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Santander to Madrid Trains

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Santander to Madrid Train Tickets & Timetable

The Santander to Madrid route is primarily served by Renfe Alvia trains, offering different classes such as Básico and Elige. Departing from Santander Station, the train makes stops in cities like Palencia and Valladolid. It is recommended to book tickets online in advance to secure the best prices. The price range for a one-way ticket is approximately 25-85 EUR (around $28-94 USD). For accurate timetable information and ticket availability, use the search page to find real-time departures and train times.
5Apr
1
Seats
Santander
Madrid

Each ticket has information about

Departure Time

Travel time

Arrival Time

Changes

Brand name / Train type

Ticket price

Morning trains

06:48
SantanderStation
4h 35m
11:23
MadridMadrid-Chamartín-Clara Campoamor
Secondary station
Direct
High-speed
Renfe ALVIA 04072
from
8671 USD
1
4h 35m, Direct
06:48
SantanderStation
11:23
MadridMadrid-Chamartín-Clara Campoamor
Secondary station
from
8671 USD
1
Direct
High-speed
Renfe ALVIA 04072

Day trains

13:58
SantanderStation
4h 16m
18:14
MadridMadrid-Chamartín-Clara Campoamor
Secondary station
Direct
High-speed
Renfe ALVIA 04142
from
9631 USD
1
4h 16m, Direct
13:58
SantanderStation
18:14
MadridMadrid-Chamartín-Clara Campoamor
Secondary station
from
9631 USD
1
Direct
High-speed
Renfe ALVIA 04142
16:00
SantanderStation
4h 31m
20:31
MadridMadrid-Chamartín-Clara Campoamor
Secondary station
Direct
Intercit 04162
from
8671 USD
1
4h 31m, Direct
16:00
SantanderStation
20:31
MadridMadrid-Chamartín-Clara Campoamor
Secondary station
from
8671 USD
1
Direct
Intercit 04162

Evening trains

19:00
SantanderStation
4h 24m
23:24
MadridMadrid-Chamartín-Clara Campoamor
Secondary station
Direct
High-speed
Renfe ALVIA 04192
from
8671 USD
1
4h 24m, Direct
19:00
SantanderStation
23:24
MadridMadrid-Chamartín-Clara Campoamor
Secondary station
from
8671 USD
1
Direct
High-speed
Renfe ALVIA 04192
day

First train

06:40
night

Last train

19:20
distance

Travel duration

4h 25m
daily-departure

Daily departures

3
departure-station

Departure station

Santander
changes-type

Changes

direct
arrival-station

Arrival station

Madrid
ticket-price

Ticket price

$33
background

How to Book Train Tickets Online from Santander to Madrid

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4

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Book Official Tickets Easily
Rail Monsters provides official tickets for the Santander to Madrid route, ensuring a reliable booking experience. With a few clicks, you can confirm and purchase your tickets online and receive an electronic PDF ticket via email.
Secure Payment Options
Enjoy a safe booking process with multiple payment options, including credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Our online ticket system offers secure transactions when you buy Santander to Madrid tickets.
Flexible Exchanges & Cancellations
We offer exchange and cancellation policies depending on the fare type. Adjust your travel plans if needed and modify your Santander to Madrid train tickets based on availability and Renfe fare conditions.
24/7 Human Customer Support
Get assistance from our human support team, available 24/7 to answer your questions or assist with your online ticket booking. We are here to help throughout the entire reservations service.

Why Book Santander to Madrid Train Tickets with Rail Monsters?

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Book your train tickets from Santander to Madrid on Rail Monsters and benefit from a 24/7 customer support team, mobile apps for iOS and Android, and the ability to compare train ticket prices across different sources. Enjoy flexible bookings, access real-time train information, and use one account to manage your rail travel worldwide.

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Santander to Madrid Route Overview

Traveling from Santander to Madrid by train is a direct way to cross from the northern coast to central Spain. The Alvia service is a dual-gauge train that uses high-speed tracks for part of the journey, reducing travel time to around 4 hours. The route transitions from the green landscapes of Cantabria through the plains of Castile. Both Básico and Elige classes are available, providing options for different budgets and needs.
time-s

Travel time

4h 25m

train-s

Train type

fastest-s

Fastest trip

4h 16m

longest-s

Longest trip

4h 43m

Available Ticket Classes

On the Santander to Madrid Alvia service, passengers can choose between Básico (standard) and Elige (flexible) classes. Elige tickets often allow for seat selection and better cancellation terms. Some services also offer Elige Confort, which provides more spacious seating similar to first-class standards.
Economy Class
from
$4815
Economy Class
Business class
from
$5127
Business class

Practical Information for Alvia Travelers

Luggage icon
Luggage Guidelines on Renfe Trains. Traveling from Santander to Madrid includes specific rules for carry-on and larger items. Below are key points for your journey:
Luggage Allowance
Passengers may bring up to three pieces of hand luggage with a total weight limit of 25 kg. The sum of the dimensions of the three items should not exceed 290 cm, ensuring there is space for everyone's belongings.
Storage Facilities
Alvia trains feature racks at the end of each carriage for large suitcases and overhead shelves for smaller bags. Keeping items in these designated areas helps maintain clear aisles during the trip.
Special Items
Bicycles must be folded or disassembled and placed in a carrying bag if they exceed certain dimensions. Musical instruments and sports equipment are permitted if they fit within the standard luggage racks.

Average rating & reviews

4.7
starstarstarstarstar
Among mobile stores and search platforms
4.7
starstarstarstarstar
Among mobile stores and search platforms
Easy purchase and process
We went from Tokyo station to Hiroshima for the first time. We bought our tickets online, printed the tickets and had no issues. Great experience
avatarDenise Harston
Thank you very much for your support
Even with very short time frame you suceeded to change our tickets. We are very gratefull. You are the best.
avatarMitja Bostner
Thank you, David!
Could not thank David from Rail Monsters enough, i made a couple of errors in my booking for japan and he fixed them asap with no hassle, customer service A1
avatarAlan
Local Guide
Wonderful trip from Tokyo to Kyoto. Excellent service.
avatarMarius-Adrian Nicoara
Very kind and helpful staff
Very kind and helpful staff who were very diligent and thorough in helping secure tickets for a sold out train. Thank you so much!
avatarAllison Makhoul

Santander to Madrid Map

Plan your trip between Santander and Madrid through the heart of northern Spain. The transport route follows the line through Torrelavega, Reinosa, Aguilar de Campoo, and Palencia. After Palencia, the train joins the high-speed line through Valladolid and Segovia. This path moves from the mountainous Cantabrian range into the high plateau of the Meseta Central, arriving at Madrid Chamartín station.

Rail vs Bus vs Plane

Train

Changes

Travel time

Price from

Departures

Rating

Train

ALVIA

Changes

Direct

Travel time

4h 25m

Price from

$33

Departures

82

Rating

Train

Intercit

Changes

Direct

Travel time

4h 31m

Price from

$33

Departures

4

Rating

Taking the train from Santander to Madrid offers a balance of speed and center-to-center travel. While buses are frequently cheaper, they take over 5 hours and 30 minutes. Flights from Santander airport are faster in the air but require additional time for security and airport transfers. The Alvia train delivers passengers directly to Chamartín station in northern Madrid, avoiding traffic and long airport queues.
Greener choice

Plus, it’s a greener choice, reducing your carbon footprint

Travel time

Price range

Travel time

Price range

Travel time

Price range

Winner

Train

Apprx.

4h 25m

$33-$79

Bus

Apprx.

5h 30m

$32-$55

Flight

Apprx.

1h 10m

$45-$160

Cities at Both Ends

Santander is a coastal city famous for its 19th-century architecture and the royal Magdalena Palace. From Santander Station, the train travels south to Madrid, the Spanish capital known for the Golden Triangle of Art and its historic districts. Arriving at Madrid Chamartín, visitors have immediate access to the city's financial district and the extensive metro network. Both cities offer a mix of historical heritage and modern Spanish culture.
Madrid
Madrid
The capital of Spain, known for its rich cultural heritage and historic landmarks.

FAQ about the Santander - Madrid Route

How fast is the train from Santander to Madrid?

The Alvia train reaches maximum speeds of 250 km/h (155 mph) on high-speed sections. The total travel time for the 450 km journey is approximately 4 hours, making it significantly faster than driving.

How much is the train from Santander to Madrid?

A one-way train ticket from Santander to Madrid typically costs between 35 USD and 110 USD. Prices vary based on how far in advance you book and the chosen class of service. Rail Monsters offers several fare options online.

What station does the train arrive at in Madrid?

Trains from Santander arrive at Madrid Chamartín-Clara Campoamor station. This station is located in the northern part of the city and is well-connected to the city center via Cercanías trains and the Metro.

Are there direct trains from Santander to Madrid?

Yes, Renfe operates several direct Alvia services daily between Santander and Madrid. These trains do not require any transfers, providing a straightforward journey from the coast to the capital.

How to book Santander to Madrid tickets?

You can book tickets through the Rail Monsters website or mobile apps for iOS and Android. It is helpful to book early to access lower fares and ensure seat availability, especially on weekends.
Learn more information at our
Country Guide

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