Route guide

Madrid → Lyon

913 km · Spain to France · Fastest: 4h by flight · Cheapest: €32+ by bus

How to travel from Madrid to Lyon

There are 4 ways to travel between Madrid and Lyon — compare duration, price and operators below.

🚄Train

€70–204

Duration: 7h 36m

via Renfe (AVE), SNCF (TGV), Intercités

~13 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚌Bus

€32–84

Duration: 13h 2m

via FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus

~26 kg CO₂ per passenger

✈️Flight

€72–230

Duration: 3h 43m

via Ryanair, easyJet, Iberia, Vueling, Air France

~142 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚗Car

€110–201

Duration: 10h 8m

~155 kg CO₂ per passenger

Where they are on the map

Madrid and Lyon highlighted among the 50 European cities we cover. Map is schematic, not to scale.

Travel tips for this route

At 913 km it's a longer journey — overnight stay strongly recommended.
Both train and flight options exist. Trains often beat flights door-to-door under 600 km once you count airport overhead.
This route crosses from Spain into France. Check passport/ID requirements with your operator before booking.
Long-distance coaches (FlixBus and similar) are typically 30–50% cheaper than train, but 2–3× slower.

Madrid to Lyon — every option in detail

Madrid to Lyon by train

Trains link Madrid (Spain) and Lyon (France) through the European rail network. Most journeys take around 7h 36m including one or two connections at major hubs.

Operators on this corridor include Renfe (AVE), SNCF (TGV), Intercités.

Train fares are dynamic — typical range is €70 to €204. Advance-purchase tickets (1–2 months ahead) almost always beat walk-up prices.

Climate footprint: about 13 kg CO₂ per passenger by train vs roughly 142 kg by flight — taking the train saves ~129 kg on this distance.

Madrid to Lyon by bus

Long-distance coaches connect Madrid and Lyon with a typical journey of 13h 2m. Buses are usually the slowest mode for this corridor but consistently the cheapest.

Operators include FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus.

Fares start from around €32 when booked in advance, rising to €84 for last-minute travel.

Most modern coaches offer Wi-Fi, USB charging and reclining seats. Overnight services exist on longer corridors and can save a hotel night.

Madrid to Lyon by flight

Flights between Madrid and Lyon take around 1h in the air, but plan on roughly 3h 43m door-to-door once you add airport transfers, check-in and security.

Airlines on this route include Ryanair, easyJet, Iberia, Vueling, Air France.

Typical fare range is €72–230. Low-cost carriers offer the cheapest base fares but charge separately for bags and seat selection.

Climate footprint: approximately 142 kg CO₂ per passenger for this flight.

Madrid to Lyon by car

The driving distance from Madrid to Lyon is approximately 1049 km. At motorway speeds, plan on around 10h 8m of driving plus stops.

Fuel-only running cost is in the €110–201 range for a typical car. Toll roads may apply, especially in France, Italy, Spain, Austria and Switzerland — budget extra accordingly.

Crossing the Spain–France border by car is straightforward within the Schengen Area; check current rules with the operator or border authority if either country is outside it.

Climate footprint: approximately 155 kg CO₂ per passenger assuming 1.5 occupants per car.

About this route

The distance between Madrid and Lyon is approximately 913 kilometres. Direct or connecting trains link the two cities through the European rail network. Both cities have international airports with regular flight service. Long-distance coaches offer a budget-friendly alternative on this route. Estimates below reflect typical operator schedules and fare ranges; book in advance for the best prices.

↔ Reverse: Lyon to Madrid All routes from Madrid All routes to Lyon