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Barcelona to Madrid by train
How to take a rail journey from Barcelona to Madrid
There have been recent major changes to journeys by train from Barcelona to Madrid as travellers can now choose between three high speed train services; the standard AVE services and two more basic services - the avlo and Ouigo trains.
The core concept being is that the avlo and Ouigo services offer fewer on board facilities (no bar car, no 1st class seating, no on board entertainment) and have less generous luggage allowances (see below); but have generally cheaper ticket prices than the AVE trains.
Check the prices per departure carefully on your travel dates, which is most easily done on Trainline.
Luggage allowances:
AVE travellers can board with:
Up to 3 pieces of hand luggage onto the train, provided that the sum of the three does not exceed 25 kg or 290 cm.
The maximum dimensions allowed are 85x55x35 cm
avlo travellers can board at no extra charge with:
1 piece of hand luggage (bag, rucksack, etc.) subject to the following size limitations: 36x27x25 cm.
AND
1 suitcase, subject to the following size limitations: 55x35x25 cm.
Ouigo travellers can board at no extra charge with the choice of:
2 pieces of hand luggage not exceeding 36 x 27 x 15 cm (height x width x depth)
OR
1 Hand baggage not exceeding 36 x 27 x 15 cm (height x width x depth) + 1 Cabin baggage not exceeding 55 x 35 x 25 cm (height x width x depth).
Though in the mornings there are usually no AVE departures scheduled between 09:00 and 12:00 (because the number of AVE trains per day available has been reduced due to the pandemic), but there are both avlo and Ouigo services that plug this gap between AVE departures.
There is also still a daily non-high speed service available, handy for users of Eurail and InterRail passes looking to avoid the rail pass reservation fees on AVE trains; rail passes aren't valid on the avlo and Ouigo services.
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Routes
Option 1: taking the AVE (and avlo) trains
Journey Summary
2hr 30min - 3hr 10min
Daily
Travel Information
AVE travel summary:
Departing from Barcelona:
Aim to be at Barcelona Sants a minimum of 20 mins before departure, in order to allow time to pass through the security checks.
At Barcelona Sants station these trains depart from the part of the station used by the high speed trains - vias (platforms/tracks) 1 - 6.
So when you're in the station follow the signs that are pointing the way to the ' Alta-Velocidad' trains.
The journey times
Look out for the journey times when looking up this route.
The departures with a journey time of around 2hr 30mins are non-stop from Barcelona to Madrid, those with a journey time of 2hr 45min make one intermediate station call in Zaragoza; while the departures with a journey time of around 3hr 15mins make up to three additional station calls.
AVE departures:
Mon - Friday = 14 - 16 x trains per day
Saturday = 8 - 10 x trains
Sunday = 11 - 13 x trains
These totals do not include the approx 40% of departures which have been temporarily withdrawn due to the pandemic.
avlo departures:
4 x trains per day
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings usually open: up to 6 months ahead of the travel date - depending on the time of year.
The online booking window can be shorter between late July and early October.
When looking up journeys (not travelling) between late July and early October, it's likely you won't be able to book for journeys beyond the second Sunday in December.
Both the Renfe (Spanish national railways) online booking service and Trainline sell tickets for journeys by the avlo and AVE trains.
Trainline also sells tickets for the alternative Ouigo services, but if you want to see prices more than two weeks ahead for all three services; AVE, alvo and Ouigo, you MAY need to look up the journey on both renfe and the Trainline.
On this route, the AVE prices are set per departure according to demand; hence the lack of price info below.
If you want to take an AVE train, it can pay off to be as flexible as possible regarding departure and arrival times, because for these trains on this route it’s not unusual for a few departures to be available at much cheaper price, regardless of how far ahead you will be booking.
The limited numbers of tickets released for sale at very cheapest prices also inevitably sell out, so if possible book more than a couple of months ahead and you’ll be more likely to find them available.
Though from the moment the tickets are placed on sale, some departures will be cheaper than others.
Though the non-stop (2hr 30mins) AVE trains tend to be more expensive than other departures, regardless of the time of day.
Prémium tickets are only available for journeys by the AVE trains.
**Difference in core ticketing terms between AVE and avlo services.
Child tickets:
avlo = children aged 13 and under travel for a flat rate of €5, maximum of 2 children per fare paying Adult.
AVE = children aged 5 -13 and under are entitled to a 40% discount.
If you want to place a child aged four and under in its own seat, they will also have a 40% discount on the ticket price, but if you'll be happy to travel with the child on their lap, then there is no charge.
Amending booked tickets
avlo = pay an additional €8 when making the initial booking and you can then make one change to an alternative choice of departure.
AVE = promo + ticket holders will receive 80% of the ticket price refunded if you then want to book a different service, but you will then have to re-purchase a new ticket for the train you now want to take.
Seat Reservations:
Seats will automatically be assigned when booking tickets for this journey by AVE and avlo services.
Rail Pass Users:
Rail pass users will need to pay reservation fees prior to boarding these trains, though on this route, with its fairly frequent departures, you may as well book these reservations at the station when you arrive in Spain.
Though if you're determined to avoid any additional fees when using your rail pass, you can take the Regional-Express train from Barcelona to Madrid, see the info below.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Renfe | * | |
| Trainline | * |
On this journey
Journey Features
Good to Know
Taking the alternative avlo services
SMTJ has yet to travel by the alternative avlo services, this is the info page for these services on the renfe website.
They are scheduled to depart from Barcelona Sants daily at 06:40; 10:00; 17:25 and 21:10.
The 21:10 departure leaves more than an hour after the final AVE train of the day.
The 17:25 train is non-stop to Madrid and has a journey time of 2hr 30mins and the 10:00 departure is the slowest avlo service with a journey time of 3hr 17min, the other two departures have a journey time of 2hr 45mins.
The core differences between avlo and AVE services, aside from avlo not conveying 1st/Preferente/Comfort class are:
- Catering: AVE trains = bar/bistro conter; avlo trains = vending machines
- Seat selection: AVE trains Promo + ticket holders cannot choose seats (free for Flexible ticket holders); avlo trains = pay an additional €8 to select a specific seat
- On board entertainment = both AVE and avlo trains have free Wi-fi, but AVE trains also have screens on which films/movies are shown.
Luggage allowance on AVE trains = Up to 3 pieces of hand luggage onto the train, provided that the sum of the three does not exceed 25 kg or 290 cm.
The maximum dimensions allowed are 85x55x35 cm
Though additional allowances cannot be purchased.
Luggage allowance on avlo trains = 1 piece of hand luggage (bag, rucksack, etc.) subject to the following size limitations: 36x27x25 cm and 1 suitcase, subject to the following size limitations: 55x35x25 cm.
1 piece of additional, larger-sized luggage, measuring a maximum of 85x60x35 cm (or no more than 180 cm in total) can be be paid for as an added allowance, but the price for doing ranges from €10 if added when booking to €30 at the station just prior to boarding.
The dimensions of the luggage will be measured at the station, so if your bag exceeds the free allowance size, you will then have to pay €30 to take it on board.
Another core difference is boarding time, SMTJ suggests being at Barcelona Sants at least 20 mins before boarding an AVE, because having once been towards the back of a long queue for the security check procedures, this scenario is best avoided.
However, for the avlo services, the specific recommendation from renfe is to be at the station a minimum of 30 minutes before departure.
This journey showcases the best of high speed train travel, SMTJ nearly placed it in the scenic journeys category.
You won't see typical stunning views of mountains and coasts, but the combination of incredible speed and sweeping distant views over central Spain can be exhilarating.
These videos were captured on a train heading to Barcelona from Madrid, but they showcase what gives this journey its wow factor!
This is Europe's fastest high speed route as the trains travel at more than 300 km/h for most of the journey.
Option 2: taking the Ouigo trains
Journey Summary
2hr 30min - 2hr 45 min
Daily
Travel Information
The French national rail operator, SNCF has for some years been operating double-decked high speed trains branded 'Ouigo' as a lower-cost, more basic alternative to regular high speed TGV services in France.
It is now also operating these Ouigo services on the Barcelona to Madrid route:
The five daily departures are scheduled to depart Barcelona Sants at 06:45*; 10:40, 13:45; 17:40* and 20:45, the departures marked with an* are non-stop to Madrid and the other departures make one intermediate station call in Zaragoza.
These Ouigo services are an alternative to the two services operated on this route by Renfe, the Spanish national rail operator; the regular AVE services and the more basic (and therefore similar to Ouigo) avlo services.
The core idea is that the Ouigo (and avlo) services are more basic, but cheaper than the regular AVE services.
Though the Ouigo services are typically the cheapest option, if you book ahead you can find prices on some departures from €15.
Departing from Barcelona:
You need to be at Barcelona Sants a minimum of 30 mins before departure, in order to allow time to pass through both the Ouigo traveller checks and the security checks.
At Barcelona Sants station these trains depart from the part of the station used by the high speed trains - vias (platforms/tracks) 1 - 6.
So when you're in the station follow the signs that are pointing the way to the ' Alta-Velocidad' trains.
5 x trains per day
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings open: up to 6 months ahead of the travel date - depending on the time of year.
Ouigo Plus tickets cost extra but live up to their name with XL seats available, the ability to choose a seat and to board with a large item of luggage at no additional charge.
**Summary of ticket term differences **
Child tickets:
Ouigo = children aged 4 -13 pay a flat rate of €4.
avlo = children aged 13 and under travel for a flat rate of €5, maximum of 2 children per fare paying Adult.
AVE = children aged 5 -13 and under are entitled to a 40% discount.
If you want to place a child aged four and under in its own seat, they will also have a 40% discount on the ticket price, but if you'll be happy to travel with the child on their lap, then there is no charge.
Amending booked tickets
Ouigo =with standard tickets bookings can be amended for a flat rate of €30, but if you book Flex tickets there will be no flat rate charge, but you will have to pay the price difference (if any) on the new departure you choose.
avlo = pay an additional €8 when making the initial booking and you can then make one change to an alternative choice of departure.
AVE = promo + ticket holders will receive 80% of the ticket price refunded if you then want to book a different service, but you will then have to re-purchase a new ticket for the train you now want to take.
Rail Pass Users:
Eurail and InterRail passes cannot be used on Ouigo services, but if you want to add Madrid to an itinerary and will be travelling with the flexible type of pass, taking the Ouigo can be worth considering, particularly if you can find tickets for under €20.
You can then use a day's travel on the flexible pass on a route when no low-cost train services are available.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Trainline | from €15 | |
| Ouigo | from €15 |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
Aside from the seating and the fact that avlo are single deck trains, the key differences in the on-board experience between the Ouigo and avlo services are:
- Wi-fi: Ouigo = not available; avlo = available
- Power sockets = Ouigo = coaches equipped with seats that have access to power sockets can be accessed for a surcharge of €2; avlo = sockets at every seat
- Catering: Ouigo =not available; avlo = vending machines
- Seat selection: Ouigo = available if you book Ouigo Plus tickets with XL seats available; avlo = available for a charge of €8.
Luggage allowance on Ouigo trains = 2 pieces of hand luggage not exceeding 36 x 27 x 15 cm (height x width x depth)
OR
1 Hand baggage not exceeding 36 x 27 x 15 cm (height x width x depth) + 1 Cabin baggage not exceeding 55 x 35 x 25 cm (height x width x depth).
An additional baggage item of no more than 30 kg and 2 m x 2 m, can be paid for as an added allowance for a fee of €20.
Luggage dimensions will be checked pre-boarding and sizes of bags which exceed the luggage limit will be charged at the €20 rate.
Ouigo Plus ticket purchasers can board with this additional baggage item at no extra charge.
Luggage allowance on avlo trains = 1 piece of hand luggage (bag, rucksack, etc.) subject to the following size limitations: 36x27x25 cm and 1 suitcase, subject to the following size limitations: 55x35x25 cm.
1 piece of additional, larger-sized luggage, measuring a maximum of 85x60x35 cm (or no more than 180 cm in total) can be be paid for as an added allowance, but the price for doing ranges from €10 if added when booking to €30 at the station just prior to boarding.
These Ouigo trains take the same route as the Ave and avlo trains.
Option 3: taking the Regional-Express train:
Journey Summary
9hr 4min
Daily
Travel Information
This train is scheduled to depart from Barcelona Sants daily at 09:03
It also departs from Barcelona Franca at 08:43 and from Passeig Di Gracia station in central Barcelona at 08:53
As seats can' be reserved on this train, boarding at Franca or Passieg De Gracia stations is recommended.
Also note that this train arrives at Chamartin station in Madrid and not at Atocha station - which is where the AVE trains arrive.
1 x train per day
Tickets
Book early and save: No
Rail Pass Users:
Reservations aren't available on this Regional Express train, so if you're travelling on a budget and won't mind spending all day travelling to the Spanish capital, then it's possible to to travel from Barcelona to Madrid without paying any additional fees; if you'll be travelling with a valid Eurail or InterRail pass.
If you have a 2nd class pass you'll save €10 and if you have a 1st class pass you'll save €23.50 - though as this train is 2nd class only, there's quite a contrast between travelling on this train and in Preferente/1st class on the AVE trains.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Renfe | * |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
This train is second class/Estander class only.
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