Train Madrid - Barcelona from 17.99 €, cheap tickets
Prices of the next trains Madrid - Barcelona
Train Madrid Barcelona in brief
Average price
49.25 €
Price range
17.99 € - 198.70 €
Fastest Madrid-Barcelona train
3h02min
Number of trains / day
21
It will take you 3h02min by train from Madrid to reach Barcelona. Bring food and drink (unless you prefer the car bar) and of course entertainment with your favourite activities. If you are travelling with children, remember to bring snacks and something to keep them occupied during the journey.
The distance between Madrid and Barcelona is 503 km and the average speed is 166 km/h.
Madrid - Barcelona cheaper by bus: bus tickets are from 44.05 € for a 7h20min journey.
Train price calendar Madrid - Barcelona
The lowest price found for each departure date. Pick a date to see all the times and book. Cheapest date: Saturday, October 17, from 18 €.
October 2026
November 2026
Prices recorded on October 16, 2026 and subject to change.
When is the train from Madrid to Barcelona cheapest?
By day of the week
The cheapest day is Wednesday, with an average price of 43 €. The most expensive is Sunday (83 € on average).
By time of day
Leaving in the morning is cheapest: 50 € on average, against 61 € in the afternoon.
Average price of the cheapest ticket on each direct departure over the next 30 days.
How far ahead should you book your Madrid - Barcelona train?
Average price by days before departure
Booking 31 to 60 days before departure costs 46 € on average, against 118 € the day before or on the day of departure: 61% less.
Average prices seen in searches made on Kombo over the last 28 days, by number of days between the search and the departure.
Train frequency between Madrid and Barcelona
On average, 25 departures a day link Madrid to Barcelona. 4 companies share the route.
By day of the week
The busiest day is Thursday (28 departures on average), the quietest Saturday (19).
By time of day
Departures peak in the afternoon: 11 a day on average.
Average of the direct departures found over the next 30 days.
Observed prices: Madrid to Barcelona by train
Over the next 30 days, a direct train ticket from Madrid to Barcelona costs 57 € on average, from 18 €.
Source: Kombo data, updated on .
Train or bus between Madrid and Barcelona?
The train connects Madrid to Barcelona in 3h02min with tickets from 18 €. The bus takes about 7h20min with tickets from 44 € — often cheaper, but slower. Kombo also compares carpooling on this route.
Madrid Barcelona by bus: times and ticketsFirst and last train Madrid Barcelona.
First Train Madrid - Barcelona.
Departure at 06:22
Last Train Madrid - Barcelona
Departure at 20:10
Madrid - Barcelona train on average every
33 minutes
Which train companies for Madrid to Barcelona?
- Renfe AVEcompanies.list.additionalText
- Renfe ALVIAcompanies.list.additionalText
- Renfe AVANTcompanies.list.additionalText
- Renfe Media Distanciacompanies.list.additionalText
- Renfe AVE Internationalcompanies.list.additionalText
- Renfe Intercitycompanies.list.additionalText
- Iryocompanies.list.additionalText
- Ouigo, the low-cost TGV
- Renfe Regional Expréscompanies.list.additionalText
- Renfe Regionalcompanies.list.additionalText
Save 91% on your Madrid - Barcelona trip :
How to travel at cheapest prices from Madrid to Barcelona
You can also buy train tickets Barcelona-Madrid in the other direction.
And if you want to pay even less, Kombo lets you buy bus tickets Madrid-Barcelona.
The 4 tips for travelling cheaper by train :
- Book on Kombo to compare and find the cheapest train.
- Buy your train tickets in advance: ideally, several months before departure.
- Be flexible: by travelling at a cheaper time or date.
- Take your time: a slower train is cheaper.
How to cancel my train tickets on Kombo
We even prepared a guide for you to know how to cancel your train tickets easily