Travel Spain’s most popular high speed train route from Barcelona to Madrid with a Renfe e-ticket. Direct trains will transport you in comfort from central Barcelona to Madrid in just 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Upon arriving in Spain’s capital city of Madrid, take a leisurely walk through the vast, neatly-manicured Buen Retiro Park, where beautiful sculptures greet you at every turn, or visit the famous Prado Museum, a repository rich in European artworks.

Traveling from Barcelona to Madrid by train has never been easier, as your Renfe e-ticket can be printed at home and is ready to travel with, seat reservation included!

Journey Details

Frequency

Departing as often as every 30 minutes during peak times, with approximately 27 departures a day in each direction

Travel time

2 hours and 30 minutes direct (fastest time)

Train stations

Barcelona Sants and Madrid Puerta de Atocha

Train features

Renfe AVE S-103 high-speed trains, reaching a maximum speed of 350km/h

Ticket Fares

Renfe E-ticket Promo Fare

The least expensive option offers variable prices depending on time of booking and travel. Ticket exchanges or refunds are not permitted.

Renfe E-ticket Promo+ Fare

Slightly more expensive than the Promo fare, and also offering variable prices depending on time of booking and travel. Refunds are permitted up to 1 day before departure, where a cancellation fee applies.

Renfe E-Ticket Base Fare

No discounts. Prices may vary depending on time of booking and travel. Refunds are permitted up to 1 day before departure, where a cancellation fee applies.

Ticket Classes

Turista

Standard class with deluxe-comfort reclining seats and fold-down tables

Turista Plus

Upgraded “Turista” class with spacious, reclining seats.

Preferente

First class with deluxe reclining leather seats plus a la carte restaurant dining and bar service at your seat.

Ticket Discounts

Child discount

Children between the ages of 4 and 13 save up to 40% off the base fare. Children under 4 years old who do not occupy a seat travel for free.

Youth discount

Youths under 26 years of age save up to 25% off the base fare. To be eligible for this discount, youth passengers must carry one of the following cards: a Carné Joven Euro<26 issued by autonomous regions in Spain and by the corresponding organizations in countries associated with the EYCA institution, a ISTC GO 25 Card issued by UNESCO or a Rail Plus Junior Card issued abroad.

Senior discount

Seniors over the age of 60 save up to 40% off the base fare from Monday to Thursday and 25% off from Friday to Sunday. To be eligible for this discount, senior passengers must carry a Dorada Card, which is valid for one year and can be requested at Renfe stations, ticket offices and travel agencies for 5,05 Euros (price subject to change).

Train Services

Turista & Turista Plus

Air conditioning
Cafeteria car selling light meals, snacks and drinks
Power socket, TV screen, and radio at every seat
Baby changing facilities and play areas

Preferente

Air conditioning
Cafeteria car selling light meals, snacks and drinks
Power socket, TV screen, and radio at every seat
Baby changing facilities and play areas
Access to AVE’s VIP lounge (with TV, newspapers, internet access)
Free parking (24h one-way ticket; 48h round-trip ticket)
Access to newspapers and magazines
Hot meals served at your seat (no extra charge)
Restaurant dining at your seat
Drinks served at your seat

Additional Details

Seat reservations

Your Renfe e-ticket includes travel in a specific seat.

E-ticket delivery

Receive your e-ticket as a PDF document, which you can print at home and is valid for travel from Barcelona to Madrid by train.

Airport transfer

Get a free airport transfer ticket to city centers in Barcelona or Madrid with the purchase of your Renfe e-ticket. After arriving at the airport in Barcelona or Madrid, go to a Renfe ticket machine and simply enter the 5 digit pass code called “CombinadoCercanias” which is located on the left upper corner of your PDF ticket to retrieve your free airport transfer ticket.

Barcelona to Madrid Train Tickets

Journey Details

Frequency

Travel time

Train stations

Train features

Ticket Fares

Renfe E-ticket Promo Fare

Renfe E-ticket Promo+ Fare

Renfe E-Ticket Base Fare

Ticket Classes

Turista

Turista Plus

Preferente

Ticket Discounts

Child discount

Youth discount

Senior discount

Train Services

Turista & Turista Plus

Preferente

Additional Details

Seat reservations

E-ticket delivery

Airport transfer

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