Is there a super fast train from Madrid to Barcelona?

Traveling by high-speed train The fastest way to travel from Madrid to Barcelona is by taking the AVE high-speed train. This modern and luxurious train will get you to your destination in just under 3 hours. For actual travel times, check out our timetable.



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Running at speeds of up to 310 km/h, this extensive network allows for fast connections between cities in Spain. Travel from Madrid to Barcelona in less than 3 hours! This modern train system connects many cities across Spain from Madrid and Barcelona, to Córdoba, Seville, Málaga, León, and Valencia.

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Advantages of AVE Trains: The most significant advantages of taking an AVE train are the speed and the number of routes they offer. These high-speed trains can reach up to 310 km/h, making them one of the fastest ways to travel between many cities in Spain.

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The Madrid to Barcelona route is one of the most popular, and it's easy to see why. The scenery is stunning, and there's so much to see and do along the way. Whether you're looking for breathtaking mountain views, stunning coastal scenery, or charming Spanish towns and villages, this journey has it all.

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The new line is known as AVLO, from the national rail company Renfe, and tickets will be priced between €10 and €60 (US$66) per journey, depending on the route and time of travel. Travellers under the age of 14, who are accompanied by an adult, will pay just €5 (US$5.51).

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AVE (Alta Velocidad Española) high-speed services, operated by Spanish national rail company Renfe, constitute the top-end of Spain's range of long-distance trains, running at up to 310km/h. Playing on the spanish word for bird, “ave,” AVE trains use high-speed routes to connect major Spanish cities.

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The Renfe Class 103 is a high-speed train used for the AVE service and operated in Spain by the state-run railway company RENFE.

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Reserving point-to-point tickets in advance (available up to 60 days ahead of travel) is the best way to save money and to guarantee a seat on your preferred train. Furthermore, many areas of Spain aren't well served by its train system — for many trips, buses and even flights may be a better option.

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Madrid to Barcelona by plane Flights between Madrid and Barcelona are quick and inexpensive, with Vueling, Air Europa, and Iberia offering direct service between the two cities. Flights take about 65 to 90 minutes and are often cheaper than train tickets.

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Rapid trains are cheap, but slightly faster than local trains, and stop at slightly fewer stations. Express trains are faster than rapid, but slower than limited express.

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Train routes between major cities and popular day trip destinations often sell out (e.g. between Madrid and Toledo) so I highly recommend using Omio or Trainline to book these tickets at least 24 hours in advance.

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So which one should I go to? Well, it depends on what you're looking for. If it's traditional culture, Madrid can offer classy museums and easy day trips to historic cities, but if it's a more laidback, perhaps beachy break then it has to be Barcelona.

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For most travelers, 6 to 9 days is the perfect amount of time for a Spain trip with stops in both Barcelona and Madrid. If you don't mind a fast-paced journey, you can see the highlights of this route in less time—as few as about 5 days.

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Madrid is more walkable. But aside from that, Barcelona is just harder to get around. Tourist attractions and nightlife hubs are spread out and often require public transportation to get from point A to B.

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