If you are planning a trip from Madrid to Paris, you may be wondering if it is better to arrive by plane or by train. Maybe you’re even considering renting a car and enjoying some scenery along the way. Madrid is approximately 650 miles from Paris, which may lead you to assume that flying is the best option.
Without a doubt, this is the most pragmatic and convenient option if you need to get from one point to the next as quickly as possible. However, if you have a little more time to enjoy yourself, taking the train or renting a car is by far a more scenic, and potentially more relaxing and enjoyable way to travel.
Flying: the pros and cons
International airlines, including Iberia Airlines and Lufthansa, and low-cost regional companies such as Vueling and Air Europa offer daily flights from Madrid to Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport or Orly Airport. Flights to Beauvais Airport, located on the outskirts of Paris, tend to be a cheaper option, but you will need to plan at least an extra hour and 15 minutes to get to central Paris.
On the bright side, flying is fast and can be cheaper than taking the train, especially if you book with low-cost airlines. On the downside, when you factor in the time to check for setbacks, go through security and wait for takeoff, and approach the final gate, flying can take many more hours than it initially “seems.” Also, there are no airports in Paris that are less than 40 minutes to an hour outside of the city, so you will need to add that time to your trip as well.
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What about traveling by train?
You can reach the city of light from Madrid in about 13 hours via a direct night train served by Elipsos on the Spanish side, and the French railway company SNCF on the French side. If you’re not into flying and enjoy the old-world appeal of long train rides, this might be the right option for you.
The downside of taking the train? Those direct night routes from Madrid to Paris are rare, and connecting trains will likely be tricky. You must be a great lover of trains, or a dedicated enemy of airplanes, to choose this mode of travel.
Should I rent a car instead?
It can take 12 hours or more to get to Paris by car from the Spanish capital, but as long as you don’t mind being behind the wheel and navigating the traffic rules in two different European countries, driving can be a good way to see the north. Spain and France However, expect to pay quite high toll fees at various points during the trip.
Arriving in Paris by plane? Ground transportation options
If you are arriving in Paris by plane, you will have to figure out how to get to the city center from the airports. Read our full guide to ground transportation options in the capital for information and tips on getting around.
