Barcelona El Prat Airport to Madrid Barajas Airport train with Ouigo

Barcelona El Prat Airport to Madrid Barajas Airport by Renfe AVE Train

Introduction

While flying might seem like the obvious option, you can also travel by Renfe AVE train from Barcelona El Prat Airport to Madrid Barajas Airport. This is a great alternative if flights are fully booked or expensive, or if you want to enjoy the generally larger free luggage allowance on trains compared to most airlines. Since most of the journey is by high-speed rail, it’s not much slower than a flight. In this guide, I'll explain exactly how to travel by train from Barcelona El Prat Airport to Madrid Barajas Airport and share some helpful tips to prepare you for your trip across Spain.

Route Overview

Both Barcelona and Madrid airports have their own railway stations, but these are served only by commuter trains, not long-distance services. This means there’s no direct train from Barcelona El Prat Airport to Madrid Barajas Airport. To make the trip, first take a commuter train from El Prat Airport to Barcelona’s main station, Barcelona Sants. From there, board a high-speed train to Madrid Atocha, the capital’s main rail hub. Once in Madrid, connect to a commuter train that continues to Madrid Barajas Airport.

The Rodalies commuter trains between Barcelona El Prat Airport and Barcelona Sants, as well as the Cercanías commuter trains from Madrid Atocha, are operated by Spain’s national railway company, Renfe. The total rail distance from Barcelona El Prat Airport to Madrid Barajas Airport is about 658 kilometers. The high-speed section between Barcelona Sants and Madrid Atocha covers 626 kilometers and takes as little as 2 hours and 37 minutes. The overall journey will take a bit longer once you factor in the airport transfers and connection times.

Transportation Experience

Booking Spanish train tickets on Omio is simple. You can compare fares from different rail companies and sort results by departure time, journey duration, or price. I really like how Omio clearly shows what’s included in your ticket, such as luggage allowances and onboard facilities. They also outline the fare conditions, so you know whether your ticket is refundable or changeable. While I personally love traveling by train, taking a flight from Barcelona Airport to Madrid is often the most convenient option when you need to go directly between the two airports. That said, for me, the train is still the more comfortable option, and you get to see a bit of Spain along the way!

Route Details

Departure & Arrival Stations

If you’re traveling from Barcelona El Prat Airport to Madrid Barajas Airport by train, first take the Rodalies commuter train to Barcelona Sants station. The airport’s railway station is located just outside Terminal 2B, so if you arrive at Terminal 1, take the free shuttle bus to reach Terminal 2.

Renfe AVE train tickets between Barcelona and Madrid include free Cercanías commuter train rides in both cities for up to 4 hours before departure and 4 hours after arrival. There’s no need to buy a separate ticket for the airport train. If you encounter gate barriers, simply scan the QR code on your ticket or show it to a staff member. Take the R2 Nord Cercanías train three stops to reach Barcelona Sants, where you’ll board the high-speed train to Madrid.

After just under three hours, I arrived on time at Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes Station, known locally as Madrid Atocha. When leaving the train, follow the signs for Tren aeropuerto T4 or Cercanías to reach the commuter platforms directly.

Scan the QR code on your ticket at the gate, or show it to a staff member if needed. Take line C1 to Madrid Barajas Airport Terminal 4. If the C1 train isn’t running, take line C2, C3, C4, or C10 to Madrid Chamartín and transfer there to a C1 train. If your flight departs from Terminals 1–3, you can use the free shuttle bus from Terminal 4.

Schedule & Frequency

Taking Renfe’s high-speed train is the easiest way to travel from Barcelona El Prat Airport to Madrid Barajas Airport. Your Barcelona–Madrid ticket automatically includes the airport commuter train connections at both ends. Renfe operates about 25 high-speed trains daily between Barcelona and Madrid, so you have plenty of departure options. You can also travel with Iryo, a private high-speed operator whose tickets include the same free commuter train connections in Barcelona and Madrid. I took a 3 PM departure from Barcelona Sants to Madrid Atocha with Renfe AVE and arrived just in time for dinner in the evening.

Onboard Experience and Services

Traveling on Spanish high-speed trains is always a pleasure, with comfortable seating and all the amenities needed for a long-distance journey. Second Class seats are arranged in a 2+2 configuration, with two seats on either side of the aisle. First Class offers a more spacious 2+1 layout with larger leather seats. I found my Second Class seat perfectly adequate for the just under three-hour journey.

On Renfe AVE trains from Barcelona to Madrid, you can bring up to three pieces of luggage weighing a combined total of 25 kilograms. Bags can be stored in the racks at both ends of each carriage or on the overhead shelves above the seats. All seats on the AVE train have power sockets and fast Wi-Fi. I used it to check live route maps, and it worked reliably throughout the trip. The train also features a café-bar serving snacks such as sandwiches and sweets, along with hot and cold drinks, including beer and wine. I enjoyed a €4 beer at the café-bar, which was a pleasant break from sitting down, as I could stand at one of the tables and stretch my legs.

The journey along the Barcelona–Madrid high-speed line is very enjoyable. Unlike many European high-speed routes that pass through tunnels and sound barriers, this one offers open views of Spain’s interior. From the window, you’ll see wide plains, olive groves, small villages, and rolling hills. If you’re seated on the left-hand side, you might even catch glimpses of the Mediterranean Sea. Depending on your service, the train may stop at intermediate stations such as Tarragona, Lleida, or Zaragoza, though my AVE ran non-stop between Barcelona Sants and Madrid Atocha.

Ticketing Advice & Budget Breakdown

Spanish high-speed train tickets use variable pricing, with lower fares if you book early or outside the summer season. The Barcelona–Madrid route is among Spain’s busiest and often sells out, so it’s best not to rely on last-minute tickets. Renfe AVE tickets include the free Combinado Cercanías benefit, which covers commuter train connections to and from the airports, but not the metro.

Budget breakdown:

Top Tips & Personal Recommendations

Check out my tips to make your journey from Barcelona El Prat Airport to Madrid Barajas Airport smooth and comfortable:

• Allow enough time at the start of your trip: Factor in passport control, baggage claim, and the short transfer to Terminal 2 for the airport train. If you arrive early, Barcelona Sants has cafés and restaurants where you can relax before boarding.
• Compare train and flight options: While the train is more comfortable and faster for city-center travel, flights to Madrid are sometimes cheaper or easier if you’re going directly between the airports.
• Follow the right signs at Madrid Atocha: When you arrive, don’t just follow the crowd to the main exit. Instead, look for signs for Tren aeropuerto T4 or Cercanías to reach the airport train platforms directly.

Conclusion

Traveling by train from Barcelona El Prat Airport to Madrid Barajas Airport is a great alternative if you prefer not to fly or if flights are too expensive. The journey requires a few connections but is straightforward. If you book a Renfe AVE ticket, you can ride both airport trains for free, which makes the fare a great value. Remember to secure your seats as early as possible to lock in the best price. Book your trip today on the Omio app!

About the Author: Koen Berghuis

• Job Title: Travel Creator and Rail Writer
• Bio: Koen Berghuis is a rail expert and passionate train traveler who logs about 20,000 kilometers by train each year, exploring routes across Europe and beyond. Koen writes about his travels on his website, Paliparan, where you can find dozens of train reviews and trip reports.