- Must visit
Museo del Castillo de los Templarios
Museum inside the Templar Castle showcasing medieval life, arms, and archaeology, adding strong context to Ponferrada’s most famous monument.
Cheapest price
$45
Average price
$45
Fastest journey
4 h 55 m
Average duration
5 h 13 m
Buses per day
5
Distance
338 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Madrid to Ponferrada is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Madrid to Ponferrada will cost around $45 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $45.
Of the 5 buses that leave Madrid for Ponferrada on Wed, Aug 05, 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Aug 05 the direct buses cover the 338 km distance in an average of 5 h 13 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 4 h 55 m .
On Wed, Aug 05 the slowest buses will take 5 h 45 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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NormalOmio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Madrid to Ponferrada among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $37. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 4h 30m. 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 bus costs an average of $37, and a train costs an average of $31.
Distance: 210 miles (338 km)
Most popular Bus | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$46 Average price Cheapest | $72 Average price | $80 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 0m Average total duration Fastest 4h 30m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 9m Average total duration 5h 39m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 55m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.3 - 0.8kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
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 Ponferrada:
A bus is $27 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Madrid to Ponferrada costing on average $72.
Other travel options to Ponferrada take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 39m.
Tickets start at around $46 compared to roughly $80 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $34. The journey takes 4h 30m versus 3h 55m 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, Alsa Supra.
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 Alsa | Departure Time 12:30AM | Arrival Time 05:15AM | Duration 4h45 | Departure days Mon, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $45 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:00AM | Arrival Time 11:00AM | Duration 4h00 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $31 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 12:10PM | Duration 4h10 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 01:10PM | Duration 5h10 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $45 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 08:15AM | Arrival Time 01:10PM | Duration 4h55 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $45 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:00AM | Arrival Time 01:30PM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Wed, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $28 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 09:30AM | Arrival Time 03:15PM | Duration 5h45 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $45 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:30AM | Arrival Time 01:50PM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $31 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 09:45AM | Arrival Time 02:35PM | Duration 4h50 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $45 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:00AM | Arrival Time 02:10PM | Duration 4h10 | Departure days Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $30 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 10:00AM | Arrival Time 02:35PM | Duration 4h35 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $45 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:10AM | Arrival Time 02:40PM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 10:45AM | Arrival Time 03:45PM | Duration 5h00 | Departure days Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $45 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 11:00AM | Arrival Time 03:10PM | Duration 4h10 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $30 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 11:00AM | Arrival Time 03:45PM | Duration 4h45 | Departure days Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $45 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 11:30AM | Arrival Time 04:10PM | Duration 4h40 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $39 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 11:40AM | Arrival Time 05:20PM | Duration 5h40 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 11:50AM | Arrival Time 04:10PM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $31 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:30PM | Arrival Time 05:10PM | Duration 4h40 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $30 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 01:00PM | Arrival Time 05:10PM | Duration 4h10 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $38 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 01:30PM | Arrival Time 06:10PM | Duration 4h40 | Departure days Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $28 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:50PM | Arrival Time 06:50PM | Duration 4h00 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:00PM | Arrival Time 07:10PM | Duration 4h10 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $31 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:20PM | Arrival Time 06:50PM | Duration 3h30 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $31 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 07:40PM | Duration 3h40 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Fri | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 09:00PM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $31 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 04:45PM | Arrival Time 11:00PM | Duration 6h15 | Departure days Mon, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $45 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:30PM | Arrival Time 09:40PM | Duration 4h10 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:50PM | Arrival Time 09:40PM | Duration 3h50 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:00PM | Arrival Time 10:30PM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 06:15PM | Arrival Time 11:30PM | Duration 5h15 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $37 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 06:30PM | Arrival Time 11:30PM | Duration 5h00 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $37 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:30PM | Arrival Time 10:50PM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $38 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 11:45PM | Arrival Time 05:15AM | Duration 5h30 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $45 |
The table below shows live departures for Madrid to Ponferrada buses for today, Tuesday, August 4. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Normal | 9:30 AM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 5h45 | 3:15 PM Ponferrada, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 6:15 PM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 5h15 | 11:30 PM Ponferrada, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 6:30 PM Madrid, Calle de la Princesa / Paseo de Moret (Moncloa) | 5h00 | 11:30 PM Ponferrada, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and bus 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 Ponferrada run on average 11 times per day, taking around 4h 30m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $37 but you can travel from only $31 by train.
There are 11 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:30, the last at 23:45. The fastest bus covers the 210 miles (338 km) distance in 3h 30m.
Distance 210 miles (338 km) |
Average bus duration 4h 30m |
Cheapest ticket price $37 |
Buses per day 11 |
Direct buses 11 |
Fastest bus 3h 30m |
First bus 12:30 AM |
Last bus 11:45 PM |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 2 days |
Discover the best of Ponferrada — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Ponferrada trip today.
Museum inside the Templar Castle showcasing medieval life, arms, and archaeology, adding strong context to Ponferrada’s most famous monument.
Contemporary museum devoted to Spain’s energy story, with interactive displays on coal, electricity, and transition, set in a restored power plant.
Important contemporary art museum with changing exhibitions and striking architecture, one of the region’s leading cultural venues.
Historic square beside the basilica and castle, one of Ponferrada’s most atmospheric spots for architecture and photos.
Historic quarter around the castle and basilica, best explored on foot for medieval lanes, stone buildings, and Camino character.
Main square of the old town, framed by historic buildings and arcades, ideal for orienting yourself before visiting nearby monuments.
Smoked pork sausage from El Bierzo, usually pan-fried or grilled. It is one of the comarca’s best-known cured meats and a staple in local taverns.
A hearty chickpea and meat stew linked to nearby Maragatería but widely eaten in Ponferrada. It is famous for its unusual serving order and rich flavor.
Roasted green peppers from El Bierzo with a sweet, delicate flavor. They are prized for local terroir and often served grilled or preserved.
Refined restaurant in Ponferrada known for contemporary Bierzo cuisine, tasting menus, and polished service in an elegant setting.
Well-known traditional restaurant specializing in Bierzo classics and seasonal products, with a warm dining room and strong local reputation.
Popular central venue for León and Bierzo cooking, offering local meats, botillo, and regional wines in a classic, comfortable atmosphere.
More affordable than Spain's big cities, with lower hotel rates, modest dining prices, and low local transport costs.
Tipping is modest. Round up or leave 5-10% in restaurants for good service; small change for cafés; taxi tips are optional, usually rounding up.
Travellers who want to travel between Madrid and Ponferrada can choose between 10 daily coach departures. The fastest option has a duration of just 4 hours and becomes, of course, a comfortable, reliable and fast alternative to make this journey any day of the year.
All Madrid Ponferrada buses are managed by Alsa, one of the most consolidated companies in the Spanish passenger transport sector. It offers standard buses and Supra, the latter option that increases the level of satisfaction and comfort during the journey, with features such as free wifi, lights, screen with personalized entertainment, good amplitude, bottle of water and bathroom.
The distance separating these two Spanish towns is 380 kilometres. The Madrid Ponferrada buses make this route, in each and every case, in between 4 and 5 hours. These are always direct itineraries, with no stops or stopovers of any kind.
They are 10 buses that daily carry out this tour. The schedules are spread throughout the day, although it is in the afternoon when most of them are concentrated: a total of half a dozen. 2 more are first thing in the morning, and the rest in the evening.
This station is located in Avenida Méndez Álvaro, a central area of the capital of Spain that can be reached by metro using the circular line 6, by bus with the 8, 102, 113, 148 and 152, as well as on the Renfe suburban trains C5, C7 and C10. Its users also have parking with 290 spaces, waiting room, box office area, several cafes and shops, slogans and a good level of services.
Ponferrada bus station: with a lot of daily activity, this station is located 1.4 kilometres from the centre, which can be reached by walking in less than 20 minutes. Nearby there is a shopping centre with a supermarket, 600 metres away, as well as recommended hotel establishments and a petrol station. To move around the city, bus line C1 is the alternative.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Madrid to Ponferrada 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 Ponferrada, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Madrid to Ponferrada buses use the Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses to Ponferrada, Estación de Autobuses station pair. Use this guide to compare Madrid and Ponferrada 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.
Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) is 12 km from Madrid city centre. Public transport options include:
Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) has practical services for this route, including Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Rodilla, Mahoudrid
ATMs are aTMs located throughout T4, major cards accepted .
Ticket office support is available at Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid).
Available at Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid): WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid): Step-free access, elevators, accessible toilets.
Madrid, Calle de la Princesa / Paseo de Moret (Moncloa) is 2 km from Madrid city centre. Public transport options include:
Madrid, Calle de la Princesa / Paseo de Moret (Moncloa) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located inside the station.
Ticket office support is available at Madrid, Calle de la Princesa / Paseo de Moret (Moncloa).
Available at Madrid, Calle de la Princesa / Paseo de Moret (Moncloa): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Madrid, Calle de la Princesa / Paseo de Moret (Moncloa): Elevators, ramps.
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