- Must visit
Museo del Prado
World-class art museum with masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, and Bosch; essential for Spanish and European painting.
2,000+ travel companies
2,000+ travel companies
Scan to get our free app
Use our app to get live travel updates and book mobile tickets for trains, buses, flights, and ferries.
App Store
4.942K ratings
Google Play
4.6136K reviews
The cheapest and fastest buses from Alcalá de Henares to Madrid
Showing times and prices for Jul 17
Cheapest price
$2
Average price
$3
Fastest journey
10 m
Average duration
14 m
Buses per day
5
Distance
30 km
Cheap tickets
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Alcalá de Henares to Madrid is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Alcalá de Henares to Madrid will cost around $3 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $2.
Fast buses
Of the 5 buses that leave Alcalá de Henares for Madrid on Fri, Jul 17, 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Jul 17 the direct buses cover the 30 km distance in an average of 14 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 10 m .
On Fri, Jul 17 the slowest buses will take 20 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
6:30 PM0h10Alcalá de Henares6:40 PMMadrid$21One-way0 transfers- 3:20 PM0h10Alcalá de Henares3:30 PMMadrid$21One-way0 transfers
- 8:40 AM0h10Alcalá de Henares8:50 AMMadrid$21One-way0 transfers
- 7:30 AM0h20Alcalá de Henares7:50 AMMadrid$41One-way0 transfers
- 3:30 PM0h20Alcalá de Henares3:50 PMMadrid$41One-way0 transfers
- 6:30 PM0h10Alcalá de Henares6:40 PMMadrid$21One-way0 transfers
- 3:20 PM0h10Alcalá de Henares3:30 PMMadrid$21One-way0 transfers
- 8:40 AM0h10Alcalá de Henares8:50 AMMadrid$21One-way0 transfers
- 7:30 AM0h20Alcalá de Henares7:50 AMMadrid$41One-way0 transfers
- 3:30 PM0h20Alcalá de Henares3:50 PMMadrid$41One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Alcalá de Henares to Madrid
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Alcalá de Henares to Madrid among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $4. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 25m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.0kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $4, and a train costs an average of $4.
Distance: 18 miles (30 km)
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$4 Average price Cheapest | $4 Average price | $7 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
55m Average total duration Fastest 25m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 16m Average total duration 46m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 42m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.0kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
Most popular bus company |  Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
The cheapest way to travel from Alcalá de Henares to Madrid is a bus with an average price of $4 (€3).
This is compared to other travel options from Alcalá de Henares to Madrid:
A bus is $0.72 (€0.59) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Alcalá de Henares to Madrid costing on average $4 (€4).
The fastest way to travel from Alcalá de Henares to Madrid is by bus with an average journey time of 25m.
Other travel options to Madrid take longer:
Train takes on average 46m.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Alcalá de Henares and Madrid including taking a train and bus.
We recommend using the train as it is the most popular way to get from Alcalá de Henares to Madrid among Omio's users.
Take the bus. On this route, it's both cheaper and quicker than driving.
You'll arrive about 17m sooner (25m by bus vs 42m by car) and save roughly $3 (€2) compared to fuel and tolls ($4 (€3) vs $7 (€5)). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.
Direct coaches are operated by BlaBlaCar, Consorcio de Transportes de Madrid.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
Alcalá de Henares to Madrid Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:30AM | Arrival Time 07:50AM | Duration 0h20 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $4 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 08:10AM | Duration 0h10 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $2 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:40AM | Arrival Time 08:50AM | Duration 0h10 | Departure days Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $2 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:00AM | Arrival Time 10:30AM | Duration 0h30 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $4 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:20PM | Arrival Time 12:40PM | Duration 0h20 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $4 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 01:40PM | Arrival Time 02:00PM | Duration 0h20 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $2 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:25PM | Arrival Time 02:45PM | Duration 0h20 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $4 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:20PM | Arrival Time 03:30PM | Duration 0h10 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $2 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:30PM | Arrival Time 03:50PM | Duration 0h20 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $4 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 05:10PM | Duration 0h10 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $2 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:30PM | Arrival Time 06:40PM | Duration 0h10 | Departure days Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $2 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:00PM | Arrival Time 07:20PM | Duration 0h20 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $4 |
Live departures
Alcalá de Henares to Madrid bus times
The table below shows live departures for Alcalá de Henares to Madrid buses for today, Thursday, July 16. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
Last updated at
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:40 PM Alcalá de Henares | 0h20 | 2:00 PM Madrid | 0 transfersDirect | |
| 2:25 PM Alcalá de Henares | 0h20 | 2:45 PM Madrid | 0 transfersDirect | |
| 6:30 PM Alcalá de Henares | 0h20 | 6:50 PM Madrid | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Friday, July 17 | |||||
| 7:30 AM Alcalá de Henares | 0h20 | 7:50 AM Madrid | 0 transfersDirect | |
| 8:40 AM Alcalá de Henares | 0h10 | 8:50 AM Madrid | 0 transfersDirect | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Alcalá de Henares to Madrid by train or bus
Compare train and bus prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Fri
Jul 17
Jul 17
Sat
Jul 18
Jul 18
Sun
Jul 19
Jul 19
Mon
Jul 20
Jul 20
Tue
Jul 21
Jul 21
Wed
Jul 22
Jul 22
Thu
Jul 23
Jul 23
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Alcalá de Henares to Madrid
SpainSpain
Buses from Alcalá de Henares to Madrid run on average 5 times per day, taking around 25m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $4 (€3) if you book in advance.
There are 5 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:24, the last at 07:30. The fastest bus covers the 18 miles (30 km) distance in 13m.
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Distance 18 miles (30 km) |
Average bus duration 25m |
Cheapest ticket price $4 (€3) |
Buses per day 5 |
Direct buses 5 |
Fastest bus 13m |
First bus 12:24 AM |
Last bus 7:30 AM |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 35 days |
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Bus providers: BlaBlaCar, Consorcio de Transportes de Madrid from Alcalá de Henares to MadridYou can travel by bus between Alcalá de Henares to Madrid with BlaBlaCar, Consorcio de Transportes de Madrid for as low as $4 (€3). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
BlaBlaCar
About
BlaBlaCar is a French online marketplace for carpooling, connecting drivers with empty seats and passengers traveling to the same destination to share costs. Founded in 2006, it operates in Europe and Latin America, boasting 26 million active members. The platform also includes BlaBlaCar Bus, an intercity bus service. BlaBlaCar's name comes from its rating system for drivers' chattiness: "Bla" for quiet, "BlaBla" for talkative, and "BlaBlaBla" for very chatty. The company aims to be the leading marketplace for shared travel, offering affordable and sustainable solutions by combining carpooling with bus journeys.
Luggage & cancellation policy
BlaBlaCar frequency
5 a day
Consorcio de Transportes de Madrid
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
13m
Cheapest Price
$4 (€3)
Consorcio de Transportes de Madrid frequency
50 a day
Complete guide to Madrid
Things to do in Madrid
Discover the best of Madrid — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Madrid trip today.
- Must visit
Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
Leading modern art museum best known for Picasso’s Guernica, plus major works by Dalí and Miró.
- Must visit
Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza
Celebrated collection of European masters from Van Eyck to Hopper in a refined palace setting.
- Must visit
El Retiro Park
Madrid’s most famous park offers gardens, a boating lake, monuments, and relaxed walks in the city center.
- Must visit
Gran Vía
Lively grand avenue known for architecture, shopping, theaters, and nonstop energy from day to night.
- Must visit
Paseo del Prado
Elegant boulevard linking major museums and landmarks, ideal for a classic central Madrid walk.
Cocido Madrileño
A hearty chickpea stew with meats, vegetables, and broth, especially traditional in Madrid and often served in stages.
Bocadillo de Calamares
Crisp fried squid rings served in a baguette roll. This iconic Madrid street food is especially linked to bars around Plaza Mayor.
- Gluten-free
Callos a la Madrileña
Tripe stew with chorizo and morcilla in a rich sauce. A classic old Madrid tavern dish with deep local roots.
DSTAgE
Refined two-Michelin-star dining focused on seasonal Spanish produce, with elegant modern cooking in a polished fine-dining room.
Malacatín
Traditional Madrid restaurant known for cocido madrileño served in stages, with an old-school dining room and loyal local following.
Sobrino de Botín
Historic century-old tavern famed for roast suckling pig and Castilian dishes in a classic, wood-lined setting near Plaza Mayor.
Euro (€)
Moderate for Western Europe: hotels vary, dining is reasonable, and public transport is good value for tourists.
Average meal costs
- Budget
- €8-12 for fast food or a simple menú.
- Mid-range
- €20-35 per person for a restaurant meal.
- Fine dining
- €60+ per person at upscale restaurants.
- Coffee
- €1.80-3.50 for coffee or cappuccino.
Tipping culture
Tipping is modest: round up or leave 5-10% in restaurants for good service. Taxis are usually rounded up. In cafés, small change is enough.
Tarjeta Transporte
Get the appOfficial public transport app
Prices
- Single ticket
- €1.50
- Day pass
- €8.40
To the city center
Madrid Estación Sur de Autobuses -> Puerta del Sol
- Distance
- 4 km
- Travel time
- 20 min
- Contactless bank cards work on EMT Madrid city buses, but Metro usually requires a transport card or ticket.
- Buy the 10-trip ticket if you will make several journeys; it is valid on Metro zone A and EMT buses.
FAQs: Bus from Alcalá de Henares to Madrid
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Alcalá de Henares to Madrid by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Madrid, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
Cheap bus tickets from Alcalá de Henares to Madrid can start from as little as $4 (€3) when you book in advance. The average bus ticket price for Alcalá de Henares to Madrid is $4 (€3) ; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The average journey time by bus from Alcalá de Henares to Madrid is 13m to travel the 18 miles (30 km) long journey. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner to search for a specific date.
The earliest bus from Alcalá de Henares to Madrid leaves at 12:24 AM. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest bus from Alcalá de Henares to Madrid leaves at 7:30 AM.
Yes, there are 5 direct buses a day from Alcalá de Henares to Madrid with BlaBlaCar, Consorcio de Transportes de Madrid. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer direct buses.
When taking a bus from Alcalá de Henares to Madrid, you can count on BlaBlaCar, Consorcio de Transportes de Madrid for the best way to get you to Madrid. You can also check all possible bus companies who offer a service between Alcalá de Henares and Madrid and compare the amenities they offer before buying a bus ticket.
A day trip to Madrid from Alcalá de Henares is worth doing with a journey time of 13m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Alcalá de Henares and Madrid including taking a train and bus.
No, the bus from Alcalá de Henares to Madrid has no accessibility options.
No, there are no bathrooms on board the bus from Alcalá de Henares to Madrid.
Some of the most interesting sights to explore in Madrid are:
- Prado Museum, a renowned art museum housing European masterpieces from the 12th to the early 20th century
- Royal Palace of Madrid, the official residence of the Spanish royal family with opulent architecture and historical artifacts
- Retiro Park, a large and popular park in the city center featuring sculptures, a lake, and the Crystal Palace
- Plaza Mayor, a grand square surrounded by historic buildings and a hub for cultural events and markets
- Gran Vía, a bustling street known for its shopping, theaters, and vibrant nightlife.
The best things to do in Madrid include:
- Puerta del Sol, a bustling public square known for its iconic clock and vibrant atmosphere
- Mercado de San Miguel, a historic market offering a variety of gourmet foods and traditional Spanish delicacies
- Explore the vibrant nightlife in the Malasaña district, known for its eclectic bars and live music venues
- Attend a flamenco show to experience traditional Spanish dance and music
- Visit the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home to Real Madrid, for a tour or to catch a football match.
No, bikes are not allowed on board the bus from Alcalá de Henares to Madrid.
Tickets are often cheaper when booked early. Traveling during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help you save money. Sort results by price to quickly identify the most affordable options. Check for promotions or discounts available on our website and app.
No, there is no food available to purchase on board the bus from Alcalá de Henares to Madrid.
No, luggage for the bus from Alcalá de Henares to Madrid needs to be booked in addition.
No, there are no additional luggage options for the bus from Alcalá de Henares to Madrid.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the bus from Alcalá de Henares to Madrid.
No, there are no USB plugs on board the bus from Alcalá de Henares to Madrid.
No, there is no WiFi on board the bus from Alcalá de Henares to Madrid.
Since both Alcalá de Henares and Madrid are in the Schengen Area, a passport is not required for European Union (EU) or Schengen-associated country citizens. A national ID card is sufficient.
We recommend using the train as it is the most popular way to get from Alcalá de Henares to Madrid among Omio's users.
Spain uses the euro (€) as its currency. Travelers can use both cash and cards, but cards are widely accepted in cities and tourist areas, while cash may be preferred for small purchases, markets, and rural locations.
In Madrid, the main safety concerns for travelers include pickpocketing, especially in crowded areas like Puerta del Sol, Gran Vía, and on public transportation. Common scams involve distraction techniques, such as someone asking for signatures on petitions or offering friendship bracelets, to steal valuables. Travelers should also be cautious of unlicensed taxi drivers and always use official transport services. Staying vigilant in busy tourist spots and keeping belongings secure helps minimize risks.
Pack lightweight, versatile clothing suitable for the destination's climate, and use secure, lockable luggage to protect belongings. Keep essential items like travel documents, medication, and valuables in a carry-on bag for easy access. Use packing organizers or cubes to maximize space and maintain order. Lastly, include a small first aid kit and personal hygiene items for added comfort during travel.
More options for your journey from Alcalá de Henares to Madrid
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from Madrid and Alcalá de Henares
The Omio App Makes Travel Planning Easy
We’ll get you where you want to go. From live train updates to mobile tickets, our innovative app is the ideal way to plan and keep track of your travel.
