THE SHORT VERSION
Madrid to Barcelona at a glance.
- From
- Madrid
- Road distance
- About 618 km
- Straight line
- 506 km
- Car time, no stops
- ~7 h buses take longer
- Return route
- Barcelona to Madrid →
Ready to travel from Madrid to Barcelona?
Check live availability, fares and departure times with 12Go.
THE DETAILS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Right place. Right bus. Better start.
Leaving Madrid
Madrid is the centre of Spain's coach network. Long-distance routes use either Estación Sur in the south or Avenida de América in the north, depending on direction.
- Estación Sur de Autobuses
Méndez Álvaro, 1 km south-east of Atocha. International routes and routes to the south and west, including Lisbon. - Avenida de América
2 km north-east of the centre. Routes to the north, such as Barcelona and Bilbao.
Arriving in Barcelona
Barcelona Nord is next to Arc de Triomf metro (line 1) and Rodalies station.
- Barcelona Nord · Estació d'Autobusos Barcelona Nord
Carrer d'Alí Bei, near Arc de Triomf. All long-distance buses. - Barcelona Sants
Some buses also pick up and drop off at Sants railway station.
Keep the essentials offline
Save your ticket, the exact meeting point and the operator's phone number before you set off. Follow the check-in time on your confirmation.
- Several buses may leave for the same place at the same time: show your ticket to the driver before loading your bags.
KEEP GOING
From Barcelona, the road continues.
Other ways to reach Barcelona
More buses from Madrid
GOOD QUESTIONS
Before you take your seat.
How far is Madrid from Barcelona by road?+
About 618 km by road (506 km in a straight line). Distance is an OpenStreetMap routing estimate, not an operator figure.
How long does the bus from Madrid to Barcelona take?+
We don't publish timetables. As a guide, the drive takes roughly 7 h by car without stops; bus journeys are usually longer. Check the duration of your chosen departure on 12Go before booking.
Where does the bus leave from in Madrid?+
It depends on the operator. Main options in Madrid include Estación Sur de Autobuses, Avenida de América, and many tourist companies collect from offices or hotels. Your ticket shows the exact boarding point.
Is there a bus back from Barcelona to Madrid?+
Yes, 12Go also lists services in the opposite direction. See our Barcelona to Madrid guide.
Where does the bus from Madrid arrive in Barcelona?+
It depends on the operator. In Barcelona, services use Barcelona Nord, Barcelona Sants. Barcelona Nord is next to Arc de Triomf metro (line 1) and Rodalies station.
How do I get from the bus stop to the centre of Barcelona?+
Barcelona Nord is next to Arc de Triomf metro (line 1) and Rodalies station.
What kind of bus runs from Madrid to Barcelona?+
It varies by operator and departure. Routes in this region are served by a mix of sleeper buses, seated coaches and smaller limousine vans. Check the vehicle type, seat layout and luggage allowance for your departure on 12Go before you book.
Can I book the Madrid to Barcelona bus online?+
Yes. 12Go lists departures on this route. You choose a date, compare operators and pay online, and the provider issues the ticket. BusConnects doesn't sell tickets itself.
Where can I go next from Barcelona by bus?+
Direct buses from Barcelona include Valencia, Marseille, Lyon, Nice, Seville and more. See all connections on our Barcelona bus page.
Still deciding? Check today's departures, then book your seat.
Book Madrid → Barcelona on 12GoFOLLOW THE INFORMATION
Clear sources. Better decisions.
Route listed in 12Go's public route index (checked 2026-10-09). Station information reviewed 2026-10-09. Distance: OpenStreetMap data via OSRM (approximate driving distance). Listings change and are not live inventory. Confirm the departure, pickup, price and conditions before paying.
12Go: Madrid to Barcelona bus route listing ↗Wikivoyage: Madrid (Get in) ↗Wikivoyage: Barcelona (Get in) ↗How BusConnects uses sources →