- Must visit
Museo Nacional del Prado
Madrid’s premier art museum, famed for masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, El Greco, Rubens, and Bosch. A cornerstone of the city’s Golden Triangle of Art.
Cheapest price
$50
Average price
$71
Fastest journey
7 h 20 m
Average duration
7 h 26 m
Buses per day
18
Distance
504 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Barcelona to Madrid is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Barcelona to Madrid will cost around $71 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $50.
Of the 18 buses that leave Barcelona for Madrid on Fri, Jun 05, 16 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Jun 05 the direct buses cover the 504 km distance in an average of 7 h 26 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 7 h 20 m .
On Fri, Jun 05 the slowest buses will take 7 h 35 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
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NormalOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Barcelona to Madrid among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $29. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 4h 16m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.2 - 0.5kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $29, and a flight costs an average of $61.
Distance: 313 miles (504 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$71 Average price | $53 Average price Cheapest | $252 Average price | $126 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 45m Average total duration 6h 15m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 37m Average total duration 5h 7m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 16m Average total duration Fastest 4h 16m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 6h 16m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.5 - 1.3kg CO2 emissions | 0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.5 - 3.0kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train 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 Barcelona to Madrid:
A train is $19 (€15) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Barcelona to Madrid costing on average $71 (€58).
A train is $199 (€161) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Barcelona to Madrid costing on average $252 (€204).
Other travel options to Madrid take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 7m.
Bus takes on average 6h 15m.
You'll arrive about 1m sooner (6h 15m by bus vs 6h 16m by car) and save roughly $54 (€44) compared to fuel and tolls ($71 (€58) vs $126 (€101)). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.
Direct coaches are operated by Alsa, BlaBlaCar, FlixBus.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 01:00AM | Arrival Time 08:50AM | Duration 7h50 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $37 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:30AM | Arrival Time 08:40AM | Duration 30h10 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Fri | Cheapest price $104 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:50AM | Arrival Time 09:30AM | Duration 6h40 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:00AM | Arrival Time 10:50AM | Duration 6h50 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $51 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:10AM | Arrival Time 10:10AM | Duration 6h00 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $49 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:00AM | Arrival Time 12:20PM | Duration 6h20 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $37 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:20AM | Arrival Time 01:00PM | Duration 6h40 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $59 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:30AM | Arrival Time 01:20PM | Duration 6h50 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $44 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 07:00AM | Arrival Time 02:50PM | Duration 7h50 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $34 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:00AM | Arrival Time 01:10PM | Duration 6h10 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $40 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 02:10PM | Duration 6h10 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $51 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:30AM | Arrival Time 02:30PM | Duration 6h00 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $38 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:00AM | Arrival Time 03:00PM | Duration 6h00 | Departure days Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $39 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:10AM | Arrival Time 02:40PM | Duration 5h30 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $42 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 09:30AM | Arrival Time 04:50PM | Duration 7h20 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $34 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:00AM | Arrival Time 05:00PM | Duration 7h00 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $40 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:20AM | Arrival Time 04:50PM | Duration 6h30 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $68 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 10:30AM | Arrival Time 06:10PM | Duration 7h40 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $34 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 11:00AM | Arrival Time 06:10PM | Duration 7h10 | Departure days Mon, Sat | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 11:20AM | Arrival Time 07:10PM | Duration 7h50 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $42 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 11:30AM | Arrival Time 07:00PM | Duration 7h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $34 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:00PM | Arrival Time 05:50PM | Duration 5h50 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $44 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 01:00PM | Arrival Time 08:20PM | Duration 7h20 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $34 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:00PM | Arrival Time 08:20PM | Duration 6h20 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $42 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:10PM | Arrival Time 08:10PM | Duration 6h00 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $46 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:35PM | Arrival Time 08:40AM | Duration 18h05 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $124 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 03:00PM | Arrival Time 10:50PM | Duration 7h50 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Sat | Cheapest price $34 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:30PM | Arrival Time 10:20PM | Duration 6h50 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 03:30PM | Arrival Time 11:20PM | Duration 7h50 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 10:40PM | Duration 6h40 | Departure days Mon, Wed | Cheapest price $37 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 12:20AM | Duration 7h50 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:30PM | Arrival Time 11:10PM | Duration 5h40 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $52 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:00PM | Arrival Time 12:10AM | Duration 6h10 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $42 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:50PM | Arrival Time 12:40AM | Duration 5h50 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $59 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 07:30PM | Arrival Time 02:50AM | Duration 7h20 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 09:00PM | Arrival Time 04:35AM | Duration 7h35 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $34 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 10:00PM | Arrival Time 05:50AM | Duration 7h50 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $45 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:10PM | Arrival Time 07:55AM | Duration 32h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $98 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 11:30PM | Arrival Time 06:55AM | Duration 7h25 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $37 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 11:30PM | Arrival Time 06:00AM | Duration 6h30 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $43 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 11:45PM | Arrival Time 07:40AM | Duration 7h55 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 11:59PM | Arrival Time 07:34AM | Duration 7h35 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Sun | Cheapest price $41 |
The table below shows live departures for Barcelona to Madrid buses for today, Thursday, June 4. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Normal | 9:00 PM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 7h35 | 4:35 AM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 9:00 PM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 7h50 | 4:50 AM Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 10:00 PM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 7h50 | 5:50 AM Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 10:00 PM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 7h35 | 5:35 AM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 11:30 PM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 7h25 | 6:55 AM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 11:45 PM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 7h55 | 7:40 AM Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Friday, June 5 | |||||
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus | 2:30 AM Barcelona, Estación de Autobuses de Sants | 29h25 | 7:55 AM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 2 transfers | |
Normal | 10:30 AM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 8h05 | 6:35 PM Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 10:30 AM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 7h40 | 6:10 PM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 11:30 AM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 7h30 | 7:00 PM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 11:30 AM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 7h45 | 7:15 PM Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 1:00 PM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 7h20 | 8:20 PM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 1:00 PM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 8h05 | 9:05 PM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 1:00 PM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 7h35 | 8:35 PM Madrid, Intercambiador de Plaza de Castilla | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 3:30 PM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 7h35 | 11:05 PM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 3:30 PM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 7h50 | 11:20 PM Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 4:30 PM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 7h50 | 12:20 AM Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 7:30 PM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 7h20 | 2:50 AM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 7:30 PM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 7h35 | 3:05 AM Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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Buses from Barcelona to Madrid run on average 21 times per day, taking around 6h 15m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $26 (€21) if you book in advance.
There are 20 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:14, the last at 23:50. The fastest bus covers the 313 miles (504 km) distance in 7h 25m.
Distance 313 miles (504 km) |
Average bus duration 6h 15m |
Cheapest ticket price $26 (€21) |
Buses per day 21 |
Direct buses 20 |
Fastest bus 7h 25m |
First bus 12:14 AM |
Last bus 11:50 PM |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 91 days |
Discover the best of Madrid — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Madrid trip today.
Madrid’s premier art museum, famed for masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, El Greco, Rubens, and Bosch. A cornerstone of the city’s Golden Triangle of Art.
Spain’s national museum of 20th-century and contemporary art, best known for Picasso’s Guernica and strong collections by Dalí and Miró.
A major art museum spanning Old Masters to modern works, complementing the Prado and Reina Sofía with an exceptionally broad private collection.
Madrid’s grand historic square, lined with arcades and elegant façades, and a classic starting point for exploring the old center.
The symbolic heart of Madrid, known for Kilometer Zero, the clock tower, and constant energy day and night.
Madrid’s most famous park, ideal for walks, boating, monuments, gardens, and popular photo spots such as the Crystal Palace area.
Madrid’s signature chickpea stew, served in courses with broth, vegetables, and assorted meats. It is one of the city’s most traditional comfort dishes.
A classic Madrid sandwich of fried squid rings in crusty bread, especially associated with bars around Plaza Mayor. It is simple, iconic, and widely loved.
A rich stew of tripe, chorizo, and morcilla cooked with paprika. It is a historic Madrid tavern dish with bold, hearty flavors.
Historic restaurant founded in the eighteenth century, famous for roast meats and classic Castilian cooking in an atmospheric old setting.
Legendary traditional restaurant best known for huevos rotos, with a polished yet classic tavern feel and strong local reputation.
Iconic spot for churros con chocolate, open long hours and known for a lively, historic atmosphere near the city center.
Moderate for Western Europe. Museums and transport are reasonable, while central hotels and fine dining cost more.
Service is usually included. Round up or leave EUR 1-2 in cafés; 5-10% in restaurants for very good service. Taxis are often rounded up, but tipping is not obligatory.
Official public transport app
Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses -> Puerta del Sol, Madrid
For your bus from Barcelona to Madrid approximately 18 direct buses depart daily. The earliest bus departs around 7:00 a.m. and the latest bus around 8:00 p.m. The journey takes an average of 8h 4min, but the fastest bus can get you there in 7h 20min. The trip covers 313 miles (194 km) of scenic views and you’ll arrive in Madrid in no time.
For your bus to Barcelona from Madrid there are 18 direct buses daily. The buses run about every hour, so you won’t have to wait long. The trip covers 313 miles (194 km) and takes 8h 4min. The earliest bus departs around 7:00 a.m. and the final bus around 8:00 p.m. These times change, so get the Omio App to get the latest travel news.
The bus from Barcelona to Madrid takes 8h 4min and covers 313 miles (194 km). The fastest bus can get you there in 7h 20min. For your journey, 18 direct buses depart close to every hour, and because there are no stops along the way, you’ll get to Madrid faster. For your reading pleasure on the train, be sure to look at Window Seat magazine. It has lots of useful information about train travel.

Casa Batllo in Barcelona. Source: Shutterstock
Departure bus station: For your bus departing Barcelona to Madrid, the bus station is Barcelona Sants Station. Its located 0.5 miles (0.8 km) from the city center and the distance is easily walkable. You can take bus line 54 from Plaza Universitat or Metro line 1, but it’s much easier to just walk the distance since it’s so close to the station. Your other option is to hire a taxi, but again it’s a short trip to the city center. The station has restaurants and shops, as well as charging stations.
Arrival bus station: While you can get Barcelona to Madrid tickets cheap at the station, the arrival station is Estación Sur. The station is only 1.8 miles (3 km) from the city center, and it’s easily walkable and a great way to see the city. You can use public transportation by taking bus lines 8 or 102, and Metro line 6. These routes will take you to other connecting stops in the event you want to explore the area. You can also get a taxi at the station. The station has cafes and shops plus ATMs.
Alsa bus company is the only carrier for your bus from Madrid to Barcelona, so you won’t have to compare different buses. Alsa has 18 daily bus departures, and the service offers many choices when it comes to fares. Alsa has three different fares that are designed to save you money. Their fleet of sleek buses offers comfort during your journey, like adjustable seats and wide, panoramic windows. The earliest bus departs around 7:00 a.m. and the latest bus around 8:00 p.m. The trip to Madrid takes around 8h 4min, but some buses might get you there faster. If you book your Alsa bus early, you could save money on your fare. We recommend booking at least one month in advance.
While Alsa offers cheap tickets from Barcelona to Madrid, its superior service and buses make it one of the most popular bus travel providers in Europe. They have three different coaches that suit every budget, and their plush, adjustable seats and plentiful legroom make travel a joy. You also have three choices in fare options, from value to premium fares. Alsa has 18 different buses departing daily, and their efficient and friendly service makes travel an experience you’ll never forget.
Your Barcelona to Madrid bus is more than just a bus ride, as travel by bus is one of the most sustainable ways to travel. Buses emit less Co2 than other forms of travel, and that’s good for the environment. Alsa strives to improve its fleet of buses every year, with new technologies in fuel efficiency, and cutting-edge green engine improvements. So, the next time you book your fare, know that you’re taking care of the earth.
For your Alsa bus from Madrid to Barcelona, there are so many choices when you book your bus fare. Alsa offers three different ticket choices, from a value fare to a premium fare, and this saves you money. You can also choose between three coach options, with a basic and premium bus for your journey. All Alsa’s buses provide the ultimate comfort for your journey. Their luggage allowance lets you take up to 66 lbs (30 kg) of bags, plus a carry-on item. Alsa lets you take sports equipment like bicycles, too. The equipment must be covered, and bags are available for purchase in the event you don’t have one. The coaches’ floor-to-ceiling windows offer you magnificent views as you make your way on your scenic adventure. Alsa is a leader in facilitating passengers with disabilities, and all their buses include tools to get you where you want to go. Wheelchair lifts help simplify transfers, and special seats and spaces provide safe comfort during your trip.
For ideas on how to get from Barcelona to Madrid the cheapest way, we’d like to make a few suggestions. Overall, taking extra time to carefully organize your trip before booking tickets is the best course. Booking your tickets in advance will save you big on your trip. We recommend you book at least one month in advance, or even longer if you can. Trips booked early will discount tickets. Another option is to choose routes that have stops or that take longer. You should also be mindful of when you book your travel day. There are always certain days that are busier and more expensive, so pick a day like Monday for the best deals. Many times, you’ll find discounts with specials, too. Buying more than one ticket often comes with deep discounts per ticket. The best course of action is to plan and study prices, routes, and the best time to travel.

Puerta de Alcala in Madrid. Source: Shutterstock
After you arrive on your bus from Barcelona to Madrid, it’s time to explore the city and see the sights. Madrid is a bustling European city, and you won’t want to miss places like Plaza Mayor. This marvelous square is in the center of Madrid and surrounded by lively cafes, restaurants, and shops. It’s a great place to grab a drink and people-watch. For a day of culture, spend it at the Prado Museum (Museo del Prado). We recommend skipping the lines and booking the tour, as you’ll get a lesson in the history of all the pieces of art. It’s an enormous place with a varied collection of art from all over the world. After, grab a bite at the café’s that are around the museum. Madrid is full of world-renowned restaurants with famous chefs, and the food is locally sourced from the city’s farmers and tradesmen. Don’t miss these sites:
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Barcelona to Madrid by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Madrid, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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