Operating both conventional and high-speed trains, OUIGO (pronounced as “wee-go” as in “we go!” in English and “yes, go!” if translated directly from French) is a popular choice for train travel in Europe since it offers passengers affordable, long-distance journeys within the French and Spanish rail network.
Founded in 2013, the company has since expanded to provide more trips within Spain through OUIGO España, a subsidiary of SNCF, which is France’s national state-owned railway company.
Here, we give you a lowdown on why taking OUIGO is the best way to travel between Spain’s most-visited cities, Barcelona and Madrid:
Regular Trip Schedules
OUIGO offers multiple daily trips between Madrid and Barcelona, with departures from six in the morning to eight in the evening. Travelers also have the option to take a direct trip or make stops in nearby cities like Tarragona and Zaragoza.
Stated below are the trips servicing the cities of Barcelona, Tarragona, Zaragoza, and Madrid until the first half of 2023.
Usually, the travel time between cities takes about three hours, which isn’t so long, if you’ll ask us since you’ll be taking in breathtaking views of the Spanish countryside and coast throughout the ride!
Of course, schedules are subject to change without prior notice, so stay up to date with the departure times of the trains here!
Trips with Ouigo are affordable!
By traveling with OUIGO, you get a bang for your buck, as you won’t be paying for anything other than your fare. Your cabin luggage and hand luggage are already factored into your total fare, so you wouldn’t have to worry about hidden costs!
Extras, however, come with a price (as they always do). The add-ons that OUIGO offers include additional luggage, pet travel fees, and ticket flexibility (so you can change your trip schedule as needed).
Comfort is prioritized
With OUIGO’s philosophy of giving the best value by traveling around Spain by train, it makes use of innovative double-decker coaches that have a capacity of more than 500 passengers. The coaches are designed to make you feel right at home (away from home) as you sink into your comfortable seat while enjoying onboard entertainment or having a drink from the OUIBar.
Travelers also have the option to avail of the 9 EUR*-worth OUIGO PLUS service, which covers more luggage, priority allocation on XL seats, and an onboard premium entertainment system that features the latest box office hits!
*Price stated is the current rate as of writing. Please visit this page for current prices.
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What To Do In Madrid and Barcelona (In A Nutshell)
Now that you’ve taken your much-awaited trip to Madrid or Barcelona via OUIGO, it’s time to fix an itinerary! We’ve listed down some fun activities to try per city during your trip:
Top Things To Do In Barcelona
Barcelona is a bustling and beautiful city that boasts museums, parks, mouthwatering cuisine, and a lively shopping scene! Not to mention, marvelous Antoni Gaudí landmarks dot the city for architecture fans to check out! If you ever find yourself in Barcelona, make sure to include these excursions on your travel bucket list:
- Breathe a prayer at Catedral de Barcelona, an imposing Gothic temple that stands in the midst of Barcelona’s narrow lanes and matchbox shops.
- Have a taste of Barcelona’s most authentic grub at La Boqueria, the city’s oldest market that now houses some 200 food stalls.
- Admire the work of renowned painter Pablo Picasso at Picasso Museum, which exhibits the growth of the artist from a classically trained painter to a pioneer of the cubist movement.
- Marvel at Park Güell, which is the mindblowing result of the collaboration between entrepreneur Eusebi Güell and Antoni Gaudí.
- Complete your Barcelona tour with a visit to La Sagrada Família, one of Gaudí’s most celebrated works, which also happens to be the world’s biggest unfinished church.
Top Things To Do In Madrid
The Spanish capital Madrid, on the other hand, is a vibrant city with a wealth of cultural attractions that gives visitors a flavor of genuine Spain. Wide avenues are clogged with traffic, yet lovely parks pause the sprawl of the city. While it lacks the classic allure of Andalusia or the beauty of Barcelona, it does boast a thriving café scene and a vibrant nightlife.
- Begin your trip by stopping by Palacio de Cibeles, which is one of the city’s most iconic buildings that now hosts the Madrid City Council.
- Sample mouthwatering Madrileño fare at Mercado de San Miguel, where banderillas—skewers of olives with other veggies and seafood—are the star!
- Check out Madrid Atocha Train Station, which is known for its botanical garden that features 5,000 plants spanning 400 different species!
- Visit Museo Nacional Del Prado, the city’s best-known museum that showcases a jaw-dropping collection of paintings and sculptures from Spain’s most notable artists, including Diego Velazquez, El Greco, and Francisco Goya.
- Relax at Parque del Buen Retiro, the largest park in Madrid that has an idyllic lake.
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