Last month I just took the train from Madrid to Barcelona and wanted to share my experience with this Madrid local train journey. As one of the main transportation options connecting Spain’s two major cities, along with trains from Madrid to France, the train is definitely a great choice—more comfortable than flying and faster than taking the bus.
Fare and Train Type Comparison
There are mainly two types of trains from Madrid to Barcelona: AVE high-speed trains and regular trains. AVE is the fastest option, taking approximately 2.5 to 3 hours for the entire journey, with fares typically ranging from 60 to 120 euros, depending on booking time and seat class. If you book in advance, you can sometimes snag promotional tickets for around 35 euros, which is truly excellent value. Regular trains are somewhat cheaper but take 6 to 8 hours, so unless you’re particularly budget-conscious or enjoy slow travel, they’re not really recommended.
Ticket Booking Advice
My recommendation is to book tickets on the Renfe official website at least 2 to 3 weeks in advance—the earlier you book, the cheaper it gets. The website has an English version and is fairly straightforward to navigate. One thing to note: fare differences between time slots can be quite significant—a 7 AM train versus a noon train might differ by 30 euros. Additionally, the main difference between Turista and Preferente classes is seat spaciousness and complimentary meals; if the journey isn’t too long, economy class is perfectly adequate.
Here’s a comparison table I compiled of different departure times and prices:
| Departure Time | Arrival Time | Train Type | Average Fare |
|---|
| 06:00 | 08:45 | AVE | 45-70€ |
| 09:30 | 12:15 | AVE | 70-95€ |
| 13:00 | 15:40 | AVE | 80-120€ |
| 17:45 | 20:30 | AVE | 60-85€ |
Station and Waiting Experience
On the Madrid side, trains mainly depart from Atocha station, which is a very modern train station that even features a small tropical botanical garden inside—quite unique. I recommend arriving 30 minutes early as you need to go through security screening. While it’s not as strict as airport security, you should still allow time for it. The station has coffee shops, bookstores, and fast-food restaurants where you can browse while waiting.
Upon arrival in Barcelona, you’ll stop at Sants station, where transportation is very convenient with trains from Madrid airport and metro lines connecting directly to various attractions in the city center. After exiting the station, I recommend getting a T-10 transport card first, which covers 10 rides on metro or bus—much more economical than single tickets.
Journey Experience and Helpful Tips
AVE seats are very comfortable with ample legroom, and each seat has a power outlet and a small tray table. There’s free WiFi onboard, though the speed is average, it’s fine for checking maps or sending messages. The route passes through some beautiful scenery, especially near Zaragoza, where you can see expansive fields and distant mountains. The only downside is the train moves so fast that taking photos is a bit difficult.
I recommend bringing your own water and snacks onboard. Although there’s a dining car, prices are steep—a bottle of water costs 3 euros. Also, if you’re traveling in summer, the air conditioning is quite strong, so it’s best to bring a light jacket. Overall, taking the train from Madrid to Barcelona is a very pleasant experience. Compared to the hassle of flying, trains are more relaxed and comfortable—I highly recommend it to everyone.
