Q: I will arrive at Barcelona airport at about 24:00. I would like to go directly to Madrid, stay there for two days and then return back to Barcelona. Could you give me information about the departure time of the fast trains along with cost of the ticket?

A: To find out when the AVE trains are running, please check the following link to the official RENFE website. On the website you will have to select "Barcelona" in the Departure field and "Madrid" in the Destination field, this will show you the timetable from Barcelona to Madrid. You can look up the timetables by clicking on the following link:

RENFE official timetables AVE Barcelona Madrid

The AVE sometimes offers special discounts, i.e. depending on large reservation dates or groups.

The latest train from Barcelona to Madrid leaves around 22:20. It is not a high speed train, but a night train (called Tren Estrella) which arrives in Madrid in the morning around 07:30. This is the latest train from Barcelona to Madrid. You can reserve a couchette or a normal seat.

RENFE official general timetables

Always make sure to double check timetables, as these may change. The RENFE website is not of the friendliest in the world, sometimes it is a little complicated to find the information you need and often the information on their website is not the same as the advice given on the phone!