How to get from Madrid to Cartagena
On Routavio you can compare the ways from Madrid to Cartagena by price and travel time.
- 392 km as the crow flies
- Fastest: train, 5h 06m
- 5 bus departures a day with ALSA
Compare the train, bus and flight options. Then check them for your own date.
At a glance
Fastest
5h 06m
1 transfer
Train
€41
Cheapest
5h 20m
direct
Bus
€22
Calculated by Routavio, refreshed 20 Oct 2026
Start with the whole journey.
We compared the ways to travel from Madrid to Cartagena. The most useful door-to-door route takes 5h 20m by bus with no transfer. The two cities are about 392 km apart in a straight line. The price and operators below come from a real route search.
392 km
Madrid to Cartagena: cheapest or fastest?
All from the same recent search. Pick a tab: the legs, the timing and the difference from the others all change with it.
- 1Madrid Barajas → CartagenabusALSA·5h 20m
The best balance of price and time we found on this route.
Departures from Madrid to Cartagena
ALSA runs 5 scheduled departures a day, the first at 02:30 and the last at 19:30.
| Operator | Departures a day | First | Last |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALSAbus | 5 | 02:30 | 19:30 |
All departures
- 02:30
- 10:30
- 14:30
- 18:30
- 19:30
Departure times come from operator timetables and are local time at the origin. Where a row shows no times, the frequency is the operator's own and the timetable is not published to us. Times can change on holidays and at short notice; confirm with the operator before you travel.
Departure and arrival
Ticket prices on this route
What each way of travelling costs, as the operator publishes it. These describe the route rather than a date you pick, and they refresh once a day. Booking opens at our partner Omio.
Omio last refreshed these on Tue, Oct 20
Operators seen on these journeys
RenfeMadrid-Orihuela-Miguel Hernández, Orihuela-Miguel Hernández-CartagenaBook →On this route you travel with ALSA, Renfe; Routavio does not add a booking fee.
How the trip from Madrid to Cartagena works
Start with a ALSA bus from Madrid Barajas to Cartagena, about 5h 20m. In total it's roughly €22 over 5h 20m, direct, no transfers.
Madrid to Cartagena: common questions
How long does it take to get from Madrid to Cartagena?
The most useful route takes about 5h 20m by bus, with no transfer.
When is the first bus from Madrid to Cartagena?
The first bus with ALSA leaves at 02:30 and the last at 19:30, from Madrid Barajas, according to the published timetable.
How many bus departures a day are there from Madrid to Cartagena?
5 a day with ALSA, between 02:30 and 19:30.
Which station does the bus from Madrid to Cartagena leave from?
Madrid Barajas with ALSA, according to the published timetable.
How far is Cartagena from Madrid?
About 392 km in a straight line. The real route on the ground or in the air is longer.
How much does Madrid to Cartagena cost?
Our latest search put the route we recommend at €22. Other options on this page can cost less, and the exact fare depends on your travel date.
Which operators run Madrid to Cartagena?
On this route you travel with ALSA, Renfe.
Can you get from Madrid to Cartagena without flying?
Yes. A ground route by bus takes about 4h 10m.
What is the cheapest way to get from Madrid to Cartagena?
Usually a flexible date, or leaving from a nearby airport. A live search puts every option for your dates side by side.
Can I book directly?
Yes. Routavio sends you straight to the operator or an independent third-party provider. We never add a booking fee. The final fare and availability are confirmed by that provider.
Other ways people search Madrid to Cartagena
- how to get from Madrid to Cartagena
- Madrid to Cartagena travel time
- Madrid to Cartagena distance
- cheapest way from Madrid to Cartagena
- Madrid to Cartagena by bus
Sources and method
Routes are calculated by Routavio's multimodal engine from operator timetables and flight data. Durations come from timetables, and prices are the most recent observation, not a guarantee.
Operators: ALSA
Route calculated: 20 Oct 2026