Cheap bus tickets from Barcelona to Madrid
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:
Lowest Prices
We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.
Best Travel Options
We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
See what travelers are saying about Wanderu:
Is it better to travel by bus or train from Barcelona to Madrid?
There are usually 9 daily train trips available from Barcelona to Madrid.
Bus | Train | |
---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$122.15 | Avg. Price$48.73 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips2 | Daily Trips9 |
Duration | Duration1d 3h 16m | Duration2h 40m |
Bus from Barcelona to Madrid: Journey Information
There are 2 intercity buses per day from Barcelona to Madrid. Traveling by bus from Barcelona to Madrid usually takes around 25 hours and 43 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus bus can make the trip in 18 hours and 10 minutes.
Distance | 314 mi (505 km) |
Shortest duration | 18h 10m |
Cheapest price | $82.58 |
Most frequent service | FlixBus |
Bus lines | 1 |

What bus companies travel from Barcelona to Madrid?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Barcelona to Madrid. 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 1h 43m | $123.12 |
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 Barcelona to Madrid, and usually makes the trip in about 25 hours and 43 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 Barcelona to Madrid
The bus takes an average of 25 hours and 43 minutes to cover the 314 miles from Barcelona to Madrid. However, the fastest bus only takes 18 hours and 10 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.
Tuesday is usually the day of the week when buses are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Tuesday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Saturday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Saturday ticket is the way to go.
The first bus leaves at 2:00am and the last bus leaves at 2:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Barcelona to Madrid, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are usually only 2 buses per day from Barcelona to Madrid. 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 Barcelona to Madrid; ticket prices start at $19.84.
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 Barcelona?
Main departure station: Sants
Most buses depart from the main station in Barcelona.
All bus stations in Barcelona:
Sants
Where does the bus arrive in Madrid?
Main arrival station: Central Bus Station
All buses from Barcelona arrive at one main station in Madrid.
All bus stations in Madrid:
Central Bus Station
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Madrid to Barcelona?
Search Bus Tickets
Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.
- Bus Tickets
- Spain
- Madrid
- Barcelona to Madrid