Trains from Madrid to Paris

Jardin du Luxembourg
Paris

Trains from Madrid to Paris are a great way to get from Spain to France when you are visiting Europe.

There are several types of overnight trains between these cities, and the various rail services are run on different days.

Afternoon trains depart up to two times a day from Madrid Atocha or Chamartin station. They arrive at Paris Montparnasse or Gare d’Austerlitz, and require a connection on the way. The journey takes 14.5 to 15.5 hours, and tickets cost from 99 euros one-way. Trains are run by Renfe and SNCF, the Spanish and French national rail companies.

The direct overnight train between the two cities is called the Elipsos trainhotel. This train from Madrid to Paris allows passengers to get a good night’s sleep while they travel to France.

The Elipsos trainhotel departs from Madrid Chamartin train station daily (with some exceptions) in the evening, and arrives at Paris Gare d’Austerlitz the next morning. The journey takes 15 hours.

The trainhotel has a number of classes of seating. There are basic reclining seats, couchettes in four-bed cabins, two-bed rooms with sinks, and two-bed rooms with ensuite bathrooms and showers. Fares for these trains from Madrid to Paris range from 158 euros to 516 euros one-way.

How Far is Barcelona from Madrid?

Casa Batllo in Barcelona
Barcelona

How far is Barcelona from Madrid? This is a common question that people have when planning a trip to Spain.

As the crow flies, Barcelona is 505 kilometers (314 miles) from Madrid.

If you drive between the two cities, the distance is a bit longer. The driving distance from Barcelona to Madrid is just over 600 kilometers (373 miles). It takes around 6 hours, or longer if there is traffic on the way.

A better way to get between the cities is to take a high-speed ‘AVE’ train. The train from Barcelona to Madrid only takes 2.5 to 3 hours, making it the fastest and most convenient way to travel.

Fallas Festival in Valencia

Fallas Festival Dates: March 15 to 19

Every March the Spanish city of Valencia hosts the Fallas Festival, or Las Fallas. The festival is an annual celebration that involves the creation and burning of satiric effigies, which are called fallas.

While the festival itself only lasts five days, there is a lot of activity in the weeks leading up to it. Prior to the burning of the fallas, they are on show throughout Valencia for visitors and locals to admire. Many people choose a favorite before they are burned.

The Fallas Festival is most famous for the burnings that take place at the Valencia town hall during the Crema Falla Ayuntamiento. There are also daily Mascletas, or fireworks displays.

If you plan to visit Valencia during the Fallas Festival, make sure to book your hotel accommodation and flight or train transportation well in advance. Las Fallas is one of the busiest times of year in Valencia, and things book up quickly for the festival.