There are 8 ways to get from Madrid to Cartagena by train, bus, rideshare, car or plane
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
Train • 5 h 2 min
$65 - $85
Cheapest option
Rideshare • 5 h 20 min
$28
6 alternative options
Bus ALSA • 5 h 20 min
$40 - $65
Train Spanish Railways AVE • 5 h 20 min
$80 - $113
Bus Interbus Sureste • 11 h 5 min
$45 - $99
Drive • 4 h 32 min
$50 - $80
Fly to Alicante, train • 5 h 54 min
$61 - $227
Fly to Valencia, train • 7 h 51 min
$78 - $292
What companies run services between Madrid, Spain and Cartagena, Spain?
Spanish Railways (RENFE) operates a train from Madrid to Cartagena 5 times a day. Tickets cost $65 - $85 and the journey takes 5 h 2 min. Alternatively, ALSA operates a bus from Madrid to Cartagena every 4 hours. Tickets cost $40 - $65 and the journey takes 5 h 20 min.
- Website
- iberia.com
Flights from Madrid to Alicante
- Ave. Duration
- 1 h 4 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $80 - $330
Flights from Madrid to Alicante via Ibiza
- Ave. Duration
- 2 h 55 min
- When
- Friday
- Estimated price
- $80 - $330
Flights from Madrid to Valencia
- Ave. Duration
- 1 h 1 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $80 - $380
Flights from Madrid to Valencia via Ibiza
- Ave. Duration
- 2 h 57 min
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $80 - $380
- Website
- aireuropa.com
Flights from Madrid to Alicante
- Ave. Duration
- 1 h 20 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $75 - $300
Flights from Madrid to Valencia
- Ave. Duration
- 1 h 5 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $70 - $310
- Phone
- 902 320 320
- Website
- renfe.com
Train from Madrid-Atocha Cercanías to Cartagena
- Ave. Duration
- 5 h 2 min
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- $65 - $85
- Website
- renfe.com
Train from Albacete to Cartagena
- Ave. Duration
- 2 h 49 min
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- $30 - $45
- Website
- renfe.com
Train from San Gabriel (APT.) to Cartagena
- Ave. Duration
- 1 h 57 min
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $18 - $29
- Website
- renfe.com
Train from Valencia Estacio del Nord to Cartagena
- Ave. Duration
- 4 h 1 min
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $40 - $55
- Website
- renfe.com
- Phone
- +34 902 42 22 42
- Website
- alsa.es
Bus from Madrid Estacion Sur to Cartagena
- Ave. Duration
- 5 h 20 min
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $40 - $65
- Website
- alsa.com
- Phone
- +34 (0) 91 723 05 06
- autocares.samar@samar.es
- Website
- samar.es
Bus from Madrid to Tomelloso
- Ave. Duration
- 2 h 15 min
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $12 - $18
- Schedules at
- samar.es
- Phone
- +34 (0) 902 64 64 28
- info@interbus.es
- Website
- bcma.interbus.es
Bus from Tomelloso to Cartagena
- Ave. Duration
- 6 h 10 min
- Frequency
- 6 times a week
- Estimated price
- $74
- Schedules at
- bcma.interbus.es
- Phone
- +34 982 29 29 00
- Website
- monbus.es
Bus from Tomelloso to Cartagena
- Ave. Duration
- 4 h 45 min
- Frequency
- 3 times a week
- Estimated price
- $29 - $55
- Schedules at
- monbus.es
- Website
- blablacar.com
Rideshare from Madrid to Cartagène
- Ave. Duration
- 5 h 20 min
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- $28
- Book at
- blablacar.es
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.
Questions & Answers
How far is it from Madrid to Cartagena?
The distance between Madrid and Cartagena is 391 km. The road distance is 446 km.
What is the cheapest way to get from Madrid to Cartagena?
The cheapest way to get from Madrid to Cartagena is to rideshare which costs 22€ and takes 5 h 20 min.
What is the fastest way to get from Madrid to Cartagena?
The quickest way to get from Madrid to Cartagena is to drive which takes 4 h 32 min and costs 40€ - 65€.
Is there a direct train between Madrid and Cartagena?
Yes, there is a direct train departing from Madrid-Atocha Cercanías and arriving at Cartagena. Services depart five times a day, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 5 h 2 min.
Is there a direct bus between Madrid and Cartagena?
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Madrid Estacion Sur and arriving at Cartagena. Services depart every four hours. The journey takes approximately 5 h 20 min.
How long does it take to get from Madrid to Cartagena?
The train from Madrid-Atocha Cercanías to Cartagena takes 5 h 2 min including transfers and departs five times a day.