← Route
Madrid → Barcelona · AVE / Iryo / Ouigo (Renfe & rivals)
Madrid → Barcelona
Spain’s air bridge, beaten on its own terms: high-speed trains blast between the two biggest cities every half hour, city centre to city centre in under three hours — often cheaper than the low-cost flight it replaces.
2h 30–3h 10Duration
0Transfers
5×CO₂ vs flying
From €25Ticket budget
TrainTransport
Booked 2–3 months ahead€9–60
Booked this week€30–130
One-way fares, per person, 2nd class · verified 4 Oct 2026
Day · Leg
Leg
| Leg | Transport / Operator | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Madrid → Barcelona | AVE / Iryo / Ouigo | 2h 30–3h 10 |
Pass advice
Pass advice
Three competing operators (Renfe AVE, full-service Iryo, low-cost Ouigo) — price wars mean from €25 bookable early.
Ouigo is the budget brand (promos from €9, tighter luggage rules); Iryo is the modern full-service rival.
Barcelona Sants → old town is a 10-minute metro ride; Madrid Atocha has a tropical garden worth 5 minutes.