Compare: Madrid→Barcelona (505 km) vs Madrid→Lisbon (502 km). Madrid → Lisbon wins by 3 km (1%). Side-by-side with flight & drive times.
By SnapDistance Team · Updated April 21, 2026
505 km
314 miles · Flight: ~1h 8min · Drive: ~8h 12min
502 km
312 miles · Flight: ~1h 8min · Drive: ~8h 9min
✓ Shorter route
Difference: 3 km (1%) · Flight time difference: ~0 min
Verdict
Madrid → Lisbon is the smarter pick if travel time and emissions matter most: it is 3 km (1%) shorter, saves about 0 min of flight time, and cuts roughly 1 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Choose Madrid → Barcelona only if the destination itself is the reason for the trip.
Madrid → Lisbon is the shorter route at 502 km, which is 3 km (1%) shorter than Madrid → Barcelona. You would save approximately 0 min in flight time by choosing the shorter route.
| Metric | Madrid → Barcelona | Madrid → Lisbon |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (km) | 505 | 502 |
| Distance (miles) | 314 | 312 |
| Flight time | ~1h 8min | ~1h 8min |
| Driving time | ~8h 12min | ~8h 9min |
| Road distance (est.) | ~657 km | ~653 km |
| Drivable? | Yes | Yes |
| Cross-continental | No | No |
| Initial bearing | 76° (ENE) | 250° (WSW) |
| Time-zone shift | None | -1h |
| CO₂ – flight (per pax) | ~129 kg | ~128 kg |
| CO₂ – driving (per car) | ~112 kg | ~112 kg |
| Fuel cost (est.) | ~$66 USD | ~$65 USD |
Flying from Madrid to Barcelona produces roughly 129 kg of CO₂ per passenger, based on the ICAO/EEA short-haul emission factor of ~0.255 kg per passenger-km. The Madrid → Lisbon flight emits about 128 kg. Choosing the shorter route saves approximately 1 kg of CO₂ per traveler — equivalent to 0 typical tree-years of carbon sequestration. For comparison, driving emits roughly 112 kg and 112 kg per car respectively — meaningful only when the car carries multiple passengers.
The Madrid to Barcelona route covers 505 km (314 miles), staying within Europe. Madrid (population: 3,223,334) is located in Community of Madrid, Spain, while Barcelona (population: 1,620,343) is in Catalonia, Spain.
The Madrid to Lisbon route covers 502 km (312 miles), remaining within Europe. Madrid (population: 3,223,334) is in Community of Madrid, Spain, and Lisbon (population: 544,851) is in Lisbon, Portugal.
Flying from Madrid to Barcelona takes approximately 1h 8min, while Madrid to Lisbon takes 1h 8min. If driving is an option, expect roughly 8h 12min for the first route and 8h 9min for the second.
Since both routes depart from Madrid, this comparison is especially useful for travelers deciding between Barcelona and Lisbon as a destination.
The 3 km difference between these routes is relatively modest, so other factors like ticket prices and schedules may matter more.
Both routes are drivable, with road distances of approximately 657 km and 653 km respectively. For road trips, the shorter route saves roughly 4 km of driving.
Barcelona (Spain) has a population of 1,620,343 and is located in the Catalonia region of Europe. It's a significant city with good transport links and cultural offerings.
Lisbon (Portugal) has a population of 544,851 and is situated in Lisbon, Europe. This destination offers a more intimate travel experience with unique local culture.
Choose this route if your priority is reaching Barcelona (Spain) — a city of 1,620,343 in the Catalonia region of Europe. Despite being the longer of the two at 505 km, it makes sense when Barcelona itself is the destination, the schedule fits better, or ticket prices are noticeably lower. Driving is realistic at this distance, with an estimated 657 km of road and a fuel cost band around $66 USD. The initial bearing is 76° (ENE), so a great-circle flight leaves Madrid heading roughly ENE.
This route is the right call if you are heading to Lisbon (Portugal) — a city of 544,851 in the Lisbon region of Europe. It is also the shorter of the two at 502 km, saving about 0 min of flying and around 1 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Driving is feasible — expect roughly 653 km of road and a fuel cost in the $65 USD range. Departing Madrid, the great-circle bearing toward Lisbon is 250° (WSW).
Madrid (40.42°, -3.70°) and Barcelona (41.39°, 2.17°) sit in the same approximate time zone. Madrid (40.42°, -3.70°) and Lisbon (38.72°, -9.14°) have a -1-hour offset. Both routes have manageable time-zone shifts, so jet lag should not be a major factor.
Lisbon is closer at 502 km, which is 3 km (1%) shorter.
505 km (314 miles). Flight: ~1h 8min.
502 km (312 miles). Flight: ~1h 8min.
Flying to Lisbon is faster at ~1h 8min, saving about 0 min compared to Barcelona.
All distances on SnapDistance are calculated using the Haversine formula, which determines the great-circle distance between two points on Earth's surface. This gives the shortest possible distance over the globe, which is the measurement used for aviation and navigation. Actual travel distances by road or rail are typically 20-40% longer due to terrain, borders, and infrastructure routing. Flight times assume 800 km/h cruising speed with 30 minutes for takeoff and landing. Driving estimates use 80 km/h average speed with a 30% road distance factor.
📍 Data: Coordinates from OpenStreetMap contributors. Distances calculated using the Haversine formula. Travel times are estimates only. Last verified: April 21, 2026.