Train from Barcelona to Madrid

[bjcourt]

Does anybody know the train schedule and ticket prices for two seniors (61 and 63) on the regular trains from Barcelona to Madrid! We will stay 2 days, then return on the same train to Barcelona! Thanks!

[cruiseluv]

Hi,

 

From Barcelona to Madrid you want to travel in the AVE (fast train) , which takes about 2 hrs and a half to 3 hrs. For schedules and prices you should go to http://www.renfe.es , which is the website for the Spain train system. Pls be aware that about 62 days before travel date they will post special fares for the AVE train, with discounts up to 60% from regular fares. Unfortunately, it can be very frustrating to purchase tickets online, but it can be done. I suggest you go to a "tutorial" posted on Tripadvisor: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g187514-c80518/Madrid:Spain:Buying.Renfe.Tickets.Online..html

 

When is your trip?

[bjcourt]

We have been to all of the sites you suggested, but still haven't had any luck! It's very difficult to navigate this website, and I can speak spanish fairly well! Thanks!

[cruiseluv]

That's too bad. If all fails , there are two other places I know you can book the tickets. They offer the same discounted rates than Renfe (if available) but add a small fee. One is

http://www.raileurope-world.com (the fee there is 4 euros per ticket) and http://www.petrabax.com (not sure what the fee is there). They are much friendlier websites and dont seem to have the credit card glitch that Renfe has. Good luck!

[browneyes7]

Has anyone taken a bus or a local train from Barcelona to Madrid? Any info is appreciated.:)

[scottbee]

Does anybody know the train schedule and ticket prices for two seniors (61 and 63) on the regular trains from Barcelona to Madrid! We will stay 2 days, then return on the same train to Barcelona! Thanks!

 

http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/index.html is the english language version. There's a link marked Welcome near the top that switches languages (very unobvious)

 

You'll want BARCELONA SANTS to MADRID ATOCHA; and I believe the pricing is only up 60 day (or maybe 90) in advance, so to get an idea just pick the same day of the week, but within the next two months. Note that the popup calendars for dates use the European standard of starting the week on a Monday, so they're: M T W T F Sa Su, vs Su M T W T F Sa which might catch you if you're not paying attention.

 

Renfe offer discount fares on some trains (you can see the prices when you bring up the schedule); prices range from 60-120€ ea way

[Normandie-BCN]

Has anyone taken a bus or a local train from Barcelona to Madrid? Any info is appreciated.:)

 

There are no local trains from Barcelona to Madrid. You should take a Regional Exprés from Barcelona to Zaragoza and then other one from Zaragoza to Madrid. In any case is a very long trip as those trains stop in most of the stations.

 

As for bus, there are a lot from Barcelona to Madrid. The trip use to last 7-8 hours. They are very cheap and the Supra Economy buses have only 3 seats for raw and individual TV screen.

 

You have information in English here:

 

http://www.alsa.es/en/buy-and-schedules/routes-and-schedules/national/?searchType=common

[scottbee]

Has anyone taken a bus or a local train from Barcelona to Madrid? Any info is appreciated.:)

 

If by 'local' you're talking about regular trains, there's excellent high-speed rail service from Madrid to Barcelona which takes just under 3 hr (2½ for the fast ones). http://renfe.es/ for more info (click on the word Welcome, about 1/4 of the way down the screen to switch to English)