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 prices starting from $24. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 57m. 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 $24, and a flight costs an average of $50.
Distance: 258 miles (416 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$46 Average price | $25 Average price Cheapest | $262 Average price | $114 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 2m Average total duration 3h 32m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 51m Average total duration 4h 21m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 57m Average total duration Fastest 2h 57m Onboard + 3h 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 $21 (€17) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Málaga to Madrid costing on average $46 (€37).
A bus is $237 (€191) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Málaga to Madrid costing on average $262 (€212).
Other travel options to Madrid take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 32m.
Bus takes on average 4h 21m.
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 train because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
066199:00 PM3h01Málaga María Zambrano12:01 AMMadrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes$241One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
066199:00 PM3h01Málaga María Zambrano12:01 AMMadrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes$241One-way0 transfers
Fastest
UX50389:10 PM1h10Malaga Airport10:20 PMMadrid Barajas Airport$1711One-way0 transfers
Other options
022138:50 PM2h59Málaga María Zambrano11:49 PMMadrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes$281One-way0 transfers
0210910:32 AM3h24Málaga María Zambrano1:56 PMMadrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes$431One-way0 transfers
0602111:24 AM2h58Málaga María Zambrano2:22 PMMadrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes$461One-way0 transfers
BASE9:20 AM6h30Malaga, Estación de Autobuses3:50 PMMadrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses$241One-way0 transfers
BASE1:45 PM6h30Malaga, Estación de Autobuses8:15 PMMadrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses$241One-way0 transfers
BASE11:45 PM7h15Malaga, Estación de Autobuses7:00 AMMadrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses$241One-way0 transfers
IB10029:10 AM1h20Malaga Airport10:30 AMMadrid Barajas Airport$1531One-way0 transfers
IB10041:25 PM1h20Malaga Airport2:45 PMMadrid Barajas Airport$2311One-way0 transfers
UX50428:35 AM1h10Malaga Airport9:45 AMMadrid Barajas Airport$2711One-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
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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
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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 $21 (€17) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Málaga to Madrid costing on average $46 (€37).
A bus is $237 (€191) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Málaga to Madrid costing on average $262 (€212).
Other travel options to Madrid take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 32m.
Bus takes on average 4h 21m.
- Around 16 trains per day.
- Around 9 flights per day.
- Around 6 buses 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, BlaBlaCar, Alsa Supra, Secorbus, EMT Málaga to go to Madrid by bus.
- Travel with Air Europa, Iberia Express, Iberia, Royal Air Maroc, Vueling, Air Nostrum to go to Madrid by flight.
- Travel with AVE, iryo, Ouigo Spain, Renfe AVLO, SNCF OUIGO, Renfe ALVIA, Renfe INTERCITY, Renfe MD, Renfe Viajeros, Ouigo to go to Madrid by train.
- 6 direct buses per day with Grupo Interbus, BlaBlaCar.
- 6 direct flights per day with Air Europa, Iberia Express, Iberia, Air Nostrum.
- 16 direct trains per day with AVE, iryo, Ouigo Spain, Renfe AVLO, SNCF OUIGO, Renfe Viajeros, Ouigo.
Travelling from Málaga to Madrid: related information
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