All long-distance offerings on this route are high-speed.

🚄
AVE direct
3h 01min
€62 · Several/day
⭐ Más rápido
🚄
AVE via Zaragoza
3h 15min-3h 50min
€58 · Several/day
🚄
Car (A-2)
6h 15min
~€80 (gasoline+toll)
🚄
Bus
7h 30min
25-45€ · Several/day
🚄
Plane
1h 15min + transfers
40-120€ · Several/day
Stations

Stations on the route Barcelona-Madrid

The Barcelona-Madrid trains depart from Barcelona Sants and arrive at Madrid Chamartin. Barcelona Sants has connection with metro L3 and L5, Cercanías and bus; Madrid Chamartín with metro L1 and L10, Cercanías and bus. Both stations have parking, lockers, cafeteria and WiFi.
Barcelona Sants Station
🟢 Origen
Barcelona Sants
Barcelona
Connection with meter L3 and L5, Cercanías and bus. Parking, lockers, cafeteria, WiFi and club room.
Barcelona Long Distance Main Station; all AVE to Madrid leave from here.
⬦ Parada opcional
Zaragoza-Delicias / Camp Tarragona / Guadalajara-Yebes
Some trains stop in Zaragoza, Camp Tarragona or Guadalajara; total duration 3h 10min to 3h 50min.
Madrid Chamartín Station
🏁 Destino
Madrid Chamartín
Madrid
Connection with meter L1 and L10, Cercanías and bus. Parking, lockers, cafeteria, WiFi and club room.
One of the two main stations AVE of Madrid; direct connection with the north of the city.
On board

Service on board the train Barcelona-Madrid

All AVE Barcelona-Madrid trains offer free WiFi, plugs at every seat and cafeteria service. The Preferential class includes a wider seat (52 cm), digital newspapers, access to the Club Lounge at stations and in-seat catering. Economy Plus offers more legroom than Economy.

Cafeteria service on board the AVE
OTBL CafeKfd41b80c94084fb5b8706ae639d91ea7OTEND
Service AVE Tourist AVE Tourist Plus AVE Preferred
Wi-Fi
Plugs
Seat width 47cm 50cm 52cm
Leg space Standard Broad Extra wide
Café
catering seat
digital press
Station Club Room
Change/cancellation According to rate According to rate Including
Learn about all the Renfe services on board
Savings

Tips to get the best price on the train Barcelona-Madrid

To get the best price on the AVE Barcelona-Madrid, book at least 21 days in advance (average savings of 35%) and choose trains between 2:00 p.m. 16:00 from Tuesday to Thursday. The cheapest months are November (€52 on average) and February (€54 on average).
Reserve 21+ days in advance
Average savings of 35% compared to purchases in the last 48 hours
AVE Tourist: €35 with 30 days vs €75 with 2 days
Choose the time slot 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
Prices 20% cheaper than the 07:00-09:00 period
Average of €52 vs €65 in AVE Tourist
Travel Tuesday to Thursday
15% cheaper than Friday and Sunday
Average of €58 (Tues-Thurs) vs €68 (Fri-Sun)
Avoid July and August if you are looking for savings
Average price €75-78 vs €52-54 in November and February
Up to 35% savings by choosing low season
Tourist is usually enough for the journey
Preferred can double the price during rush hour
Tourist €62 average vs Preferred €115 average
FAQ

Train FAQ Barcelona-Madrid

How much does the Barcelona-Madrid train cost?

The Barcelona-Madrid train departs from €35 on AVE Tourist. The average price is €62. By booking 21 days in advance you save an average of 35%.

How long does the AVE AVE take?

The direct AVE Barcelona-Madrid takes 3h 01min. Services with a stop in Zaragoza or Guadalajara take between 3h 10min and 3h 50min.

What station does the train to Madrid leave from Barcelona?

Trains to Madrid depart from Barcelona Sants and arrive at Madrid Chamartín. Barcelona Sants is connected to metro L3 and L5, Cercanías and bus.

How many trains are there per day from Barcelona to Madrid?

There are about 54 trains daily between Barcelona and Madrid (AVE and AVE International), with departures spread throughout the day.

What is the best time to travel cheaply from Barcelona to Madrid?

The cheapest time is between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. from Tuesday to Thursday, with prices 20% lower than the average. Early morning trains are usually more expensive.

Can the train to Madrid be combined with a hotel?

Yes. Ofertren offers train+hotel packages Barcelona-Madrid from €99 per person (AVE round trip + 2 nights in a central hotel), with a saving of up to 25% compared to booking separately.

Does the Barcelona-Madrid train stop in Zaragoza?

Some AVE services stop in Zaragoza-Delicias; The total duration then is about 3h 15min to 3h 50min. Direct services make the journey in 3h 01min without stops.

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Last updated: 14/04/2026