The Madrid to Barcelona route has been the busiest flight route in Europe for several years. Spain is unique in Europe for having two cities with such an equal division of tourists and business travelers, which means that people try to get between the two cities as quickly as possible here more than in any other city in Europe.
When the AVE train was launched, fewer people were expected to fly between the two cities, thanks to the central locations of the train stations and the fact that there is no need to register at the train station. And while this is true, the AVE ate up air transport between these two cities, flying from Madrid to Barcelona is still the busiest route in Europe.
And this is largely due to Iberia’s air transport.
How does the Iberia air transport service work?
Iberia has simplified its check-in and boarding times on its Madrid-Airport route with its transportation service. The service works like this:
- Book the transportation service online. You must click on ‘Aereo Puente’ or ‘Air Shuttle’, not on the standard booking engine. You do not need to specify when you want to travel.
- Arrive at terminal T4 at Madrid Barajas airport or T1 at Barcelona El Prat airport and go directly to Puente Aereo, the dedicated area from Madrid to Barcelona.
- Check the departure time of the next plane. A screen shows how many seats are left on the next train. During rush hour there are flights every 20 minutes.
- Register your seat on the machine. You can then go directly to the Madrid-Barcelona check-in terminal and board in 15 minutes.
Is the train or plane faster?
Obviously, in terms of travel time alone, the plane is twice as fast as the train. But that doesn’t take into account getting to the airport or train station and other factors. The total time it takes to get from Barcelona to Madrid is pretty close, but the plane just takes it. Take a look: Madrid to Barcelona by train and plane: which is the fastest?
Advantages of the AVE high-speed train from Madrid to Barcelona
- It is easier to get to the train station . But not always! It depends on where you are in the city and if you want to travel by metro / train or taxi. Visitors in the north of the city might find it quicker to get to the airport than to the train station.
- No registration required. Boarding closes only two minutes before the train departs.
- Traveling by train is more comfortable than flying. The trains are more spacious and there are none of those “electronic devices that must be turned off during take-off and landing.” (However, with imminent changes to regulations for electronic devices on airplanes, this particular advantage may soon disappear.) Your phone will work during your trip.
- The train is much cheaper than the Air Shuttle. Even leaving this afternoon, tickets are half the price of the Iberia Air Shuttle (Puente Aereo). There are cheaper flights, but they do not have the benefits of the Air Shuttle.
Now take a look at the lesser known benefits of taking a plane.
Advantages of flying from Madrid to Barcelona
Please note that many of the benefits below only apply to the Iberia Air Shuttle, which costs considerably more than standard flights from Madrid to Barcelona.
- Travel time is much faster. The high-speed train can last from two and a half to three and a half hours, while the plane is scheduled to take an hour and twenty minutes, although the actual travel time will be shorter.
- Madrid airport is closer to the north of Madrid. Particularly if you drive. Driving from Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid’s football stadium in the financial district, it will take about the same to get to the airport as it does to the train station. From anywhere further north than this, it will probably be quicker to get to the airport.
- Check-in time at Madrid airport is only slightly slower than the train. With the Iberia Madrid-Barcelona transport service, you can be on the next plane within 15 minutes of arriving at the check-in area.
- If you miss your flight, you can jump to the next one! The Iberia Madrid-Barcelona route allows you to take the next available flight, which will generally be within an hour. You don’t need to know when your business meeting, concert or football game ends, just go to the airport and board.
- There are flights after trains. The last flight from Madrid leaves 75 minutes after the last AVE and still arrives in Barcelona before the last train!
Who should take the AVE train between Madrid and Barcelona?
Travelers on a tighter budget. People happy to take the subway to the station. They have a fixed departure time and are sure they will not miss it. Or maybe they want the comfort of being able to stretch their legs and use their phone and computer throughout their trip.
Travelers staying in the following areas: if they stay in Atocha, Sol, the Prado museum, Lavapiés or La Latin, they will find Atocha closer than the airport.
Who should fly between Madrid and Barcelona?
Travelers who are willing to pay extra for better service. People who do not know exactly when they will be able to arrive at the airport. Travelers are on a business trip, maybe they are going to a concert and want to leave immediately after the show. People who stay in the north of Madrid and want to drive (or take a taxi to the airport).
Travelers staying in the following areas: If you are staying north of Santiago Bernabeu, the financial district or other northern destinations. The train from these areas directly to the train station takes about the same time as the train to the airport, but by taxi, it is often faster to get to the airport.
Is there a similar transport service to Valencia or Seville?
Unfortunately not. To travel to these cities, the AVE is a much better service than the plane.
