- Must visit
Conjunto Arqueológico de Baelo Claudia
Museum and remains at Baelo Claudia, one of Spain’s finest Roman sites, with excellent context on trade, religion, and daily life.
Cheapest price
$42
Average price
$51
Fastest journey
6 h 30 m
Average duration
6 h 54 m
Buses per day
5
Distance
517 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Madrid to Tarifa is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Madrid to Tarifa will cost around $51 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $42.
Of the 5 buses that leave Madrid for Tarifa on Tue, Aug 04, 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, Aug 04 the direct buses cover the 517 km distance in an average of 6 h 54 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 6 h 30 m .
On Tue, Aug 04 the slowest buses will take 8 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.










Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Madrid to Tarifa among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $28. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 40m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.2 - 0.5kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $28, and a flight costs an average of $54.
Distance: 321 miles (517 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$66 Average price | $61 Average price Cheapest | $362 Average price | $133 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
7h 59m Average total duration 7h 29m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 59m Average total duration 5h 29m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 40m Average total duration Fastest 1h 40m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 7h 0m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.5 - 1.3kg CO2 emissions | 0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.6 - 3.1kg 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 Tarifa:
A train is $6 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Madrid to Tarifa costing on average $66.
A train is $301 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Madrid to Tarifa costing on average $362.
Other travel options to Tarifa take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 29m.
Bus takes on average 7h 29m.
Tickets start at around $66 compared to roughly $133 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $67. The journey takes 7h 29m versus 7h 0m 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 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 12:30AM | Arrival Time 08:10AM | Duration 7h40 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $42 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:20AM | Arrival Time 10:00AM | Duration 7h40 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $63 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:00AM | Arrival Time 11:20AM | Duration 8h20 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $52 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:30AM | Arrival Time 12:20PM | Duration 6h50 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $42 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:00AM | Arrival Time 02:10PM | Duration 8h10 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $55 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:00AM | Arrival Time 01:50PM | Duration 6h50 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 02:30PM | Duration 6h30 | Departure days Tue, Fri | Cheapest price $42 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:10AM | Arrival Time 02:40PM | Duration 6h30 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $79 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:30AM | Arrival Time 04:10PM | Duration 7h40 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $58 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:00AM | Arrival Time 03:50PM | Duration 6h50 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 11:00AM | Arrival Time 06:10PM | Duration 7h10 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $45 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:00PM | Arrival Time 07:10PM | Duration 7h10 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $52 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:40PM | Arrival Time 07:30PM | Duration 6h50 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $45 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:00PM | Arrival Time 08:30PM | Duration 6h30 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:10PM | Arrival Time 10:20PM | Duration 8h10 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $52 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:00PM | Arrival Time 09:20PM | Duration 6h20 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:30PM | Arrival Time 11:50PM | Duration 8h20 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 11:30PM | Duration 7h30 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 12:00AM | Duration 7h30 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 11:30PM | Duration 6h30 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:00PM | Arrival Time 02:10AM | Duration 8h10 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $56 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:20PM | Arrival Time 01:10AM | Duration 6h50 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $79 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:30PM | Arrival Time 02:00AM | Duration 7h30 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $55 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:00PM | Arrival Time 02:40AM | Duration 6h40 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:50PM | Arrival Time 05:20AM | Duration 6h30 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $53 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 11:00PM | Arrival Time 05:50AM | Duration 6h50 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $79 |
The table below shows live departures for Madrid to Tarifa buses for tomorrow, Tuesday, August 4. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 5:30 AM Madrid | 6h50 | 12:20 PM Tarifa | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 6:00 AM Madrid | 8h10 | 2:10 PM Tarifa | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 8:00 AM Madrid | 6h30 | 2:30 PM Tarifa | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 2:00 PM Madrid | 6h30 | 8:30 PM Tarifa | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 5:00 PM Madrid | 6h30 | 11:30 PM Tarifa | 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 to Tarifa run on average 3 times per day, taking around 7h 29m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $59 but you can travel from only $28 by train.
There are 3 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 05:30, the last at 05:30. The fastest bus covers the 321 miles (517 km) distance in 9h 50m.
Distance 321 miles (517 km) |
Average bus duration 7h 29m |
Cheapest ticket price $59 |
Buses per day 3 |
Direct buses 3 |
Fastest bus 9h 50m |
First bus 5:30 AM |
Last bus 5:30 AM |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 14 days |
Discover the best of Tarifa — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Tarifa trip today.
Museum and remains at Baelo Claudia, one of Spain’s finest Roman sites, with excellent context on trade, religion, and daily life.
Castle interpretation rooms explain Tarifa’s medieval history with exhibits inside the town’s most important fortress.
Visitor center about the Strait Natural Park, ideal for understanding local wildlife, migration routes, and coastal landscapes.
Tarifa’s compact old town is a maze of whitewashed lanes, lively squares, and historic buildings ideal for wandering on foot.
Main town beach known for wide sands, surf culture, and views toward Africa. Great for walks as well as wind sports.
Dune-backed beach and protected natural area west of town, prized for dramatic scenery and birdlife.
Bluefin tuna loin lightly grilled or seared. Tarifa is famed for almadraba tuna from nearby Atlantic waters, making this a signature local specialty.
Salt-cured mojama tuna, sliced thin and often served with olive oil or almonds. A classic Cádiz coast preserve linked to Tarifa’s tuna tradition.
Fresh fried fish platter, often including anchovies, squid, and small local catch. A staple Andalusian coastal dish popular in Tarifa bars.
Refined restaurant known for creative cuisine with strong local seafood influence. Stylish setting in Tarifa’s old town and suited to a special meal.
Popular casual spot for quality tapas, tuna dishes, and Andalusian plates. Lively atmosphere and a reliable choice in the historic center.
Established restaurant and tapas bar praised for fresh seafood and bluefin tuna. Traditional style with broad appeal for lunch or dinner.
Moderate for Spain: dining is reasonable, but summer lodging rises sharply. Local buses are low cost, and many bars and cafes remain fairly priced.
Tipping is modest. In restaurants, round up or leave 5-10% for good service. In cafes, small change is fine. In taxis, rounding up the fare is common.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Madrid to Tarifa 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 Tarifa, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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