TLDR: There is currently no direct train between Lisbon and Madrid. The fastest rail option is the connecting service via Entroncamento and Badajoz taking around 10-11 hours, fares €40-€80. Most travellers either fly (1h15, €40-€150) or take a direct bus (8h30, €25-€50 with FlixBus, ALSA or Avanza). The historic Sud-Express overnight train was suspended in 2020 and replacement service is expected to resume in 2027 with the new high-speed line. From Casa Almada, the Oriente train station is 25 min by metro.
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Insider tip from Casa Almada
For a Lisbon-to-Madrid trip in 2026, fly with Iberia or Ryanair (€40-€80, 1h15 air) and take the metro at both ends. The all-day train option via Badajoz is currently a slow, transfer-heavy experience that is rarely worth the time saving. The new Lisbon-Madrid high-speed line is under construction and expected to open in 2027 — once that runs, the direct train will be the obvious choice.
Lisbon to Madrid is one of those great rail trips that should exist and currently does not. The historic Sud-Express overnight service ran from the 1880s and was the way to travel between the two Iberian capitals — wagons-lits compartments, a dining car, and an arrival in Madrid Atocha by breakfast. Suspended in 2020 during the pandemic and not yet reinstated.
Casa Almada sits 25 minutes by metro from Oriente, the Lisbon long-distance station. This is the practical guide to current Lisbon-Madrid options for 2026 — what trains run, what they take, what you should actually book, and what to expect when the new high-speed line opens in 2027.
The current train option via Badajoz
The current rail route runs Lisbon Oriente → Entroncamento → Badajoz → Madrid. Total journey time is 10-11 hours. The Lisbon-Badajoz section is operated by CP (Comboios de Portugal) on Intercity trains. The Badajoz-Madrid leg is operated by Renfe on regional and Alvia trains.
Lisbon Oriente to Badajoz takes about 5 hours including a transfer at Entroncamento. The Portuguese-Spanish border crossing happens just before Elvas-Badajoz. The trains are clean and air-conditioned but slow.
Badajoz to Madrid takes another 4-5 hours via Cáceres or Talavera de la Reina, with a final approach into Madrid Atocha. The Renfe Alvia trains are faster and more comfortable than the Portuguese leg.
Fares: total €40-€80 booked separately on cp.pt and renfe.com. There is no through ticket, and no booking service handles the full journey as a single product. You buy two separate tickets and connect.
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Why most people fly
TAP Air Portugal, Iberia, Ryanair and EasyJet all run multiple daily Lisbon-Madrid flights. Flight time 1h15, door-to-door 4 hours including airport transfers. Fares €40-€150 depending on advance booking.
For a long weekend trip in either direction, the flight is the obvious choice. The train at 10-11 hours leaves only 4-5 hours awake at the destination on the day of travel, which kills a 3-day trip.
Ryanair from Lisbon Humberto Delgado to Madrid Barajas is regularly €30-€50 booked 4-6 weeks ahead. Iberia and TAP run €60-€100 with hold luggage included. EasyJet sits in between at €40-€80.
The bus option — slow but direct
FlixBus, ALSA and Avanza all run direct Lisbon-Madrid coaches. Journey time 8h30 to 9 hours, no transfers, fares €25-€50 each way.
Coaches depart from Sete Rios bus terminal in Lisbon (12 min metro from Casa Almada) and arrive at Madrid Estación Sur (south bus station, metro line 6). Comfortable air-conditioned coaches with Wi-Fi and power outlets.
The overnight option (departing Lisbon 11pm, arriving Madrid 7.30am) is genuinely useful for budget travellers — saves a night of accommodation. The daytime services run at 7am, 9am, 1pm and 4pm.
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The new high-speed line and the 2027 timeline
The new Lisbon-Madrid high-speed line is under construction, with completion expected by 2027-2028. The Portuguese section between Lisbon and Évora opened in 2023; the Spanish section between Mérida and Madrid is in advanced planning.
Once complete, the new line should reduce journey time to 3-4 hours direct, with Renfe AVE trains running multiple times a day. Fares are expected to be €60-€100 standard, in line with current Madrid-Barcelona pricing.
For Casa Almada guests planning trips after 2027, the train will become the obvious choice for Lisbon-Madrid — significantly faster door-to-door than flying, comfortable, with an environmental footprint a fraction of the air route.
In the meantime: book the flight, take the metro at both ends, and treat the high-speed line as the future amazing improvement it will be.
- No direct train as of 2026. Service via Badajoz takes 10-11 hours, €40-€80.
- Sud-Express overnight train: suspended 2020, no current restart date.
- Fastest current option: fly. 1h15 air, 4 hr door-to-door, €40-€150.
- Cheapest: direct bus FlixBus/ALSA/Avanza. 8h30, €25-€50.
- Lisbon stations: Oriente (long-distance trains), Sete Rios (long-distance buses).
- Madrid stations: Atocha (trains), Estación Sur (buses), Barajas (airport).
- From Casa Almada: Oriente 25 min metro (green to Alameda + red to Oriente), Sete Rios 12 min metro.
- Future: new high-speed line expected 2027-2028, journey 3-4 hr.
- Best fare combos: Ryanair flight + metro €40 each way; FlixBus night bus €25-€35 each way.
- Time difference: Madrid is 1 hour ahead of Lisbon all year.
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Stay with us in Lisbon
Casa Almada — luxury family apartment in the heart of Lisbon
220 m² of beautifully restored space across 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, sleeping up to 9 guests plus 2 infants. Three super king beds that split into singles, blackout blinds throughout, original art by Lisbon artists, Egyptian cotton linens, Rituals products, and a stunning rooftop terrace with panoramic city views. Tram 28 at the bottom of the street, Sé Cathedral around the corner, Castelo de São Jorge ten minutes on foot. A far cry from the soulless chain hotels of yesterday.
From €219/night. FTC disclosure: this is our own apartment booking page.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct train from Lisbon to Madrid?
Not currently. The historic Sud-Express overnight service was suspended in 2020 during the pandemic and has not yet been reinstated. Service via Badajoz with a transfer at Entroncamento takes 10-11 hours total. The new high-speed line is expected to open in 2027-2028 with a 3-4 hour direct journey time.
How long does it take to travel from Lisbon to Madrid?
By plane: 1h15 in the air, 4 hours door-to-door including airport transfers. By bus: 8h30 to 9 hours direct (FlixBus, ALSA, Avanza). By train: 10-11 hours via the Badajoz transfer route. By car: about 6 hours via the A2-A6 motorways.
How much is a flight from Lisbon to Madrid?
€40-€60 with Ryanair booked 4-6 weeks ahead. €60-€100 with Iberia or TAP including hold luggage. €40-€80 with EasyJet. Multiple daily flights between Lisbon Humberto Delgado and Madrid Barajas.
What is the cheapest way to get from Lisbon to Madrid?
Direct bus with FlixBus, ALSA or Avanza at €25-€50 one way. The overnight bus (departing Lisbon 11pm, arriving Madrid 7.30am) saves a night of accommodation as well. Buses depart from Sete Rios terminal, 12 minutes by metro from Casa Almada.
Will the new Lisbon-Madrid high-speed train open soon?
The new line is under construction, with the Portuguese section between Lisbon and Évora open since 2023. The Spanish section between Mérida and Madrid is in advanced planning. Full Lisbon-Madrid service is expected to open in 2027-2028, reducing journey time to 3-4 hours direct.
If you are planning your stay around this, take a look at the rest of our Lisbon travel blog for itineraries, restaurants and seasonal tips.