4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Málaga to Madrid
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Málaga to Madrid among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $17 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 32m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.4kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $17, while a flight costs an average of $242.
Distance: 258 miles (416 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$50 Average price | $17 Average price Cheapest | $242 Average price | $111 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 32m Average total duration Fastest 3h 2m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 27m Average total duration 6h 57m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 57m Average total duration 1h 57m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 5h 24m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.4 - 1.0kg CO2 emissions | 1.2 - 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 Málaga to Madrid:
A bus is $33 (€28) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Málaga to Madrid costing on average $50 (€42).
A bus is $225 (€188) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Málaga to Madrid costing on average $242 (€202).
Other travel options to Madrid take longer:
Flight takes on average 3h 57m.
Bus takes on average 7h 27m.
The journey is about 2h 22m faster (3h 2m by train vs 5h 24m by car) and roughly $61 (€51) cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($50 (€42) vs $111 (€93)). 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.
Travel optionsfrom Málaga to Madrid
How to get from Málaga to Madrid by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Málaga to Madrid is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
BASE1:45 PM6h30Malaga, Estación de Autobuses8:15 PMMadrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses$231One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- BASE1:45 PM6h30Malaga, Estación de Autobuses8:15 PMMadrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses$231One-way0 transfers
Fastest
- UX50505:05 PM1h10Malaga Airport6:15 PMMadrid Barajas Airport$541One-way0 transfers
Other options
066199:06 PM2h51Málaga María Zambrano11:57 PMMadrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes$261One-way0 transfers- 022038:00 PM2h58Málaga María Zambrano10:58 PMMadrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes$321One-way0 transfers
061896:35 PM2h48Málaga María Zambrano9:23 PMMadrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes$341One-way0 transfers
- BASE9:20 AM6h30Malaga, Estación de Autobuses3:50 PMMadrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses$231One-way0 transfers
- BASE11:45 PM7h15Malaga, Estación de Autobuses7:00 AMMadrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses$231One-way0 transfers
- UX50389:10 PM1h10Malaga Airport10:20 PMMadrid Barajas Airport$671One-way0 transfers
IB92810:25 PM1h20Malaga Airport11:45 PMMadrid Barajas Airport$711One-way0 transfers- IB10065:35 PM1h20Malaga Airport6:55 PMMadrid Barajas Airport$1151One-way0 transfers
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 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.
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How to Travel from Malaga to Madrid
Anyone traveling in Spain from Malaga to Madrid can choose between trains, buses and flights. Trains and flights require about the same amount of time when traveling from Malaga to Madrid. Alternatively, buses are the cheapest transportation option, although the route requires 6 hours of travel time.
Trains from Malaga to Madrid | Buses from Malaga to Madrid | Flights from Malaga to Madrid
Malaga to Madrid Travel Comparison
Average Price |
Travel Time |
Cheapest Time to Book |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
€17 |
6:00 h |
1 Day Ahead |
|
€63 |
2:35 h |
2 Months Ahead |
|
€61 |
1:00 h |
1 Month Ahead |
What is the best way to travel from Malaga to Madrid?
Cheapest way to travel from Malaga to Madrid
Taking the bus is the cheapest way to travel from Malaga to Madrid. Buses traveling from Malaga to Madrid depart from Malaga's bus station and take approximately 6 hours to arrive at Madrid's Estacion Sur De Autobuses. Approximately 8 buses travel from Malaga to Madrid every day, with the first bus departing Malaga at 7:35 a.m. Daibus is the main bus company that travels from Malaga to Madrid.
Fastest way to travel from Malaga to Madrid
Technically, taking a flight is the fastest way to travel from Malaga to Madrid; however, when traveling to and from Malaga and Madrid's airports is taken into consideration taking a high-speed Renfe AVE train is actually the fastest way to travel. Both Iberia and Air Europa offer direct flights from Malaga to Madrid. Trains traveling from Malaga to Madrid depart from Malaga's María Zambrano train station and arrive at Madrid's Puerta De Atocha train station after as little as 2:35 h of traveling.
Most popular way to travel from Malaga to Madrid
Taking the train is the most popular way to travel from Malaga to Madrid. The train journey from Malaga to Madrid is only €2 more expensive than flying on average while also being faster when travel time to and from Malaga and Madrid's airports is taken into consideration. Alternatively, taking a high-speed AVE train is at least 3 and a half hours faster than traveling from Malaga to Madrid by bus. High-speed Renfe trains usually depart from Malaga's María Zambrano train station and take as little as 2:35 h to arrive at Madrid's Puerta De Atocha train station. Around 11 trains travel from Malaga to Madrid every day.
How to get from Málaga to Madrid
The Best Way According to our Users
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FAQs: Travel from Málaga to Madrid
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This is compared to other travel options from Málaga to Madrid:
A bus is $33 (€28) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Málaga to Madrid costing on average $50 (€42).
A bus is $225 (€188) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Málaga to Madrid costing on average $242 (€202).
Other travel options to Madrid take longer:
Flight takes on average 3h 57m.
Bus takes on average 7h 27m.
- Around 29 buses per day.
- Around 16 trains per day.
- Around 10 flights per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Málaga and Madrid as scheduled services by train, bus, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from Malaga Airport and arrive in Madrid Barajas Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from Málaga María Zambrano and arrive in Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes.
- Buses mostly depart from Malaga, Estación de Autobuses and arrive in Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses.
- Travel with Grupo Interbus, Alsa, Alsa Supra, FlixBus to go to Madrid by bus.
- Travel with Air Europa, Iberia, Iberia Express, Royal Air Maroc, Vueling, CitizenPlane, BA Euroflyer to go to Madrid by flight.
- Travel with AVE, iryo, SNCF OUIGO, Renfe AVLO, Renfe MD to go to Madrid by train.
- 2 direct buses per day with Grupo Interbus.
- 7 direct flights per day with Air Europa, Iberia, Iberia Express, CitizenPlane.
- 16 direct trains per day with AVE, iryo, SNCF OUIGO, Renfe AVLO.
Travelling from Málaga to Madrid: related information
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