Madrid, Spain → Barcelona, Spain · ✈ 1h 8min · 🚗 8h 12min
273 nautical miles · Time difference: Same timezone · Direction: east
The distance from Madrid to Barcelona is 505 km (314 miles). The fastest way to travel is by high-speed train. A high-speed train covers the distance in approximately 1h 48min.
The straight-line distance from Madrid, Spain to Barcelona, Spain is approximately 505 kilometers (314 miles or 273 nautical miles). This measurement uses the Haversine formula, computing the great-circle distance — the shortest path between two points on Earth's surface.
Barcelona is located east of Madrid. Madrid is in Europe, in the Community of Madrid region of Spain, while Barcelona is in Europe, in Catalonia, Spain. Both cities are in Europe.
| Mode | Distance | Est. Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Flight | 505 km | ~1h 8min | Best option for speed |
| 🚗 Drive | ~657 km | ~8h 12min | Feasible with breaks |
| 🚄 High-Speed Train | ~581 km | ~1h 48min | Often faster than flying (no airport time) |
| 🚂 Regular Train | ~606 km | ~5h 3min | Scenic but slow |
Our recommendation: high-speed train is typically the best way to travel from Madrid to Barcelona. For 505 km, flying saves significant time and is usually the most practical choice.
Based on an estimated road distance of 657 km, fuel costs for driving from Madrid to Barcelona are approximately $53–$99 USD (at $0.08–$0.15 per km, depending on vehicle efficiency and local fuel prices). Additional costs may include tolls, parking, and accommodation for longer trips.
Madrid sits at 40.4168°N, 3.7038°W, while Barcelona is located at 41.3874°N, 2.1686°E. The initial compass bearing from Madrid to Barcelona is 76° (ENE), so a great-circle flight path leaves Madrid heading roughly ENE. Because the Earth is curved, the actual heading shifts gradually along the route — pilots and navigation systems update it continuously instead of holding a single fixed compass bearing.
The latitude difference is 0.97° and the longitude difference is 5.87°. Each degree of latitude represents about 111 km, which is one reason cross-latitude routes feel longer even when the map looks similar to east–west journeys.
The geographic midpoint between Madrid and Barcelona is approximately 40.9394°N, 0.7892°W. This is the great-circle halfway position — the spot where you would be exactly 253 km from each city. For road trips, a stop near this latitude/longitude makes for a natural overnight or lunch break.
Madrid and Barcelona share the same approximate time zone, so meetings, calls, and arrivals don't require any clock adjustment. This makes the route especially convenient for short business trips. Daylight saving time can shift the offset by an hour during certain months, so confirm the exact difference for your specific travel dates.
Madrid is a major city in Spain with a population of approximately 3,223,334. Located in the Community of Madrid region, it is an important hub in Europe. Madrid is a significant metropolitan area in Spain with good domestic and international transport connections.
→ See all distances from Madrid
Barcelona is a notable city in Spain with a population of approximately 1,620,343. Situated in the Catalonia region, it serves as a key destination in Europe. Barcelona offers solid transport connections and a variety of arrival options as a major city in Spain.
→ See all distances from Barcelona
505 km is a medium-distance route, similar to traveling across a mid-sized European country. A flight covers this distance quickly, but driving or rail travel remains feasible for those who prefer ground transport. For reference, New York to Chicago is about 1,150 km.
At 505 km, the Madrid-Barcelona route is about 1.3% of Earth's circumference. A commercial jet covers this distance in about 1h 8min.
See how the Madrid to Barcelona distance compares to similar routes:
The straight-line distance from Madrid to Barcelona is approximately 505 kilometers (314 miles, 273 nautical miles).
A direct flight takes approximately 1h 8min, based on 800 km/h cruising speed plus 30 minutes for takeoff and landing.
Estimated driving time is approximately 8h 12min, based on 80 km/h average speed and roads being ~30% longer than straight-line distance.
Barcelona is approximately Same timezone compared to Madrid.
The estimated road distance is approximately 657 km, which is about 30% longer than the 505 km straight-line distance.
📍 Data: Coordinates from OpenStreetMap contributors. Distances calculated using the Haversine formula. Travel times are estimates only. Last verified: April 21, 2026.