How to travel from Barcelona to Zaragoza (or viceversa)
ALL THE ZARAGOZA - BARCELONA OPTIONS
Zaragoza (Spain) is the capital of the region of Aragon, located half way between Madrid and Barcelona. If are visiting Barcelona, Zaragoza is a great option for your next stop in your trip around Spain. It’s really easy to get there, and it features important sites to visit, specially the Basilica of El Pilar, where is worshipped the female patron saint of Spain. But also one more cathedral, the Ebro river and its bridges, a lively food market, an atmospheric Old Town, a fun tapas district, an Arabic palace classed as World Heritage by UNESCO…
But figuring out how to get from Barcelona to Zaragoza can be confusing: the options are many and similar but different enough. In today’s post we’ll help you figuring out what is the best way to travel between these cities for you, taking into account all the possible circumstances. What you’ll learn here will also be useful if you are planning to get from Zaragoza to Barcelona, too.
Barcelona Zaragoza by train
Until 2022 the train options to get to Zaragoza from Barcelona were simple: they were all run by RENFE, the Spanish railway company, and you mostly had to figure out if you wanted a high speed train or a slow regional train. But in 2022 the monopolism ended and now there’s two more companies competing to get you there, so you need to consider everything more closely. Let us help you sorting them out!
1
Travel by AVE
AVE (translated as "bird", are RENFE the high speed trains. They are the ones that offer the highest level of comfort, and the highest speed (the fastest options take little more than 1 hour and 20 minutes between Barcelona and Zaragoza). You can choose between two different types of seats: Basic (Standard) or Premium (Confort, XL). And can add a plus of flexibility (cancellation, date change, traveler change...) by buying the Elige option that adds SOME flexibility to your ticket conditions (then you can upgrade to even more flexibility by booking specific addons).
- SERVICED STATIONS: Barcelona-Sants and Zaragoza-Delicias.
- DIRECT TRAINS: Over a dozen per day.
- SCHEDULE: The first trains depart around 6AM and the last ones around 8PM
- PRICE: On demand, ranging €12 to €50 for the basic class.
- CHILDREN: Children 0-3yo are free as long as they don’t occupy a seat. If they do, they need a ticket with a 40% discount – which is the fee for kids under 14yo. They must travel with an adult. For minors traveling alone, check this.
- LUGGAGE ALLOWANCE: 3 pieces.
- WIFI: Yes
- FOOD SERVICE: Cafeteria. Mobile bar. Menu box for a supplement upon booking your Elige ticket. Warm menu for Premium ticket holders (breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack or dinner).
- ON BOARD ENTERTAINEMENT: Video, music channels, reading light and socket on each seat.
- SILENT COACH: Yes (a dedicated coach where children are not allowed and people cannot talk on their phones).
- PETS: For an extra fee (Except for Premium tickets, where they are included). Check their pet weight and cage size conditions.
- COMPATIBLE WITH EURORAIL: Yes, for an extra fee.
2
Travel by Alvia
- SERVICED STATIONS: Barcelona-Sants and Zaragoza-Delicias.
- DIRECT TRAINS: No. They all stop in Tarragona and Lleida.
- FREQUENCY AND SCHEDULE: Depending on the demand, there’s 0 to 3 trains per day, the earliest one departing around 8.45AM and the last one around 3.30PM.
- PRICE: On demand, ranging €10 to €50 for the basic class.
- CHILDREN: Children 0-3yo are free as long as they don’t occupy a seat. If they do, they need a ticket with a 40% discount – which is the fee for kids under 14yo. They must travel with an adult. For minors traveling alone, check this.
- LUGGAGE ALLOWANCE: 3 pieces.
- WIFI: Yes
- FOOD SERVICE: Cafeteria. Mobile bar. Menu box for a supplement upon booking your Elige ticket. Warm menu for Premium ticket holders (breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack or dinner).
- ON BOARD ENTERTAINEMENT: Music channels, reading light and socket on each seat.
- SILENT COACH: Yes (a dedicated coach where children are not allowed and people cannot talk on their phones).
- PETS: For an extra fee. Check their pet weight and cage size conditions.
- COMPATIBLE WITH EURORAIL: Yes, for an extra fee.
3
Travel by Avlo
- SERVICED STATIONS: Barcelona stops: Estacio de França, Passeig de Gracia and Sants. Zaragoza stops: Miraflores, Goya, Portillo and Delicias.
- DIRECT TRAINS: Only the ones taking 1 hour and 20 minutes. The other stop in Tarragona and Lleida.
- SCHEDULE: There’s 3 departures per day, one around 6.30AM, another around 10AM and the last at 9PM.
- PRICE: On demand, ranging between €7 and €35.
- CHILDREN: Children up to 14 years old pay a small set fee (maximum two children per adult) with right to a seat.
- LUGGAGE ALLOWANCE: 1 hand luggage and 1 cabin suitcase (check exact dimensions upon booking).
- WIFI: Yes.
- FOOD SERVICE: Vending machines on board.
- ON BOARD ENTERTAINEMENT: No. Reading light and socket on each seat.
- SILENT COACH: No.
- PETS: No, except assistance dogs.
- COMPATIBLE WITH EURORAIL: No.
4
Travel by Ouigo
- SERVICED STATIONS: Barcelona-Sants and Zaragoza-Delicias.
- DIRECT TRAINS: Only the ones taking 1 hour and 20 minutes. The other stop in Tarragona and Lleida.
- SCHEDULE: There’s 3 departures per day, the first train departs around 6.30AM, the second around 10.45AM and the last around 20.45M.
- PRICE: On demand, starting at €9/person.
- CHILDREN: Children aged 0-3 are free as long as they travel on an adult’s lap. Children up to 14 years old pay a small set fee (maximum two children per adult) with right to a seat.
- LUGGAGE ALLOWANCE: 1 hand luggage and 1 cabin suitcase (check exact dimensions upon booking).
- WIFI: Yes, for a fee.
- FOOD SERVICE: Cafeteria Ouibar.
- ON BOARD ENTERTAINEMENT: Only with Ouigo Plus or booking the Ouifun extra. Otherwise there’s plugs located under every window (but you need to pay extra to choose seats).
- SILENT COACH: No.
- PETS: For an extra fee. Check their pet weight and cage size conditions .
- COMPATIBLE WITH EURORAIL: No.
4
Travel by Iryo
- SERVICED STATIONS: Barcelona-Sants and Zaragoza-Delicias.
- DIRECT TRAINS: Yes, they take 1 hour and 23 minutes, just like AVEs and direct AVLOs.
- SCHEDULE: Upto 9 trains/day, the first being around 5.45AM and the last around 9PM depending on the day.
- PRICE: On demand, starting from €14 for Inicial tickets with the “red arrow” offer.
- CHILDREN: Children aged 0-3 are free as long as they travel on an adult’s lap. Children aged 4-13 qualify for a discount. Older children pay like adults. Minors under 18yo cannot travel unaccompanied.
- LUGGAGE ALLOWANCE: 1 piece of hand luggage and 2 suitcases. Check the dimensions here.
- WIFI: Yes.
- FOOD SERVICE: Cafeteria Haizea, Mobile Bar or . The Infinita Bistró tickets include a meal brought to your seat. Singular tickets can book a meal during the booking process.
- ON BOARD ENTERTAINEMENT: Yes, plus reading light, USB and socket in all seats.
- SILENT COACH: No.
- PETS: For an extra fee. Check their pet weight and cage size conditions .
- COMPATIBLE WITH EURORAIL: No.
5
Slow trains: Regional Express and Avant-MD
- SERVICED STATIONS: Barcelona stops: Estacio de França, Passeig de Gracia and Sants. Zaragoza stops: Miraflores, Goya, Portillo and Delicias. Avants only from Barcelona-Sants.
- DIRECT TRAINS: No.
- SCHEDULE: There’s between 0 and 3 departures per day, one around 9AM (Regional Express) and one or two around 4PM (one Regional Express and one Avant-MD), depending on the demand.
- PRICE: Around €30 (Regional Express) and €40 (Avant-MD).
- CHILDREN: Children 0-3yo are free as long as they don’t occupy a seat. If they do, they need a ticket with a 40% discount – which is the fee for kids under 14yo. They must travel with an adult. For minors traveling alone, check this.
- LUGGAGE ALLOWANCE: 3 pieces.
- WIFI: No.
- FOOD SERVICE: No.
- ON BOARD ENTERTAINEMENT: No.
- SILENT COACH: No.
- PETS: For an extra fee. Check their pet weight and cage size conditions.
- COMPATIBLE WITH EURORAIL: Yes.
Barcelona to Zaragoza by bus
6
Travel by Alsa
- SERVICED STATIONS: Barcelona Estacio del Nord and Zaragoza – Delicias.
- DIRECT BUSES: Yes (occasionally one stop in Lleida).
- SCHEDULE: There’s up 18 buses daily depending on the demand, the first departing as early as 7AM and the last at midnight.
- PRICE: From €6/ride if you buy round trip, or €10 if you buy one-way only. Discounts available for groups of 4 or more.
- CHILDREN: 0-3yo are free. 4-11yo get a 30% discount. 12-25yo get upto 30% discount when travelling Mon-Thu or Saturdays (except local holidays) on Comfort buses, but must register on Alsa Plus to qualify.
- LUGGAGE ALLOWANCE: Up to 30kg/66pounds. All rigid pieces of luggage will go in the trunk: hand luggage must be flexible and maximum 10kg/2.2pounds. Possibility of adding one additional piece up to 20kg/44pounds for a fee.
- WIFI: Yes.
- FOOD SERVICE: No.
- ON BOARD ENTERTAINEMENT: Audio, video and a free audiobook from Amazon Audible. Reading light and socket for each seat.
- SILENT COACH: No.
- PETS: For an extra fee (they travel in the trunk). Check their pet weight and cage size conditions.
- COMPATIBLE WITH EURORAIL: No.
Driving from Barcelona to Zaragoza
7
AP-2
After that you enter the region of Aragon, crossing the Monegros desert. The area only becomes greener as you approach the Ebro river, some 30 minutes before arriving to Zaragoza.
- GAS STATIONS: Nice gas stations are located along the highway every 50km/30mi or so. They are complete with clean bathrooms, shop and restaurants, and exclusively accessed from the highway. You’ll see them marked as “Area de Servicio” (or “Area de Servei” in Catalan).
- TOLLS: No.
- SPEED LIMIT: 120km/h / 74.5mph.
- Google maps directions >>
Alternative panoramic detour along the coast
If you prefer to drive leisurely, you can take a little detour during the first half of the ride from Barcelona to Zaragoza and go along the coast on smaller roads. You need take the C-31 from Barcelona that becomes the C-32 before entering the Tunels del Garraf. Then you’ll be then passing the seaside towns of Sitges, Vilanova i la Geltru and other. Towards El Vendrell you’ll have to choose between the N-340 to continue along the coast passing over some beach towns of the Costa Daurada, or the AP-7 for the inland highway with sea views on the distance. In both cases, once you reach Tarragona, famous for its Roman Heritage, you’ll need to take the A-27, that becomes the N-240 to join the AP-2 and continue to Zaragoza.
- ADDITIONAL MILEAGE: This route is only 30km / 18.5mi longer.
- TOLLS: Yes: the Tunels del Garraf are the most expensive toll in Spain – around €8. But you can skip them by taking the winding road along de Costes del Garraf to Sitges instead, adding another 15 minutes or so to the trip.
- SPEED LIMIT: Take into account that outside of AP-2 and AP-7 the speed limits go down to 100km/h (62mph) or less depending on the road.
- Google maps directions >>
8
A-2
The towns of Igualada, Cervera, Tarrega and Bellpuig offer some heritage of local interest. After entering Aragon, the A2 becomes the N-II (National Road #2), that follows a similar path to the AP-2, and it’s easy to transfer from one to the other in several occasions.
- GAS STATIONS: There’s no “Areas de Servicio”, you’ll be using regular gas stations (all of them with toilets, most of them with a small shop, and some with bar or restaurant). Sometimes they are located by the road, while other times you’ll have to leave the road and enter the nearby town to find it.
- TOLLS: No.
- SPEED LIMIT: 120km/h / 74.5mph as long as you are on the A2 (autovia), but only 90km/h / 56mph once you enter the N-II.
- Google maps directions >>
Can you fly to Zaragoza from Barcelona?
9
Why flying Barcelona-Zaragoza is not the best option
How are you planning to travel from Barcelona to Zaragoza?
Marta
Marta is the founder of ForeverBarcelona. She is a passionate tour guide that loves Barcelona and loves writing too. She is the main author of our Blog, and is committed to sharing her knowledge about Barcelona and her best tips with our readers.
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