Taking a train is a great way to get from Paris to Madrid when you are visiting Europe.
There are both day and night trains that are offered on this route, and different rail services are operated on different days.
Day trains depart up to twice a day from Paris Gare de Lyon. They arrive at Madrid Atocha station, and require a change en route. The journey takes 10 hours and tickets cost 182.10 euros one-way. Trains are operated by SNCF and Renfe, the national rail companies in France and Spain.
The main night train on this route is the Elipsos trainhotel. It is an overnight train from Paris to Madrid that allows passengers to get a good night’s sleep on the way.
The Elipsos trainhotel departs from Paris Gare d’Austerlitz daily (with some exceptions) in the evening, and arrives at Madrid Chamartin train station the following morning. The total train journey from Paris to Madrid takes 15.5 hours.
The Elipsos trainhotel has several classes of seat to choose from. There are reclining seats, basic couchettes in four-bed sleeper rooms, two-bed sleeper rooms with sinks, and two-bed sleeper rooms with ensuite bathrooms and showers. Ticket prices range from 158 euros to 516 euros one-way.