Combining a trip to Spain and France is a very popular way to extend your European travels. Most of the people heading to and from Paris plan to use Barcelona as a starting / ending point. But if you are coming from the Spanish capital, here is information on how to get to Paris by train, plane, bus or car.
The best way to get from Madrid to Paris
If you are looking for the fastest way to get between the capital cities of Spain and France, a plane makes the most sense. But there is so much between the two cities that you should see that it would be a shame to fly.
The best connection between France and Spain is actually from Paris to Barcelona, which now has the high-speed AVE train to connect the two cities for a stress-free connection between the two cities.
Suggested itinerary from Madrid to Paris
Via Barcelona: the most obvious itinerary would be to take the train from Madrid to Barcelona. The high-speed AVE train will take you between the two cities in less than two and a half hours.
But there are plenty of stops you can add on the way to Barcelona – via Cuenca and Valencia is the most obvious choice.
You can then take a direct train from Barcelona to Paris, or make stops in France along the way.
Via the Basque Country: if you don’t want to go through Barcelona, the other way to the Franco-Spanish border is through San Sebastián. The main thing you need to know is that there are no direct trains from San Sebastián – you need to get to the French border and take your train from the border town of Hendaye.
Paris to Madrid by plane
There are regular cheap flights from Paris to Madrid. If you book well in advance, this will be your cheapest and fastest option.
Paris to Madrid by train and bus
The train from Paris to Madrid takes nine and a half hours and costs about 110 euros, with one change in Barcelona. The train leaves from Paris Gare de Lyon and arrives at Madrid Atocha.
Rail Europe or Renfe book.
The bus from Paris to Madrid takes 17 hours and costs about 80 euros, which is slower, less comfortable and more expensive than the train (Book from ALSA). The bus departs from the Méndez Álvaro and Avenida de América bus stations.
Paris to Madrid by car
The 1,200 km journey from Paris to Madrid takes about 12 hours by car. Travel on the A10, A630, A63, A8, AP-1 and A1. Please note that some of these roads are toll roads.
