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Paris to Madrid by train
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First train07:11
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Last train22:13
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Avg changes1
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Fastest journey9hr 38m
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Distance1,054 kilometres
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Trains per day19
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Avg. journey time17hr 12m
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Train operators
Travelling from Paris to Madrid by train
Fast trains from Paris to Madrid take around 9 hours and 38 minutes, covering a distance of approximately 1,054 kilometres. There are frequent services on the rail route between Paris and Madrid.
1. Are there direct trains from Paris to Madrid?
Journeys between Paris and Madrid usually involve one change of train.
We usually find around 22 departures on the route from Paris to Madrid every weekday that leave enough time to change trains without waiting around for longer than necessary.
Trains usually run with a similar frequency on weekends.
2. How long is the train journey from Paris to Madrid?
The Paris to Madrid train travel time is normally about 9 hours and 38 minutes, whatever time you make the journey.
3. What are the Paris to Madrid train times and schedule?
On weekdays the earliest train to Madrid is usually scheduled to depart Paris around 06:07 and the last train is around 22:12. At weekends the first train of the day leaves Paris around 07:11, and the last at 22:13.

What's the Paris to Madrid train price?
The earlier you book the better, and the cheapest tickets we've found for trains from Paris to Madrid are $84.03.
Trains departing 30 days in advance will cost around $306 while booking 7 days in advance the price is around $225. Booking on the day of travel is likely to be more expensive, so it is worth booking in advance if you can to save money.
When to book Paris to Madrid train tickets?
Trains for this journey usually open for booking around 6 months in advance. If booking is not yet open for your dates then you can set a booking alert to receive an email on the day that the cheapest tickets are released for your journey from Paris to Madrid by train.
Which train companies operate between Paris and Madrid?
More than one train company operates on the route from Paris to Madrid, so you’ll be travelling with one or more of the following rail operators:
- AVE
- AVE-TGV
- Alleo
- FS100
- Renfe-SNCF
- TGV
You can check which train you’ll be travelling on by looking for the train name in search results.
Other journeys to Madrid View all journeys to Madrid
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From Barcelona From $38.26
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From Lisbon From $29.38
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From London From $132.54
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From Bilbao-Abando From $65.59
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From Montpellier From $40.31
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From Perpignan From $69.00
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From Lyon From $114.09
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From Girona From $73.10
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From Valencia From $15.71
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From Córdoba Central From $34.16
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From Ronda From $24.59
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From Granada From $45.77
TGV & AVE via Barcelona
Taking the train from Paris to Madrid is very simple, with a single change of trains in Barcelona. You’ll find at least two options each day for your journey from Paris to Madrid via Barcelona. During the summer season, when the Paris to Barcelona trains run more frequently, you’ll have even more choice.
Take a high-speed TGV Duplex train from Paris south to Barcelona. Book a seat on the left side of the upper deck of the train for the best views. In Barcelona you'll take an onward AVE train to Madrid.
Paris to Barcelona

Direct TGV trains to Barcelona leave Paris two to four times per day. The frequency is higher in summer than winter. The TGVs to Barcelona leave from the Gare de Lyon in Paris. In Barcelona they terminate at Sants station. This journey is focused on speed, so there are not a lot of stops along the way - from six to ten depending on which train you take. All trains stop at the historic cities of Montpellier, Perpignan and Girona. There is some very fine scenery along the way too. Early on in the journey, you sweep through Burgundy vineyards, and later on there are engaging views of the coastal landscapes of Languedoc. After the stop at Perpignan, the train speeds south towards the Pyrenees, before diving under the mountains in the Perthus Tunnel.
If you worry that six and half hours if a long time to spend on one train, fear not! This rates as one of favourite high-speed routes. You can relax and gaze out of the window and, from to time, wander along to the bistro for a coffee or a snack. The direct services from Paris to Barcelona are all operated by French TGV trains. But it's a joint venture with Spanish rail operator Renfe, so you find a dash of Spanish style combining with French flair on this international route.
Barcelona to Madrid

Take a high-speed AVE train directly from Barcelona Sants station to Madrid Atocha. Trains that stop up to four times along the way may take 30 to 40 minutes longer. This journey along Spain's premier high-speed rail route reveals a variety of passing landscapes as you speed from Catalonia through Aragon to the Spanish heartland.
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Easy, fast and cheap
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