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Direct high-speed trains run between Madrid and Alicante every day, covering around 360 km with no change of train required. The fastest services take around 2 hours 20 minutes, and on most days there are roughly 14 to 16 departures spread across both operators. Tickets start from €9 per adult. Renfe and OUIGO both serve the route, and they depart from different Madrid stations, so checking which station applies to your specific service before you travel is important.
At a Glance
- Fastest journey: around 2 hours 20 minutes; typical range 2 hours 30 to 35 minutes
- Roughly 14 to 16 daily departures on most days, varying by day of week
- Fares from €9 per adult on low-cost services
- Two Madrid departure stations: Atocha (some full-service trains) and Chamartín (all low-cost trains, plus some full-service trains)
- All trains arrive at Alacant-Terminal, also shown as Alicante-Terminal on some booking platforms
- European rail passes are valid on full-service trains with a mandatory paid seat reservation; not valid on low-cost services
- Earlier booking reliably delivers lower fares
Route Overview
Madrid to Alicante is a well-served high-speed corridor. All services are direct. Journey times range from around 2 hours 20 minutes on the fastest trains to around 2 hours 35 minutes on services that make intermediate stops. The difference comes down to service type: non-stop high-speed trains are quickest, while the low-cost high-speed variant operated by the full-service national carrier calls at intermediate stations and takes a little longer.
Frequency is high. On most days you can expect roughly 14 to 16 departures across both operators, with services spread through the day from early morning. First trains leave Madrid from around 06:15, though that figure should be confirmed against the timetable for your specific travel date. Daily totals vary by day of the week.
Two Madrid stations serve this corridor. Madrid Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes (commonly called Atocha) and Madrid-Chamartín-Clara Campoamor (Chamartín) are both well connected to the Metro and Cercanías suburban rail network. The low-cost operator departs exclusively from Chamartín. Full-service trains use either station depending on the specific departure. Always check your booking confirmation for the correct departure point before you travel.
Train Services on This Route
Renfe high-speed services
Renfe runs the main full-service high-speed trains on this corridor. Some Renfe departures run with few or no intermediate stops and are among the fastest options. Lower-cost Renfe high-speed services may call at Cuenca, Albacete, and Villena, which adds time to the overall journey.
Renfe sells tickets with different flexibility levels. The cheapest fares are best for fixed plans, while more flexible fares cost more but can be worth it if your schedule may change. Check the exact refund and change rules in the booking flow before paying, because conditions vary by fare and can be updated.
Full-service trains depart from both Atocha and Chamartín depending on the service. Your booking confirmation will show which applies to your departure.
Full-service tickets booked directly with the operator may include a complimentary Cercanías connection, which can be useful if you are connecting from Madrid Airport. This benefit is not guaranteed on all ticket types; confirm the conditions of your specific fare before relying on it.
OUIGO low-cost high-speed services
OUIGO departs exclusively from Madrid-Chamartín-Clara Campoamor and arrives at Alacant-Terminal. The journey takes around 2 hours 20 minutes. The first low-cost departure of the day is in the mid-morning, so if you need to travel earlier, a full-service train is your only option.
Base fares start from €9 per adult. Children aged 3 and over travel from €7, and children under 3 travel free. The base fare covers a seat and a personal bag only. Additional luggage, pets, and bicycles are all bookable as paid extras. A Flex option allows changes up to 30 minutes before departure at no extra charge beyond any fare difference, which is worth considering if your plans might shift. An upgrade at €9 extra provides an XL seat and access to an in-train entertainment platform. Families who hold an official large family certificate in Spain may be eligible for discounts of 20% or 50% depending on their category.
Tickets and Prices
The lowest fares on this route start from €9 per adult on low-cost services. Renfe fares are generally higher than the cheapest low-cost fares and vary by flexibility level and by how far in advance you book. Across both operators, the cheapest seats sell quickly and prices rise closer to the departure date. Booking as early as possible consistently delivers better value.
On OUIGO, the base fare is low but extras and flexibility cost more. The Flex option adds meaningful flexibility for a modest premium. On Renfe, compare the cheapest fare with the more flexible options before paying. If there is any chance your travel dates might shift, paying for flexibility may be worth it.
Fares vary by date, time of day, and booking lead time. Checking prices across a few departure times on your preferred date often reveals useful differences.
Booking
Renfe and OUIGO sell tickets through their own websites and apps. Booking directly is usually the clearest route for managing fare conditions and any included benefits. European booking platforms also list trains on this corridor and can be useful for comparing departure times across both operators in a single view.
For OUIGO, booking directly tends to give the clearest experience for managing add-ons such as extra baggage or the Flex option. For Renfe, booking directly gives the best visibility over fare conditions and any included Cercanías benefits.
Seat reservations are mandatory on all high-speed trains on this route, for both standard ticket holders and rail pass holders. There is no open-seating option. Mobile tickets are widely accepted. Paper tickets can usually be printed if you prefer; check the specific options when you book.
Stations and Boarding
Madrid Departure Stations
Madrid Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes (Atocha) is one of Madrid’s two main long-distance rail terminals. It opens from approximately 05:30, making early-morning departures possible. Atocha is served by Metro lines 1 and 3 and by several Cercanías lines. Some full-service trains on this corridor depart from Atocha; others depart from Chamartín.
Madrid-Chamartín-Clara Campoamor (Chamartín) is in the north of the city and is the exclusive departure point for all low-cost services on this route. Several Metro lines and Cercanías routes serve the station. Some full-service departures also leave from Chamartín.
Check your booking confirmation carefully. Travelling to the wrong station is an avoidable mistake on this corridor.
Madrid Airport Transfer
Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez Airport is connected to both Chamartín and Atocha via the Cercanías network. Terminal 4 has a direct Cercanías service that reaches both stations. If you are connecting from the airport to catch a train, allow enough time for the Cercanías journey and any queues at the terminal. Full-service tickets booked directly with the operator may include a complimentary Cercanías connection covering this transfer, but confirm this applies to your specific fare before relying on it. Low-cost tickets do not include any Cercanías benefit.
Alicante Arrival
All trains on this route arrive at Alacant-Terminal, the main rail station serving the city. It is also shown as Alicante-Terminal on some booking platforms and timetable displays; both names refer to the same station. The station is centrally located, making onward travel to the city centre straightforward on foot or by local transport. Bicycle carriage is available on low-cost services as a bookable add-on.
Rail Pass Validity
European rail passes, including Interrail and Eurail, are valid on full-service high-speed trains on this route. A pass alone is not enough: you must also book a mandatory seat reservation, which carries a supplementary fee paid on top of the pass cost. Check the current fee when you book, as reservation costs for Spanish high-speed trains are set by the operator and can change.
Low-cost services on this corridor do not participate in any rail pass scheme. If you plan to travel on a low-cost train with a pass, you will need to purchase a separate point-to-point fare.
Whether a rail pass represents good value on this specific route depends on your wider itinerary. Point-to-point fares start from €9, and the route is around 360 km. If this is your only or primary Spanish journey, buying a pass for this leg alone is unlikely to save money once the mandatory reservation fee is added. A pass becomes more useful when combined with other Spanish routes or travel across several European countries.
Train vs Other Travel Options
The high-speed train is the most practical option for most travellers on this corridor. A journey time of around 2 hours 20 to 35 minutes compares well with flying once airport check-in, security, and the transfer between Madrid Airport and the city centre are factored in. The train runs between city-centre stations on both ends, which removes much of the transit overhead associated with flying.
Practical Tips
- Book early. Fares on both operators start low and rise as the departure date approaches. The €9 base fare exists but is limited in availability.
- Check your departure station. OUIGO always departs from Chamartín. Renfe trains use either Atocha or Chamartín. Confirm before you travel.
- Allow time for the Cercanías transfer if arriving by air. Terminal 4 at Madrid Airport connects to both Chamartín and Atocha by Cercanías. Factor in journey time and any terminal queues.
- Consider the Flex option on low-cost services if there is any possibility your plans might change. The base fare offers no refund or changes without it.
- Choose your fare flexibility on Renfe carefully. The cheapest fare is best for fixed plans. If you may need to change your plans, a more flexible fare may be worth the additional cost.
- Rail pass holders must book a seat reservation separately. The reservation is mandatory on all high-speed services and carries a fee on top of the pass. Low-cost services require a full separate ticket regardless of pass type.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Madrid to Alicante train take?
The fastest trains take around 2 hours 20 minutes. Most journeys fall between 2 hours 30 minutes and 2 hours 35 minutes depending on the service type and number of stops. The low-cost high-speed variant operated by the full-service national carrier calls at Cuenca, Albacete, and Villena, which adds time compared with non-stop services.
How much does a Madrid to Alicante train ticket cost?
Fares start from €9 per adult on low-cost services. Full-service train fares are generally higher and vary by fare tier and how far in advance you book. The cheapest seats sell quickly, so earlier booking reliably delivers better prices.
Which station in Madrid do trains to Alicante leave from?
It depends on the operator and specific service. Low-cost trains depart exclusively from Madrid-Chamartín-Clara Campoamor. Full-service trains can depart from either Madrid Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes (Atocha) or Chamartín depending on the service. Always check your booking confirmation for the correct departure station.
Do I need to reserve a seat on the Madrid to Alicante train?
Yes. Seat reservations are mandatory on all high-speed trains on this route. There is no open-seating option. If you are travelling with a rail pass, you still need to book and pay for a mandatory seat reservation separately.
Are Interrail and Eurail passes valid on Madrid to Alicante trains?
European rail passes are valid on full-service high-speed trains on this route, but a mandatory seat reservation and its supplementary fee are required on top of the pass. Low-cost services do not participate in rail pass schemes; pass holders must buy a separate ticket for those trains. Given that point-to-point fares start from €9, a pass is unlikely to save money on this route unless it forms part of a broader itinerary across Spain or Europe.
Where does the train arrive in Alicante?
All Madrid to Alicante trains arrive at Alacant-Terminal, also shown as Alicante-Terminal on some platforms and booking sites. Both names refer to the same centrally located station.
Can I travel from Madrid Airport to the train station by rail?
Yes. Terminal 4 at Madrid-Barajas Airport is served by Cercanías suburban rail, with connections to both Chamartín and Atocha. If you hold a full-service ticket booked directly with the operator, a complimentary Cercanías connection may be included, but confirm this applies to your specific fare before relying on it. Low-cost tickets do not include this benefit.
