Zaragoza to Madrid by train
Direct high-speed trains from Zaragoza-Delicias reach Madrid Atocha in about 1 hour 50 minutes, run by Renfe, iryo and OUIGO through the day.
Direct high-speed trains take about 1 hour 50 minutes from Zaragoza-Delicias to Madrid, and every one of them arrives at Madrid Atocha.
Arriving at Atocha
Every direct train from Zaragoza ends at Madrid Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes, whichever company runs it. None go to Chamartín-Clara Campoamor. If your hotel or onward train is in the north of Madrid, plan that last stretch from Atocha.
You board at Zaragoza-Delicias, the city's main station, open from 05:30 until midnight. Cercanías local trains, buses and taxis all serve it.
Journey time and how often trains run
Most trains to Madrid take between 1 hour 48 and 1 hour 56 minutes, and a few need about 2 hours. That is a little slower than in the other direction. Expect well over twenty direct departures on a typical weekday, one or two most hours from early morning to late evening. The last ones reach Atocha shortly before midnight. Times may shift with the timetable change on 13 December 2026.
Many of these trains start in Barcelona or further north in Catalonia and call at Zaragoza on the way. The board at Delicias may show them as Barcelona to Madrid services.
Renfe, iryo or OUIGO
Renfe, iryo and OUIGO all run direct trains to Madrid. Their tickets are not interchangeable. Renfe has the most departures, mostly AVE. iryo runs plenty too, while the low-cost OUIGO has just a few a day. Journey times barely differ, so price and timing decide it.
OUIGO adult fares start from €9. A small hand bag and a cabin bag come with the ticket; a bigger suitcase costs extra. Renfe sells Básico, the cheapest and least flexible fare, then Elige, then Prémium, the most flexible. iryo's range runs from Inicial and Inicial Superior to Infinita and Infinita Bistró, which brings food to your seat. Fares on all three go up as trains fill. Book early for the cheapest seats.
Interrail passes
The Interrail pass is valid on Renfe and iryo, not on OUIGO. Renfe's AVE needs a reservation on top of the pass, at €10 in second class and €13 in first. You can book it through Interrail or at the ticket desk in Zaragoza-Delicias before you travel. iryo reservations for pass holders are made through Interrail. For an OUIGO train you need an ordinary ticket.
Where to book
Train service
- Check times & prices
iryo is a private Spanish high-speed operator linking Madrid with Barcelona, Valencia, Alicante, Seville and Malaga; every passenger needs a reservation.
Official website - Check times & prices
Ouigo is SNCF's low-cost high-speed brand, serving over 60 destinations in France and routes in Spain; basic fares include one hand bag and one cabin bag.
Official website - Check times & prices
Renfe serves Spain with AVE, Avlo, Alvia and regional trains. AVE tickets are named and reserved, while Interrail and Eurail passes need reservations.
Official website
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Frequently asked questions
How long is the train from Zaragoza to Madrid?
About 1 hour 50 minutes on most direct trains. A few take around 2 hours.
Which Madrid station does the train from Zaragoza arrive at?
Madrid Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes. No direct train from Zaragoza-Delicias goes to Chamartín-Clara Campoamor.
Can I get from Zaragoza to Madrid by train in the evening?
Yes. Direct trains keep running until late evening, and the last ones reach Madrid Atocha shortly before midnight. Evening times differ by day of the week, so look up your exact train before you plan a late return.
Who runs trains from Zaragoza to Madrid?
Renfe with its AVE trains, iryo and OUIGO. Each sells its own tickets, which are not valid on the other companies' trains. OUIGO adult fares start from €9.
Do I need a reservation with an Interrail pass?
Yes. A Renfe AVE reservation costs €10 in second class and €13 in first, and iryo reservations are booked through Interrail. OUIGO does not accept the pass.
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