- Must visit
Museo Nacional del Prado
Madrid’s premier art museum, famed for masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, El Greco, Rubens, and Bosch. A cornerstone of the city’s Golden Triangle of Art.
Cheapest price
$134
Average price
$140
Fastest journey
8 h 34 m
Average duration
10 h 26 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
421 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Porto to Madrid is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Porto to Madrid will cost around $140 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $134.
It's difficult to get from Porto to Madrid without transferring at least once.
00421+
04384
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04254
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04254
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04384Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Porto to Madrid among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $12. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 3h 49m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.4kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $12, and a flight costs an average of $26.
Distance: 261 miles (421 km)
| Train | Most popular Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$92 Average price | $30 Average price Cheapest | $155 Average price | $138 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 53m Average total duration 5h 23m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 36m Average total duration 6h 6m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 49m Average total duration Fastest 3h 49m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 5h 38m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.4 - 1.1kg CO2 emissions | 1.3 - 2.5kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus 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 Porto to Madrid:
A bus is $62 (€50) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Porto to Madrid costing on average $92 (€74).
A bus is $125 (€101) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Porto to Madrid costing on average $155 (€125).
Other travel options to Madrid take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 23m.
Bus takes on average 6h 6m.
The journey is about 15m faster (5h 23m by train vs 5h 38m by car) and roughly $46 (€37) cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($92 (€74) vs $138 (€111)). 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.
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 Porto to Madrid trains for today, Wednesday, June 3. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:10 PM Porto | 18h58 | 2:08 PM Madrid | 2 transfers | |
| Thursday, June 4 | |||||
00421+ 04254 | 8:10 AM Porto - Campanhã | 8h34 | 5:44 PM Madrid Chamartín | 1 transfer | |
00421+ 04384 | 8:10 AM Porto - Campanhã | 12h17 | 9:27 PM Madrid Chamartín | 1 transfer | |
This is the last train 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.
By Claire Martin
Not many people travel from Porto to Madrid by train, but I found it to be an easy and comfortable route, with a quick stop in the Galician city of Vigo on the way. The journey combines scenic coastal views with a quick connection to Spain’s high-speed rail network. If you’re planning to travel between Portugal’s second city and Spain’s capital, here’s how to do it with Renfe AVE.
I boarded my first train at Porto Campanhã, the main train station in Porto. The first leg headed directly north, over the northern Portuguese border to the little-visited region of Galicia. I would have loved to stay here for longer, but I only had a couple of hours to see a little of Vigo before my eastward Renfe AVE train to Madrid departed. The total journey time was 8 hours and 24 minutes. For me, this is the best way to travel between Porto and Madrid, especially for the scenery from the large train windows.
I could reserve my tickets for the entire journey on the Omio app. This is a useful app for booking transport all over the world, including Renfe AVE trains. Simply select your journey, make a secure payment, and receive tickets with a QR code on your app, which you can use at the ticket gates. While some travelers may prefer other routes for this journey, the train was my preferred mode of transportation. Porto to Madrid buses take around the same length of time but are less spacious and don’t offer an opportunity to see Vigo. Porto to Madrid flights are quick but are worse for the environment and don’t offer the same views as the train!
Porto-Campanhã is around 5.4 kilometers from Porto São Bento, the center of the city. It takes around 13 minutes to drive (Uber is available) or about 1 hour to walk, but the best way to get to Porto-Campanhã is by local “R” train. The Aveiro, Braga, or Guimarães lines all connect the stations in about 4 minutes. Housed in an 18th-century building, the station offers left-luggage facilities, WCs, ticket offices, and dining amenities. For a traditional Portuguese meal, Churrasqueira da Estação de Campanhã is nearby and serves dishes like francesinha. I didn’t dine there, however, as I had leftovers from the previous night’s dinner to eat on the train! The regional train from Porto arrives in Vigo Guixar, and the Renfe AVE train to Madrid departs from Vigo Urzaiz. Vigo Guixar is a smaller station serving regional routes, whereas Vigo Urzaiz is modern, dating back to 2015, and sits beside a shopping center. They are about a 10-minute walk apart through the city center. I enjoyed seeing some of this little-visited city as I strolled between them.
Madrid Chamartín is the city’s second-largest train station, serving routes to the north of Spain. There are a few eateries in the station, including a Burger King. I didn’t eat here, as I was keen to get to the city center. I took the Renfe Cercanías to reach Puerta del Sol (the city center), which takes around 8 minutes. It’s about an 18-kilometer drive and would take roughly 20 minutes by car.
There is only one Renfe AVE train a day leaving Porto that reaches Vigo in time to connect to Madrid the same day. This departs at 8:13 AM. Once in Vigo, you can wait for about two hours before boarding the 1:37 PM train, which arrives in Madrid at 5:37 PM. Alternatively, you can take the 5:25 PM train, arriving at 9:20 PM. I chose the earlier service, as I was keen to spend the evening in Madrid.
The first train (which took about 2 hours) was a regional service with fewer amenities. The second leg from Vigo to Madrid was aboard a modern Renfe AVE high-speed train, taking around 4 hours. I chose Standard Class, as First Class tickets were quite expensive. Seats were arranged in a 2+2 layout, and it got busier as we neared Madrid, but initially, I had four seats with a table to myself. I had a nearby power outlet, and the Wi-Fi worked quite well throughout the journey. The route offered pleasant views of Galicia’s green hills and rivers, gradually giving way to Castile’s open plains as we approached Madrid. It was a nice contrast that made the journey feel shorter. I only had a small backpack, but luggage rules were generally flexible, and I saw passengers boarding with large bags. Toilets were kept clean for the entire trip. I didn’t buy any food on the train, but there was a restaurant cart available. For this trip, I just had a coffee I bought in Vigo along with leftovers from my meal the night before.
As this is a long journey, I expected to pay more than on my other routes around Spain. I booked about two weeks in advance, when my travel plans were finalized. I also needed a short local train ride in Porto to reach Campanhã Station before starting my trip. Below is a summary of my total costs for the journey.
| Item | Cost (eur) |
|---|---|
| Ticket price | €94.40 |
| Food & drinks | €4 |
| Travel to departure station | € |
| Travel from arrival station | €1.40 |
| Total | € 99.80000000000001 |
While many travelers would choose to fly, taking the train from Porto to Madrid aboard Renfe’s modern AVE service is a scenic and sustainable alternative. Like all AVE journeys, it can easily be booked on Omio, and the route offers a chance to see Vigo. This is a truly underrated Spanish city that few tourists visit. Ready to book? Plan your journey and reserve your next train tickets on Omio today!

Trains from Porto to Madrid run on average 1 times per day, taking around 5h 23m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $85 (€69) but you can travel from only $12 (€10) by bus.
The earliest train runs at 00:05, the last at 19:25. The fastest train covers the 261 miles (421 km) distance in 9h 27m.
Distance 261 miles (421 km) |
Average train duration 5h 23m |
Cheapest ticket price $85 (€69) |
Trains per day 1 |
Fastest train 9h 27m |
First train 12:05 AM |
Last train 7:25 PM |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 63 days |
Discover the best of Madrid — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Madrid trip today.
Madrid’s premier art museum, famed for masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, El Greco, Rubens, and Bosch. A cornerstone of the city’s Golden Triangle of Art.
Spain’s national museum of 20th-century and contemporary art, best known for Picasso’s Guernica and strong collections by Dalí and Miró.
A major art museum spanning Old Masters to modern works, complementing the Prado and Reina Sofía with an exceptionally broad private collection.
Madrid’s grand historic square, lined with arcades and elegant façades, and a classic starting point for exploring the old center.
The symbolic heart of Madrid, known for Kilometer Zero, the clock tower, and constant energy day and night.
Madrid’s most famous park, ideal for walks, boating, monuments, gardens, and popular photo spots such as the Crystal Palace area.
Madrid’s signature chickpea stew, served in courses with broth, vegetables, and assorted meats. It is one of the city’s most traditional comfort dishes.
A classic Madrid sandwich of fried squid rings in crusty bread, especially associated with bars around Plaza Mayor. It is simple, iconic, and widely loved.
A rich stew of tripe, chorizo, and morcilla cooked with paprika. It is a historic Madrid tavern dish with bold, hearty flavors.
Historic restaurant founded in the eighteenth century, famous for roast meats and classic Castilian cooking in an atmospheric old setting.
Legendary traditional restaurant best known for huevos rotos, with a polished yet classic tavern feel and strong local reputation.
Iconic spot for churros con chocolate, open long hours and known for a lively, historic atmosphere near the city center.
Moderate for Western Europe. Museums and transport are reasonable, while central hotels and fine dining cost more.
Service is usually included. Round up or leave EUR 1-2 in cafés; 5-10% in restaurants for very good service. Taxis are often rounded up, but tipping is not obligatory.
Official public transport app
Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes -> Sol, Madrid
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Porto 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.

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need