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Travelling from Madrid to Cádiz by train
Looking to travel from Madrid to Cádiz by train? You've come to the right place!
On average, it takes around 5 hours 32 minutes to travel from Madrid to Cádiz by train, the fastest services can get you there in as little as 4 hours 24 minutes though. You'll usually find 14 trains per day running along the 303 miles (487 km) route between these two destinations. Once you're onboard, you can sit back and relax, as you won’t need to make any changes on your way to Cádiz. This route is operated by Renfe, the Spanish national rail operator, who run long and medium distance trains across the country. During you journey you're likely to travel on one of their high-speed services – AVE, AV-City, Avant, Alvia or Avlo – or a regional Media Distancia, Regional or Express Regional train.
Plan your trip ahead of time and book early if you want to snap up the cheapest fares. Tickets from Madrid to Cádiz start from £20.79 when you book in advance, so use our Journey Planner to view the latest prices.
If you’re feeling ready to book, start looking for cheap train tickets with us today. Keep reading for more information on the journey to Cádiz by train, including our timetable where you can view first and last train times.
Madrid to Cádiz by train
It takes an average of 5h 32m to travel from Madrid to Cádiz by train, over a distance of around 303 miles (487 km). There are normally 14 trains per day travelling from Madrid to Cádiz and tickets for this journey start from £20.79 when you book in advance.
Renfe and Alvia trains from Madrid to Cádiz
Renfe
Alvia
Renfe is the national train operator in Spain. It operates trains on the longest high-speed railway network in Europe, and the second-longest in the world. The country's major cities are linked up by the high-speed AVE and Avlo trains, while other long-distance routes are served by Altaria, Talgo, Alvia and Euromed trains. Renfe also operates cross-border services into neighbouring Portugal and France. Depending on which service you are travelling on, you'll usually find two classes on Renfe trains - Estándard (Standard Class) and Confort (First Class). Fare types range from the cheapest (but least flexible) Básico fare, to the more flexible Elige fares, to the Premium fare for seats in Confort carriages.
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Renfe's Alvia services combine high-speed tracks with lower speed sections, reaching speeds of up to 155 mph (250 km/h) on international lines and 125 mph (200 km/h) on conventional lines. These trains connect the cities of Madrid, Barcelona and Alicante with the other main Spanish cities. Alvia offers two types of classes – Turista (Second Class) and Preferente (First Class). The latter has wider seats, carriages with fewer seats, offers complimentary food and drinks, free newspapers, and access to parking and Club meeting rooms.
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Alvia classes from Madrid to Cádiz
Compare the different travel classes offered by Alvia when travelling from Madrid to Cádiz.
Estándar
Travel in Alvia's Estándar Class (Standard Class) and you'll enjoy many amenities, including air-conditioning, at-seat power sockets and footrests.
- Luggage storage
- Fold-down table
- Adjustable seats/footrests
- More legroom
Confort
Upgrade to Alvia's Confort Class (First Class) and enjoy comfier seats, more legroom, an at-seat catering service and access to Renfe's Club lounges.
- Luggage storage
- Fold-down table
- Adjustable seats/footrests
- More legroom
Onboard services on Alvia
Discover more about the onboard services offered on trains from Madrid to Cádiz.
On Alvia trains you can take up to three pieces of luggage on board, provided that they are less than 290cm long and weigh less than 25kg in total. Pushchairs and instruments smaller than 30 x 120 x 38 cm are also classed as hand luggage.
Most Alvia trains have an onboard café-bar, as well as an at-seat trolley service with a wide selection of food and drinks.
On board Alvia services, you can connect to PlayRenfe, a platform offering free WiFi and hours of entertainment.
Children under 4 travel free on Alvia services with a free child's ticket. Plus, passengers under 14 get a 40% discount on their chosen tariff.
With Alvia, folded bicycles that are less than 180cm long and are stored in a case count as hand luggage. If your bike is larger than this, it will count as special luggage and must be no larger than 120 x 90 x 40 cm - you must also detach the pedals and rotate the handlebars 90 degrees.
You can take your pet with you if they weigh less than 10kg, travel in a carrier no larger than 60 x 35 x 35 cm, and have a pet ticket. In Elige Confort a pet ticket is free, while in Básico a pet ticket costs 25% of the price of a ticket.
Alvia has an assistance service for passengers with reduced mobility or a disability. To arrange assistance, you can call (+34) 900 400 555 (international calling charges may apply).
Cheap train tickets from Madrid to Cádiz
Book in advance
Most of the train companies across Europe release their tickets around three to six months in advance, many of which can be cheaper the earlier you book. If you know the dates you want to travel, you may be able to find some cheaper train tickets from Madrid to Cádiz by booking early.§
Be flexible with your travel times
Many of the train services in Europe are also popular commuter services, lots of train companies increase ticket prices during “peak hours” (generally between 06:00 – 10:00 and 15:00 – 19:00 on weekdays). If you can, consider travelling outside of peak hours to find lower priced tickets.
Choose a slower or connecting train
On some of the busier routes, you might also have the option to take a slower or connecting train. It may take a little longer than some high-speed or direct services, but if you have a little extra time on your hands, you might find a cheaper fare. Plus, you'll have more time to enjoy the view of the countryside!
Look out for special deals
Take a look at our handy guides to find out when train operators release their special deals and offers to see if you can find cheap European train tickets for your journey.
For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.
Journey details
Want to know more about your journey from Madrid to Cádiz? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
How long does the train from Madrid to Cádiz take?
The average journey time by train between Madrid and Cádiz is 5 hours and 32 minutes, with around 14 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.
What's the fastest journey time between Madrid and Cádiz by train?
The fastest journey time by train from Madrid to Cádiz is 4 hours and 24 minutes.
How much does the train from Madrid to Cádiz cost?
Train ticket prices from Madrid to Cádiz can start from as little as £20.79 when you book in advance. The cost of tickets can vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book and are usually more expensive if you book on the day.
Is there a direct train from Madrid to Cádiz?
Yes, it is possible to travel from Madrid to Cádiz without having to change trains. There are 3 direct trains from Madrid to Cádiz each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.
What time does the first train from Madrid to Cádiz leave?
The first train from Madrid to Cádiz leaves at 07:00. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.
What time does the last train from Madrid to Cádiz leave?
The last train from Madrid to Cádiz leaves at 21:10. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.
What's the distance between Madrid and Cádiz by train?
Trains travelling from Madrid to Cádiz cover a distance of around 303 miles (487 km) during the journey.
Looking for more information?
If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Cádiz to Madrid.