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Paris to Madrid by train
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Cheapest Price €23.96
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30 days in advance €299.27
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First train06:36
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Last train22:52
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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 day41
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Avg. journey time17hr 7m
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Train operators
From Paris to Madrid by train
Opt for comfortable, green travel and choose to go from Paris to Madrid by train. With 41 trains per day, you will have various options to choose from. Read on for details on the quickest routes, total travel distance, tips on saving money on tickets and more.
Train cost from Paris to Madrid
Ready to book tickets from Paris to Madrid? Start by comparing all the upcoming trains in just a few clicks with Rail Europe. Here is what you can expect from fares along this specific route:
The cheapest tickets between Paris and Madrid typically run €23.96.
If you wait until 30 days before the departure date to book, ticket prices can hit €299.
If you wait until 7 days before the departure date to book, ticket prices can increase to €258.
You can book travel between these two destinations 8 months in advance.
Rail Europe’s Protection Plan
Ready to lock in your tickets but not entirely sure of your travel plans or you just want a bit more peace of mind? Consider adding a Rail Protection Plan to your ticket at checkout. This ensures that your eligible Flex or Semi-Flex ticket is fully refundable. Learn more about the details of this coverage here so you can truly book worry-free.
Train schedule for travel between Paris and Madrid
While frequency of trains along this line depends on the day of the week, on average, 41 trains make this journey of 1,054 kilometres each day. The first weekday departure from Paris is at 06:38 on weekdays. The last scheduled train during the week departs at 22:52.
During the weekend, 06:36 is the earliest scheduled departure, and 22:52 is the last. Throughout the day, trains typically depart every 4 minutes.
Travel time and distance between Paris and Madrid
The route’s fastest journey takes 9 hours and 38 minutes, covering a total of 1,054 kilometres.
Booking horizon for travel between Paris and Madrid
Tickets for travel between Paris and Madrid can be booked 8 months in advance. Booking earlier ensures lower prices, so be sure to book as far out as possible.
Learn even more about travelling from Paris to Madrid by train
Need more information on travelling through Europe by train? Head to our help articles for details on everything from booking to navigating stations and understanding different ticket types. Then review the travel ideas we’ve compiled in our city guide: Madrid.
FAQs about the train journey from Paris to Madrid
Want to know more about your journey from Paris to Madrid? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
How far is the train trip from Paris to Madrid?
The total distance from Paris to Madrid is 1,054 kilometres.
How much is a train ticket from Paris to Madrid?
The cheapest fare on this route is €23.96. If you book 30 days in advance, tickets cost about €299. If booked 7 days in advance, the cost is typically €258.
When do tickets go on sale for trains from Paris to Madrid?
Tickets for this journey become available 8 months before the travel date.
What’s the travel time from Paris to Madrid by train?
The fastest journey is 9 hours and 38 minutes.
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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 or Ouigo 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.