Madrid, Barcelona and Seville: How to Travel Between Them

Short answer: use the high-speed train between Madrid and each of the other two cities, and treat Barcelona to Seville as the awkward leg. A flight, or a break in Madrid, usually beats the long direct train. The cleanest order is Barcelona, Madrid, Seville (or the reverse), because it never doubles back.

Who this is for

This is for first-time visitors to Spain who want all three cities in one trip and are wondering whether to fly, take trains, or drop one city. If you only have a few days, our comparison Madrid or Barcelona: which city should you visit first? may help you cut the route before you plan it.

The three legs, compared

Madrid to Barcelona

This is the busiest corridor, with frequent high-speed trains from more than one operator. Expect roughly two and a half to three hours between city-centre stations, depending on the service. A flight is shorter in the air, but getting to the airport, security and the transfer at the other end usually erase the saving. For most travellers the train is simply easier.

Madrid to Seville

Another high-speed line, again taking a little over two and a half hours on the quicker services. Trains arrive at Santa Justa station, a short taxi or bus ride from the old centre rather than inside it. Some services call at intermediate cities, so check whether yours is the fast one.

Barcelona to Seville

This is the leg that hurts. Direct trains exist, but the journey takes the best part of a day's travel time, roughly five to six hours. A flight takes well under two hours in the air, but you still pay for airport time on both ends. Many people break the trip in Madrid and gain a night there. If you fly, check the baggage rules, which vary a lot by airline.

Train or plane: a quick rule

• Under three hours by train: take the train.
• Barcelona to Seville in one hop: a flight is usually quicker; the direct train is calmer if you dislike airports.
• Tight on days: skip one city rather than spend a whole day moving.

Timing your arrivals around tours

Plan transfers so you arrive the evening before anything fixed, not on the morning of it. The Prado Museum Masterpieces Tour with Entry Ticket starts at 10:00 and runs about two hours, so an early train from Barcelona that arrives close to the start is a bad bet. It is a shared small-group tour of up to 15 guests, and it covers the Prado only.

In Barcelona, two Helios tours fit a first day. The Barcelona Gothic Quarter and Old Town Walking Tour starts at 10:00 and takes two hours on foot, seeing the stops from outside. The Sagrada Família Guided Tour with Entry Ticket includes your entry ticket and about 1.5 hours with a guide. The towers are not part of it. Both are shared small-group tours of up to 15 guests, so check the trip pages for the details when you book.

Our featured tours do not start in Seville and cover only Madrid and Barcelona. If you would like a guide in Seville, send us an enquiry and we will tell you what is possible.

Seasons and holidays

Seville is the city where timing matters most. Summer afternoons there are very hot, so sightseeing shifts to early morning and evening, and a long train arrival at midday is unpleasant. Public holidays can affect museum opening and train demand; see Spain public holidays in October and November. For autumn weather, read Spain in October.

What to verify on official sites before you book

• Timetables and fares: check the operators' own sites for current services, since schedules change by season.
• Stations: Madrid has more than one main station, so confirm which one your train uses; do the same for Barcelona.
• Strikes and engineering works: check rail and airline notices close to departure.
• Entry rules: confirm visa or travel-authorisation requirements for your passport on your government's travel pages and Spain's official sources.
• Attraction tickets: confirm opening days and ticket rules on the museum or basilica's official site.

FAQ

What is the best order for Madrid, Barcelona and Seville?

Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, or the reverse. Madrid sits between the other two on the rail network, so you avoid the long Barcelona to Seville leg.

Is the train better than flying in Spain?

For Madrid to Barcelona and Madrid to Seville, usually yes, because the stations are central. For Barcelona to Seville, a flight is often faster overall.

Can I do all three cities in a week?

Yes, but with two travel days. Three or four nights split between Madrid and Barcelona, plus a shorter stay in Seville, is more realistic than trying to see everything.

Does Helios offer a tour in Seville?

The tours featured here start in Madrid and Barcelona. If you want a guide in Seville, send an enquiry and we will tell you what we can arrange.