- Must visit
Museo Arqueológico y de Historia de Elche (MAHE)
Elche’s main archaeology and history museum, housed partly in the Palacio de Altamira, with exhibits on the Lady of Elche, Iberian culture, and the city’s evolution.
Cheapest price
$20
Average price
$46
Fastest journey
4 h 40 m
Average duration
5 h 7 m
Buses per day
11
Distance
352 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Madrid to Elche is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Madrid to Elche will cost around $46 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $20.
Of the 11 buses that leave Madrid for Elche on Wed, Jun 10, 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Jun 10 the direct buses cover the 352 km distance in an average of 5 h 7 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 4 h 40 m .
On Wed, Jun 10 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.
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Supra Economy · NormalOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Madrid to Elche among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $11. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 10m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $11, and a flight costs an average of $40.
Distance: 218 miles (352 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$38 Average price | $37 Average price Cheapest | $178 Average price | $85 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 39m Average total duration 4h 9m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 41m Average total duration 3h 11m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 10m Average total duration Fastest 1h 10m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 4h 7m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.4 - 0.9kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.1 - 2.1kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() 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 |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Madrid to Elche:
A train is $0.49 (€0.40) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Madrid to Elche costing on average $38 (€31).
A train is $141 (€115) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Madrid to Elche costing on average $178 (€145).
Other travel options to Elche take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 11m.
Bus takes on average 4h 9m.
Tickets start at around $38 (€31) compared to roughly $85 (€69) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $47 (€38). The journey takes 4h 9m versus 4h 7m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by Alsa, BlaBlaCar.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:30AM | Arrival Time 10:50AM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:30AM | Arrival Time 12:20PM | Duration 4h50 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 07:45AM | Arrival Time 02:10PM | Duration 6h25 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 12:40PM | Duration 4h40 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $28 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 08:15AM | Arrival Time 02:05PM | Duration 5h50 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $68 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 08:45AM | Arrival Time 03:15PM | Duration 6h30 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:00AM | Arrival Time 01:10PM | Duration 4h10 | Departure days Wed, Sat | Cheapest price $22 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 09:00AM | Arrival Time 03:30PM | Duration 6h30 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $51 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 09:30AM | Arrival Time 02:10PM | Duration 4h40 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $30 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:50AM | Arrival Time 02:20PM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $31 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:00AM | Arrival Time 02:20PM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:30AM | Arrival Time 02:50PM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 10:30AM | Arrival Time 03:15PM | Duration 4h45 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:40AM | Arrival Time 03:10PM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $31 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:50AM | Arrival Time 03:20PM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 11:00AM | Arrival Time 03:20PM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $30 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 11:45AM | Arrival Time 06:15PM | Duration 6h30 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:00PM | Arrival Time 04:00PM | Duration 4h00 | Departure days Mon, Wed | Cheapest price $25 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 12:30PM | Arrival Time 06:40PM | Duration 6h10 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $51 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 01:20PM | Arrival Time 05:50PM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 01:30PM | Arrival Time 06:15PM | Duration 4h45 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $39 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 01:45PM | Arrival Time 08:45PM | Duration 7h00 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:00PM | Arrival Time 06:00PM | Duration 4h00 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $30 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:30PM | Arrival Time 06:30PM | Duration 4h00 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 03:00PM | Arrival Time 09:10PM | Duration 6h10 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $51 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 08:45PM | Duration 4h45 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 08:00PM | Duration 4h00 | Departure days Mon, Sun | Cheapest price $30 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 10:20PM | Duration 5h20 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Sat | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:20PM | Arrival Time 10:00PM | Duration 4h40 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $31 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:30PM | Arrival Time 09:50PM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Sun | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:40PM | Arrival Time 09:50PM | Duration 4h10 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:30PM | Arrival Time 11:10PM | Duration 4h40 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:00PM | Arrival Time 11:00PM | Duration 4h00 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $28 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:00PM | Arrival Time 12:40AM | Duration 3h40 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $22 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:00PM | Arrival Time 03:50AM | Duration 5h50 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $24 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 10:45PM | Arrival Time 05:05AM | Duration 6h20 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 11:30PM | Arrival Time 05:05AM | Duration 5h35 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $47 |
The table below shows live departures for Madrid to Elche buses for today, Tuesday, June 9. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Normal | 10:45 PM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 6h20 | 5:05 AM Elche, Estación De Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 11:30 PM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 5h35 | 5:05 AM Elche, Estación De Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Wednesday, June 10 | |||||
Normal · Normal | 7:45 AM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 6h25 | 2:10 PM Elche, Estación De Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Supra Economy · Normal | 8:15 AM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 5h50 | 2:05 PM Elche, Estación De Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 8:45 AM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 6h30 | 3:15 PM Elche, Estación De Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal | 9:30 AM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 4h40 | 2:10 PM Elche, Estación De Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 10:30 AM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 4h45 | 3:15 PM Elche, Estación De Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal · Normal | 11:45 AM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 6h30 | 6:15 PM Elche, Estación De Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 12:30 PM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 6h15 | 6:45 PM Elche, Estación De Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal | 1:30 PM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 4h45 | 6:15 PM Elche, Estación De Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal · Normal | 3:00 PM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 6h05 | 9:05 PM Elche, Estación De Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, bus, 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 to Elche run on average 9 times per day, taking around 4h 9m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $18 (€15) but you can travel from only $11 (€9) by train.
There are 7 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:02, the last at 23:45. The fastest bus covers the 218 miles (352 km) distance in 4h 40m.
Distance 218 miles (352 km) |
Average bus duration 4h 9m |
Cheapest ticket price $18 (€15) |
Buses per day 9 |
Direct buses 7 |
Fastest bus 4h 40m |
First bus 12:02 AM |
Last bus 11:45 PM |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 63 days |
Discover the best of Elche — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Elche trip today.
Elche’s main archaeology and history museum, housed partly in the Palacio de Altamira, with exhibits on the Lady of Elche, Iberian culture, and the city’s evolution.
Museum dedicated to Elche’s unique palm grove landscape, explaining traditional irrigation, farming, and why the Palmeral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Museum focused on the Mystery Play of Elche, with costumes, audiovisual displays, and interpretation of one of Spain’s most important living religious traditions.
The city’s UNESCO-listed palm grove is Elche’s defining landscape, ideal for walking and photography and one of the most distinctive urban green areas in Spain.
The best-known garden within the palm grove, famous for carefully landscaped palms and the iconic Imperial Palm; one of Elche’s signature visitor spots.
The historic center combines key monuments, traditional streets, museums, and palm-filled spaces, making it the best area for first-time visitors to explore on foot.
Signature rice dish from Elche and nearby Vega Baja, baked with rabbit or chicken and finished with a golden egg crust.
Elche is famous for its historic date palms, and local dates are eaten as a snack or used in sweets and savory dishes.
Local pomegranate from the Elche countryside, valued for its sweet flavor and protected designation reputation in the area.
Refined restaurant outside central Elche known for creative Mediterranean cuisine, polished service, and an elegant fine-dining setting.
Established traditional restaurant known for grilled meats, rice dishes, and classic regional cooking in a rustic atmosphere.
Well-known dining spot in Elche offering modern Mediterranean dishes, rice specialties, and a stylish contemporary setting.
Generally moderate. Meals, coffee, and local transport are affordable, while hotels can rise in peak summer and festival periods.
Service is usually included. Locals often round up or leave 5-10% in restaurants for good service. Small change for cafés is fine; taxis are usually rounded up.
Official public transport app
Elche, Estación De Autobuses -> Elche Centre
Alsa operates this route with its normal service, consisting of modern buses with Avanzad security systems and different services for travelers, such as free wifi, WC, seats with footrests and Canal Ociobus, which includes movies and series.
The duration of the Madrid Elche buses varies according to the established departure and arrival time. In this sense, the fastest direct buses complete the journey in 4 hours and 40 minutes, while the slowest ones complete it in 6 hours and 20 minutes. On the other hand, the routes with a transfer in Albacete have a minimum duration of 6 hours and 30 minutes.
Every day 8 Madrid Elche buses depart; 5 of them are direct and 3 make 1 transfer at the Albacete bus station. The frequency of buses Madrid Elche is the same on weekends.
South Bus Station and Terminal 4 of Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez Airport : the South station is located inside the Méndez Álvaro station, located in the street of the same name. Metro line 3 connects the centre of Madrid with this station in about 10 minutes. South station has escalators, cafeteria, shops, lockers and parking. For its part, Metro Line 8 allows passengers to go from downtown Madrid to Airport Terminal 4 in approximately 15 minutes.
Elche Bus Station: is located east of the city, next to the train station. The C1 commuter train connects the bus station with the centre of Elche in about 10 minutes. The facilities of this station have parking, cafeteria-restaurant, shop 24 hours, public telephone and gas station.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Madrid to Elche 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 Elche, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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