How to travel from Madrid to Cartagena

Sat, Apr 04
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Travel by bus, train, flight with
Alsa
Renfe AVLO
Air Europa
AVE
SNCF OUIGO
1,000+ more
Alsa
Renfe AVLO
Air Europa
AVE
SNCF OUIGO
1,000+ more
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Travel Information

Compare bus, train, and flight for Madrid to Cartagena

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Madrid to Cartagena among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $11. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 24m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.4kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $11, and a flight costs an average of $36.

Distance: 242 miles (391 km)

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Bus
Flight

$32

Average price

Cheapest

$48

Average price

$133

Average price

4h 27m

Average total duration

3h 57m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

6h 3m

Average total duration

5h 33m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 24m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 24m

Onboard

+

3h 0m

Additional time*

0.1 - 0.4kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.4 - 1.0kg

CO2 emissions

1.2 - 2.3kg

CO2 emissions

Renfe AVLO

Most popular train company

Alsa

Most popular bus company

Air Europa

Most popular airline

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

Travel options
from Madrid to Cartagena

How to get from Madrid to Cartagena by train, bus or flight.

Our recommendation

train

The best way to travel from Madrid to Cartagena is by taking a train because it’s the best combination of price and speed.

  • Renfe AVLO05668+Renfe PROXIMIDAD14512
    6:15 AM5h01
    Madrid Chamartín
    11:16 AMCartagena station
    $341One-way
    1 transfer

Cheapest

  • Renfe AVLO05668+Renfe PROXIMIDAD14512
    6:15 AM5h01
    Madrid Chamartín
    11:16 AMCartagena station
    $341One-way
    1 transfer

Fastest

  • Air EuropaUX4047
    7:05 AM1h05
    Madrid Barajas Airport
    8:10 AMAlicante Elche Airport
    $711One-way
    0 transfers

Other options

  • Renfe AVLO05668+Renfe PROXIMIDAD14514
    6:15 AM6h49
    Madrid Chamartín
    1:04 PMCartagena station
    $341One-way
    1 transfer
  • Renfe AVLO05668+Renfe PROXIMIDAD14542
    6:15 AM8h03
    Madrid Chamartín
    2:18 PMCartagena station
    $341One-way
    1 transfer
  • AVE05962+Renfe PROXIMIDAD14542
    10:00 AM4h18
    Madrid Chamartín
    2:18 PMCartagena station
    $861One-way
    1 transfer
  • AlsaNormal
    8:30 AM5h20
    Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses
    1:50 PMCartagena, Estación de Autobuses
    $581One-way
    0 transfers
  • AlsaNormal
    7:45 AM6h05
    Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid)
    1:50 PMCartagena, Estación de Autobuses
    $581One-way
    0 transfers
  • AlsaNormal
    12:30 PM6h35
    Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses
    7:05 PMCartagena, Estación de Autobuses
    $581One-way
    0 transfers
  • IberiaIB1009
    7:55 AM1h15
    Madrid Barajas Airport
    9:10 AMAlicante Elche Airport
    $451One-way
    0 transfers
  • IberiaIB1011
    11:50 AM1h15
    Madrid Barajas Airport
    1:05 PMAlicante Elche Airport
    $651One-way
    0 transfers
  • IberiaIB1015
    7:40 PM1h15
    Madrid Barajas Airport
    8:55 PMAlicante Elche Airport
    $651One-way
    0 transfers

Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .

Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights

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FAQs: Travel from Madrid to Cartagena

Travel to Cartagena easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Madrid to Cartagena.

FAQs
There are 3 options to travel between Madrid and Cartagena including taking a bus, train, and flight.
The cheapest way to travel from Madrid to Cartagena is a train with an average price of $11 (€9).

This is compared to other travel options from Madrid to Cartagena:

A train is $25 (€20) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Madrid to Cartagena costing on average $36 (€29).

A train is $28 (€23) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Madrid to Cartagena costing on average $39 (€32).

The fastest way to travel from Madrid to Cartagena is by flight with an average journey time of 1h 5m.

Other travel options to Cartagena take longer:

Train takes on average 2h 46m.

Bus takes on average 5h 20m.

The distance from Madrid to Cartagena is approximately 242 miles (391 km).
The average frequency per day from Madrid to Cartagena is:
  • Around 13 buses per day.
  • Around 12 flights per day.
  • Around 2 trains per day.

However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Madrid and Cartagena as scheduled services by bus, train, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.

These are the most popular departure and arrival points from Madrid to Cartagena:
  • Flights mostly depart from Madrid Barajas Airport and arrive in Alicante Elche Airport.
  • Trains mostly depart from Madrid Chamartín and arrive in Murcia Del Carmen.
  • Buses mostly depart from Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) and arrive in Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses.
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from Madrid to Cartagena, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
  • Travel with Alsa, Alsa Supra, BlaBlaCar, Infobus to go to Cartagena by bus.
  • Travel with Renfe AVLO, AVE, SNCF OUIGO, Renfe INTERCITY, Renfe MD to go to Cartagena by train.
  • Travel with Air Europa, Volotea, Iberia, Air Nostrum, Air One, Vueling Airlines to go to Cartagena by flight.
Yes, there are direct services available from Madrid to Cartagena with the following travel companies:
  • 13 direct buses per day with Alsa, Alsa Supra, BlaBlaCar.
  • 4 direct flights per day with Air Europa, Volotea, Iberia, Air Nostrum, Air One.
Omio customers who travel from Madrid to Cartagena often also extend their vacation to go to Murcia, Alicante, Valencia, Barcelona, Alicante Elche Airport. Omio can help you plan your trip by finding the best connections between Cartagena and these popular destinations at a great price.
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