Travel Information
Compare bus, train, and flight for Madrid to Cartagena
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Madrid to Cartagena among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $16. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 52m. 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 train costs an average of $16, and a flight costs an average of $40.
Distance: 242 miles (391 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight |
|---|---|---|
$35 Average price Cheapest | $50 Average price | $174 Average price |
4h 29m Average total duration 3h 59m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 41m Average total duration 5h 11m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 52m Average total duration Fastest 1h 52m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.4 - 1.0kg CO2 emissions | 1.2 - 2.3kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline |
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 Cartagena:
A train is $16 (€13) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Madrid to Cartagena costing on average $50 (€41).
A train is $140 (€113) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Madrid to Cartagena costing on average $174 (€141).
Other travel options to Cartagena take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 59m.
Bus takes on average 5h 11m.
Travel optionsfrom Madrid to Cartagena
How to get from Madrid to Cartagena by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Madrid to Cartagena is by taking a train because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
05668+
145126:15 AM5h01Madrid Chamartín11:16 AMCartagena station$311One-way1 transfer
Cheapest
05668+
145126:15 AM5h01Madrid Chamartín11:16 AMCartagena station$311One-way1 transfer
Fastest
UX40477:05 AM1h05Madrid Barajas Airport8:10 AMAlicante Elche Airport$661One-way0 transfers
Other options
05668+
145146:15 AM6h49Madrid Chamartín1:04 PMCartagena station$311One-way1 transfer
05668+
145426:15 AM8h03Madrid Chamartín2:18 PMCartagena station$311One-way1 transfer
05962+
1454210:00 AM4h18Madrid Chamartín2:18 PMCartagena station$531One-way1 transfer
Normal8:30 AM5h20Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses1:50 PMCartagena, Estación de Autobuses$521One-way0 transfers
Normal12:30 AM5h20Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses5:50 AMCartagena, Estación de Autobuses$521One-way0 transfers
Normal5:30 PM5h45Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses11:15 PMCartagena, Estación de Autobuses$521One-way0 transfers
UX40493:10 PM1h10Madrid Barajas Airport4:20 PMAlicante Elche Airport$1051One-way0 transfers
UX6067 · UX40262:35 PM5h20Madrid Barajas Airport7:55 PMAlicante Elche Airport$3391One-way1 transfer
UX6013 · UX402610:15 AM9h40Madrid Barajas Airport7:55 PMAlicante Elche Airport$3721One-way1 transfer
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights
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.
May 26
May 27
May 28
May 29
May 30
May 31
Jun 01
Jun 02
Jun 03
Jun 04
Jun 05
Jun 06
Jun 07
Jun 08
Jun 09
Jun 10
Jun 11
Jun 12
Jun 13
Jun 14
Jun 15
More than 1,000 travel companies trust us to sell their tickets all in one place.
FAQs: Travel from Madrid to Cartagena
Travel to Cartagena easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Madrid to Cartagena.

This is compared to other travel options from Madrid to Cartagena:
A train is $16 (€13) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Madrid to Cartagena costing on average $50 (€41).
A train is $140 (€113) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Madrid to Cartagena costing on average $174 (€141).
Other travel options to Cartagena take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 59m.
Bus takes on average 5h 11m.
- Around 14 flights per day.
- Around 13 buses per day.
- Around 2 trains per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Madrid and Cartagena as scheduled services by bus, train, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from Madrid Barajas Airport and arrive in Alicante Elche Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from Madrid Chamartín and arrive in Murcia Del Carmen.
- Buses mostly depart from Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses and arrive in Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses.
- Travel with Renfe AVLO, AVE, SNCF OUIGO, Renfe INTERCITY, Ouigo Spain, Renfe MD to go to Cartagena by train.
- Travel with Iberia, Air Europa, Volotea, Air Nostrum, Vueling, Alba Star to go to Cartagena by flight.
- Travel with Alsa, Alsa Supra, BlaBlaCar to go to Cartagena by bus.
- 2 direct trains per day with Ouigo Spain.
- 4 direct flights per day with Iberia, Air Europa, Volotea, Air Nostrum, Alba Star.
- 13 direct buses per day with Alsa, Alsa Supra, BlaBlaCar.
Travelling from Madrid to Cartagena: related information
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

