- Must visit
Museu Picasso
Major collection focused on Pablo Picasso’s formative years and his deep connection to Barcelona, housed in a set of medieval palaces in El Born.
Cheapest price
$50
Average price
$56
Fastest journey
7 h 25 m
Average duration
7 h 33 m
Buses per day
41
Distance
504 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Madrid to Barcelona is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Madrid to Barcelona will cost around $56 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $50.
Of the 41 buses that leave Madrid for Barcelona on Fri, Jun 05, 39 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 33 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 7 h 25 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 Madrid to Barcelona among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $33. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 3h 3m. 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 $33, and a flight costs an average of $66.
Distance: 313 miles (504 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$82 Average price | $69 Average price Cheapest | $229 Average price | $126 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 12m Average total duration 5h 42m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 18m Average total duration 4h 48m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 3m Average total duration Fastest 3h 3m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 6h 22m 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 Madrid to Barcelona:
A train is $13 (€10) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Madrid to Barcelona costing on average $82 (€66).
A train is $160 (€129) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Madrid to Barcelona costing on average $229 (€185).
Other travel options to Barcelona take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 48m.
Bus takes on average 5h 42m.
You'll arrive about 40m sooner (5h 42m by bus vs 6h 22m by car) and save roughly $43 (€35) compared to fuel and tolls ($82 (€66) 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 12:14AM | Arrival Time 07:49AM | Duration 7h35 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Sat | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 01:00AM | Arrival Time 08:50AM | Duration 7h50 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Sun | Cheapest price $34 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 01:00AM | Arrival Time 06:40AM | Duration 5h40 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $46 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 01:15AM | Arrival Time 09:05AM | Duration 7h50 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Sun | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:00AM | Arrival Time 09:30AM | Duration 5h30 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $34 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:30AM | Arrival Time 10:50AM | Duration 6h20 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $49 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:00AM | Arrival Time 01:00PM | Duration 7h00 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:30AM | Arrival Time 12:40PM | Duration 6h10 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $51 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 06:30AM | Arrival Time 02:55PM | Duration 8h25 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 07:00AM | Arrival Time 02:55PM | Duration 7h55 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:00AM | Arrival Time 02:00PM | Duration 7h00 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $51 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 04:05PM | Duration 8h05 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 08:15AM | Arrival Time 04:05PM | Duration 7h50 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:00AM | Arrival Time 03:30PM | Duration 6h30 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 09:00AM | Arrival Time 04:50PM | Duration 7h50 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $30 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 09:15AM | Arrival Time 05:05PM | Duration 7h50 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:00AM | Arrival Time 04:10PM | Duration 6h10 | Departure days Tue, Sun | Cheapest price $42 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 10:30AM | Arrival Time 06:20PM | Duration 7h50 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 10:45AM | Arrival Time 06:20PM | Duration 7h35 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 11:00AM | Arrival Time 06:20PM | Duration 7h20 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $42 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 11:30AM | Arrival Time 07:35PM | Duration 8h05 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $34 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 11:30AM | Arrival Time 06:20PM | Duration 6h50 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $51 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 11:55AM | Arrival Time 07:35PM | Duration 7h40 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 12:00PM | Arrival Time 08:20PM | Duration 8h20 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:30PM | Arrival Time 08:30PM | Duration 8h00 | Departure days Mon, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 01:00PM | Arrival Time 08:50PM | Duration 7h50 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 01:15PM | Arrival Time 08:50PM | Duration 7h35 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 01:30PM | Arrival Time 07:20PM | Duration 5h50 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $46 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:00PM | Arrival Time 08:40PM | Duration 6h40 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 02:00PM | Arrival Time 10:05PM | Duration 8h05 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:00PM | Arrival Time 09:00PM | Duration 6h00 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Sun | Cheapest price $39 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 03:00PM | Arrival Time 11:05PM | Duration 8h05 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $30 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 03:15PM | Arrival Time 11:05PM | Duration 7h50 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 03:30PM | Arrival Time 11:20PM | Duration 7h50 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 03:45PM | Arrival Time 11:35PM | Duration 7h50 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:55PM | Arrival Time 01:25PM | Duration 21h30 | Departure days Tue, Sat | Cheapest price $102 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 10:20PM | Duration 6h20 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Fri | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 10:40PM | Duration 6h10 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 12:35AM | Duration 8h05 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 04:45PM | Arrival Time 12:35AM | Duration 7h50 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 11:10PM | Duration 6h10 | Departure days Mon, Fri | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:00PM | Arrival Time 12:10AM | Duration 6h10 | Departure days Mon, Wed | Cheapest price $46 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 07:30PM | Arrival Time 03:40AM | Duration 8h10 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $34 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 07:45PM | Arrival Time 03:25AM | Duration 7h40 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:00PM | Arrival Time 03:50AM | Duration 6h50 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $43 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 10:30PM | Arrival Time 06:20AM | Duration 7h50 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 10:45PM | Arrival Time 06:35AM | Duration 7h50 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 11:00PM | Arrival Time 06:50AM | Duration 7h50 | Departure days Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 11:20PM | Arrival Time 05:10AM | Duration 5h50 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $63 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 11:30PM | Arrival Time 07:20AM | Duration 7h50 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $37 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:35PM | Arrival Time 11:10PM | Duration 23h35 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $113 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 11:45PM | Arrival Time 07:20AM | Duration 7h35 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:59PM | Arrival Time 04:35AM | Duration 28h36 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $145 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 11:59PM | Arrival Time 07:49AM | Duration 7h50 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $41 |
The table below shows live departures for Madrid to Barcelona 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 | 11:30 PM Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 7h50 | 7:20 AM Barcelona, Estación de Autobuses de Sants | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 11:30 PM Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 8h05 | 7:35 AM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus | 11:35 PM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 23h35 | 11:10 PM Barcelona, Estación de Autobuses de Sants | 2 transfers | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 11:59 PM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 28h36 | 4:35 AM Barcelona, Estación de Autobuses de Sants | 1 transfer | |
| Friday, June 5 | |||||
Normal | 6:30 AM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 8h25 | 2:55 PM Barcelona, Estación de Autobuses de Sants | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 6:30 AM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 8h35 | 3:05 PM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 7:00 AM Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 7h55 | 2:55 PM Barcelona, Estación de Autobuses de Sants | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 7:00 AM Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 8h05 | 3:05 PM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 8:00 AM Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 8h05 | 4:05 PM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 8:00 AM Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 7h50 | 3:50 PM Barcelona, Estación de Autobuses de Sants | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 8:15 AM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 7h50 | 4:05 PM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 8:15 AM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 7h35 | 3:50 PM Barcelona, Estación de Autobuses de Sants | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 9:00 AM Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 8h05 | 5:05 PM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 9:00 AM Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 7h50 | 4:50 PM Barcelona, Estación de Autobuses de Sants | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 9:15 AM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 7h50 | 5:05 PM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 9:15 AM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 7h35 | 4:50 PM Barcelona, Estación de Autobuses de Sants | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 11:30 AM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 8h05 | 7:35 PM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 11:30 AM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 7h50 | 7:20 PM Barcelona, Estación de Autobuses de Sants | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 11:55 AM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 7h40 | 7:35 PM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 11:55 AM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 7h25 | 7:20 PM Barcelona, Estación de Autobuses de Sants | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 1:00 PM Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 7h50 | 8:50 PM Barcelona, Estación de Autobuses de Sants | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 1:00 PM Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 8h05 | 9:05 PM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 1:15 PM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 7h35 | 8:50 PM Barcelona, Estación de Autobuses de Sants | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 1:15 PM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 7h50 | 9:05 PM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 2:00 PM Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 8h05 | 10:05 PM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 2:00 PM Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 7h50 | 9:50 PM Barcelona, Estación de Autobuses de Sants | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 3:00 PM Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 7h50 | 10:50 PM Barcelona, Estación de Autobuses de Sants | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 3:00 PM Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 8h05 | 11:05 PM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 3:15 PM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 7h50 | 11:05 PM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 3:15 PM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 7h35 | 10:50 PM Barcelona, Estación de Autobuses de Sants | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 4:30 PM Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 8h05 | 12:35 AM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 4:30 PM Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 7h50 | 12:20 AM Barcelona, Estación de Autobuses de Sants | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 4:45 PM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 7h50 | 12:35 AM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 4:45 PM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 7h35 | 12:20 AM Barcelona, Estación de Autobuses de Sants | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 7:30 PM Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 7h55 | 3:25 AM Barcelona, Estación de Autobuses de Sants | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 7:30 PM Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 8h10 | 3:40 AM Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, bus, 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.

Buses from Madrid to Barcelona run on average 38 times per day, taking around 5h 42m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $19 (€15) if you book in advance.
There are 35 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 35m.
Distance 313 miles (504 km) |
Average bus duration 5h 42m |
Cheapest ticket price $19 (€15) |
Buses per day 38 |
Direct buses 35 |
Fastest bus 7h 35m |
First bus 12:14 AM |
Last bus 11:50 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 91 days |
Discover the best of Barcelona — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Barcelona trip today.
Major collection focused on Pablo Picasso’s formative years and his deep connection to Barcelona, housed in a set of medieval palaces in El Born.
Catalonia’s national art museum, especially strong in Romanesque frescoes, Gothic art, and grand city views from Palau Nacional.
Hilltop museum dedicated to Joan Miró, combining paintings, sculptures, and temporary exhibitions in a landmark modern building on Montjuïc.
Barcelona’s most famous promenade, busy with street life and historic buildings, best experienced as a short walk rather than a long stay.
Atmospheric old quarter of medieval lanes, hidden squares, historic facades, and one of the city’s essential walking areas.
Elegant boulevard lined with luxury shops and standout modernist architecture, ideal for combining architecture, shopping, and city strolling.
Rustic bread rubbed with ripe tomato, olive oil, and salt. A staple of Catalan cuisine and often served with meals or charcuterie.
Traditional Catalan dish of roasted eggplant, red peppers, and onion, usually dressed with olive oil. Valued for its simple smoky flavor.
A refreshing salad of shredded salt cod, tomato, onion, and olives. A classic Barcelona and Catalan seafood starter.
Internationally acclaimed fine dining restaurant offering highly creative contemporary cuisine with exceptional service and a tasting-menu format.
Celebrated tapas bar and restaurant serving refined traditional plates, seafood, and meats in a polished but bustling setting.
Historic traditional restaurant in the Gothic Quarter known for classic Catalan dishes such as escudella, roast meats, and crema catalana.
Moderate by Western Europe standards. Tapas and transit are manageable, but central hotels and tourist areas cost more.
Service is usually included. Tipping is modest: round up or leave 5-10% for great service. Small change is fine in cafes; taxis can be rounded up.
Official public transport app
Barcelona, Estación de Autobuses de Sants -> Plaça de Catalunya, Barcelona
Some of the best beach vacations abound in Barcelona. Barcelona is a popular coastal city, offering beautiful architecture to family-friendly attractions. You can easily get to Barcelona by taking the bus from Madrid. Madrid is about 312 miles (504 km) from Barcelona, and the fastest bus takes about 7h 10min on this journey. Over 40 buses travel from Madrid to Barcelona every day, and you can book these buses using the newOmio app.
Over 40 buses depart from Madrid to Barcelona every day. the departures start from early morning to the evening, all direct buses. A couple of night buses also serve the route to get to Barcelona early in the morning. The first bus from Madrid to Barcelona leaves at around 12:14 a.m., and the last departure is around 11:59 p.m. You will also have several day buses serving this route, with a couple of departures every hour.
The trip from Madrid to Barcelona is long but enjoyable. Alsa is the only company providing buses from Madrid to Barcelona, and for this journey, they have provided around 40 direct buses to Barcelona. The fastest bus from Madrid to Barcelona takes about 7h 10min. Only direct buses serve this route, with no connecting services available. Download the newOmio app to see all available buses from Madrid to Barcelona and their durations.

El Retiro Park in Madrid. Source: Shutterstock
Departure bus station: Madrid Interc. Av América is about 5min from Madrid city center. The bus station is easily accessible on foot, but you can also take the Madrid metro or coach to the bus station. Services and amenities offered at the station include luggage storage lockers, a cafeteria, a shopping area, a check-in desk, payphones, ATMs, free Wi-Fi, and accessible restrooms.
Arrival bus station: Estación de Autobuses de Sants is about 1.8 miles (3 km) from downtown Barcelona. The station is served by both buses and trains, and you can take the bus, local train, or taxi to the bus stop. Services and facilities at the station include free Wi-Fi, luggage storage, a shopping area, restaurants and cafes, a waiting area, accessible toilets, and an information desk.
Alsa is the only bus provider with buses from Madrid to Barcelona. Alsa is a leading long-distance bus provider in Spain and one of the most reliable in the industry. For the journey from Madrid to Barcelona, the company has provided around 40 daily buses. All Alsa buses from Madrid to Barcelona are direct buses, with the fastest taking about 7h 10min. Some of the slower buses can take up to 8h 5min, but Alsa does not provide one-stop buses from Madrid and Barcelona. Alsa buses are comfortable, and passengers have many amenities to enjoy onboard. You can learn more about buses from Madrid to Barcelona by reading theOmio magazine, Window Seat.
Alsa is the only bus provider with buses from Madrid to Barcelona. Alsa is one of Spain’s leading long-distance bus providers, with a reputation for providing reliable and comfortable transport connections. For the journey to Barcelona, Alsa has provided around 40 direct buses. The fastest bus takes about 7h 10min, and the slowest buses can take up to 8h 5min. Alsa buses offer comfortable amenities, including free Wi-Fi on this journey. Departures start from early morning, and a couple of night buses are also available. The first Alsa bus departs at around 12:14 a.m., and you can expect several other departures before the last bus departs at around 11:59 p.m.
Traveling by bus from Madrid to Barcelona is a sustainable choice. Buses are considered a greener transport option than single-occupancy vehicles (SOVs) for the following reasons. Buses transport more passengers than SOVs, meaning the emissions per passenger per trip for buses are lower than SOVs. Buses now burn clean, renewable energy and aren’t as polluting as before. They also cause less road congestion and travel less frequently, meaning fewer carbon emissions and less noise pollution. Bus providers have also started offering carbon offsets, and passengers can pay to clear the carbon they’ve produced on their trip.
Alsa provided only one type of ticket for this journey. Passengers will only get standard seats for the journey from Madrid to Barcelona. Each passenger gets a window or aisle seat; Alsa buses don’t have middle seats. Passengers will be a lowed to have two pieces of luggage on the bus with a combined weight of 66 lbs (30 kg). Additional bags or extra weight face an additional charge. Pet are allowed to travel with Alsa, as long as they are in their carrier and pets travel in the hold. Alsa buses are wheelchair-accessible, and passengers needing special assistance can book this service with Alsa before their trip. amenities offered on Alsa buses include a comfortable reclining seat with extra legroom, free Wi-Fi, luggage storage compartments, air conditioning, onboard restrooms, and power plugs (though not on all Alsa buses).
If you wish to save on your bus trip from Madrid to Barcelona, here is how to get cheap tickets. First, book the tickets in advance. If you buy your tickets weeks in advance, you’ll get them at a lower price. Second, be flexible. Allow yourself some room to compare bus fares for different dates to buy tickets on the date with the cheapest fares. Three, choose the slower journeys. On journeys with high-speed and regular buses, go for the latter since they are usually much cheaper. Lastly, for great deals and discounts, book your bus ticket using theOmio website or app.

Barceloneta beach in Barcelona. Source: Shutterstock
Barcelona is one of Europe’s most popular destinations, attracting millions of visitors each year. Why is the Spanish city popular? It has everything you’d want from a great holiday. Easy access, a buzzing nightlife, great weather, beautiful mountain views, culture and history, pristine beaches, and tasty local cuisine. It is a sightseer’s paradise with lots to see and do in this city. Start your tour of Barcelona with the city’s number one attraction, Sagrada Familia. Simply, words cannot describe this beautiful cathedral whose construction began over 100 years ago and continues to date. You have to see it to understand what all the hype is about.
As you visit the Catalan city, ensure you walk along the city’s most popular street La Rambla. It is where all the good local bars and restaurants are located, and very often, you’ll find street performers ready to entertain you. Font Màgica should be your next stop, and just as the name suggests, this fountain is magical. It is a beautiful fountain, and when activated, attracts hundreds of visitors coming to enjoy the light, water, and music show at the fountain. And a trip to Barcelona isn’t complete without a visit to its many pristine beaches. The city has over seven beaches, Barceloneta being the most popular and the best place for a beach vacation. Other places to visit in Barcelona include:
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Madrid to Barcelona 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 Barcelona, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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