Madrid to Córdoba train tickets cost from €16.50 – but day tours to Córdoba by train, including a visit to the Mezquita, may be a better option.
High speed trains to Córdoba, Spain
High speed rail has opened up amazing possibilities in Spain – especially for those who want to see a lot but have limited time. This puts the magnificent Andalucian city of Córdoba within day trip distance.
How long does the Madrid to Córdoba train take?
The quickest Madrid to Córdoba trains take one hour and 46 minutes, although with most it’s around the two hour mark.
According to the Madrid to Córdoba train timetable, there are 37 departures on the route per day.
Madrid to Córdoba train ticket prices
According to the Trainline, the cheapest Madrid to Córdoba train tickets cost €9. Take that with a pinch of salt, however, as looking at the cheapest daily prices on a calendar for up to four weeks ahead, the lowest fare was €16.55.
Looking two weeks in advance for trains that get you to Córdoba by midday, the cheapest train fare I found was €25.50. That’s still pretty good.
You can compare Madrid to Córdoba train ticket prices here.
Madrid to Córdoba day tours
If plotting a day trip from Madrid to Córdoba feels a bit too much like hard work, there’s always the option of a tour.
Madrid to Córboda day tours, which include return train tickets plus guided tours of Córdoba, cost from €169. They also include two hours at the Mezquita – the World Heritage-listed highlight of Córdoba.
Why visit Córdoba from Madrid?
Córdoba is packed with history – it was once the seat of an all-powerful Islamic caliphate, and was regarded as the most advanced, enlightened city in Europe.
In the tenth century, Córdoba was arguably the biggest city in the world, with an estimated 500,000 inhabitants.
Architecture spans the ages – from Roman times to when there was a thriving Jewish population. The Jewish quarter is hugely atmospheric, and it leads to what is undoubtedly Córdoba’s star attraction.
The Mezquita is a cathedral that was once a mosque – and it’s a must-see, even for people who hate touring around cathedrals. Inside is an eye-popping series of red and yellow archways. There are hundreds of them, and it has a mesmerising effect as you wander through.
