AVE in path Madrid-Barcelona exiting Madrid Door Atocha, panoramic side shot with speed effect
Train Route

Trains Madrid-Barcelona: schedules, prices and offers

AVE Madrid-Barcelona in 3h 02min 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 2'

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2026-04-14
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🔒 No hidden fees · Best price guaranteed

35€Minimum price
3h 2'Direct journey
54Daily trains
35%Early booking savings
Route summary

Quick summary of route Madrid-Barcelona

The AVE Madrid-Barcelona covers 621 km in 3h 02min with more than 50 daily frequencies between Madrid and Barcelona Sants. Prices from €35 (promotions) to €195 (Preferred), 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 30%.
Train interior AVE
train interior
Distance621 km
Minimum duration3h 02min
Maximum duration3h 48min
Daily frequency54 trains (AVE)
Minimum price€35 (promotions)
Maximum price€195 (AVE Preferred)
Average price€64
Cheapest strip2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Tue.-Thu.
Optimal advance notice21 days (average savings 30%)
Origin stationMadrid Puerta de Atocha / Madrid Chamartín
Destination stationBarcelona Sants
Schedules

Train schedules Madrid-Barcelona

The Madrid-Barcelona trains run throughout the day with durations between 3h 02min and 3h 48min. Direct services are the fastest; those that stop in Zaragoza-Delicias, Lleida-Pirineus or Camp Tarragona add up to 46 minutes more. There are more than 50 daily departures spread from early to late.

Indicative schedules Madrid-Barcelona (example)
ExitArrivalDurationGuyStops
06:30 09:32 3h 02min
AVE
Straight
08:00 11:05 3h 05min
AVE
Saragossa
10:27 13:35 3h 08min
AVE
Straight
14:00 17:02 3h 02min
AVE
Straight
18:00 21:08 3h 08min
AVE
Straight
20:30 23:35 3h 05min
AVE
Saragossa

Indicative schedules. Check actual availability for your date.

Prices

Train prices Madrid-Barcelona

Renfe ticket app
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The AVE Madrid-Barcelona starts at €35 in promotional rate and €45 in AVE Tourist, up to €195 in Preferential. The average price in recent months is around €64. The cheapest months are November (€50 on average) and February (€52); July is the most expensive (€78 on average).
Madrid-Barcelona train prices by type and class
Type/ClassFromAverage priceUntil
AVE Tourist (promo) €35 €52 €75
AVE Tourist €45 €64 €110
AVE Tourist Plus €65 €85 €145
AVE Preferred €95 €125 €195
Journey time

How long does the Madrid-Barcelona train take?

The fastest train Madrid-Barcelona takes 3h 02min in direct service (AVE). Services stopping in Zaragoza-Delicias, Lleida-Pirineus or Camp Tarragona take between 3h 05min and 3h 48min. All long-distance offerings on this route are high-speed.

🚄
AVE direct
3h 02min
€64 · Several/day
⭐ Más rápido
🚄
AVE via Zaragoza
3h 05min - 3h 48min
€58 · Several/day
🚄
Car (A-2)
6h 15min
~€90 (gasoline+toll)
🚄
Bus
7h 30min - 8h
25-45€ · Several/day
🚄
Plane
1h 15min + transfers
40-120€ · Several/day
Stations

Stations on the route Madrid-Barcelona

Madrid-Barcelona trains depart from Madrid Puerta de Atocha or Madrid Chamartín depending on the service, and arrive at Barcelona Sants. Both stations of Madrid have connection with Cercanías and metro; Barcelona Sants is connected to metro L3 and L5, Cercanías and about 15 minutes from the center.
Station Madrid Puerta de Atocha
🟢 Origen
Madrid Puerta de Atocha
Madrid
Connection with meter L1 (Atocha Renfe) and Cercanías. AVE services from Atocha and from Chamartín according to itinerary.
The Atocha ship concentrates part of the AVE departures towards Barcelona and Levante.
⬦ Parada opcional
Zaragoza-Delicias / Lleida-Pirineus / Camp Tarragona
Some trains stop in Zaragoza, Lleida or Camp Tarragona; total duration 3h 05min to 3h 48min.
Barcelona Sants Station
🏁 Destino
Barcelona Sants
Barcelona
Connection with meter L3 and L5 and Cercanías. 15 minutes from the center by metro.
Barcelona long-distance main station; all AVE Madrid-Barcelona end here.
On board

Service on board the train Madrid-Barcelona

All AVE Madrid-Barcelona 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. Standard Economy class is the most common for the journey of about three hours.

Cafeteria service on board the AVE
Cafeteria AVE
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 Madrid-Barcelona

To get the best price on the AVE Madrid-Barcelona, book at least 21 days in advance (average savings of 30%) and choose trains between 2:00 p.m. 16:00 from Tuesday to Thursday. The cheapest months are November (€50 on average) and February (€52 on average).
Reserve 21+ days in advance
Average savings of 30% compared to purchases in the last 48 hours
AVE Tourist: €45 with 30 days vs €85 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 long weekends and holidays
Peaks in demand raise the price up to 40%
Compare flexible dates in the search engine
November and February are the cheapest months
Average price €50-52 vs €75-78 in July-August
Up to 35% savings by choosing low season
FAQ

OTBL Train FAQKc86df72cf305400298e2e565aecee4f6OTEND

How much does the Madrid-Barcelona train cost?

The Madrid-Barcelona train departs from €35 in promotional fare and €45 in AVE Tourist fare. The average price is €64. By booking 21 days in advance you save an average of 30%.

How long does the AVE Madrid-Barcelona take?

The direct AVE Madrid-Barcelona takes 3h 02min. Services stopping in Zaragoza, Lleida or Camp Tarragona take between 3h 05min and 3h 48min.

What station does the train to Barcelona leave from Madrid?

Trains to Barcelona depart from Madrid Puerta de Atocha or from Madrid Chamartín according to the service. They arrive at Barcelona Sants, connected to metro L3 and L5, Cercanías and about 15 minutes from the center.

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

There are more than 50 trains daily between Madrid and Barcelona (AVE), with departures from early in the morning until late at night.

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

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 Barcelona be combined with a hotel?

Yes. Ofertren offers train+hotel packages Madrid-Barcelona from €129 per person (AVE round trip + 2 nights in a central hotel), with a saving of up to 25% compared to booking separately.

Does the Madrid-Barcelona train stop in Zaragoza?

Some AVE services stop in Zaragoza-Delicias, Lleida-Pirineus or Camp Tarragona; The total duration then is between 3h 05min and 3h 48min. Direct services make the journey in 3h 02min.

Last updated: 14/04/2026