- Must visit
Museo de Arte Abstracto Español
Leading museum of Spanish abstract art inside the hanging houses. A landmark collection in one of Spain’s most memorable museum settings.





Cheapest price
$15
Average price
$23
Fastest journey
1h 40m
Average duration
2h 9m
Buses per day
5
Distance
135 km
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 $9. 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 $9, and a bus costs an average of $26.
Distance: 86 miles (139 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train |
|---|---|
$27 Average price | $19 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 $27 (€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 BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:00AM | Arrival Time 06:50AM | Duration 1h50 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:50AM | Arrival Time 08:30AM | Duration 1h40 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $14 |
Operator Avanza | Departure Time 07:30AM | Arrival Time 10:00AM | Duration 2h30 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 09:40AM | Duration 1h40 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:40AM | Arrival Time 10:20AM | Duration 1h40 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $12 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:00AM | Arrival Time 11:40AM | Duration 1h40 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $15 |
Operator Avanza | Departure Time 10:00AM | Arrival Time 12:05PM | Duration 2h05 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:30AM | Arrival Time 12:20PM | Duration 1h50 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $12 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 11:30AM | Arrival Time 01:20PM | Duration 1h50 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $12 |
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 Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $12 |
Operator Avanza | Departure Time 12:30PM | Arrival Time 03:00PM | Duration 2h30 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:40PM | Arrival Time 02:30PM | Duration 1h50 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $15 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 01:00PM | Arrival Time 02:40PM | Duration 1h40 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $14 |
Operator Avanza | Departure Time 02:30PM | Arrival Time 04:35PM | Duration 2h05 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:00PM | Arrival Time 04:40PM | Duration 1h40 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $12 |
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 Wed | Cheapest price $14 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:50PM | Arrival Time 05:40PM | Duration 1h50 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $15 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 05:50PM | Duration 1h50 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $14 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:20PM | Arrival Time 06:30PM | Duration 2h10 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator Avanza | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 06:40PM | Duration 2h10 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:20PM | Arrival Time 07:00PM | Duration 1h40 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $12 |
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 Everyday | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:20PM | Arrival Time 09:30PM | Duration 2h10 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $15 |
Operator Avanza | Departure Time 08:00PM | Arrival Time 10:30PM | Duration 2h30 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:10PM | Arrival Time 09:50PM | Duration 1h40 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator Avanza | Departure Time 10:00PM | Arrival Time 12:25AM | Duration 2h25 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:40PM | Arrival Time 12:40AM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $15 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 11:00PM | Arrival Time 12:40AM | Duration 1h40 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $14 |
The table below shows live departures for Madrid to Cuenca buses for today, Tuesday, July 14. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 | |
NORMAL. | 10:00 PM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 2h25 | 12:25 AM Cuenca, Estacion de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Wednesday, July 15 | |||||
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. | 12:30 PM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 2h30 | 3:00 PM Cuenca, Estacion de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
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 | |
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 $26 (€22) but you can travel from only $9 (€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 $26 (€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.
Leading museum of Spanish abstract art inside the hanging houses. A landmark collection in one of Spain’s most memorable museum settings.
Museum dedicated to Spain’s Holy Week traditions with floats, sculptures, and devotional art. A strong introduction to Cuenca’s major festival.
Provincial fine arts museum with paintings, sculpture, and archaeology in a historic building. A rewarding stop for regional art and heritage.
Main square of the old town, framed by the cathedral and historic buildings. An ideal starting point for exploring Cuenca’s monumental core.
Scenic viewpoint over the old town and gorges. One of the best places to appreciate Cuenca’s cliffside setting and layered skyline.
Beautiful gorge-side walking area below the old town. It combines river scenery, dramatic rock walls, and easy access to major monuments.
Rich game stew with hare, partridge or rabbit, often served in bread. A hallmark of Cuenca’s hunting cuisine and mountain tradition.
Creamy warm pâté of pork liver and spices, traditionally spread on bread. A classic festive and rural specialty from Cuenca.
Roast lamb, usually milk-fed, cooked simply to highlight the meat. A beloved Castilian-La Mancha celebratory dish.
Refined restaurant near the historic center known for creative Castilian-La Mancha cuisine in an elegant, contemporary setting.
Established casual spot appreciated for tapas, raciones and local wines, offering a lively atmosphere in central Cuenca.
Traditional venue popular for classic Cuenca dishes, tapas and hearty regional cooking in a warm, rustic atmosphere.
Moderate for Spain: lodging is often cheaper than Madrid, while meals and local transit stay reasonable for most visitors.
Tipping is optional. In restaurants, round up or leave 5-10% for very good service. Taxis are usually rounded up. In cafes, small change is enough.
Official public transport app
Cuenca Estacion de Autobuses -> 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.

Most Madrid to Cuenca buses use the Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses to Cuenca, Estacion de Autobuses station pair. Use this guide to compare Madrid and Cuenca bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses is 3 km from Madrid city centre. Public transport options include:
Madrid, Estación Sur 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 Brillante (0.5 km), La Taberna de Domínguez (0.7 km).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance and in the waiting area.
Ticket office support is available at Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses.
Available at Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses: Elevators, ramps.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need