Route guide

Madrid → Rome

1364 km · Spain to Italy · Fastest: 4h by flight · Cheapest: €43+ by bus

How to travel from Madrid to Rome

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

🚄Train

€97–286

Duration: 11h 22m

via Renfe (AVE), Trenitalia (Frecciarossa), Italo

~19 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚌Bus

€43–115

Duration: 19h 29m

via FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus

~38 kg CO₂ per passenger

✈️Flight

€90–284

Duration: 4h 19m

via Ryanair, easyJet, Iberia, Vueling, ITA Airways

~213 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚗Car

€164–300

Duration: 15h 9m

~232 kg CO₂ per passenger

Where they are on the map

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

Travel tips for this route

At 1364 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 Italy. 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 Rome — every option in detail

Madrid to Rome by train

Trains link Madrid (Spain) and Rome (Italy) through the European rail network. Most journeys take around 11h 22m including one or two connections at major hubs.

Operators on this corridor include Renfe (AVE), Trenitalia (Frecciarossa), Italo.

Train fares are dynamic — typical range is €97 to €286. Advance-purchase tickets (1–2 months ahead) almost always beat walk-up prices.

Climate footprint: about 19 kg CO₂ per passenger by train vs roughly 213 kg by flight — taking the train saves ~194 kg on this distance.

Madrid to Rome by bus

Long-distance coaches connect Madrid and Rome with a typical journey of 19h 29m. Buses are usually the slowest mode for this corridor but consistently the cheapest.

Operators include FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus.

Fares start from around €43 when booked in advance, rising to €115 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 Rome by flight

Flights between Madrid and Rome take around 2h in the air, but plan on roughly 4h 19m door-to-door once you add airport transfers, check-in and security.

Airlines on this route include Ryanair, easyJet, Iberia, Vueling, ITA Airways.

Typical fare range is €90–284. Low-cost carriers offer the cheapest base fares but charge separately for bags and seat selection.

Climate footprint: approximately 213 kg CO₂ per passenger for this flight.

Madrid to Rome by car

The driving distance from Madrid to Rome is approximately 1569 km. At motorway speeds, plan on around 15h 9m of driving plus stops.

Fuel-only running cost is in the €164–300 range for a typical car. Toll roads may apply, especially in France, Italy, Spain, Austria and Switzerland — budget extra accordingly.

Crossing the Spain–Italy 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 232 kg CO₂ per passenger assuming 1.5 occupants per car.

About this route

The distance between Madrid and Rome is approximately 1364 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.

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