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 |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Travel optionsfrom Madrid to Cartagena
How to get from Madrid to Cartagena by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Madrid to Cartagena is by taking a train because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
05668+
145126:15 AM5h01Madrid Chamartín11:16 AMCartagena station$341One-way1 transfer
Cheapest
05668+
145126:15 AM5h01Madrid Chamartín11:16 AMCartagena station$341One-way1 transfer
Fastest
UX40477:05 AM1h05Madrid Barajas Airport8:10 AMAlicante Elche Airport$711One-way0 transfers
Other options
05668+
145146:15 AM6h49Madrid Chamartín1:04 PMCartagena station$341One-way1 transfer
05668+
145426:15 AM8h03Madrid Chamartín2:18 PMCartagena station$341One-way1 transfer
05962+
1454210:00 AM4h18Madrid Chamartín2:18 PMCartagena station$861One-way1 transfer
Normal8:30 AM5h20Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses1:50 PMCartagena, Estación de Autobuses$581One-way0 transfers
Normal7:45 AM6h05Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid)1:50 PMCartagena, Estación de Autobuses$581One-way0 transfers
Normal12:30 PM6h35Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses7:05 PMCartagena, Estación de Autobuses$581One-way0 transfers
IB10097:55 AM1h15Madrid Barajas Airport9:10 AMAlicante Elche Airport$451One-way0 transfers
IB101111:50 AM1h15Madrid Barajas Airport1:05 PMAlicante Elche Airport$651One-way0 transfers
IB10157:40 PM1h15Madrid Barajas Airport8:55 PMAlicante Elche Airport$651One-way0 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
Compare bus, train, 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.
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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.

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).
Other travel options to Cartagena take longer:
Train takes on average 2h 46m.
Bus takes on average 5h 20m.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 13 direct buses per day with Alsa, Alsa Supra, BlaBlaCar.
- 4 direct flights per day with Air Europa, Volotea, Iberia, Air Nostrum, Air One.
Travelling from Madrid to Cartagena: related information
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