- Must visit
Museo de Arte Abstracto Español
Celebrated modern art museum in the Casas Colgadas, known for a strong collection of Spanish abstract art and a dramatic setting above the Huécar gorge.
Cheapest price
$27
Average price
$27
Fastest journey
2 h
Average duration
2 h 5 m
Buses per day
9
Distance
139 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Madrid to Cuenca is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Madrid to Cuenca will cost around $27 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $27.
Of the 9 buses that leave Madrid for Cuenca on Sun, May 31, 9 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, May 31 the direct buses cover the 139 km distance in an average of 2 h 5 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 2 h .
On Sun, May 31 the slowest buses will take 2 h 10 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.
NORMAL.
NORMAL.
NORMAL.
NORMAL.
NORMAL.
NORMAL.
NORMAL.
NORMAL.
NORMAL.
NORMAL.Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Madrid to Cuenca among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $10. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 12m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $10, and a bus costs an average of $27.
Distance: 86 miles (139 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train |
|---|---|
$28 Average price | $20 Average price Cheapest |
1h 54m Average total duration 1h 24m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 42m Average total duration Fastest 1h 12m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Madrid to Cuenca:
A train is $8 (€7) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Madrid to Cuenca costing on average $28 (€23).
Other travel options to Cuenca take longer:
Bus takes on average 1h 24m.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Avanza | Departure Time 07:30AM | Arrival Time 10:00AM | Duration 2h30 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:30AM | Arrival Time 09:10AM | Duration 1h40 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $15 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:20AM | Arrival Time 10:40AM | Duration 1h20 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $16 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:30AM | Arrival Time 11:30AM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator Avanza | Departure Time 10:00AM | Arrival Time 12:05PM | Duration 2h05 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator Avanza | Departure Time 12:00PM | Arrival Time 02:30PM | Duration 2h30 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:00PM | Arrival Time 01:40PM | Duration 1h40 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $13 |
Operator Avanza | Departure Time 12:30PM | Arrival Time 03:00PM | Duration 2h30 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 01:10PM | Arrival Time 02:50PM | Duration 1h40 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator Avanza | Departure Time 02:30PM | Arrival Time 04:35PM | Duration 2h05 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:20PM | Arrival Time 05:10PM | Duration 1h50 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $14 |
Operator Avanza | Departure Time 03:30PM | Arrival Time 05:35PM | Duration 2h05 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:40PM | Arrival Time 05:40PM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $11 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 05:50PM | Duration 1h20 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $14 |
Operator Avanza | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 06:40PM | Duration 2h10 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:50PM | Arrival Time 06:30PM | Duration 1h40 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $13 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 06:40PM | Duration 1h40 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $13 |
Operator Avanza | Departure Time 05:30PM | Arrival Time 07:40PM | Duration 2h10 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator Avanza | Departure Time 06:30PM | Arrival Time 08:30PM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:40PM | Arrival Time 08:50PM | Duration 2h10 | Departure days Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $16 |
Operator Avanza | Departure Time 08:00PM | Arrival Time 10:25PM | Duration 2h25 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:40PM | Arrival Time 10:20PM | Duration 1h40 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $16 |
Operator Avanza | Departure Time 09:00PM | Arrival Time 11:25PM | Duration 2h25 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator Avanza | Departure Time 10:00PM | Arrival Time 12:25AM | Duration 2h25 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 11:30PM | Arrival Time 01:00AM | Duration 1h30 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $9 |
The table below shows live departures for Madrid to Cuenca buses for today, Saturday, May 30. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NORMAL. | 2:30 PM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 2h05 | 4:35 PM Cuenca, Estacion de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
NORMAL. | 4:30 PM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 2h10 | 6:40 PM Cuenca, Estacion de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
NORMAL. | 6:30 PM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 2h00 | 8:30 PM Cuenca, Estacion de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
NORMAL. | 8:00 PM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 2h30 | 10:30 PM Cuenca, Estacion de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Sunday, May 31 | |||||
NORMAL. | 7:30 AM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 2h30 | 10:00 AM Cuenca, Estacion de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
NORMAL. | 10:00 AM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 2h05 | 12:05 PM Cuenca, Estacion de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
NORMAL. | 12:00 PM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 2h30 | 2:30 PM Cuenca, Estacion de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus and train 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 to Cuenca run on average 11 times per day, taking around 1h 24m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $27 (€22) but you can travel from only $10 (€8) by train.
There are 11 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 07:00, the last at 22:05. The fastest bus covers the 86 miles (139 km) distance in 2h 10m.
Distance 86 miles (139 km) |
Average bus duration 1h 24m |
Cheapest ticket price $27 (€22) |
Buses per day 11 |
Direct buses 11 |
Fastest bus 2h 10m |
First bus 7:00 AM |
Last bus 10:05 PM |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 42 days |
Discover the best of Cuenca — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Cuenca trip today.
Celebrated modern art museum in the Casas Colgadas, known for a strong collection of Spanish abstract art and a dramatic setting above the Huécar gorge.
Provincial archaeology museum with Iberian, Roman and medieval collections that give a clear overview of the region’s long history.
Contemporary art museum in a historic convent, noted for playful assemblages, graphic works and temporary exhibitions.
Historic main square framed by the cathedral and colorful buildings, a natural starting point for exploring the old town.
Scenic gorge-side walking area known for cliff views, historic buildings and many of the city’s most photographed perspectives.
Major viewpoint above the city with sweeping panoramas and the large Sacred Heart statue, especially popular at sunset.
A rich pâté-like spread from Cuenca made with game or pork liver, meat, spices, and breadcrumbs. It is one of the city’s most iconic traditional dishes.
A traditional Manchego-style dish of salt cod mixed with potato, garlic, olive oil, and sometimes egg. In Cuenca it is a classic starter or tapa.
A very local specialty of seasoned lamb intestines wrapped on a vine shoot and grilled or fried. It is strongly associated with Cuenca’s taverns.
Established restaurant with a refined style, known for regional cuisine and a scenic setting above the Huécar gorge. Good option for a more special meal.
Well-known traditional restaurant near the old town, appreciated for Cuenca classics such as morteruelo, zarajos, and roast meats in a historic setting.
Famous dining room inside Cuenca’s iconic Hanging Houses, offering classic Manchego and Cuenca dishes with one of the city’s most memorable views.
Generally cheaper than Madrid or Barcelona. Meals and coffee are reasonable, while hotels vary by season.
Service is usually included. Locals often round up or leave 5-10% for good restaurant service. Small change is enough in cafes; taxi tipping is optional.
Official public transport app
Cuenca Estación de Autobuses, Cuenca -> Plaza Mayor, Cuenca
The company in charge of managing the Madrid Cuenca buses is Avanzabus, heiress of Auto Res after its integration in 2002. It has many other lines in our country and is, therefore, one of the most prestigious road mobility companies in Spain.
Madrid Cuenca buses take between 2 and 2.5 hours approximately. This depends on the number of intermediate stops on the route, as it stops for the ascent and descent of passengers in towns such as Arganda del Rey and Tarancón. In any case, it is a direct line, without transshipments.
The number of buses per day varies according to the date, and can reach the figure of 9 per day. They always cover the main time slots, from early morning until late afternoon. In some cases, there is 1 night departure, arriving at midnight in Cuenca. The frequency of outputs is between 1 and 2 hours, approximately.
Station of Madrid Sur: also called Méndez Álvaro station, because it is the name of the metro and suburban stops that are connected here: line 6 of the underground and lines C1, C5, C7 and C10 of the train. It also has urban and interurban bus stops: 8, 102, 113, 148, 152, 156, 418, 419 and 423. It is just a few minutes from Atocha, the capital's large train station. It has commercial premises, restaurants, police station, pharmacy and public car park, among other services.
Basin Station-Fermín Caballero: receives its name because it is located at number 20 of this street, a few meters from the city's Renfe station. It is reached by urban bus lines L1, L6 and L12, which connect it with the historic centre and with the Fernando Zóbel AVE station on the outskirts of the city. In both cases, the journey time is approximately 15 minutes. It has toilets and waiting hall, as well as cafeteria and catering premises in the surroundings.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Madrid to Cuenca 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 Cuenca, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need