How to travel from Málaga to MadridHow to travel from Málaga to Madrid

Wed, Aug 26
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SNCF OUIGO
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Grupo Interbus
Air Europa
iryo
SNCF OUIGO
1,000+ more
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Travel Information

Compare bus, train, 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 58m. 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 $70.

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 $13. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 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 $13, and a flight costs an average of $35.

Distance: 258 miles (416 km)

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Bus
Flight
Driving

$38

Average price

$25

Average price

Cheapest

$152

Average price

$116

Average price

(fuel + tolls)

4h 2m

Average total duration

3h 32m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 52m

Average total duration

4h 22m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

5h 58m

Average total duration

Fastest

2h 58m

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

AVE

Most popular train company

Grupo Interbus

Most popular bus company

Air Europa

Most popular airline

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

$52

Average price

$17

Average price

Cheapest

$251

Average price

$116

Average price

(fuel + tolls)

3h 32m

Average total duration

3h 2m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

7h 27m

Average total duration

6h 57m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 57m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 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

AVE

Most popular train company

Alsa

Most popular bus company

Air Europa

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.

The cheapest way to travel from Málaga to Madrid is a bus with an average price of $25 (€20).

This is compared to other travel options from Málaga to Madrid:

A bus is $13 (€10) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Málaga to Madrid costing on average $38 (€30).

A bus is $127 (€102) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Málaga to Madrid costing on average $152 (€122).

The fastest way to travel from Málaga to Madrid is by flight with an average journey time of 2h 58m.

Other travel options to Madrid take longer:

Train takes on average 3h 32m.

Bus takes on average 4h 22m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between Málaga and Madrid including taking a bus, train, and flight.
We recommend using the train as it is the most popular way to get from Málaga to Madrid among Omio's users.
The cheapest way to travel from Málaga to Madrid is a bus with an average price of $17 (€14).

This is compared to other travel options from Málaga to Madrid:

A bus is $35 (€28) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Málaga to Madrid costing on average $52 (€42).

A bus is $234 (€188) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Málaga to Madrid costing on average $251 (€202).

The fastest way to travel from Málaga to Madrid is by flight with an average journey time of 1h 57m.

Other travel options to Madrid take longer:

Train takes on average 3h 2m.

Bus takes on average 6h 57m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between Málaga and Madrid including taking a bus, train, and flight.
We recommend using the train as it is the most popular way to get from Málaga to Madrid among Omio's users.

Travel options
from Málaga to Madrid

How to get from Málaga to Madrid by train, bus or flight.

Our recommendation

train

The best way to travel from Málaga to Madrid is by taking a train because it’s the best combination of price and speed.

  • iryo06189
    6:35 PM2h48
    Málaga María Zambrano
    9:23 PMMadrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes
    $681One-way
    0 transfers

Cheapest

  • iryo06189
    6:35 PM2h48
    Málaga María Zambrano
    9:23 PMMadrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes
    $681One-way
    0 transfers

Fastest

  • Air EuropaUX5038
    9:10 PM1h10
    Malaga Airport
    10:20 PMMadrid Barajas Airport
    $1661One-way
    0 transfers

Other options

  • iryo06199
    7:53 PM2h48
    Málaga María Zambrano
    10:41 PMMadrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes
    $691One-way
    0 transfers
  • AVE02193
    6:47 PM3h06
    Málaga María Zambrano
    9:53 PMMadrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes
    $731One-way
    0 transfers
  • AVE02183
    5:52 PM2h49
    Málaga María Zambrano
    8:41 PMMadrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes
    $771One-way
    0 transfers
  • Air EuropaUX5042
    8:35 AM1h10
    Malaga Airport
    9:45 AMMadrid Barajas Airport
    $1811One-way
    0 transfers
  • Air EuropaUX5050
    5:05 PM1h10
    Malaga Airport
    6:15 PMMadrid Barajas Airport
    $2481One-way
    0 transfers
  • IberiaIB1006
    5:35 PM1h20
    Malaga Airport
    6:55 PMMadrid Barajas Airport
    $2731One-way
    0 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 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.

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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

buses

€17

6:00 h

1 Day Ahead

trains

€63

2:35 h

2 Months Ahead

flight

€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


cheap

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


fast

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


popular

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

Whether it is for business or leisure, in order to travel from Málaga to Madrid, 56,33% of our customers choose the train as their preferred mode of transportation. By traveling by train on this route, you can enjoy the comfort of spacious seats, spectacular views—and in some cases free Wi-Fi—in both second and first class. Our customers have decided that the train is the best way to get from Málaga to Madrid and have chosen to enjoy this fast, safe and efficient way to arrive at their destination. Taking the train also avoids long lines or potential expenses for transfers to/from the station—especially since most main railway stations are located in the city center. Train companies in Europe vary from country to country, but most of them offer high-speed train routes, therefore when you add up at the end-to-end journey time, the train is often also the fastest way to get to your destination.

Search on Omio to find cheap tickets from Málaga to Madrid. It’s easy to find the most attractive prices and choose your preferred route for your journey. Book on web or app, and travel with your mobile ticket —without the stress of printing your ticket.

More than 1,000 travel companies trust us to sell their tickets all in one place.

Trenitalia
Easyjet
Deutsche Bahn
SNCF

FAQs: Travel from Málaga to Madrid

Travel to Madrid 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 Málaga to Madrid.

FAQs
There are 3 options to travel between Málaga and Madrid including taking a bus, train, and flight.
The cheapest way to travel from Málaga to Madrid is a bus with an average price of $25 (€20).

This is compared to other travel options from Málaga to Madrid:

A bus is $13 (€10) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Málaga to Madrid costing on average $38 (€30).

A bus is $127 (€102) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Málaga to Madrid costing on average $152 (€122).

The fastest way to travel from Málaga to Madrid is by flight with an average journey time of 2h 58m.

Other travel options to Madrid take longer:

Train takes on average 3h 32m.

Bus takes on average 4h 22m.

The distance from Málaga to Madrid is approximately 258 miles (416 km).
The average frequency per day from Málaga to Madrid is:
  • Around 16 trains per day.
  • Around 10 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 bus, train, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.

These are the most popular departure and arrival points from Málaga to Madrid:
  • 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.
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from Málaga to Madrid, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
  • Travel with Grupo Interbus, Alsa, BlaBlaCar, Alsa Supra, Secorbus, EMT Málaga to go to Madrid by bus.
  • Travel with Air Europa, Iberia, Iberia Express, Royal Air Maroc, Vueling, Air Nostrum to go to Madrid by flight.
  • Travel with AVE, iryo, SNCF OUIGO, Renfe AVLO, Renfe ALVIA, Renfe INTERCITY, Renfe MD, Renfe Viajeros, Ouigo to go to Madrid by train.
Yes, there are direct services available from Málaga to Madrid with the following travel companies:
  • 6 direct buses per day with Grupo Interbus, BlaBlaCar.
  • 6 direct flights per day with Air Europa, Iberia, Iberia Express, Air Nostrum.
  • 16 direct trains per day with AVE, iryo, SNCF OUIGO, Renfe AVLO, Renfe Viajeros, Ouigo.
Omio customers who travel from Málaga to Madrid often also extend their vacation to go to Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Paris, Lisbon. Omio can help you plan your trip by finding the best connections between Madrid and these popular destinations at a great price.
Most travelers need at least three days in Madrid to see the main sights at a comfortable pace. If you want day trips or a slower itinerary, consider adding extra time.
In Madrid, you can explore Puerta del Sol, a bustling public square known for its iconic clock and vibrant atmosphere, and savor gourmet foods at Mercado de San Miguel. Discover the vibrant nightlife in the Malasaña district, enjoy a traditional flamenco show, or visit the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home to Real Madrid. For cultural sights, visit the Prado Museum, the Royal Palace of Madrid, and Retiro Park. Don't miss Plaza Mayor and the lively Gran Vía for shopping and theaters.
For a well-rounded experience in Madrid, plan to spend at least 3 to 4 days. This allows time to explore major attractions like the Prado Museum, Royal Palace, Retiro Park, and enjoy the local cuisine and vibrant neighborhoods.
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