Let’s talk about how to get from Madrid to Valencia – by train, bus, any all your other options! Whether you’re flying into Madrid and visiting the Cap i Casal, or you just want to check out multiple cities while you’re here – you have lots of public transport options. All of them are easy to use and relatively intuitive, so I’ll show you exactly how to go from Madrid to Valencia (and back)!

Distance from Madrid to Valencia

Depending on how you’re calculating, Madrid is about 350km away from Valencia. That’s about 215 miles for my American friends. 

Which means if you’re driving, you can easily expect to need around 4 hours. But in a high-speed train, it should only take about 2 hours. 

For most people, I recommend taking a train to get to Valencia from Madrid. It tends to be the best option in terms of convenience without being too expensive. 

➡️ Read my guide on how to get cheap train tickets

How to Get From Madrid to Valencia

There are several options to get from Madrid to Valencia. But for most travelers – I recommend either:

• Hopping on a high-speed train
• Using the bus system
• Renting a car

You also have ride-share options like BlaBlaCar. But if you don’t speak the language and you can spare a little bit more of a budget on transport, I wouldn’t recommend this option. 

The train tends to be the easiest option for most people. But let’s look into all of the options so you know which is right for you. 

Train (AVE)

The high-speed train connects Madrid and Valencia within around 2 hours. The main train station is called Atocha Estación de Trenes. But you’ll also see the Chamartín one as well. 

Both of them are easily connected with the Madrid Airport and city center via metro and bus. 

There are multiple companies that have run train lines here, like Renfe’s AVE, AVLO, and Oigo. The prices vary considerably depending on the time and day. You can pay anywhere from €20 and €100 for a one-way ticket. 

I would recommend looking at my guide on Omio to get the best deals on train tickets. 

Also – for anyone who has never ridden a train before – it’s super easy. You’ll pass through the easiest security control of your life, then pop onto your assigned seat. So my American friends that aren’t used to public transport don’t need to worry 😉.

Bus

Taking a bus is a cheaper alternative to getting to Valencia from Madrid. It takes considerably longer, around 5 hours – but if you’re traveling to Valencia on a budget, then this is a reasonable option. 

There are two options for the buses – either directly from the airport or from the estación de buses. 

The benefits of taking the bus is that it is cheaper (usually around €40 max), and you have the option of night buses. This can be really convenient for people who have a late flight into Madrid. 

The most common company for this line is called Avanza, although you’ll also see Alsa. I still recommend getting your tickets from Omio, just so you don’t have to worry about translating anything! 

Driving

The last option to go from Madrid to Valencia is by car. Whether you’re in the city or at the airport, it’s quite easy to rent a car. It’s also relatively affordable as well. You can expect to pay around €100 for around 3–4 days. 

Driving from Madrid to Valencia is quite easy. You’ll just take the AP-36 and A-3 highways. This takes around 4 hours and there are no toll roads. 

The downside is that gasoline is relatively expensive in Spain, but if you’re looking to explore small towns, this is a really convenient option for you. 

I would also recommend checking on your parking options in Valencia. If you’re in the city center, it can be more difficult – so check with your lodging! 

➡️ Here’s how to rent a car in Spain

How to Get from Valencia to Madrid

Luckily, if you want to go from Valencia to Madrid – your options are practically the same, but in reverse. Taking the high-speed train is the most convenient option, but taking a bus and driving a rental car are both valid choices as well.

Let’s take a more detailed look at all of your options to get to Madrid from Valencia. 

Train (AVE)

The high-speed trains leave from the Estació de Tren Joaquín Sorolla. These will take you directly to Madrid in about 2 hours. 

The prices are about the same, varying considerably depending on the day and time. But if you book in advance, you can typically get decent rates. 

To get to the train station, the best option is to take the Metro until the Jesús station and walk approximately 2 minutes. 

Make sure to check Omio to get your train tickets. And a pro tip here – if you purchase a high-speed train ticket to Madrid, that ticket is valid for the Madrid metro to the airport, as well. So if you’re leaving directly – that’s a convenient option! 

Note: Valencia is currently opening a new line from Estació del Nord to the Chamartín Station in Madrid. As of 2024, it’s not yet finished, but it’s projected to be ready by Summer of 2025. This is much more convenient as the Estació del Nord is right in the city center. 

Bus

To get from Valencia to Madrid by bus, you’ll need to head over to the Estació d’autobusos. This is just north of the city center, after crossing the Túria Gardens. 

This is one of the more affordable options, but it also takes around 5 hours. So if you’re traveling on a budget, this can be a good choice. 

The tickets can be quite cheap, you can find them for as low as €10, but they’ll often go up to €40 during peak season. 

➡️ Here’s where I recommend getting your bus tickets.

Driving

Driving a rental car to get to Madrid from Valencia is another great option. This is perfect for people who want to explore other towns and have a bit more freedom. 

The drive is relatively simple and should take around 4 hours. 

Parking in Madrid is also pretty complicated, so I’d make sure your lodging has parking before renting the car. 

➡️ Here’s how to rent a car in Spain

Madrid Airport to Train Station

One of the most important things to know is how to get from the Madrid Airport to the Atocha Train Station. 

If you’ve already purchased your ticket, it’s super easy. You’ll just head towards the Metro from the T2 Terminal of the airport. Then you’ll take the T4 Line until Atocha Train Station. Depending on your train, you may alternatively need to go to Chamartín.

It’s fairly straightforward, and there are plenty of workers in the terminal that will be able to help you if you’re lost. If you’ve bought a high-speed train ticket, it will double as your metro ticket from the airport! So you don’t need to buy a separate ticket. 

To get to the Train Station by bus, you can take line 203 from the T2 terminal at the airport. It only costs a couple of euros for a ticket, which you can buy from the machines near the buses. They will be outside of the terminal, but there are many signs for them.

How to get to the Valencia Train Station

There are two main train stations in Valencia. The Estació del Nord is mostly for local trains, and the Estació de Joaquín Sorolla is the one for long-distance trains (in general). 

To get to the Joaquín Sorolla station, you can either:

• Take the metro until the Jesús station (which is right outside)
• Take the bus 
• Take a taxi 

All of these options are fairly easy. If you’re traveling with children and luggage – then you might prefer a taxi. But if you’re solo traveling, the metro is a super convenient and affordable option. 

How to Get Train Tickets Online

To travel from Madrid to Valencia, you can get both your train and bus tickets online. There are a few different sites where you can do this.

You can use each individual company’s site. For example, Renfe for trains and Asla for buses. However, if you’re traveling a lot – sometimes it’s easier to just use one single app for all your tickets. 

That’s why I generally recommend going with Omio for most people to get your tickets. The prices are always the same (plus a €1 fee), which I think is definitely worth the convenience. No language barriers, better customer support, and very clear guidelines.

➡️ Here’s my guide on how to use it

Valencia Travel Resources

I hope this guide makes it easier for you to move around the peninsula! It’s super easy to get from Madrid to Valencia. So if you’re getting a cheaper flight to Madrid, it shouldn’t be hard to find your way over to Valencia. 

If you have any questions about how to handle everything, just send me a message! I’m always happy to answer any travel questions you may have. 

Here are some extra resources to help you plan your trip:

• How to get cheap flights
• Valencia neighborhood guide
• Restaurant guide 
• Best travel insurance 
• Day trips from Valencia
• Valencia tourist card

FAQs