- Must visit
Museo del Prado
World-class art museum with masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, and Bosch; essential for Spanish and European painting.
Cheapest price
zł183
Average price
zł343
Fastest journey
3 h 2 m
Average duration
3 h 2 m
Trains per day
17
Distance
496 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Barcelona El Prat Airport to Madrid is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Barcelona El Prat Airport to Madrid will cost around zł343 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only zł183.
Of the 17 trains that leave Barcelona El Prat Airport for Madrid on Sun, Aug 02, 17 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, Aug 02 the direct trains cover the 496 km distance in an average of 3 h 2 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 2 m .
On Sun, Aug 02 the slowest trains will take 3 h 2 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.
06080
07410
06420
06014
06150
06180
06150
06320
06540
06570Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Barcelona El Prat Airport to Madrid among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from zł97. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 14m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of zł97, and a flight costs an average of zł188.
Distance: 308 miles (496 km)
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
zł185 Average price | zł557 Average price | zł153 Average price Cheapest | zł461 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 0m Average total duration 3h 30m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 14m Average total duration Fastest 2h 14m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 4h 44m Average total duration 4h 14m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 54m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Barcelona El Prat Airport to Madrid:
A bus is zł32 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Barcelona El Prat Airport to Madrid costing on average zł185.
A bus is zł404 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Barcelona El Prat Airport to Madrid costing on average zł557.
Other travel options to Madrid take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 30m.
Bus takes on average 4h 14m.
The journey is about 2h 24m faster (3h 30m by train vs 5h 54m by car) and roughly zł276 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls (zł185 vs zł461). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Direct services run with iryo, SNCF OUIGO, AVE.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Barcelona El Prat Airport to Madrid trains for today, Saturday, August 1. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
06320 | On time 12:14 PM Barcelona Sants | 3h02 | 3:16 PM Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 0 transfersDirect | |
06014 | Delayed 1:13 PM Barcelona Sants | 3h24 | 2:37 PM 2:37 PMMadrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 0 transfersDirect | |
06350 | Delayed 2:12 PM Barcelona Sants | 3h15 | 3:27 PM 3:27 PMMadrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 0 transfersDirect | |
06360 | On time 3:52 PM Barcelona Sants | 3h24 | 7:16 PM Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 0 transfersDirect | |
06180 | On time 5:20 PM Barcelona Sants | 3h02 | 8:22 PM Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 0 transfersDirect | |
06570 | On time 5:40 PM Barcelona Sants | 3h02 | 8:42 PM Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 0 transfersDirect | |
06190 | On time 6:53 PM Barcelona Sants | 3h17 | 10:10 PM Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 0 transfersDirect | |
06610 | Delayed 8:20 PM Barcelona Sants | 3h28 | 9:48 PM 9:48 PMMadrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Sunday, August 2 | |||||
06420 | 7:35 AM Barcelona Sants | 3h30 | 11:05 AM Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 0 transfersDirect | |
07410 | 7:35 AM Barcelona Sants | 3h30 | 11:05 AM Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 0 transfersDirect | |
06080 | 7:50 AM Barcelona Sants | 3h25 | 11:15 AM Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 0 transfersDirect | |
06012 | 8:45 AM Barcelona Sants | 3h31 | 12:16 PM Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 0 transfersDirect | |
06500 | 10:40 AM Barcelona Sants | 3h17 | 1:57 PM Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 0 transfersDirect | |
06110 | 10:45 AM Barcelona Sants | 3h04 | 1:49 PM Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 0 transfersDirect | |
06020 | 11:18 AM Barcelona Sants | 3h24 | 2:42 PM Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 0 transfersDirect | |
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.
Trains from Barcelona El Prat Airport to Madrid run on average 17 times per day, taking around 3h 30m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at zł101 but you can travel from only zł97 by bus.
There are 17 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 05:05, the last at 19:35. The fastest train covers the 308 miles (496 km) distance in 3h 2m.
Distance 308 miles (496 km) |
Average train duration 3h 30m |
Cheapest ticket price zł101 |
Trains per day 17 |
Direct trains 17 |
Fastest train 3h 2m |
First train 5:05 AM |
Last train 7:35 PM |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Discover the best of Madrid — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Madrid trip today.
World-class art museum with masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, and Bosch; essential for Spanish and European painting.
Leading modern art museum best known for Picasso’s Guernica, plus major works by Dalí and Miró.
Celebrated collection of European masters from Van Eyck to Hopper in a refined palace setting.
Madrid’s most famous park offers gardens, a boating lake, monuments, and relaxed walks in the city center.
Lively grand avenue known for architecture, shopping, theaters, and nonstop energy from day to night.
Elegant boulevard linking major museums and landmarks, ideal for a classic central Madrid walk.
A hearty chickpea stew with meats, vegetables, and broth, especially traditional in Madrid and often served in stages.
Crisp fried squid rings served in a baguette roll. This iconic Madrid street food is especially linked to bars around Plaza Mayor.
Tripe stew with chorizo and morcilla in a rich sauce. A classic old Madrid tavern dish with deep local roots.
Refined two-Michelin-star dining focused on seasonal Spanish produce, with elegant modern cooking in a polished fine-dining room.
Traditional Madrid restaurant known for cocido madrileño served in stages, with an old-school dining room and loyal local following.
Historic century-old tavern famed for roast suckling pig and Castilian dishes in a classic, wood-lined setting near Plaza Mayor.
Moderate for Western Europe: hotels vary, dining is reasonable, and public transport is good value for tourists.
Tipping is modest: round up or leave 5-10% in restaurants for good service. Taxis are usually rounded up. In cafés, small change is enough.
Official public transport app
Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes -> Puerta del Sol, Madrid
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Barcelona El Prat Airport to Madrid by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Madrid, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Barcelona El Prat Airport to Madrid trains use the Barcelona Sants to Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes station pair. Use this guide to compare Barcelona El Prat Airport and Madrid train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes is 1 km from Madrid city centre. Public transport options include:
Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food options include: Passion Food, La Barrila, Enrique Tomás, Pic Nic, Foodissimo!, PureGusto, Burger King
Free WiFi in the station and on all Renfe trains. ATMs are in various points at the station.
The ticket office is open Mon - Sun: 10:00 - 20:00. Information desks are on the ground floor of the main concourse.
Luggage storage is open daily from 05:30 to 22:00. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes: Wheelchair parking, adapted elevators, adapted platforms, lobby shopping area.
Nearby hotels include 60 Balconies Urban Stay, Only YOU Hotel Atocha, SLEEP’N Atocha.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need