There are 5 ways to get from Athens to Madrid by plane, train, bus or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner.
Recommended option
Fly • 7h 8m
4 alternative options
Train, bus via Timișoara • 38h 20m
Train, bus • 2 days 13h
Bus • 2 days 14h
Drive • 34h 43m
Athens to Madrid by bus
The bus journey time between Athens and Madrid is around 2 days 14h and covers a distance of around 4082 km. This includes an average layover time of around 1h. Operated by Union Ivkoni, Citylines, Valeross and others, the Athens to Madrid bus service departs from Athens and arrives in Madrid Mendez Alvaro Estacion Sur. Typically nine buses run weekly, although weekend and holiday schedules can vary so check in advance.
Travel safe during COVID-19
International entry into Spain from Greece
- Entry is fully open for citizens and permanent residents of Greece
Conditions of entry into Spain from Greece
- Specific entry restrictions may apply for travel to Spain: Canary Islands
Show more details
- Travellers must present a negative COVID-19 test as either a RT-PCR performed within 72 hours prior to arrival, or an Antigen test performed within 24 hours prior to arrival
- Travellers with a certificate of vaccination are exempt from providing a negative COVID-19 test
- Travellers who have recovered from COVID-19 in the last 6 months are exempt from providing a negative COVID-19 test (certificate needed)
- Health screen upon arrival
- Specific entry restrictions may apply for travel to Spain: Canary Islands
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Rules to follow in Spain
1.5m
Mandatory
Considerations leaving from Greece
The official advice is to avoid non-essential international travel to high risk countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, entry into Spain is currently allowed from Greece.
Explore travel optionsDomestic travel is not restricted, but some conditions may apply
- Face masks are mandatory
- There is a social distancing requirement of 1.5 metres
- Observe COVID-19 safety rules
The national COVID-19 helpline number in Madrid is 112.
Wearing a face mask on public transport in Madrid is mandatory.
The social distance requirement in Madrid is 1.5 metres.
Make yourself known to an official member of staff and/or call the national coronavirus helpline number on 112.
No, returning to Greece from Spain is currently allowed.
See options for return travel.
Last updated: 1 Jul 2022
Exceptions may apply, for full details: European Union.
We're working around the clock to bring you the latest COVID-19 travel updates.
This information is compiled from official sources. To the best of our knowledge, it is correct as of the last update.
Visit Rome2rio travel advice for general help.
Questions & Answers
The cost-effective way to get from Athens to Madrid is to fly, which costs €65 - €250 and takes 7h 8m.
The quickest way to get from Athens to Madrid is to fly which costs €65 - €250 and takes 7h 8m.
No, there is no direct bus from Athens to Madrid. However, there are services departing from Athens and arriving at Madrid Mendez Alvaro Estacion Sur via Sofia Central Bus Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 2 days 14h.
The distance between Athens and Madrid is 2369 km. The road distance is 3662.2 km.
The best way to get from Athens to Madrid without a car is to train and bus via Timișoara which takes 38h 20m and costs €270 - €440.
It takes approximately 7h 8m to get from Athens to Madrid, including transfers.
Athens to Madrid bus services, operated by Union Ivkoni, depart from Athens station.
The best way to get from Athens to Madrid is to fly which takes 7h 8m and costs €65 - €250. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs €340 - €480 and takes 2 days 14h.
The quickest flight from Athens Airport to Madrid Airport is the direct flight which takes 3h 50m.
Athens to Madrid bus services, operated by Union Ivkoni, arrive at Madrid Mendez Alvaro Estacion Sur station.

- Distance: 2369.5 km
- Duration: 7h 8m
What companies run services between Athens, Greece and Madrid, Spain?
Aegean Airlines, Iberia and 16 other airlines fly from Athens to Madrid hourly. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Athens to Madrid via Sofia Central Bus Station in around 2 days 14h.

- Website
- iberia.com
Flights from Athens to Madrid
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 53m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €130 - €550
Flights from Athens to Madrid via Barcelona
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 25m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- €150 - €600

- Website
- vueling.com
Flights from Athens to Madrid
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 55m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €130 - €550
Flights from Athens to Madrid via Barcelona
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 25m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- €150 - €600

- Website
- en.aegeanair.com
Flights from Athens to Madrid
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 50m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €130 - €550

- Website
- aireuropa.com
Flights from Athens to Madrid
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 50m
- When
- Wednesday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- €160 - €550
Flights from Athens to Madrid via Rome
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 30m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- €120 - €470

- Website
- transavia.com
Flights from Athens to Madrid via Paris Orly
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 45m
- When
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
- Estimated price
- €420 - €700

- Website
- alitalia.com
Flights from Athens to Madrid via Rome
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 30m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- €120 - €470

- Website
- lufthansa.com
Flights from Athens to Madrid via Munich
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 10m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €160 - €650

- Website
- easyjet.com
Flights from Athens to Madrid via Basel
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 15m
- When
- Monday and Friday
- Estimated price
- €100 - €370

- Website
- airserbia.com
Flights from Athens to Madrid via Belgrade
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 25m
- When
- Saturday
- Estimated price
- €100 - €380

- Website
- ryanair.com
Flights from Athens to Madrid via Charleroi
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 50m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €45 - €280

- Website
- airfrance.com
Flights from Athens to Madrid via Paris Charles de Gaulle
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 50m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €160 - €700

- Website
- trainose.gr
Train from Athens to Thessaloniki
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 13m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- €10 - €35
- Website
- Greek Railways (OSE)
- Airport
- €10

Rome2rio's guide to Renfe AVE
Contact Details
- Phone
- +34 91 232 03 20
- comunicacion@renfe.es
- Website
- renfe.com
Train from Zaragoza-Delicias to Madrid-Puerta De Atocha
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 19m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €30 - €65
- Website
- Renfe AVE
- Promo
- €30 - €40
- Promo+
- €37 - €40
- Flexible
- €50 - €65

- Phone
- +34 902 320 320
- comunicacion@renfe.es
- Website
- renfe-sncf.com
Train from Zaragoza-Delicias to Madrid-Puerta De Atocha
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 20m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- €40 - €60
- Website
- renfe-sncf.com

- Phone
- +30-2310540970
- info@simeonidistours.gr
- Website
- simeonidistours.gr
Bus from Thessaloniki to Timişoara
- Ave. Duration
- 14h 36m
- Frequency
- Once a week
- Estimated price
- €50 - €80
- Schedules at
- simeonidistours.gr

A Spanish subsidiary of National Express, ALSA provides bus and coach services across Spain and neighbouring countries including Portugal, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Poland and Malta. Founded in 1923, ALSA values service and the customer experience. Buses are equipped with communal TV screens showing movies, individual behind-seat screens, ALSA radio, app for books and music, and free WiFi. ALSA services are accessible to people with disabilities, and guide dogs are welcome on all journeys. There are three types of tickets on offer (Frequent Traveller Pass, Share Pass and ALSA Pass), along with discounts for senior citizens, students and children.
Contact Details
- Phone
- +34 902 42 22 42
- alsa@alsa.es
- Website
- alsa.es
Bus from Timisoara to Zaragoza
- Ave. Duration
- 15h 15m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- €180 - €260
- Website
- alsa.com

- Phone
- 02/989 0000
- Website
- union-ivkoni.com
Bus from Thessaloniki Monastiriou Bus Stop to Sofia Central Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 30m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- €10 - €14
- Website
- Union Ivkoni
Bus from Athens to Sofia Central Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 12h 30m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- €25 - €35
- Website
- Union Ivkoni
Bus from Sofia Central Bus Station to Madrid Mendez Alvaro Estacion Sur
- Ave. Duration
- 2 days 0h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- €95 - €140
- Website
- Union Ivkoni


- Phone
- +359 2 812 0810
- support@citylines.bg
- Website
- citylines.eu
Bus from Athens Karolou to Sofia Serdica Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 45m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- €10 - €50
- Website
- Citylines

- Phone
- 046/ 66 13 21
- valeross_holiday@abv.bg
- Website
- valeross.com
Bus from Athens to Sofia
- Ave. Duration
- 10h 2m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- €29 - €60
- Schedules at
- valeross.com

- Phone
- + 359/38/66 34 04
- georg_ltd@abv.bg
- Website
- georg-bg.com
Bus from Sofia to Madrid
- Ave. Duration
- 2 days 1h
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- €320 - €420
- Schedules at
- georg-bg.com
Want to know more about travelling around Spain
Rome2rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
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Read the travel guideMore Questions & Answers
Madrid is 1h behind Athens. It is currently 1:10 AM in Athens and 12:10 AM in Madrid.
Yes, the driving distance between Athens to Madrid is 3662 km. It takes approximately 34h 43m to drive from Athens to Madrid.
Air Europa, Aegean Airlines, Vueling Airlines and eight other airlines offer flights from Athens Airport to Madrid Airport.
There are 834+ hotels available in Madrid. Prices start at €87 per night.
The best way to get from Athens to Athens Airport is to subway which takes 42 min and costs €10.