How to get from Madrid to Cartagena
A real 3-leg route: train, bus. Door to door 5h 36m, from €107.
We compared the ways to travel from Madrid to Cartagena. The most useful door-to-door route takes 5h 36m by train, bus, 2 transfers. The two cities are about 392 km apart in a straight line. The price and operators below come from a real route search.
This fare comes from a search on September 2, 2026 and has not been refreshed since. Run a live search for today's price.
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 → Murciatrain
Renfe·2h 53m - 2Murcia → Region of Murcia International AirportbusAirport shuttle bus·42m
- 3Region of Murcia International Airport → CartagenabusAirport shuttle bus·49m
The best balance of price and time we found on this route.
How the trip from Madrid to Cartagena works
Start with a Renfe train from Madrid to Murcia, about 2h 53m. Transfer in Murcia and continue by Airport shuttle bus bus on to Murcia (42 min). Transfer in Murcia and continue by Airport shuttle bus bus on to Cartagena (49 min). In total it's roughly €107 over 5h 36m, 2 transfers.
Along the way to Cartagena
DepartureMadrid
Change hereMurcia
ArrivalCartagenaWhat Omio sells on this route
Omio's own lowest fares, one per mode. These are starting prices for the route in general, not for a date you picked, and they are refreshed once a day.
Omio last refreshed these on Thu, Sep 3
Who runs Madrid to Cartagena
RenfeMadrid-MurciaBook →Airport shuttle busMurcia-Region of Murcia International Airport, Region of Murcia International Airport-CartagenaBook →On this route you travel with Renfe, Airport shuttle bus; Routavio does not add a booking fee.
Madrid to Cartagena: common questions
How long does it take to get from Madrid to Cartagena?+−
The most useful route takes about 5h 36m by train, bus, 2 transfers.
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?+−
The best price in our latest search was €107. The exact fare depends on your travel date.
Which operators run Madrid to Cartagena?+−
On this route you travel with Renfe, Airport shuttle bus.
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.
Where to next
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