Cheap bus tickets from Madrid to Barcelona
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Madrid to Barcelona Bus Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from Madrid to Barcelona?
There are usually 16 daily train trips from Madrid to Barcelona.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$140.91 | Avg. Price$87.72 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips2 | Daily Trips16 |
Duration | Duration1d 2h 12m | Duration3h 5m |
Bus from Madrid to Barcelona: Journey Information
There are 2 intercity buses per day from Madrid to Barcelona. Traveling by bus from Madrid to Barcelona usually takes around 26 hours and 34 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus bus can make the trip in 21 hours and 30 minutes.
| Distance | 314 mi (505 km) |
| Shortest duration | 21h 30m |
| Cheapest price | $57.01 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus |
| Bus lines | 1 |
What bus companies travel from Madrid to Barcelona?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Madrid to Barcelona. FlixBus is the one bus line that serves this route. Although it's the sole option, there are a couple of different scheduled times to choose from.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus | 2 | 1d 2h 35m | $129.13 |
First launched in Germany in 2013, FlixBus has become one of the largest intercity bus companies in Europe. Its fleet travels through nearly every country in Europe, including the U.K. FlixBus operates an average of 2 trips from Madrid to Barcelona, and usually makes the trip in about 26 hours and 35 minutes. On your trip, you'll enjoy Wi-Fi and live GPS, as well as restrooms, air conditioning, and power outlets.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Madrid to Barcelona
The bus takes an average of 26 hours and 34 minutes to cover the 505 kilometers from Madrid to Barcelona. However, the fastest bus only takes 21 hours and 30 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.
Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to Barcelona at the end of the week. If you are planning to travel on a Sunday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Wednesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the bus, traveling mid-week is your best bet.
The first bus leaves at 3:00pm and the last bus leaves at 8:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Madrid to Barcelona, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are usually only 2 buses per day from Madrid to Barcelona. However, neither bus offers direct service, so you will have to get off your original vehicle to transfer buses during the trip.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Madrid to Barcelona; ticket prices start at $48.30.
City Information
Barcelona
Featuring a mix of bizarre modern vibes and quaint buildings, Barcelona is a great destination for tourists seeking fun and cultural activities alike. Barcelona takes great pride in its unique architecture, and the most prominent example of its uniqueness is the La Sagrada Família, one of the most iconic buildings in the city. Boasting a unique Gothique-esque architectural style, the cathedral will leave you in awe. The most interesting part is that the church is actually still in construction, and is expected to be finished by 2026. If you want to stroll around the streets of Barcelona, the Barri Gòtic, the oldest part of the city, will be a perfect choice. Here visitors will find old buildings with Medieval or Roman architecture. If you are looking to enjoy Barcelona’s nightlife, head over to Las Ramblas, the most fun area around.
For the best Catalonian dishes, don’t hesitate to head over to Babula Bar 1937, which offers top-tier local cuisine. Barcelona is also rather famous for its seafood, so don’t hesitate to give that a try at one of the many restaurants the city has to offer.
For buses, Estació del Nord serves as the central hub of intercity services. The Barcelona Sants is the city’s main train station, offering access to many cities in Europe. Commercial air services are provided by the Barcelona-El Prat Airport, which is located 11 miles from the city center.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Madrid?
Main departure station: Central Bus Station
Madrid has two bus stations with service to Barcelona.
All bus stations in Madrid:
Central Bus Station
Madrid Airport (T4)
Where does the bus arrive in Barcelona?
Main arrival station: Sants
All buses from Madrid arrive at one main station in Barcelona.
Bus stations in Barcelona:
Sants
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Barcelona to Madrid?
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