- Must visit
Museo del Teatro Romano
Top archaeological museum built around the Roman theater discovery, explaining excavation, architecture, and Cartagena’s ancient past.
Cheapest price on Sep 17
$51
Average ticket price on Sep 17
$55
Fastest journey on Sep 17
6 h 5 m
Average journey duration on Sep 17
6 h 28 m
Buses on Sep 17
5
Distance
389 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Madrid Barajas Airport to Cartagena is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Madrid Barajas Airport to Cartagena will cost around $55 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $51.
On Thu, Sep 17, we found 5 buses from Madrid Barajas Airport to Cartagena, including 5 direct services.
On Thu, Sep 17 the direct buses cover the 389 km distance in an average of 6 h 28 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 6 h 5 m .
On Thu, Sep 17 the slowest buses will take 7 h 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.
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Supra Economy
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NormalOmio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Madrid Barajas Airport to Cartagena among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of $55 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 41m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $55, while a flight costs an average of $291.
Distance: 241 miles (389 km)
Most popular Bus | Train | Flight |
|---|---|---|
$56 Average price | $55 Average price Cheapest | $291 Average price |
6h 56m Average total duration 6h 26m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 41m Average total duration Fastest 3h 11m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 9m Average total duration 2h 9m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Madrid Barajas Airport to Cartagena:
A train is $0.85 (€0.69) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Madrid Barajas Airport to Cartagena costing on average $56 (€45).
A train is $237 (€193) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Madrid Barajas Airport to Cartagena costing on average $291 (€237).
Other travel options to Cartagena take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 11m.
Bus takes on average 6h 26m.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:30AM | Arrival Time 11:40AM | Duration 5h10 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $39 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:20AM | Arrival Time 12:20PM | Duration 5h00 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $42 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 07:45AM | Arrival Time 01:50PM | Duration 6h05 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $51 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 11:00AM | Arrival Time 03:00PM | Duration 4h00 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 11:45AM | Arrival Time 07:05PM | Duration 7h20 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $51 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:20PM | Arrival Time 04:20PM | Duration 4h00 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $30 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:00PM | Arrival Time 07:10PM | Duration 4h10 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 03:45PM | Arrival Time 09:50PM | Duration 6h05 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $71 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 09:00PM | Duration 5h00 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 11:15PM | Duration 6h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $51 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 09:50PM | Duration 5h20 | Departure days Mon, Wed | Cheapest price $31 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 04:50PM | Arrival Time 11:15PM | Duration 6h25 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Sun | Cheapest price $51 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 10:00PM | Duration 5h00 | Departure days Mon, Wed | Cheapest price $31 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:00PM | Arrival Time 10:50PM | Duration 4h50 | Departure days Wed, Sun | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:00PM | Arrival Time 02:20AM | Duration 5h20 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $30 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 09:45PM | Arrival Time 03:50AM | Duration 6h05 | Departure days Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $51 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 10:45PM | Arrival Time 04:50AM | Duration 6h05 | Departure days Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $51 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 11:45PM | Arrival Time 05:50AM | Duration 6h05 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $51 |
The table below shows live departures for Madrid Barajas Airport to Cartagena buses for today, Wednesday, September 16. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Normal | 11:45 PM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 6h05 | 5:50 AM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Thursday, September 17 | |||||
Normal | 7:45 AM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 6h05 | 1:50 PM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 11:45 AM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 7h20 | 7:05 PM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Supra Economy | 3:45 PM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 6h05 | 9:50 PM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 4:30 PM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 6h45 | 11:15 PM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
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 Madrid Barajas Airport to Cartagena run on average 5 times per day, taking around 6h 26m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $50 (€41) but you can travel from only $16 (€13) by train.
There are 5 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 21:45, the last at 21:45. The fastest bus covers the 241 miles (389 km) distance in 6h 5m.
Distance 241 miles (389 km) |
Average bus duration 6h 26m |
Cheapest ticket price $50 (€41) |
Buses per day 5 |
Direct buses 5 |
Fastest bus 6h 5m |
First bus 9:45 PM |
Last bus 9:45 PM |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Cartagena — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Cartagena trip today.
Top archaeological museum built around the Roman theater discovery, explaining excavation, architecture, and Cartagena’s ancient past.
Major museum of Roman Cartagena with forum remains, baths, and sacred spaces that reveal daily life in Carthago Nova.
Excellent naval museum featuring submarine history, maritime heritage, and the famous Isaac Peral submarine prototype.
Elegant pedestrian street lined with modernist façades, shops, and key landmarks; the classic route through central Cartagena.
Redeveloped waterfront promenade with harbor views, sculptures, and access to boats, museums, and the city’s maritime atmosphere.
Central square near the old town and port, surrounded by notable buildings and often used as a practical meeting point.
Caldero del Mar Menor is the area’s signature rice cooked in rich fish broth, traditionally served with alioli and local lagoon fish.
Michirones are slow-cooked fava beans with ham, chorizo and spices, a hearty tavern staple in Cartagena and the wider Murcia region.
Marinera is a classic Murcian tapa: a crisp breadstick ring topped with Russian salad and an anchovy, loved in bars across Cartagena.
Refined seafood and rice restaurant with polished service near the port. Known for Mediterranean cuisine and elegant dining.
Well-known casual venue for tapas, seafood and local favorites in the city center, with a lively and approachable atmosphere.
Historic, traditional restaurant popular for regional Murcian dishes, tapas and classic Cartagena specialties in a formal setting.
Moderate for Spain: dining and stays are usually cheaper than Madrid or Barcelona, while local buses and coffee remain affordable for tourists.
Tipping is modest. Round up or leave 5-10% in restaurants for good service; small change for cafes; taxis usually just round up.
Official public transport app
Cartagena Estación de Autobuses -> Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Cartagena
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Madrid Barajas Airport to Cartagena 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 Cartagena, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Madrid Barajas Airport to Cartagena buses use the Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) to Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses station pair. Use this guide to compare Madrid Barajas Airport and Cartagena bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafetería de la estación (in the station), Restaurante El Galeón (0.5 km), La Catedral (0.7 km).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses.
Available at Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses: Elevators, ramps.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need