- Must visit
Museo Nacional del Prado
Spain’s premier art museum, renowned for masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, and El Greco. A top priority for first-time visitors.
Cheapest price
$55
Average price
$56
Fastest journey
5 h 50 m
Average duration
5 h 50 m
Buses per day
2
Distance
389 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Cartagena to Madrid Barajas Airport is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cartagena to Madrid Barajas Airport will cost around $56 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $55.
Of the 2 buses that leave Cartagena for Madrid Barajas Airport on Mon, Jun 22, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Mon, Jun 22 the direct buses cover the 389 km distance in an average of 5 h 50 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 5 h 50 m .
On Mon, Jun 22 the slowest buses will take 5 h 50 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.




Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Cartagena to Madrid Barajas Airport among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $16. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 13m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $16, and a flight costs an average of $27.
Distance: 241 miles (389 km)
Most popular Bus | Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$52 Average price | $27 Average price Cheapest | $60 Average price | $34 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 53m Average total duration 5h 23m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 42m Average total duration 4h 12m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 13m Average total duration Fastest 1h 13m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 4h 18m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Cartagena to Madrid Barajas Airport:
A train is $25 (€21) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Cartagena to Madrid Barajas Airport costing on average $52 (€43).
A train is $33 (€27) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Cartagena to Madrid Barajas Airport costing on average $60 (€49).
Other travel options to Madrid Barajas Airport take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 12m.
Bus takes on average 5h 23m.
You'll arrive about -2h -5m sooner (5h 23m by bus vs 4h 18m by car) and save roughly $-18.03 (€-14.76) compared to fuel and tolls ($52 (€43) vs $34 (€28)). 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 Alsa, Alsa Supra, BlaBlaCar.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 06:45AM | Arrival Time 12:25PM | Duration 5h40 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $80 |
Operator Bus BAM | Departure Time 07:00AM | Arrival Time 02:23PM | Duration 7h23 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $36 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 07:15AM | Arrival Time 12:55PM | Duration 5h40 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $78 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 08:45AM | Arrival Time 03:55PM | Duration 7h10 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $51 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:00AM | Arrival Time 01:20PM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $32 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 09:45AM | Arrival Time 04:45PM | Duration 7h00 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $51 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:00AM | Arrival Time 02:10PM | Duration 4h10 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $32 |
Operator Bus BAM | Departure Time 01:30PM | Arrival Time 10:39PM | Duration 9h09 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 03:15PM | Arrival Time 08:55PM | Duration 5h40 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $51 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:30PM | Arrival Time 08:20PM | Duration 4h50 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $30 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 09:30PM | Duration 5h00 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:50PM | Arrival Time 09:30PM | Duration 4h40 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $28 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 09:10PM | Duration 4h10 | Departure days Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 11:30PM | Duration 6h30 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $51 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:30PM | Arrival Time 09:40PM | Duration 4h10 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $30 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:20PM | Arrival Time 11:10PM | Duration 4h50 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 09:15PM | Arrival Time 03:05AM | Duration 5h50 | Departure days Mon, Thu | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 10:15PM | Arrival Time 04:05AM | Duration 5h50 | Departure days Mon, Thu | Cheapest price $55 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 11:15PM | Arrival Time 05:05AM | Duration 5h50 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $51 |
The table below shows live departures for Cartagena to Madrid Barajas Airport buses for today, Sunday, June 21. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Normal | 3:15 PM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 5h40 | 8:55 PM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal · Normal | 5:00 PM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 6h30 | 11:30 PM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 1 transfer | |
Normal | 11:15 PM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 5h50 | 5:05 AM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus, train, and flight 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.
Buses from Cartagena to Madrid Barajas Airport run on average 6 times per day, taking around 5h 23m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $50 (€41) but you can travel from only $16 (€13) by train.
There are 6 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 15:00, the last at 22:15. The fastest bus covers the 241 miles (389 km) distance in 4h 50m.
Distance 241 miles (389 km) |
Average bus duration 5h 23m |
Cheapest ticket price $50 (€41) |
Buses per day 6 |
Direct buses 6 |
Fastest bus 4h 50m |
First bus 3:00 PM |
Last bus 10:15 PM |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Discover the best of Madrid Barajas Airport — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Madrid Barajas Airport trip today.
Spain’s premier art museum, renowned for masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, and El Greco. A top priority for first-time visitors.
Madrid’s leading modern art museum, best known for Picasso’s Guernica and strong collections of Dalí and Miró.
A major museum completing Madrid’s Golden Triangle of Art, with works spanning medieval painting to modern masters.
Madrid’s most famous park, ideal for walking, boating, and relaxing among monuments, gardens, and broad tree-lined paths.
The city’s best-known avenue, lined with landmark architecture, shops, theaters, and lively urban energy.
Madrid’s symbolic central square, home to major landmarks and a constant flow of locals and visitors.
A classic Madrid sandwich of fried squid rings in crusty bread, famously associated with the city center and a staple snack for locals and visitors.
Madrid’s emblematic chickpea stew with meats, vegetables, and broth, traditionally served in courses and especially popular in cooler months.
A rich, slow-cooked tripe stew with chorizo and morcilla, one of the city’s most traditional hearty dishes.
A casual airport dining option focused on Madrid-style sandwiches and familiar Spanish flavors, suitable for a quick local bite before departure.
A well-known coffee stop at the airport for espresso, pastries, and light snacks, convenient for travelers wanting a quick break.
An established Spanish chain known for Iberian ham, tapas, and sandwiches in a modern casual setting, fitting for a light meal at the airport.
Airport prices are higher than central Madrid, but Spain is moderate overall for meals and coffee.
Service is usually included. Rounding up or leaving 5-10% for good restaurant service is appreciated, not required. No tip needed for coffee; round up for taxis.
Official public transport app
Madrid Barajas Airport -> Puerta Del Sol, Madrid
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cartagena to Madrid Barajas Airport 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 Barajas Airport, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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