For specific information about how to get from Madrid to other cities in Spain see these pages:
- How to Get from Madrid to... By bus, train, car and plane.
- Day Trips from Madrid Be home in time for tapas.
- Spain Tours from Madrid Organized by duration (one to five days)
Bus and Train Tickets in Spain: Quick Links
See Also:
- Map of Train Routes in Spain
- Barcelona Bus & Train Stations in Barcelona
- Seville Bus & Train Stations
The Spanish rail network is efficient and well connected, at least from Madrid. However, it can occasionally be a bit expensive compared to the bus and it isn't always quicker. Read more about Bus vs Train Travel in Spain.
Madrid Train Stations
Madrid's two main train stations, Atocha and Chamartín, are linked by the Cercanías local train service. Some routes go right through Madrid and visit both stations. There are two stops on the Cercanías line between Atocha and Chamartín at Nuevos Ministerios (which is also a major Metro interchange) and at Recoletos on Paseo de la Castellana (nearest Metro is Chueca).
Check Spanish Train Times & Prices
- Where is it?: At the end of c/Atocha and Paseo del Prado, about ten minutes walk from Sol. Atocha Renfe is the Metro stop, on L1. The address is Glorieta Carlos V s/n, tel: +34 902 24 02 02.
- For Travel to: The majority of trains from Madrid depart from Atocha. This includes all services to the south & east (including those going to Barcelona & Valencia), as well as some northern routes (including San Sebastian, Pamplona, Vitoria & Zaragoza) though international services and some trains to the north leave from Chamartin. See Chamartin's entry for details.
- More info on Atocha Train Station in Madrid
- Where is it?: In the north of Madrid, a few minutes walk north of Paseo de la Castellana. It is on Line 10 of the Metro. Chamartín is 6km from the airport. C/ Agustín de Foxa, s/n. tel: +34 902 24 02 02.
- For Travel to: International services and trains to: Bilbao, Salamanca Avila, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Valladolid, Burgos.
- More info on Chamartín Train Station in Madrid
Atocha Train Station
Chamartin Train Station
Madrid Bus Stations
Spain has an extensive bus service run by a number of companies from various bus terminals, which makes booking your ticket quite difficult. Tickets can be booked from the stations, but it is often easier to use the Movelia online reservation service.Madrid's main bus station is Méndez Alvaro. Avenida de America is also important for some northern routes. There are a couple of other bus stations but these are mainly for local routes.
- Where is it? Méndez Alvaro is in the south of the city, a short metro ride from Atocha train station (however, it is not a direct route and if you have lots of bags it might be preferable to take a taxi). The station is also referred to as 'Estacion del Sur' (South Station).
- For Travel to: This is Madrid's main bus station - if it isn't covered elsewhere on this page, chances are this is the bus station you want. Mainly for buses to the south, east and north-west.
- More info on Méndez Alvaro Bus Station in Madrid
Méndez Alvaro (Estación del Sur) Bus Station
Avenida de America Bus Station
- Where is it? In the north-east of the city. It has its own Metro station which is very well connected. The bus from the airport comes straight here.
- For Travel to: North and north-east destinations such as Barcelona, Bilbao, San Sebastian, Santander, Vitoria, Burgos. Buses to the north-west usually depart from Méndez Alvaro.
Conde de Casal Bus Station
The main Conde de Casal Bus Station, which ran the Auto Res bus company's national routes, closed on September 18 2007. All Auto Res buses that used to leave from Conde de Casal now leave from Estación del Sur on Mendez Alvaro (see above). However, the 'inter-urban' routes (to the suburbs and small towns outside of Madrid) still run from Avenida del Mediterraneo, near Conde de Casal. This includes buses to Chinchon.Principe Pio Bus & Train Station (Paseo de Florida)
- Where is it? To the south-west of the city - the Metro offers a shuttle service from Opera to Principe Pio. Opera is 5 minute walk from Sol. The bus station isn't in the metro station itself but just outside it, on Paseo de Florida.
- For Travel to: Mainly local services and Segovia.
Moncloa Bus Station
- Where is it? In the west of the city, a 10-minute walk from Plaza de España.
- For Travel to: Mainly local services and El Escorial.
Plaza de Castilla
- Where is it? In the north of the city, not far from Chamartin train station.
- For Travel to: Mainly local services, including Manzanares El Real and Buitrago.
Travel Time Comparison Table
| From Madrid to... | Bus | Train | Air |
| El Escorial | 1h | 1h | - |
| Toledo | 1h15 | 30m | - |
| Segovia | 1h15 | 2h | - |
| Salamanca | 2h30 | 2h30 | - |
| Valencia | 4h | 3h30 | 1h |
| Bilbao | 4h30 | 6h | 1h |
| Pamplona | 4h30 | 3h30 | 1h |
| Cordoba | 5h | 2h | - |
| Granada | 5h30 | 6h | 1h |
| Seville | 6h | 2h30 | 1h |
| San Sebastian | 6h | 5h30 | 1h30 |
| A Coruña | 7h | 9h | 1h |
| Barcelona | 7h30 | 5h | 1h |
| Cadiz | 8h | 5h | - |
