The distance between Madrid and Cartagena is around 447km (278 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the train which takes around 4h 5m.
We've found 5 different ways to get from Madrid to Cartagena by bus, train, car and plane. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.
👋 Also check out Cartagena → Madrid if you're planning a return trip.
Take the train to Orihuela and then to Cartagena.
Multiple train operators
1 similiar route
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Fly from Madrid (MAD) to Almeria (LEI) then take the bus to Murcia and then to Cartagena.
Multiple operators
Take the bus to Cartagena.
There are several options for getting from Madrid to Cartagena by bus, train, car and plane. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around €40 ($40) and will take around 5h 20m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the train and arrive in approximately 4h 5m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately €66 ($66).
The distance between Madrid and Cartagena is around 447km (278 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 388km (241 miles)
It takes around 5h 20m to get from Madrid and Cartagena by bus. If you are travelling by car it will take around 4h 25m to drive there.
The quickest way to get from Madrid to Cartagena is to take the train which takes around 4h 5m and will set you back approx €66 ($66).
The cheapest way to travel between Madrid and Cartagena, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around €40 ($40) for a standard one-way ticket.
Yes there is a train service that runs between Madrid and Cartagena. It typically takes around 4h 5m and departs 6 times a week.
There are no direct train services that runs from Madrid to Cartagena. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Chamartín and Orihuela. These services run 6 times a week and will take a minimum of 4h 5m.
Renfe AVE and Renfe run train services between Madrid and Cartagena. Trains depart 6 times a week and will take around 4h 5m, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.
Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Madrid and Cartagena. It typically takes around 5h 20m and departs every 4 hours.
Yes there is a direct bus service that runs between Madrid and Cartagena with no changeovers required. The bus runs every 4 hours and takes 5h 20m.
ALSA run regular bus services between Madrid and Cartagena. Buses run every 4 hours and take around 5h 20m on average but will vary depending on you book with.
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Madrid to Cartagena. We recommend that you fly from Madrid (MAD) to Almeria (LEI) then take the bus to Murcia and then to Cartagena. instead which will take 4h 50m.
The closest major airport to Cartagena is Alicante Airport (ALC) (ALC) which is approximately 83km (52 miles) from Cartagena. Almeria Airport (LEI) (LEI) and Valencia Airport (VLC) (VLC) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.
Yes it is possible to drive from Madrid and Cartagena. The distance is around 447km (278 miles) by road and it will take around 4h 25m in normal traffic conditons.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Madrid to Cartagena is to take the bus which takes, on average, 5h 20m and will usually cost around €40 ($40).
Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Train + 1 similar | 4h 5m | €66($66) | 6 times a week | 566km (352 miles) |
Train via Albacete | 5h 35m | €63($63) | twice daily | 561km (348 miles) |
Plane and Bus | 4h 50m | €220($220) | every 4 hours | 720km (448 miles) |
Bus | 5h 20m | €40($40) | every 4 hours | 453km (281 miles) |
Drive | 4h 25m | €82($82) | on demand | 447km (278 miles) |
Air Arabia Maroc
TMP Murcia
The following major airports near Cartagena offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Spain and internationally.